It doesn’t matter if you are flying from London, Africa, or the USA; the fact is that if you want to go to Australia you are going to have to travel far from home. People ask me all the time, “how long does it take to get to Australia”? I have heard many travel agents say, “the flight is not that bad”, the bottom line is, it’s far. Lets be honest 14 hours on an airplane is a long time no matter how you look at it. However, I will say that through my travels I have gone many more excruciating hours that the flight from the USA to Australia.
I am in the early stages of planning my next trip to Australia, and imagining the flight reminds me of a few of my LONGER trips. So, I thought it would be interesting to share 5 agonizing travel experiences. I sure wish they had iPads back then.
5. Ferry & Bus ride form Italy to Greece, Total of 18 hours (Ferry = 15.5, Bus = 2.5)
I was young, but doubt I could do this one again. (Although it was interesting to see the young Italian men continuously hit-on the American girls.
4. Krakow, Poland to Paris, France. Grand total = 24 HOURS ON A TRAIN.
I will say that this one was probably the most painful. It was a choice that I made to save some money to take the train, but this ride was just awful. By the way, the flight would have only taken 5 hours.
3. Flight from the USA to Israel, Total flight time = 26 hours
Once again I was pretty young and didn’t know any better. Although, I was lucky that the plane wasn’t full as I split time with a group of travelers lying across 3 seats (to try to get some sleep). I loved my trip, but it was a VERY VERY long flight.
2. Seattle to South Africa Flight time = 29 hours
My wife Molly & I were on our honeymoon and we wouldn’t change our experience for anything, but 29 hours? Are you kidding me?
1. Knoxville, TN to Seattle, Total time in Car = Unimaginably long
Road trip with my family from Do I need to say more? We were actually moving from Tennessee to Seattle at the time. The one thing I will say it that it took me 10 years to step foot into another Denny’s restaurant.
In the end, every trip was worth it, and Australia is no different. If you are reading this you have probably always dreamt of going to Australia. If the long flight is holding you but, let me just don’t worry about it. As they say, “its just a dinner, a couple of movies, and a nap away.” There are much longer flights and this once is well worth it!
Jason
Any tips for if you are terrified of flying? I would love to read a post with tips on how to overcome your fear…
I have a place to stay if I wanted to visit Australia but my fear of flying has limited me.
It’s not bad at all – from LAX – we say Drinks, dinner, 2 Movies, a big sleep, breakfast and you are there! I have been there 9 times and wouldn’t trade a Friday Night on Qantas for anything! To wake up and find myself in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne – I’m there! Love it! Can’t wait to go back!
Off to South Africa next, September 13th, how that flight will be worse! I promise! Much longer! Jason knows that! LOL!
Yes, I have always wanted to go to Australia, but it wasn’t the distance holding me back but the money required to do all that I want to do when I finally get there……LOL. I hope one day to be able to say Crikey from somewhere in the outback, but in the meantime, the savings continue. Ever since my aunt and uncle were there and came back with all the stories, I have wanted to make the trip myself.
Hi Jason, thanks for sharing your traveling story! It´s indeed a great way to make a long traveling hour to Australia seems less challenging.
But IMHO, your much worse traveling experiences won´t do any good to the readers (Do they suppose to feel any better knowing that someone else has a painful trip?). Instead, it could have been better to write about your long, but pleasant flying experience or how a long-flight travel should not be discouraging. Maybe tips on how to ease boredom while flying, or steps to prevent jet-lag will actually be more effective in persuading people to do the long-hours journey?
you bitches piss me off, you are WRONG it’s 749706 miles from the US to get there, I done taught you y’all