Christmas Island has been high on my bucket list for the longest time ever, and recently, something prompted me to research how to get to Christmas Island from Malaysia.
You see, back in the day, about 20 years ago, I wanted to visit Christmas Island, but during that time, it took a lot of work as you needed to fly into Western Australia and then only connect on another flight there.
But over the years, with the aviation industry growing at an incredible pace, more and more airlines or budget airlines have emerged, providing vast choices for unique destinations.
Christmas Island was one of them, so if you want to know how to go to Christmas Island, read on.
Getting to Christmas Island
Two main airlines fly to Christmas Island, which is from Perth, Jakarta and the third flight from Kuala Lumpur. Surprised?
Christmas Island was one of them, so if you want to know how to go to Christmas Island, read on.
Getting to Christmas Island
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| Where is Christmas Island exactly? Image from Google Maps |
For Malaysians, wait to get too excited, as the flight from Kuala Lumpur is specially charted. This needs to be booked by a travel agent that sells Christmas Island tour packages from Malaysia.
Christmas Island From Perth, Australia
Virgin Australia flies to Christmas Island twice weekly, and on route back, they make a stopover at Cocos Islands before arriving back at Perth. The flight also departs from Terminal 1 of Perth International Airport. Flights are;
Every Tuesday
- VA1909 Depart Perth 13:00 Arrive Christmas Island 15:50
- VA1918 Depart Christmas Island 16:35 Arrive Cocos Islands 17:40
- VA1916 Depart Cocos Islands 18:25 Arrive Perth 00:20+1
Every Saturday
- VA1913 Depart Perth 06:10 Arrive Cocos Islands 09:15
- VA1917 Depart Cocos Islands at 10:00. Arrive Christmas Island at 12:05
- VA1912 Depart Christmas Island 12:50 Arrive Perth 17:25
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| The world-famous Christmas Island crab migration. Photo from Christmas Island Tourism |
The good news for Malaysians or Southeast Asians is that you can now fly in from Jakarta in Indonesia. This means you must fly only some way to Perth and then to Christmas Island.
Departure is also from International Terminal 3, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. You should note that the generally checked baggage allowances for scuba divers are 20 kg per person.
There is an additional allowance for dive equipment which is AUD30.00 when pre-booked.
There is an additional allowance for dive equipment which is AUD30.00 when pre-booked.
Every Saturday
GA7000 Depart Jakarta: 13:40 PM - Arrive Christmas Island: 15:00 PM
GA7010 Depart Christmas Island: 15:40 PM - Arrive Jakarta: 17:05 PM
Flight Prices to Christmas Island
One Way via Jakarta: AUD375.00
One Way via Christmas Island: AUD405.00
Return Tickets: AUD780.00
*Update August 2018 - You need to check with the airlines in Jakarta about this.
Return Tickets: AUD780.00
*Update August 2018 - You need to check with the airlines in Jakarta about this.
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| Bird watching at Christmas Island is one of the main activities. Photo from Christmas Island Tourism |
Christmas Island From Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Unfortunately, there are only special chartered flights that depart from Kuala Lumpur. Many years ago, FireFly Airlines used to have direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Christmas Island in 2012.
The once-a-week flight was every Saturday and took 2 hours and 35 minutes of flight time one way. The airline also used a B737-400 aircraft for the flights.
FireFly Airlines then stopped this route, and Malaysia never again saw a direct flight with a commercial airline.
FireFly Airlines then stopped this route, and Malaysia never again saw a direct flight with a commercial airline.
In November 2014, Malaysia Airlines announced they would operate a special charter flight to Christmas Island from KLIA. However, this was short-lived, too, as it was only for one and a half months.
The last I heard was that one or two travel agents in Malaysia sell Christmas Island tour packages.
They operate series group tours with fixed departures with chartered flights from Kuala Lumpur to Christmas Island. But I need help to obtain information on this.
Do Malaysians Need A Visa To Visit Christmas Island?
They operate series group tours with fixed departures with chartered flights from Kuala Lumpur to Christmas Island. But I need help to obtain information on this.
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| One of the most beautiful beaches on Christmas Island. Photo by David Stanley via Flickr |
Yes, Malaysians need an Australian visa to visit Christmas Island. The visa can be obtained at the Australian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and is the same visa required for entry into Australia.
Please note that you should get your Australian visa done before booking your flight or tour package to Christmas Island. Please also note that Australian Dollars are the main currency on the island.
If you are travelling to Christmas Island from Australia, you do not need any visa or passport as you would have already used it to get into Australia.
However, a form of identification is required at the airport.
Events at Christmas Island
If you are travelling to Christmas Island from Australia, you do not need any visa or passport as you would have already used it to get into Australia.
However, a form of identification is required at the airport.
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| One of the beautiful seaside golf courses at Christmas Island. Photo by David Stanley via Flickr |
Events at Christmas Island
Below are some of the major events taking place on Christmas Island. Plan your visit here according to what type of event you would like to attend.
- May - Christmas Island Golf Open
- August - Christmas Island Sea Week
- August - Ocean Film Festival World Tour screening at the Outdoor Cinema
- Aug to Sept - Annual Bird'n'Nature Week
- September - World ARC Yachts Visit Christmas Island
- 1 October 2018 - Anniversary of Christmas Island becoming an Australian Territory
- 14 October 2018 - Annual Christmas Island "Destination" Marathon
- November 2018 - Whale sharks return to Christmas Island
For more information, please visit the Christmas Island website.
Christmas Island is so small only less than 2,000 residents live there. This makes the destination one of the more interesting places to visit, and the island is well known for its Red Crab migration from November to January 2019.
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| Signs indicating which roads are open and closed for the crab migration. Photo by David Stanley via Flickr |
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| Interesting road signs are seen at Christmas Island. Photo by David Stanley via Flickr |
Conclusion on How to Get to Christmas Island
Christmas Island is so small only less than 2,000 residents live there. This makes the destination one of the more interesting places to visit, and the island is well known for its Red Crab migration from November to January 2019.
You can find Malaysians living there with a diverse community of Chinese, Malays, Eurasians, and Australians living together.
For language, English, Malay and Chinese are commonly used around the island too. Generally, this place is perfect for anyone seeking outdoors, nature, wildlife, and culture.
For those who have been wanting to know how to get to Christmas Island, this article provides you with the information needed.
I hope that one of these days, I will have the opportunity to visit this amazing place and share my experience with you all.