£490+ Cheap flights to Auckland

Auckland climate

Auckland has a very moderate climate, with temperatures ranging from around 8°C in the winter (June to August) to 25°C in the summer (December to February). However, be prepared for all weathers when booking your flights to Auckland as rainfall can happen anytime.

Getting around Auckland

Auckland is easy to get around by foot, bus or ferry. You can also rent a scooter or bicycle for at least half a day. You can get almost anywhere in central Auckland by bus, some of which will take you to tourist attractions for free. The public transport is good enough that you won’t need a car to get around, and you’d struggle to find parking anyway. You may want to rent a car to head out to the suburbs however, and you can also take a ferry to the north shore suburbs and Hauraki Gulf Islands.

Getting downtown from the airport

Flights to Auckland are served by Auckland Airport (AKL) which is located 13 miles from the city. An Airbus bus service leaves regularly (every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night) for the city centre. Shuttle buses also offer cheaper transport between the airport and city or suburbs on a “shared ride” basis. Taxi services are plentiful and can be booked from the arrivals hall. It is also easy to rent a car at the airport and drive via one of the two state highways which allow easy access to the different areas of the city.

What is good to know if travelling to Auckland?

• When you’re in the waterfront area, don’t miss the chance to take a trip around the harbour on a yacht. The choice of vessels willing to take you out is almost overwhelming – including the Louis Vuitton boat from the America’s Cup. One particularly good trip is to take a boat ride to Hauraki Gulf. It takes just over two hours and you can enjoy some stunning views of the city as you head out. Many of the yachts will let you help with the sailing, or if you prefer, just sit back and enjoy the views. There’s no need to book in advance, just turn up and take your pick.
• The Auckland Observatory and Planetarium, better known as the Stardome is situated in the One Tree Hill district. As well as the spectacular planetarium, you can also see the real stars on a clear night through one of the Stardome’s telescopes.
• Spend a day shopping at Victoria Park Market. Once a rubbish dump, today the market – distinguished by its big tall, red chimney – is home to many artisan and craft boutiques. If you need a break from shopping, there are also many restaurants, cafés and a food court.
• For a meal with a view, have supper at the Orbit restaurant, on the top of the Sky Tower. The vista of the city is stunning from this altitude, and the restaurant slowly rotates throughout 360 degrees.
• For a free view of the city, head up Mount Eden, a volcanic cone located near the centre of the town. Popular with the locals, the spot is a great place for picnics, walks and to peer down into the volcanic crater, as well as out across the city.

Auckland airport overview

With some 13 million passengers passing through each year, Auckland International Airport, also known to locals as Mangere Airport after the suburb in which it is located, is New Zealand’s primary airport, and the fourth busiest in Australasia.

The buzzing airport takes its role seriously as the first and last place that visitors see in New Zealand, and has put together an impressive collection of imagery reflecting the culture and heritage of the country, which you can view on the walls of the airport.

The airport is under regular construction, a process that some travellers have reported as unsettling. Until Auckland International has finished with its tweaks and reshuffles, give yourself a little extra time to navigate – nobody likes to fly stressed, so better to be safe than sorry.