Australian Open FAQ
Have questions about the Happy Slam? As Tennis Australia's first Official Travel Partner in North America, we probably know the answer. If your question isn't answered below, contact our tennis travel experts.
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Where will my seats be located?
How flexible are the tour dates?
Do you offer special accomodations for families or groups?
Do I need a visa for Australia?
What are the Covid-19 entrance requirements for Australia?
How long is the flight to Australia?
Is airfare included?
How do we get to Melbourne Park?
When does play start?
How do we get around Australia?
Why are your tickets on sale before the public on-sale date?
How do we get our tennis tickets?
Can I play tennis in Melbourne?
Do we have the same seats each day?
What if it rains?
What time/day is [Player Name] playing next year?
Who will I meet at the Welcome Dinner?
Is travel insurance available?
Where will my seats be located?
Our status as the oldest Official Travel Partner of the Australian Open means a great relationship with Tennis Australia and access to excellent seating locations in several different sections. Choose from Front Row and Lower Baseline seating in Rod Laver Arena. Keep in mind, though: if you’re looking for the absolute best seats at the Australian Open, make sure you plan a day in Margaret Court Arena. No matter which court you choose, you’ll also have access to all 13 outer courts, and the other daily activities around the grounds.
How flexible are the tour dates?
Our set packages are simply popular combinations of tickets and hotel stays; each package begins on a day with a Welcome Dinner. However, we can build any package you can dream up—just try our custom package builder! You can also opt to Wander Down Under; perhaps you’ll fly to the South Pacific a few weeks earlier and stay through February, exploring Oceania as you go. Let us know what your ultimate Australian Open travel package looks like, and we’ll make it happen.
Do you offer special accommodations for families or groups?
Yes, Grand Slam Tennis Tours works with our guests to find appropriate rooms and suites for families and groups.
Do I need a visa for Australia?
Yes. Australia requires that all passengers have a current Australian visa for vacations of up to three months. This visa must be valid in order for you to be allowed to board your first flight. Please make sure you have applied for and received a visa before your departure. Visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs' website to find which visa is applicable to your situation. You'll see options at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au when you select the "Explore visa options" tile. If you are a US citizen and hold a valid US passport, you may be eligible for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). ETAs are free of charge (there is an online service charge, though), and most are issued automatically. New Zealand requires a similar authorization, a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
What are the Covid-19 entrance requirements for Australia?
Australian entrance requirements are frequently changing and being updated. Visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs' website to find necessary entrance information for your situation: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19
How long is the flight to Australia?
From the US, your flight crosses the International Date Line on its journey down to the South Pacific, so you actually ‘jump over’ this day. You actually arrive two days later than you departed. For example, if you leave on Fri. Jan. 10 you will arrive in Melbourne on Sun. Jan. 12. However, the day you have ‘lost’ on your flight down will be returned to you when you come back home again, so it all balances out in the long run. On your return, you arrive in LA earlier on the same day that you departed Melbourne.
Is airfare included?
Airfare is not included in the package pricing. We wrote a blog post on how to book your own flights, since it’s the easiest and cheapest way to get your airfare. But if you’d like us to help you with your flights, we’d be glad to do so.
How do we get to Melbourne Park, site of the Australian Open?
The stadium is conveniently located on the edge of downtown Melbourne, less than one mile from our hotels. It’s a 10–15 minute walk or tram ride to the stadium. Grand Slam Tennis Tours staff will escort you to Melbourne Park on your first day.
When does play start?
Click here for a complete schedule of play.
How do we get around Australia?
Geographically, Australia is approximately the size of the continental United States. Flying is the most efficient way to see several places, but trains, ferries, and rental cars are also available and can be built into your package. Let us know where you’d like to go, and we’ll help you create the trip of a lifetime.
Why are your tickets on sale before the public on-sale date?
As an Official Travel Partner of the Australian Open, we have early access to some of the best locations on Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas. We’re able to sell them as part of our hospitality packages before the public AO on-sale date because of our long-standing relationship with Tennis Australia.
How do we get our tennis tickets?
All Australian Open tickets are now e-tickets. You’ll receive them by email a week or two before the event, so make sure you supply us with the correct contact information when booking.
Can I play tennis in Melbourne?
Yes. Our packages include a tennis playing opportunity at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, a former site of the Australian Open. Join us if you want to try hitting on grass courts!
Do we have the same seats each day?
You will be seated in different locations throughout your time at the Australian Open. Don’t worry, though—they’ll be a variety of the best possible locations in the level of seating you’ve chosen.
What if it rains?
Luckily, all four major tournaments have roofs as of 2020. So if you have a ticket to Rod Laver Arena or Margaret Court Arena, you’ll only have to wait a few minutes while they close the roof. Outer courts will still be at the mercy of the weather, so some matches may be moved to the main show courts or delayed.
What time is Djokovic playing next year?
Great question and one we receive often. The draw is only released a few days before the tournament, and the order of play is only published the evening before the match. So, if there’s a specific player you’d like to see, we can usually predict which tickets you’ll need to see him or her. However, we can't know the exact time and court until the day before the match.
Who will I meet at the Welcome Dinner?
You’ll meet lots of people. The welcome dinner is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers; we’ve had many friendships (and even a few marriages) sparked on our tours. You may also meet a special tennis guest. Some of our past guests include top players Caroline Garcia, Reilly Opelka, and the Bryan Brothers, as well as Hall of Famers Tracy Austin, Fred Stolle, and many others. This is also a great time to connect with your tour hosts.
Is travel insurance available?
It sure is. After booking, just take your invoice from us, present it to a travel insurance company, and protect your trip.
