Our son is travelling to the Solomon Islands for his elective in the final year at medical school. He'll be going out there next September, but is some sort of Pacific pass cheaper than a more direct route? He needs to get to the capital Honiara. Jane Broadfoot, by email

Sunday Times travel expert, Richard Green, responds: Honiara is 1,300 miles away from either Fiji or Brisbane, from where there are a few flights a week. Solomon Airlines (0845 838 7947) has one jet aircraft and flies to both, while Air Pacific of Fiji (0870 572 6827) connects to its home base at Nadi, as does Air New Guinea (0870 240 0767); and another one-aircraft airline, Our Airline of Nauru, also flies to Brisbane.

The cheapest option for you son is to get a return to Honiara, and then use an air pass to explore neighbouring islands once he is there. Inter-island fares are very expensive if not bought in advance of arriving into the region. STA Travel specialises in youth and student travel and has fares for September next year to Honiara from £869 (for a student), or £1,046 otherwise - flying from Heathrow to Fiji with Air New Zealand (via Los Angeles), and then onwards with Air Pacific.

The South Pacific Pass covers Honiara and is good for up to eight sectors, including journeys to Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and other islands in the South Pacific. Fares start at £108 per flight.

Or try Trailfinders (0845 050 5892) or the Airline Network (0871 700 1777).

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