Flying to New Zealand

There are global high season periods when flights are more expensive, but take care of local high season dates for any of the hubs you will pass. For example: July might be low season in New Zealand but flights from Europe via Asia are still very expensive due to school holidays.

Coming from Europe, consider to turn your holiday into a round-the-world trip, especially Air New Zealand has special offers to arrive via Asia and leave via the Pacific and the US or Canada. Alternatively buy a round-the-world ticket with New Zealand being one of your stopovers.

Scared of a long flight? Most airlines offer very interesting stopover packages with hotel transfer and special rates. If you have time then there’s a chance to throw in another exotic destination practically for free. These are the most common stopover destinations:

Apia/Samoa, Bangkok, Brisbane, Brunei, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Dubai, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Nadi/Fiji, Noumea/New Caledonia, Papeete/Tahiti, Rarotonga, San Francisco, Santiago, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Qatar, Tokyo, Tonga, Vancouver, etc.

Don’t underestimate distances within New Zealand. If you want to see both the North and South Island then inquire about fork or connection flights. For example fly into Auckland, take a connection flight to Whangarei in Northland, drive a rental car to Christchurch and use a fork flight back to Auckland.

If you are short on time you can book domestic flights and rent a car in the centres you’re interested in.

Many airlines will let you book your flight online with a credit card, fast and without hassle. Often you will receive an email with a PDF file that you can print, and you already have your e-ticket! You often also get online access to view, change and reconfirm your flights. Booking via a travel agent has other advantages, for instance the possibility to just reserve seats until you finally decide, a wider option of flights not available online, easier comparison of flights to search for the best price and date to fly, or offering a reliable contact during your travels. Nowadays most travel agents will charge booking fees for their services. The more complicated your plans, the more advantages of going through an agent.

The big distances, left-hand driving and the sheer amount of highlights are for many who stay only short periods an incentive to choose an organised trip around the country. You will find as many offers at your travel agent as locally here in New Zealand. You can book complete packages with flights, fees, accommodation, food and transport included. There are also half-independent tours where you can drive your own rental car but all else is taken care of.

Some airlines offer carbon footprint offset schemes, where you can decide to support programmes who aim to neutralise the CO2 emissions caused by your flight. There are also many independent schemes you can choose from (see sustainable travel).