Flight deals to the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a fascinating combination of Spanish colonial influences and the natural beauty of a Caribbean island. Visitors can discover tropical beaches, lush jungles, national parks and waterfalls hidden among the mountains as well as very welcoming locals. You can also find plenty of wonderful architecture, wildlife and water activities.

There are two main international airports: Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. Punta Cana is famous for its beaches and crystal waters while Santo Domingo is the Dominican Republic’s capital and one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities. This is not a cheap or easy place to get to so flexibility is key when looking for flight deals from Australia.

Dominican Republic flight times

• From Sydney: 27 hrs 30 mins
• From Melbourne: 37 hrs
• From Perth: 41 hrs 30 mins
• From Brisbane: 39 hrs

Airlines that fly to the Dominican Republic

• American Airlines
• Delta
• Emirates
• LATAM
• United Airlines

Dominican Republic insider flight tips

• American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines fly to the Dominican Republic from Australia, stopping in Los Angeles and New York. Many major airlines, such as Emirates, go via their national hub and New York (JFK) before you connect to Santo Domingo Las Americas Airport (SDQ) with US carrier, JetBlue. It’s also possible to fly with many of the Asian airlines via China and the United States or with LATAM via Auckland and South/Central America. Air Canada also flies from Australia via Vancouver and Toronto.
• Since flight times are so long, a visit to the Dominican Republic is also a very good excuse to explore other parts of the Caribbean as well as parts of Central America, South America or North America in order to break up the journey. Santo Domingo Airport is connected directly with a few cities in the United States, Canada, South and Central America and with Madrid, Spain.
• The lowest fares on flights to the Dominican Republic come with very long journey times. The more time you have and the more flexible you can be with dates and route, the better chance you have of finding a good flight deal to the Dominican Republic
• Check your visa requirements if flying via the United States, including Hawaii, or via Canada. Click here for up-to-date advice on the Australian government’s travel advice site.

How to get from the airport

Foreigners arriving in the Dominican Republic require a tourist card which can be purchased from airport customs for US$10 or online in advance. It is valid for 30 days.

The most common method of getting to and from the airport is by prearranged private or shared shuttle transfers. Check with your hotel or package provider to see if they are included. If not, there are plenty of private airport shuttle companies which you can find and pre-book online. You can find major car rental companies at both airports. At Santo Domingo (SQR), there is a taxi rank on Level 1 of the South Terminal and at Punta Cana Airport, the taxi rank is outside customs. Authorised taxi drivers often carry a copy of their standard rates, but it’s always safest to establish the fare before getting in. Bus services in the Dominican Republic can be unreliable, crowded and potentially unsafe. If you use them, you will need to research your route beforehand.

There have been reports in the past of baggage theft from the airports. Watch all your bags carefully when passing through. It is best to ignore offers of help with your bags and be sure to use only authorised airport transport.