Cheap flights to Auckland you can book in 2020

Direct flights to Auckland are available from seven cities and you can find the flight times listed below. 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.

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

Seven airlines have direct flights to Auckland from Australian cities, with Sydney providing the most options. If you live in a city that doesn't offer 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 and Cairns only have 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.

• Air New Zealand: Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast
• Jetstar: Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast
• Qantas: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast
• Virgin Australia: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast
• Emirates: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne
• LATAM: Sydney
• China Airlines: Brisbane

When you are comparing fares between the different airlines, make sure to check what is included with your ticket. Even though a fare seems cheap, you may also need to pay to check your bags and pay for food, drinks and entertainment during your flight.

LATAM, Qantas, Emirates, Virgin Australia and China Airlines provide a light meal and refreshments for trans-Tasman flights as well as checked baggage. Air New Zealand has different fares so you can book a seat only; a seat plus bag; or a seat, bag, meal and entertainment. Jetstar keeps things no-frills with a base fare that includes carry-on luggage, but you can purchase checked baggage, in-flight entertainment and meals if you need them.

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.

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 three months, provided you satisfy the entry requirements. British citizens can stay for up to six months.