You must arrange for your U.S. domestic and international flights to Australia to participate in your IFSA-Butler program. Read all flight information carefully and do not purchase a ticket until you have been accepted into a program.
Click here to download tips for international travel.
Group Flight Option:
Advantage Travel arranges an optional group flight to Sydney for most IFSA-Butler programs in Australia. Below are some details about the group flight option:
The group flight goes to Sydney and arrives on the program start date. If you want to fly to Australia with the group, you must reserve a spot and pay for it by the deadline listed. Please note that group flights can sell out before the deadline.
Fill out the Advantage Travelgroup flight reservation formfor your program and submit your payment online, or download the form and mail it to Advantage Travel with your payment.
The group flight fee includes a return fare to the group flight U.S. city of departure. Add-on tickets for other U.S. cities are available for an additional fee. Be sure to specify a return date when booking your group flight ticket.
Students travel as a group on the outbound flight to Sydney only and choose their own return date to the United States, as well as make their own way to the airport for their trip home.
IFSA-Butler staff will meet you at the airport upon arrival and transport you to the orientation site.
You will meet other students on the program before arriving abroad.
An experienced travel agent will work on your behalf to re-issue your ticket if you miss a flight.
Ticket change fees may be lower than tickets you buy independently
We have representatives monitoring flight departures to ensure that you make the group flight. If you are delayed for any reason, we will contact our office abroad so our staff know when to expect your arrival. IFSA-Butler staff do not monitor return flights.
IFSA-Butler staff do not travel on the flight, but they will be at the airport in Sydney to meet group flight participants.
If you don't choose to participate in the optional group flight, you'll be considered an independent traveler and you'll need to make your own travel arrangements. Things to keep in mind if you book your own travel:
You must meet the group at the Sydney Harbour YHA by 10 a.m. on the program start date.
You must attend the mandatory IFSA-Butler orientation at the start of your program.
You must arrange your own transportation from the airport to the meeting point. IFSA-Butler will not be able to meet you at the airport or pick you up.
Requirements for Independent Travel:
For students studying outside of Sydney, you must book the same group flight domestic ticket from Sydney to your host city. It is very important that you book the same flight as the group from Sydney to your host city, as that is the flight from which we'll be arranging transportation to your housing. Visit the Advantage Travel website and view the group flight reservation form to find the exact date and flight number that you should book.
You will be responsible for your own accommodation and luggage storage if you arrive before the program start date.
Do not book a return flight for any earlier than the program end date.
Advantages of traveling independently:
While you won't have the additional services provided with the group flight, it could be a more budget-friendly option to purchase flights on your own.
You can set your own flight schedule that works best for you, as long as you arrive at the Sydney Harbour YHA by 10 a.m. on the program start date.
It may be more cost effective to fly directly from elsewhere if you live farther from the group flight departing airport.
If you plan to arrive early, you'll be able to explore Sydney on your own prior to IFSA-Butler orientation. See the 'Arriving Early' section below for further planning details.
For All Students: IFSA-Butler will not refund students for any portion of IFSA-Butler orientation missed due to flight issues. However, resident staff will meet with students separately to cover any important information that was covered.
Return Flights:
You must schedule a return flight that leaves no earlier than your program end date. See the Dates and Fees tab on your program's page of the IFSA-Butler website for the program end date, but remember dates are subject to change. Be sure to confirm the exam schedule and the last date of your program once you arrive at your host university.
Log Your Travel Plans
Have your travel plans squared away? Be sure to share the details on your student portalas soon as you've finalized your plans so our Australia staff will know when to greet you!
Arriving Early?
IFSA-Butler cannot accommodate early arrivals. If you plan to arrive in Australia before the program start date, we recommend that you book your stay at the
Sydney Harbour YHA Hostel. It is located right in the heart of the city and is also the orientation accommodation. Rates are about $50 per night. For more budget accommodation, we also recommend the Wake Up Hostel for approximately $40 a night.
