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Wellington International Airport (WLG) is situated in Rongotai, Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Whether you're looking to explore the capital, the lower part of the North Island or the top of the South Island, arriving at Wellington Airport is your best option.
Flights depart daily from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with direct flights departing on select days from the Gold Coast.
The average price you can expect to pay for flights from Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney is $200-$300. Travellers departing from Adelaide can secure flights for less than $500 and those flying from Perth can find a good deal under $600.
If you're flying from Sydney or Brisbane, the cheapest time to fly is May. Travellers departing from Melbourne should consider travelling in February when prices are low and those flying from Adelaide will find the cheapest Wellington flights departing in August.
To avoid having to pay higher fares, aim to book your Wellington flights seven weeks in advance.
Direct flights to Wellington are available from four Australian cities, with flight times indicated below.
If you live in a city that doesn’t have a direct flight, you will need to factor in a domestic flight and waiting time at one of these airports before catching your flight to Wellington.
There are five airlines that provide direct flights from cities in Australia to Wellington, with those living in Sydney or Melbourne having the most options.
One thing to watch out for when booking flights to Wellington is what is included in your airfare. While Qantas, Emirates, Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines include checked baggage, meals and drinks in their fares, Jetstar does not.
Air New Zealand gives you the option to choose a fare based on your needs, whether that's for a seat only, a seat and bag, or a seat, bag, meal and entertainment. So while a fare may seem cheap, if you need to purchase extras to make your flight more comfortable, it may end up costing more than you think.
Wellington Airport is in the suburb of Rongotai, approximately nine kilometres by road from the city centre.
To get from Wellington Airport to your hotel, you can catch a taxi from outside the baggage claim area of the main terminal. Fares can vary according to traffic conditions, but you can expect to pay $30-$40 to the CBD. Shuttles are available starting from $15 pp if you don't mind sharing your ride with other passengers. You can book a shuttle online or find one outside the baggage claim area.
Rideshare apps Uber, Zoomy and Ola also operate from Wellington Airport. You can meet your driver in the designated pick-up spot by following the walkway to the southern end of the car rental area.
For the cheapest possible way to get to your destination, the Airport Flyer bus service travels between the airport, Wellington city and Lower Hutt.
Australian passport holders are able to travel to Wellington for tourism, study or work purposes without needing a visa as long as they meet the entry requirements.
Australian permanent residents and citizens of other nations mentioned on the New Zealand visa waiver country and territory list need to apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. Similar to an ESTA for the USA, this authority allows you to travel to New Zealand without a visa for up to three months but UK citizens can stay for up to six months. It's important to note that you are not guaranteed entry into New Zealand and are still subject to border security checks.
As it can take up to 72 hours to be approved for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, make sure to apply in plenty of time before your departure date.
As Australian citizens have the right to live and work in New Zealand, a return or onward flight is not required. If you are entering with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, you will need to show proof of onward travel arrangements or a return ticket to Australia.
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