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Cheap Flights to the Cook Islands

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 5 days
Rarotonga
Rarotonganonstop$948
Aitutaki
Aitutaki2 stops$1,602
Rarotonga
Rarotonganonstop$948
Aitutaki
Aitutaki2 stops$1,602

Price, demand and travel trends for flights to the Cook Islands

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

Are flights to the Cook Islands cheaper or more expensive than last year?

Fares to the Cook Islands are running about 23% lower than they were around this time last year, averaging $1,259 round-trip.

What are the cheapest fares to the Cook Islands right now?

The cheapest fares to the Cook Islands on KAYAK in the last week were to Rarotonga (RAR) from $948 round-trip or to Aitutaki (AIT) at $1,602 round-trip.

What's the cheapest month to fly to the Cook Islands?

August is the cheapest month to fly to the Cook Islands, with round-trip fares averaging $988. The most expensive months are March and November, when average round-trip fares rise to $1,503 and $1,494, respectively.

How do fares to each airport in the Cook Islands compare?

According to KAYAK data from the last 12 months, the cheapest airports to fly into the Cook Islands are:

• Rarotonga (RAR) at $1,207
• Aitutaki (AIT) at $2,461

How do fares to the Cook Islands vary across the week?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Friday is the cheapest day to fly to the Cook Islands and Monday is the most expensive. Looking at KAYAK data from the past 12 months, Friday prices run 66% lower than Monday.

What time of day is cheapest to fly to the Cook Islands?

On average, morning flights are the cheapest, at around $1,084. Evening flights are the most expensive to the Cook Islands, with tickets averaging $1,818.

Key details for flights to the Cook Islands

Low season

August

Cheapest flight

$585
Beat the crowds with an average 16% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 10% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Honolulu to Rarotonga

Your questions about flights to the Cook Islands, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Is now a good time to book a flight to the Cook Islands?

    Yes. Fares to the Cook Islands are low right now. As a rule of thumb, a round-trip under $950 (cheaper than most fares this year) is a good deal, so if you spot one at or below that, it's worth booking.

  • How much should I budget for a flight to the Cook Islands?

    You can typically expect round-trip fares to the Cook Islands to cost from $950 to $1,879, based on KAYAK data from the past 12 months.

  • What are the main airports serving the Cook Islands?

    Flights to the Cook Islands use two main airports, Rarotonga (RAR) and Aitutaki (AIT).

  • What airlines fly nonstop to the Cook Islands?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, just one airline flies nonstop to the Cook Islands on a regular basis: Alaska Airlines.

  • Is it cheaper to fly with a layover to the Cook Islands?

    No, nonstop flights to the Cook Islands are generally cheaper.

  • What cabin classes are available on flights to the Cook Islands?

    On flights to the Cook Islands you can book Economy Class, Premium Economy Class, Business Class or First Class.

  • What are the passport and visa requirements for flights from the United States to the Cook Islands?

    When flying to the Cook Islands, you must present a passport whose validity covers the entire visit. The validity of the passport must extend to at least 6 months beyond your intended period of stay in the Cook Islands. When on visits of less than 30 days, you do not require a visa. However, for visits over 31 days, you will need a Visa.

  • If I plan on renting a car in the Cook Islands, what child seat laws do I need to know about?

    In the Cook Islands, child seat laws are not enforced strictly. However, for your child's safety, consider getting booster seats. Children under four should be in child restraint seats. Children under 12 can also sit at the front of the vehicle, provided they are in the proper restraints. Even though these rules are not enforced, they are essential in taxis, personal vehicles, and private vehicles.

  • What is the best way of getting to Aitutaki?

    Aitutaki is one of the Cook islands, featuring a central island and lagoon. It has an airport, Aitutaki International Airport (AIT). However, there are no US cities that offer flights to the airport. Instead, you would first need to fly into Rarotonga to get to the city. From Rarotonga, you can take flights to AIT. The average flights take less than an hour, and Air Rarotonga provides flights. Once you get to Aitutaki International Airport, you can proceed to the city. You can take a taxi from the airport or drive to the city.

  • How do I get to One Foot Island from the United States?

    To get to One Foot Island, you must fly to Rarotonga. Upon arrival, you can take a 45-minute flight to Aitutaki Airport. Once you get to the city, please proceed to the city via a taxi, public means, or driving. Upon arrival at the city, you can take a boat from Aitutaki to One Foot Island Beach.

  • Are there any airports in the United States that provide direct flights to the Cook Islands?

    Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from the United States to the Cook Islands. However, you can get on one-stop flights from LAX to Rarotonga. Other airports in the United States provide two-stop or three-stop flights to the Cook Islands.

  • How do I get from the United States to Maire Nui Gardens?

    Maire Nui Gardens is ideal for nature lovers and lies on the island's South side. To get to the botanical garden, you must take flights to Rarotonga Airport. Once you land at the airport, you can take a taxi to the city center or drive to the beach. You can take a boat ride to Maire Nui Gardens at the beach. Alternatively, the fastest way to get to Maire Nui Gardens would be by driving or taxi. The average ride takes about 22 minutes to get to Maire Nui Gardens.

Your guide to booking flights to the Cook Islands

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, August usually has the best deals, while March tends to be the priciest. The best-time-to-travel chart on this page shows how prices move across the year.
  • Friday is usually the cheapest day to fly, about 66% cheaper than Monday, the priciest day. If your dates are flexible, that's an easy way to save. If not, try nearby airports or a layover instead.
  • If you're looking to save, Rarotonga (RAR) has had the lowest fares over the past 12 months. Just remember to factor in the cost of getting to your final destination.
  • Rarotonga is the most popular destination in the Cook Islands. Start your trip here and then check out these other places KAYAK travelers love: Aitutaki, Avarua and Ngatangiia.
  • Flying nonstop is usually the best value when traveling to the Cook Islands. Over the past three months, flights without a layover have been the cheapest.
  • One of the most popular locations to take flights to the Cook Islands is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Airlines operating flights from LAX to the Cook Islands include Air New Zealand, United Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Australia. They provide one-stop and two-stop flights to the Cook Islands.
  • Most flights from the United States arrive at Rarotonga International Airport (RAR). It lies in Aravua, Cook Island's central district. It is a hub for major airlines like New Zealand Air, Jetstar, Air Rarotonga, and Air Tahiti.
  • If coming from the North Texas region, consider taking fanlights from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The airport provides two-stop flights to Cook Island. Air New Zealand, Delta Airlines, Jetstar, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines operate flights on the route.
  • Consider taking flights from Houston, Texas, when coming from the Southeast Texas region. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) offers two-stop flights from IAH to Rarotonga. Air New Zealand, United Airlines, Jetstar, Emirates, and Qatar Airways operate flights on the route.
  • If you are from the Northeastern region of the United States, consider taking flights from New York. John F. Kennedy provides two-stop and three-stop flights to Rarotonga. Airlines on the route include Air New Zealand, Delta, Jetstar, Alaska Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and Qatar Airways. Layovers are in Los Angeles, Adelaide, San Francisco, Auckland, Dubai, and Milan.
  • Travellers from the South Atlantic region can consider taking flights from Miami International Airport (MIA). MIA offers two-stop flights to the Cook Islands with layovers in Auckland and Houston. Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines provide the flights.
  • When coming from the East North Central Region on the southwestern tip of Lake Michigan, you can take flights from Chicago. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) provides two-stop flights to Rarotonga Airport. Air New Zealand United Airlines, Jetstar, Emirates, and Qatar Airways provide flights on the route.

Reviews of the top airlines flying to the Cook Islands

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from the United States to the Cook Islands? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
Air New ZealandOverall score based on 671 reviews
7.4Entertainment
7.5Food
8.5Crew
8.2Boarding
7.9Comfort
Airline reviews

I like Air NZ, but rather old plane seating in Premium Economy. Not very comfortable , nor very roomy.

6.0 GoodAnonymous, Aug 2026
Read more Air New Zealand reviews

I like Air NZ, but rather old plane seating in Premium Economy. Not very comfortable , nor very roomy.

Great airline service by the staff. I highly recommend it

Time to upgrade those planes so you can provide first class.

My experience with Underpricer was not great. The representative assigned to me did not tell me beforehand that selecting seats, which i could not do through ANZ, WOULD ADD SIGNIFICANT cost to my ticket (all flight segments were reg economy seats. The seat selections for the ticket, MCI-AKL, AKL-PER, PER-MCI, cost $284 USD. I WAS NOT TOLD AHEAD OF SELECTING SEATS chosen by the rep OF THE COSTS and never received an itemized invoice of the seat selections.). The costs of seat selection, an option solicited as a service, with no mention of costs, should have been disclosed to me prior to seat selection and certaily should have been itemized. For all I know, the $284 was not referred from the airline but made up and taken directly by Underpricer. Next, when i checked in, united couldnt find my ticket. This is probably why i didnt get a seat selection on that flight and couldnt check in online, despite Underpricer prompts to do so a week before departure, or at the kiosk at the airport. I had to wait for special help at the counter, then was told that because the flight segment, MCI-IAH, operated by United Airlines via the ANZ. ticket, had changed schedule slightly since I BOOKED MY FLIGHT, the MCI-IAH segment had been decoupled from the rest of the ticket because the IAH layover was now 12.5 hrs AND DID NOT QUALIFY AS A THROUGH FLIGHT TO AKL.. This meant my checked bag could not be checked through to AKL and id have to pick it up at IAH, THEN WAIT MOST OF the long layover WITH the large checked bag until ANZ counter in IAH OPENED for checkING just prior to the flight. Apparently, although underpricer had notified me of schedule changes, they did not update the ANZ TICKET, leading to this problem. Finallly, although I RECHECKED TH BAG IN At IAH 3.5-4 hours before the scheduled departure and the IAH-AKL segment was a direct flight, ANZ LOST MY bag and it took 4 days to find it and get it to me. Not fun.

The flight was smooth and on time. Entertainment options were lacking and there was no food, other than some very boring snacks.

This flight was the second leg of a trip that began in Auckland, New Zealand. I was unable to find a way to select seats in advance. The boarding passes we were given in Auckland did not have seat assignments for the second flight. There was no way to check on it until personnel showed up at the gate in Los Angeles, immediately before boarding time. The flight was overbooked by one, and since I was traveling with my sister, we needed two seats. We waited in considerable anxiety for everyone else to board and when one person did not show up, we had to take whatever was left. At least we finally got on the flight although we were the very last to board. We were not able to sit together, of course.

We had difficulty checking in as United didn’t recognize the confirmation number and the agent was not helpful. We went to the United Assistance desk where the agent was able to process our reservation. We also weren’t allowed to choose seats in advance.

Very quick flight so no time for refreshments. We took off. Then landed. The end. Seats were too tight. Very cramped Grateful for the short flight cos moving around wasn’t possible

The food was not as good as Air New Zealand. The veg pasta was pass-able but the veg cibotta sandwich was dry, hard and not up to par. The coach staff were attentive and accommodating.

I was trying to get confirmation on if my luggage was going to be moved to the earlier flight (I requested standby to get home earlier) and was unable to get help from those working at the counter. The request to be moved to an earlier flight was handled smoothly through the app and appreciate the ease of the request.

Flight went well, 2 hour delay was disappointing but understandable if there was a maintenance issue.

Alaska Airlines is my airline of choice hands down. They deliver consistent quality, especially from the staff. I cringe when I have to fly another carrier.

Our flight was experience was great. The captain announced what to expect on the flight. The weather was stormy in Florida our destination and he explained we would be going thru some turbulence but all would be good. He took time to announce when we flew over notable areas of the country. Flight crew was good. The snacks need to step up. One Biscoff for a five hour flight on a $650.00 ticket is slack.

Truly, everything was professional, and extremely friendly with lots of smiles from all the staff. My only complaint is that both coming and going from San Francisco to Seattle and back the public announcement system on the airplane when I was sitting in the exit row was so loud that it hurt my ears, and I was not the only one I did report it to one of the stewardesses who thanked me and apologized, but truly Alaska Airlines is my favorite domestic Airlines by a far shot

Boarding was slow, but that was my fault for not getting in line sooner (missed the pre-boarding). Other than that everything was a 10!

My ticket was mistakenly not ticketed properly and I had to buy another ticket and you haven't reimburse me yet.

First time flying on Alaska Airlines. Very good experience. Boarded, landed on time, baggage claim was quick just as they guarantee. When returning home, the nicest person at the check in counter helped with our checked luggage tickets and our wine cases, which were free to check (one per passenger) when you joined their rewards program. Will definitely use this airline again!

Cheeseburger was good, but other sides were awful. Attendents were great! Flight was good, except for changing gates 4 times and flight being delayed over an hour..

Super narrow seats, no in flight entertainment for long direct flight and limited snacks of 1 packet of cookies. Nice crew and patient staff.

Smooth boarding process and comfy seats! Will definitely fly Alaska Airlines again!

More options for your flight to the Cook Islands

Complete your trip to the Cook Islands with a hotel stay or car rental