Airports are supposed to represent freedom and excitement – they are gateways to adventure.
But they can also be stressful, expensive, and mind-numbingly dull places, if you don’t come prepared.
How to make the most of it? Here is our survival guide to New Zealand’s five main airports.
READ MORE:
* Airport travel hacks that will make your next flight a breeze
* Airport travel tips: How to make an airport really fly for you
* How to kill time at a boring airport
AUCKLAND AIRPORT
How easy is it getting there?
We’re not gonna lie – it’s a bit of a mission. Located near Mangere, it’s only 15km from the city but can take up to an hour to reach, depending on traffic. Public transport is your best bet, with the 24-hour SkyBus costing $18. A shuttle to Queen Street will set you back about $35. While a taxi fare has been known to cost an eye-watering $90.
Parking?
Parking is available at both the international and domestic terminals, or you can use Park & Ride. If you’re picking someone up, there’s a wait zone near the international terminal where you can wait free of charge for 30 minutes. At the domestic terminal, you can park free for 10 minutes.
What’s the shopping like?
It’s pretty basic at the domestic terminal, with a couple of convenience stores, a travel pharmacy, and a few brands like Sunglass Hut, Karen Walker, Miu Miu and Ray Ban. The international terminal is more of a shopping destination – you’ll find everything from Apple to Victoria’s Secret, and you can even get your brows done at Benefit’s brow bar to ensure you jet off looking well-groomed.
Browsing through the international terminal? Pop by the @benefitnz gals and check out their great new Brow-zing kit. #Benefit #Brows #Browzing #AucklandAirport #DutyFree #Makeup
A video posted by Auckland Airport (@aucklandairport) on
Food and drinks?
All of your favourite fast food bad boys can be found at the international terminal – Burger King, McDonald’s, KFC, Dunkin’ Donuts. Or for more of a Kiwi vibe, you can try the Mac’s Down Under Bar (after all, it’s five o’clock somewhere). In domestic, the best place to sit down for a pre-flight brew is The Bach Alehouse.
Wi-fi?
You get 30 minutes free wi-fi.
Where can I fly to?
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and busiest airport, and all major airlines serving New Zealand fly here.
Any other cool stuff?
The international terminal at Auckland Airport is open 24 hours a day, so if you’re really desperate, you can sleep there. There’s a free shuttle that will take you between the domestic and international terminals. And there’s the Emperor Lounge in international, with showers and refreshments, which anyone can access for $49.
WELLINGTON AIRPORT
How easy is it getting there?
Sitting on the edge of the Cook Strait, Wellington Airport is best known for its white-knuckle landings. The airport is about a 15-minute drive from the CBD via the Mount Victoria tunnel, but can take up to 40 minutes during peak times. The orange Airport Flyer bus runs at least every 20 minutes from the airport to Lower Hutt, and costs $9 to get to Wellington city. You can get a taxi for about $30, or a shuttle for about $20.
Parking?
The airport is currently undergoing a major upgrade, which will include a new multi-level car parking and transport hub building. For now, you get the first 10 minutes free, and have a choice of covered, uncovered, valet, premium secure, and long-term.
What’s the shopping like?
You’ll find a few popular brands like MAC, Antipodes, Trenery, Witchery and 3 Wise Men. There’s also a convenience store, and a duty-free shop in the international area.
Food and drinks?
Everything from donuts, to curry, to Subway. For a more classy airport dining experience, head straight to local favourite Mojo, which has its own mezzanine floor above the main terminal. For a full bar service, hit up the Cook Strait Bar.
Wi-fi?
Free wi-fi is available.
Where can I fly to?
Air New Zealand and Jetstar fly all around New Zealand. The airport is also serviced by a few smaller airlines – Air Chathams, Golden Bay Air, and Sounds Air. Internationally, you can head to Australia, Fiji, and Singapore via Canberra.
Any other cool stuff?
Wellington Airport is known as the "Middle of Middle Earth", and you’ll find some seriously cool Hobbit-themed installations throughout the terminal, including Gollum, Smaug, and two Great Eagles (one of which famously fell down during an earthquake in 2014).
CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT
How easy is it getting there?
Christchurch Airport is located 12km from city centre, about a 20-minute drive. Regular Metro Bus services connect the airport to the city, with the purple line and the number 29 buses going via the city centre for $8. A shuttle will cost around $25, while a taxi could cost as much as $60.
Parking?
There are short-stay and long-stay options available. If you’re parking for an hour or less there is an Express Park, where you get the first 15 minutes free.
What’s the shopping like?
Pretty standard – convenience stores, travel pharmacies, and a couple of souvenir shops. The Flying South design store has some beautiful New Zealand-made products in domestic, and in international, there’s classic duty-free offerings, a MAC store, and an outlet of the popular department store Ballantynes.
Food and drinks?
Fast foodies will be satisfied with Burger King, but for something more substantial, head to South Bar & Cafe. The Coffee Club can be found in the international departure lounge, and you’ll find Christchurch cafe Coffee Culture on the ground floor of the terminal.
Wi-fi?
Unlimited free wi-fi.
Exciting times! All the new signage and theming is going up around the car parks today ready for the launch tomorrow! For more information on the exciting changes and the best info to assist with your parking choices from tomorrow check out our website www.christchurchairport.co.nz
A photo posted by Christchurch Airport (@christchurch_airport) on
Where can I fly to?
Air New Zealand and Jetstar cover most of New Zealand, and the airport is also serviced by smaller airlines like Air Chathams and Sounds Air. Heading overseas? You can fly direct to Australia, Fiji, Dubai via Sydney, Singapore, Guangzhou and Taipei via Melbourne.
Any other cool stuff?
The International Antarctic Centre is located right next to Christchurch Airport, so if you have time between flights you can freshen up in an ice cave.
QUEENSTOWN AIRPORT
How easy is it getting there?
Queenstown Airport is located in Frankton, about a 10-minute drive from Queenstown’s centre. You can get the public bus into town, which comes through every 15 minutes and costs $12, a shuttle for around $20, or a taxi for around $30.
Parking?
There’s a pick-up and drop off zone which is free for the first 20 minutes. Long-term parking is also available.
What’s the shopping like?
Queenstown Airport has its own outlet of the famous Remarkable Sweet Shop. There’s also a great gift shop, Kapa, which stocks New Zealand-made art and jewellery. Other shops include a travel pharmacy, Paper Plus, and duty-free in international.
Food and drinks?
There are two Airspresso Cafe & Bars – one in the main concourse, and one in the international departure lounge. There’s also the divine Patagonia Cafe which sells handmade chocolates and pizza.
Wi-fi?
Free airport wi-fi – there is a 2GB limit per 24 hours.
Where can I fly to?
Air New Zealand offers regular domestic services to Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, and Jetstar flies to Auckland. You can also fly to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
Any other cool stuff?
Queenstown Airport was last year voted the world’s most scenic airport landing, so sit back and enjoy the views.
DUNEDIN AIRPORT
How easy is it getting there?
Newcomers to Dunedin have likened the arrival experience to "landing in a paddock in the middle of nowhere". But despite its rural surrounds, Dunedin Airport is only 30km from the city centre, about a 30-minute drive on the motorway. A taxi fare costs about $90, or $30 for a shuttle. There is no bus service between the airport and Dunedin.
Parking?
Short-term and long-term parking is available at the airport, with the first 14 minutes free. Cheeky locals have also been known to park their cars along the highway leading to the airport terminal (but we don’t recommend this).
What’s the shopping like?
Very basic. There’s a Paper Plus if you need reading material, and a souvenir shop. There are also duty-free shops in the arrivals hall and departure area.
Don’t forget to pick up a book before you fly from #dunedinairport !
A photo posted by Dunedin Airport (@dunedinairport) on
Food and drinks?
Dunedin Airport has a food court offering all of your classics like sammies, slices and hot chips. Bach Espresso & Bar has pretty much everything you need – tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages.
Wi-fi?
Free wi-fi is available throughout the terminal.
Where can I fly to?
Air New Zealand flies almost anywhere, while Jetstar has a daily flight to Auckland. Virgin Australia offers the airport’s only international flight, to Brisbane.
Any other cool stuff?
Dunedin Airport is right next to a working farm, so you literally land among the cows.
What are your top airport tips? Share them in the comments.
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