Flights to Auckland

A Guide to Auckland

What To Know Before Boarding Flights to Auckland

• Head to Victoria Park and watch the cricket for free. There is no entry fee on the weekends when amateur teams are playing at the sports ground.
• Buy the AT HOP Card. It's a prepaid card that will give you up to 20% off on fares. If you're going to be using Auckland's public transport system a lot, it will help you save on transportation costs.
• Go on a free walking tour. It's a great way to explore the city upon arrival on flights to Auckland; get your bearings and learn about Auckland's history from a local guide.
• Spend a day at one of Auckland's free museums. If you're a history-buff then Papakura Museum, Huia Settlers Museum and the McCahon House are all worth a visit.
• You don't need to tip at restaurants. If you feel the service was exceptional, you're welcome to leave a 10% gratuity, but it's not expected.
• The tap water in Auckland is safe to drink. Instead of buying bottled water, bring a reusable bottle and fill up as you make your way around the city.

Things to Do in Auckland

You’ve booked flights to Auckland and have landed in AKL; now what will you do? The City of Sails is brimming with activities, excursions and possibilities. One of the most popular things to do in Auckland with visitors is ascending to Sky Tower. Head up to the Observation Deck for incredible views over the city, and adrenalin-junkies in town on an airfare to Auckland can take the Sky Tower experience one step further with the SkyJump or SkyWalk. Another great panorama of the city can be had from Mount Eden. Make your flights to Auckland work even harder by incorporating a day trip to Waiheke or Rangitoto Islands into your itinerary. The former has serious wine and gourmet clout as well as eco-walks, diving and snorkelling opportunities, and pristine beaches. Rangitoto Island has a distinctive conical shape and is the youngest of New Zealand’s volcanic isles. It is accessible from Auckland by ferry. Use tickets to Auckland as a chance to brush up on NZ history at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, or movie-buffs will be quick to snap up cheap flights to Auckland so they can visit the Hobbiton Movie Set. Couple return flights to Auckland with a sojourn up to the Bay of Islands too.

Getting Around Auckland

If you're staying in the CBD, it's possible to walk to most of Auckland's top attractions. But if your hotel or apartment is further away, you'll need to use local transportation. The cheapest way to get around Auckland is with the Link buses. Three different lines run across from 6:30am to 11:00pm. every day. Fares start from $1 NZD and go up depending on the distance travelled. Six taxi companies service Auckland, as well as ride-sharing services Uber and Zoomy. Fares start $3 NZD and go up by $2.15 NZD per kilometre. Renting a car is a good idea if you're planning on using flights to Auckland as a way to explore beyond the city limits. You can hire a car on Webjet and pick it up after you land on cheap flights to Auckland. If you want to visit Waiheke Island or the neighbourhoods of Half Moon Bay and Devonport, take a ferry. Tickets cost $6.90 NZD per adult or $12.50 NZD for a return.

What is the Best Time to Visit on Flights to Auckland?

The best time to book flights to Auckland is for travel during its two shoulder seasons. From March to May and September to November, the temperatures are pleasant, and the summer crowds with tickets to Auckland have yet to arrive. If you're interested in art and culture, May is the perfect time to visit with cheap flights to Auckland. There are tons of festivals to attend if you can handle the cooler temperatures. November is also prime time for foodies that have booked an airfare to Auckland, as the city hosts its main dining event, the Taste of Auckland. May to July are the wettest months of the year for Auckland, and many hotels and airlines slash their prices to make up for the seasonal lull. This can be a great time to save even more money on flights to Auckland. December to February is peak tourist season. Local and international travellers flock to the city on tickets to Auckland for the end-of-year holidays. If you're planning a trip during this period, it's a good idea to book your airfare to Auckland well in advance or keep a look out for deals in the latter half of January when the kids go back to school.

Airports in Auckland

Auckland Airport (AKL)

Auckland Airport (AKL) is the busiest and largest airport in New Zealand. It's 21 kilometres from the city centre and is a hub for all cheap flights to Auckland, including regional flights. Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia and Jetstar Airways all operate return flights to Auckland out of AKL.

Getting to and from Auckland Airport

The best way to get from Auckland Airport (AKL) is with the SkyBus. It operates 24 hours a day and takes 40 to 60 minutes to reach the terminals in the city centre. Tickets are available from the kiosks inside the airport and cost $18 NZD per person. Another affordable option is the 380 Airporter bus. It runs every 15 to 20 minutes from the airport and stops outside the domestic and international arrivals terminals. If you miss the Airporter, you can take the route 31 bus. It runs between 7am and 7pm every day and departs from the terminals every 15 minutes. Taxi ranks are located outside of the Auckland Airport (AKL) arrivals area. You can pre-book your ride or organise your trip into the city centre when you arrive. Fares will cost around $38 to $75 NZD, and you'll also have to pay an $5 NZD pick-up surcharge and an $2 NZD drop-off fee. If you want to rent a car, you'll find the desks next to the arrivals area on the ground floor.