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Cheap flights to Auckland from Australia in 2021

Grab a deal, learn about your flight options and compare airfares to get your cheap Auckland flight in 2021.

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If you're looking for a deal on a flight into New Zealand, Auckland tends to have some of the best-priced fares from the widest range of airlines. Being one of just two international airports on New Zealand's North Island, Auckland airport offers Australians some of the most flight options into the country.

If you want to visit Auckland itself, or Waikato, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupo or Northland, you can fly into Auckland and make arrangements to travel to your onward destination by car or bus.

Direct flights are available to Auckland from Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

Today's Auckland flight deals:

KayakKayak

New Zealand flights from $206 return

Ends

Get deal
Flight Centre - InternationalFlight Centre - International

New Zealand flights from $340 return

Ends

Get deal
SkyscannerSkyscanner

$277: Return flights to New Zealand

Ends

Get deal
Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways

Up to 12% off flights with code

Ends

Show code

TL;DR: Auckland flights

Auckland's airport:
Auckland Airport (AKL)

Get the best price:
May and September

Book in advance by:
50 to 60 days

Best airline (price):
Jetstar

Frequently asked questions about flights to Auckland

How much does it cost to fly to Auckland?

From the east coast of Australia, expect to pay $350-$400 return on average for a flight to Auckland.

From the west coast, prices tend to be around $600 return based on data from sites like Cheapflights and Skyscanner.

These prices are for budget carriers like Jetstar, but during a flight sale like a Return for Free offer, you may be able to find fares for even less. If you're flying to Auckland during the peak season, like over Christmas or during school holidays, fares will likely be increased by $100 or more.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Auckland?

May and September are the cheapest times to fly to Auckland from Australia. This falls into the shoulder season for travel between the warm summer months and peak ski season. May is a great time to hire a car or campervan and travel around the North and South Island as there are fewer people on the roads and less demand for accommodation.

On the contrary, peak times like July for skiing (especially during the school holidays) and December (especially over Christmas and New Year) tend to have the highest flight ticket prices, but are some of the best times to travel to Auckland.

Cheapest months to fly:

May and September

Priciest months to fly:

July and December

How long does it take to fly to Auckland?

From the east, flights can take as little as about 3 hours if you're on a non-stop flight. Direct flights to Auckland are available from 7 cities and you can find the flight times listed below.

  • Adelaide: 4 hours, 10 minutes
  • Brisbane: 3 hours, 15 minutes
  • Cairns: 7 hours
  • Gold Coast: 3 hours, 5 minutes
  • Melbourne: 3 hours, 35 minutes
  • Perth: 6 hours, 10 minutes
  • Sydney: 3 hours, 10 minutes

If you are flying from another airport with a stopover in one of these cities, you will need to factor in the additional flight and waiting time in the airport.

Which airlines fly direct to Auckland?

There are 7 airlines that fly directly to Auckland from Australian cities, with Sydney providing the most options.

If you live in a city that isn't listed above as having direct flights to Auckland, it is often possible to book a two-leg trip with Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar and Emirates and have a stopover in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

Adelaide only has direct flights on certain days of the week, so you may need to be flexible with your plans if you want to avoid having a journey with a stopover.

What's the best airline to fly to Auckland?

  • Best for price: Jetstar will likely have the lowest price on flights to Auckland. This is on the base fare only, and it may not be the cheapest option if you're looking to include checked bags or meals.
  • Best for extra inclusions: Emirates, LATAM and China Airlines will give you the full-service treatment on flights to New Zealand. This includes checked bags, food, drinks and entertainment.
  • Best for frequent flyer rewards: Qantas, Virgin Australia and Emirates all allow you to earn frequent flyer points on your New Zealand journey. As for redemption flights, Qantas does offer more options for travellers from Australia looking to book a fare with points.

How many points do I need to fly to Auckland?

Departure cityPoints required for a return Qantas flightPoints required for a return Virgin flight
Adelaide36,000Not available
Alice Springs40,600Not available
Brisbane36,00035,600
Cairns36,000Not available
Darwin40,600Not available
Gold Coast28,80035,600
Melbourne36,00035,600
Perth40,60044,600
Sydney36,00035,600

*These points were calculated in June 2020 and are subject to change and increases based on demand on your preferred travel dates.

Want to earn a free flight to Auckland?

These frequent flyer credit card offers can give you more than enough bonus points for a complimentary flight (minus applicable taxes) to Auckland Airport (AKL) from major cities across Australia.

NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card

Up to 110,000 bonus Qantas Points
Discounted $295 first year annual fee

Offer may be withdrawn at any time

Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply

Go to Site
Promoted

American Express Velocity Platinum Card

Receive 120,000 bonus Velocity Points

Offer ends 13 December 2021

Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply

Go to Site
Promoted

How far in advance should I book my flights to Auckland?

Book your flight to Auckland as soon as possible, especially if you're travelling during a peak time.

Flight prices tend to start increasing 50 to 60 days prior to departure, according to data from flight aggregator sites like Kayak and Cheapflights.

Where is the airport in Auckland?

Auckland Airport is located near Mangere, a residential suburb in the south-west part of the city.

How long does it take to get to the airport from Auckland?

  • CBD: 35 minutes (25 kilometres)
  • Parnell: 26 minutes (19 kilometres)
  • Ponsonby: 26 minutes (21 kilometres)
  • Mt Eden: 20 minutes (17 kilometres)
  • Mission Bay: 37 minutes (25 kilometres)
  • Remuera: 22 minutes (17 kilometres)
  • Takapuna: 35 minutes (29 kilometres)
  • Devonport: 45 minutes (39 kilometres)

If you arrive in Auckland between 7am and 10am or between 3pm and 6pm, you can expect these travel times to increase due to rush-hour traffic.

To get to your hotel or destination in Auckland, you can take a taxi from outside the arrivals hall. Many taxi companies have a set fare to the CBD, which can be between $40 and $80 depending on how many passengers you have. A surcharge for pick up and drop off also applies.

You can book a rideshare service such as Uber, Ola or Zoomy with prices varying according to traffic conditions. Make your booking once you have cleared customs and meet your driver outside Door 11 of the international terminal.

If you would like to rent your own car, you can find major rental companies at Auckland Airport as well as cheaper options based outside the airport grounds.

A cheaper alternative is catching the SkyBus to either the city centre or North Harbour. You can purchase tickets either online or at the ticket kiosk at the airport.

Do I need a visa to travel to Auckland with an Australian passport?

If you have an Australian passport, you don't need a visa to travel to New Zealand. You can visit, live, work and study provided you meet the character and entry permission requirements. Australian permanent residents do not have the same privilege and must hold a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority before travelling. You can apply for this online and pay the appropriate fee, with processing time taking between 10 minutes and 72 hours.

If you hold a passport from one of the nations on the New Zealand visa waiver country and territory list, you will also need to apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. This allows you entry to New Zealand for up to 3 months, provided you satisfy the entry requirements. British citizens can stay for up to 6 months.

Am I required to book an onward or return flight to Auckland?

A return or onward flight is not required by Australian citizens when visiting New Zealand. However, you will have to show that you have an onward flight if you enter with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority.

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