Your New Zealand Trip Snapshot

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Your New Zealand Trip Snapshot* This field is required.
This is my first visit to New Zealand
I have visited New Zealand before
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How many days are you planning to be in New Zealand?* This field is required.Use the sliding scale to indicate the number of days you can spend on the ground in New Zealand. Don't forget to factor in the time it takes to get here. It's okay if you're still in the planning stage, just put your best guess and we'll move along.
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1 - 5 days in New Zealand
You'll be able to do a short circle trip, beginning and ending from either:

Auckland

Wellington

Christchurch

Queenstown
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6 - 10 days in New Zealand
You'll be best to choose one island to explore as you won't have time to see both.

if you want to see volcanoes and gorgeous beaches consider the North Island

if you want to see mountains and mighty glaciers consider the South Island
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11 - 15 days in New Zealand
You'll have time to visit both the North and South Island starting on one island and finishing on the other. Getting back to your start / departure point via a short domestic flight is simple, fast and cost effective.
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16 - 21 days in New Zealand
You'll be able to enjoy a more extensive trip with a good amount of 2 night stops along your journey, and you'll also have enough time to include locations such as Milford Sound and Kaikoura or the Coromandel and Bay of Islands, which might not be possible on shorter time frames.
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21+ days in New Zealand
Anything over 21 days means you can start to tailor an itinerary to suit your interests rather than letting the time frame dictate what is possible.
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When do you plan to visit?* This field is required.New Zealand's climate is mild, and ranges from subtropical in the north to temperate in the south. No matter the season, the majority of our main attractions are open year-round.
March-April-May (Fall/Autumn)
June-July-August (Winter)
September-October-November (Spring)
December-January-February (Summer)
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Autumn/ Fall: March - May
In autumn, New Zealand enjoys some of the most settled weather of the whole year. Soak up long, sunny days and golden leaves with hiking, cycling or kayaking.
Temperatures range from 7 - 21 degrees celsius (45 - 70F).
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Winter: June - August
The winter months brings snow blanketing soaring mountains in certain parts of the country and clear, crisp days that awaken the senses. Hit the ski slopes, visit a winery or two or head along to one of the many winter festivals.
Temperatures range from 1.5 - 15.5 degrees celsius (35 - 60F).
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Spring: September - November
During spring, New Zealand bursts with new life. Colourful blooms, baby wildlife and ‘waterfall season’ makes this an inspiring time of year to visit.
Temperatures range from 4.5 - 18 degrees celsius (40 - 65F).
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Summer: December - February
New Zealand’s many beaches and lakes are perfect to cool off during the summer months. Summer activities tend to make the most of the sun, sea and sand.
Temperatures range from 21 - 32 degrees celsius (70 - 90F).
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Which country are you from?* This field is required.
Australia
Canada
England
Ireland
Scotland
U.S.A.
Wales
Another country
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Country* This field is required.
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A lot of our Australian clients don't realise how large New Zealand is until they arrive.
We recommend aiming for a maximum of 4 hours travel time each day in order to get the most from your visit.
View this website for a true size comparison with Australia
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A lot of our Canadian clients don't realise how large New Zealand is until they arrive.
We recommend aiming for a maximum of 3-4 hours travel time each day in order to get the most from your visit.

Also, keep in mind New Zealand has very few motorways. Most of New Zealand's main roads (called State Highways) are single carriageway/undivided highway.

View this website for a true size comparison with Canada
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A lot of our clients in the British Isles don't realise how large New Zealand is until they arrive.
We recommend aiming for a maximum of 3-4 hours travel time each day in order to get the most from your visit.

Also, keep in mind New Zealand has very few motorways. Most of New Zealand's main roads (called State Highways) are the equivalent of your "A Roads" rarely being wider than a single carriageway.

View this website for a true size comparison with the British Isles
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A lot of our clients in the United States don't realise how large New Zealand is until they arrive.
We recommend aiming for a maximum of 3-4 hours travel time each day in order to get the most from your visit.

Also, keep in mind New Zealand has very few freeways. Most of New Zealand's main roads (called State Highways) are undivided highways.

View this w ebsite for a true size comparison with the U.S.A.
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A lot of our clients around the world don't realise how large New Zealand is until they arrive.
We recommend aiming for a maximum of 3-4 hours travel time each day in order to get the most from your visit.
View this website for a true size comparison with your country.
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What is the best airport to fly into in New Zealand from the USA?Once you've decided what time of year you want to visit New Zealand, the next step is to look into your flight options. All flights from North America land at Auckland International Airport (AKL), so ensure your destination is set to Auckland when searching through your options. How would you choose to fly?
DIRECT AS POSSIBLEI WANT A STOPOVER
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You can fly direct to Auckland, New Zealand from six cities in the USA:

Chicago / ORD - 16 hours - US$850 - $2200 each way

Honolulu / HNL - 9 hours - US$380 - $1500 each way

Houston / IAH - 14.5 hours - US$550 - $1400 each way

Los Angeles / LAX - 12 hours - US$410 - $1500 each way

New York / JFK - 16 hours - US$745 - $2248 each way

San Francisco / SFO - 13 hours - US$460 - $1500 each way

If you live in Washington State you might also wish to consider crossing the border and flying out of Vancouver, Canada / YVR instead.

When flying from anywhere else in North America, you're going to need to get a connecting flight and transit at one of these points, before continuing on to New Zealand.
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What is the best airport to fly into in New Zealand from Canada?Once you've decided what time of year you want to visit New Zealand, the next step is to look into your flight options. All flights from North America land at Auckland International Airport (AKL), so ensure your destination is set to Auckland when searching through your options. How would you choose to fly?
DIRECT AS POSSIBLEI WANT A STOPOVER
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You can fly direct to Auckland, New Zealand from:

Vancouver / YVR - 14 hours - CA$600 - $1900 each way

When flying from anywhere else in Canada, you're going to need to get a connecting flight and transit one of these points, before continuing on to New Zealand:

Chicago / ORD

Honolulu / HNL

Houston / IAH

Los Angeles / LAX

New York / JFK

San Francisco / SFO

Vancouver / YVR

A common route is Toronto (YYZ) via Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL) which will take you around 19 hours to fly each way, and costs anywhere between CA$700 - $1900 each way
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If you have the luxury of time, seeing a different country en route can add that extra little bit of excitement to any trip away.

Natural stopovers en route from North America to New Zealand include:

Cook Islands / RAR - flights from Los Angeles

Fiji / NAN - flights from Honolulu, Los Angeles + San Francisco

Tahiti /PPT - flights from Honolulu, Los Angeles + San Francisco

Honolulu / HNL - flights from all over the USA/Canada

If you do choose to stopover at any of these points, please keep in mind that you will pay extra airport taxes to stop and factor this extra spending into your travel budget.
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What about Australia?What about Asia?
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Australia is often thought of as a natural stopover on the way to New Zealand too, but if you choose to fly to Australia from North America, you are actually flying 3 hours passed New Zealand, and then another 3 hours back to New Zealand.

So unless you want to visit both New Zealand and Australia in the same trip, I wouldn't recommend this flight. Only consider it if you enjoy flying, you're using frequent flyer miles, or the price is amazing.
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Watch out for the amazing prices offered by airlines based in Asia, especially those in China and the Middle East. The airlines are fine, it's just the distance that you'll travel to get here that is worth considering more closely.

My advice is to check a globe or Google Maps and check the flying times on these very reasonably priced options you'll find coming up.

Ask yourself if you really want to save yourself $100 each to fly double the distance that you need to? Personally, I'm not a fan of jet lag and don't really like the idea of wasting valuable vacation time on a plane when you could be spending it having fun in New Zealand.

I would only suggest this kind of route, if you are on a Round the World airfare, or trip that allows you to stop off and spend a decent length of time exploring Asia as a destination itself, either before or after visiting New Zealand.
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What is the best airport to fly into in New Zealand from Australia?Once you've decided what time of year you want to visit New Zealand, the next step is to look into your flight options. Brisbane is connected to more New Zealand airports than any other Australian city. Which of these Australian airports would suit you best to fly out of?
Adelaide / ADL
Brisbane / BNE
Cairns / CNS
Gold Coast / OOL
Hobart / HBA
Melbourne / MEL
Newcastle / NTL
Perth / PER
Sunshine Coast / MCY
Sydney / SYD
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There are regular direct services from your Australian city to Auckland (AKL) with Air New Zealand, so keep this in mind when weighing up your options. Flying direct for a little more cost can ultimately make for a better start or end to your trip here.

Comparison websites like JetAbroad are great tools at your disposal, so make use of them initially to consider all of your options. I often get schedule and price ideas from this website, and then visit the airline of choice website directly to see if there is any better deals available. Expect to pay AU$250 - $850 one way

Before booking your flights, check in with us, as you might find us recommending flying into one place, and out of another depending on your personal interests and what you want to see and do during your visit to New Zealand.
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You are spoilt for choice with direct flights available into:

Auckland / AKL - northern part of the North Island - AU$120 - $650 one way
During a visit to New Zealand's largest city you'll encounter world-class shopping, buzzing waterfront precincts lined with restaurants, a vibrant arts and culture scene and harbour adventures right on your doorstep.

Wellington / WLG - southern part of the North Island - AU$160 - $650 one way
New Zealand's capital city and also known as our arts and culture capital. A special blend of heritage buildings, museums and galleries, fine food and live entertainment opportunities make this city a great place to visit in any season.

Christchurch / CHC - middle of the South Island - AU$130 - $550 one way
Christchurch is an energetic city, where vibrant creativity and innovation thrives. The serene Ōtākaro/Avon River meanders through the innovative inner-city projects, amazing street art, and state-of-the-art architecture.

Queenstown / ZQN - southwest part of the South Island - AU$210 - $1200 one way
Set on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by majestic mountains, the natural beauty and the unique energy of New Zealand's Queenstown region creates the perfect backdrop for a trip full of adventure, exploration or relaxation.

Before booking your flights, check in with us, as you might find us recommending flying into one place, and out of another depending on your personal interests and what you want to see and do during your visit to New Zealand.

Comparison websites like JetAbroad are great tools at your disposal, so make use of them initially to consider all of your options. I often get schedule and price ideas from this website, and then visit the airline of choice website directly to see if there is any better deals available.
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You have more choice for direct flights than any other city in Australia. Choose from:

Auckland / AKL - northern part of the North Island - AU$180 - $430 one way
During a visit to New Zealand's largest city you'll encounter world-class shopping, buzzing waterfront precincts lined with restaurants, a vibrant arts and culture scene and harbour adventures right on your doorstep.

Wellington / WLG - southern part of the North Island - AU$170 - $300 one way
New Zealand's capital city and also known as our arts and culture capital. A special blend of heritage buildings, museums and galleries, fine food and live entertainment opportunities make this city a great place to visit in any season.

Christchurch / CHC - middle of the South Island - AU$190 - $470 one way
Christchurch is an energetic city, where vibrant creativity and innovation thrives. The serene Ōtākaro/Avon River meanders through the innovative inner-city projects, amazing street art, and state-of-the-art architecture.

Dunedin / DUD - southeast part of the South Island - AU$470 - $1400 one way This flight has been paused due to COVID-19
There's something special about Dunedin. A New Zealand city full of authentic welcoming characters that tell it like it is. With abundant wildlife on its door step, your visit can also take in heritage buildings, great cafés and nightlife.

Queenstown / ZQN - southwest part of the South Island - AU$300 - $2100 one way
Set on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by majestic mountains, the natural beauty and the unique energy of New Zealand's Queenstown region creates the perfect backdrop for a trip full of adventure, exploration or relaxation.

Before booking your flights, check in with us, as you might find us recommending flying into one place, and out of another depending on your personal interests and what you want to see and do during your visit to New Zealand.

Comparison websites like JetAbroad are great tools at your disposal, so make use of them initially to consider all of your options. I often get schedule and price ideas from this website, and then visit the airline of choice website directly to see if there is any better deals available.
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There are seasonal direct services from your Australian city to Auckland (AKL), so keep this in mind when weighing up your options. Flying direct for a little more cost can ultimately make for a better start or end to your trip here if it works at the time of year you are travelling.

Comparison websites like JetAbroad are great tools at your disposal, so make use of them initially. I often get schedule and price ideas from this website, and then visit the airline of choice website directly to see if there is any better deals available. Expect to pay AU$270 - $1200 one way

Before booking your flights, check in with us, as you might find us recommending flying into one place, and out of another depending on your personal interests and what you want to see and do during your visit to New Zealand.
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What is the best airport to fly into in New Zealand?When you're flying a minimum of 24+ hours to get to our beautiful country, it makes sense to fly as direct as possible. You'll want to consider breaking up your long journey with an exciting stopover en route if you have time. There are a number of flight options, but even more when you travel via London. Do you prefer to fly...?
direct from Dublinvia London
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You can fly from Dublin to Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand with just one stopover when you travel via:

Chicago / ORD - 1000€ - 2600€ one way

Doha (Qatar) / DOH - 710€ - 1750€ one way

Dubai / DXB - 610€ - 2200€ one way

Hong Kong / HKG - 460€ - 1010€ one way

Los Angeles / LAX - 540€ - 1900€ one way

New York / JFK new route announced, starting September 2023

San Francisco / SFO - 620€ - 1700€ one way

Vancouver / YVR - 660€ - 1850€ one way

If you want to fly directly into the South Island with just one stopover also, but you'll have to fly via Hong Kong and land at Christchurch / CHC - £510 - £1,120

If you choose to stopover at any of these points, please keep in mind that you will pay extra airport taxes to stop and factor this extra spending into your travel budget.
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What is the best airport to fly into in New Zealand?When you're flying a minimum of 24+ hours to get to our beautiful country, it makes sense to fly as direct as possible. You'll want to consider breaking up your long journey with an exciting stopover en route if you have time. There are a number of flight options, but even more when you travel via London. Do you prefer to fly...?
direct from Scotlandvia London
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You can fly from Edinburgh to Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand with just one stopover when you travel via:

Chicago / ORD - £840 - £2,250 one way

Doha (Qatar) / DOH - £630 - £1,550 one way

Dubai / DXB - £550 - £1,950 one way

New York / JFK new route announced, starting September 2023

Or fly from Glasgow to Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand with one stopover when you travel via:

Dubai / DXB - £610 - £2,700 one way

If you choose to stopover at any of these points, please keep in mind that you will pay extra airport taxes to stop and factor this extra spending into your travel budget.
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What is the best airport to fly into in New Zealand?When you're flying a minimum of 24+ hours to get to our beautiful country, it makes sense to fly as direct as possible. You'll want to consider breaking up your long journey with an exciting stopover en route if you have time. There are a number of flight options, but even more when you travel via London. Do you prefer to fly...?
direct from Walesvia London
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You can fly from Cardiff to Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand with just one stopover when you travel via:

Doha / DOH - £660 - £1,650 one way

If you choose to stopover in Qatar, please keep in mind that you will pay extra airport taxes to stop and factor this extra spending into your travel budget.
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What is the best airport to fly into in New Zealand?When you're flying a minimum of 24+ hours to get to our beautiful country, it makes sense to fly as direct as possible. You'll want to consider breaking up your long journey with an exciting stopover en route if you have time. Which city would you prefer to fly from?
London
Manchester
Birmingham
Newcastle
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Those who prefer the North can fly from Manchester to Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand with just one stopover when you travel via:

Beijing / PEK - £390 - £1,500 one way

Doha (Qatar) / DOH - £550 - £1,120 one way

Dubai / DXB - £500 - £1,800 one way

Hong Kong / HKG - £370 - £1,010 one way

Houston / IAH - £590 - £1,800 one way

Los Angeles / LAX - £540 - £1,950 one way

New York / JFK new route announced, starting September 2023

San Francisco / SFO - £550 - £1,550 one way

Singapore / SIN - £360 - £1,450

Vancouver / YVR - £640 - £2,200 one way

You can also fly directly via Singapore and land in Christchurch / CHC - £360 - £1,400 if you choose to.

If you choose to stopover at any of these points, please keep in mind that you will pay extra airport taxes to stop and factor this extra spending into your travel budget.
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Those living in Geordie territory can fly from Newcastle to Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand with just one stopover when you travel via:

Dubai / DXB - £500 - £1,800 one way

If you choose to stopover in Dubai, please keep in mind that you will pay extra airport taxes to stop and factor this extra spending into your travel budget.
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You can fly from Birmingham to Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand with just one stopover when you travel via:

Dubai / DXB - £510 - £1,710 one way

If you choose to stopover in Dubai, please keep in mind that you will pay extra airport taxes to stop and factor this extra spending into your travel budget.
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You can fly from London to Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand with just one stopover when you travel via:

Bangkok (Thailand) / BKK - £419 - £1,189 one way - from Heathrow

Beijing (China) / PEK - £380 - £1,240 one way - from Heathrow

Chengdu (China) / CTU - £560 - £1,900 one way - from Heathrow

Chicago / ORD - £890 - £2,300 one way - from Heathrow + Gatwick

Doha (Qatar) / DOH - £540 - £1,110 one way - from Heathrow + Gatwick

Dubai / DXB - £480 - £1,900 one way - from Heathrow, Gatwick + Stansted

Guangzhou (China) / CAN - £360 - £1,010 one way - from Heathrow

Hong Kong / HKG - £370 - £1,110 one way - from Heathrow + Gatwick

Houston / IAH - £690 - £1,950 one way - from Heathrow

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) / KUL - £300 - £1,650 - from Heathrow

Los Angeles / LAX - £500 - £1,950 one way - from Heathrow + Gatwick

Manila (Philippines) / MNL - £380 - £1,020 one way - from Heathrow

New York / JFK new route announced, starting September 2023

San Francisco / SFO - £560 - £1,900 one way - from Heathrow + Gatwick

Santiago (Chile) / SCL - £790 - £3,300 one way - from Heathrow

Seoul (Korea) / ICN - £440 - £1,150 one way - from Heathrow

Shanghai (China) / PVG - £550 - £1,800 one way - from Heathrow + Gatwick

Shenzhen (China) / SZX - £390 - £1,000 one way - from Heathrow

Singapore / SIN - £360 - £1,300 one way - from Heathrow

Taipei / TPE - £570 - £1,400 one way - from Heathrow + Gatwick

Tokyo / HND - £490 - £1,450 one way - from Heathrow

Vancouver / YVR - £560 - £1,900 one way - from Heathrow + Gatwick

You can also fly directly via Singapore and land in Christchurch / CHC - £360 - £1,250 if you choose to.

Or you can fly directly via Hong Kong and land in Christchurch / CHC - £480 - £1,200

If you choose to stopover at any of these points, please keep in mind that you will pay extra airport taxes to stop and factor this extra spending into your travel budget.
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What is the best airport to fly into in New Zealand?Once you've decided what time of year you want to visit New Zealand, the next step is to look into your flight options. New Zealand has 5 international airports connecting our country to the world. Most people choose to fly into Auckland (AKL) but there are other options too. Which of these New Zealand airports would you choose to fly into?
Auckland (AKL)
Wellington (WLG)
Christchurch (CHC)
Dunedin (DUD)
Queenstown (ZQN)
If you don't know, please select Auckland (AKL) as this will most likely be the best option for you.
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You'll want to search for flights from your closest airport to:

Auckland / AKL - northern part of the North Island
During a visit to New Zealand's largest city you'll encounter world-class shopping, buzzing waterfront precincts lined with restaurants, a vibrant arts and culture scene and harbour adventures right on your doorstep.

New Zealand's largest and busiest airport has one terminal building for international flights and another for domestic flights, with a free shuttle between the two.

All major airlines serving New Zealand fly into Auckland Airport.

We recommend using comparison websites like Momondo to get an idea of the best route to take to get here, or you could consult with a local travel agent as they often can access airfares websites like Momondo are still unable to replicate.

Remember the cheapest is not always the best option - personally, the less time spent in the air getting here the better - but it's entirely up to you.

Some popular routes:

Amsterdam / AMS - 420€ - 1100€ one way

Buenos Aires / EZE - US$550 - $1,600 one way

Copenhagen / CPH - 390€ - 1100€ one way

Frankfurt / FRA - 430€ - 1300€ one way

Hong Kong / HKG - HK$2000 - $4100 one way

Jakarta / CGK - US$200 - $550 one way

Johannesburg / JNB - R 7 500 - R 12 000 one way

Kuala Lumpur / KUL - US$180 - $1,100 one way

Manila / MNL - US$250 - $420 one way

Mexico City / MEX - US$700 - $1,200 one way

Mumbai / BOM - ₹ 38,000 - ₹ 80,000 one way

Paris / CDG - 460€ - 900€ one way

Santiago / SCL - US$650 - $1,900 one way

Sao Paulo / GRU - US$550 - $1,500 one way

Seoul / ICN - ₩310,000 - ₩900,000

Singapore / SIN - SG$280 - $1300 one way

Tokyo / NRT - ¥39000 - ¥110000 one way
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You'll want to search for flights from your closest airport to:

Wellington / WLG - southern part of the North Island
New Zealand's capital city and also known as our arts and culture capital. A special blend of heritage buildings, museums and galleries, fine food and live entertainment opportunities make this city a great place to visit in any season.

International flights operate to and from four Australian destinations - Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne - as well as Fiji, so keep this in mind as you'll have to transit or stop in one of these places before continuing on to Wellington.

If you're not wanting to fly via these places, you can opt to fly more directly to New Zealand when you fly into Auckland Airport instead. We can arrange inexpensive domestic flights operating within New Zealand should you need one.

We recommend using comparison websites like Momondo to get an idea of the best route to take to get here, or you could consult with a local travel agent as they often can access airfares comparison websites are still unable to replicate.

Remember the cheapest is not always the best option - personally, the less time spent in the air getting here the better - but it's entirely up to you.

Some popular routes:

Amsterdam / AMS - 490€ - 1100€ one way

Copenhagen / CPH - 600€ - 1600€ one way

Frankfurt / FRA - 470€ - 2500€ one way

Jakarta / CGK - US$380 - $1100 one way

Johannesburg / JNB - R 7 500 - R 14 000 one way

Mumbai / BOM - ₹ 28,000 - ₹ 100,000 one way

Paris / CDG - 600€ - 1,600€ one way

Singapore / SIN - SG$490 - $1,400 one way
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You'll want to search for flights from your closest airport to:

Christchurch / CHC - middle of the South Island
Christchurch is an energetic city, where vibrant creativity and innovation thrives. The serene Ōtākaro/Avon River meanders through the innovative inner-city projects, amazing street art, and state-of-the-art architecture.

Christchurch International Airport receives flights from Australia, China, Singapore and Fiji. Singapore and Hong Kong are major international hubs to fly via to get you to the South Island's largest city directly.

If you're not wanting to fly via these places, you can opt to fly more directly to New Zealand when you fly into Auckland Airport instead. We can arrange inexpensive domestic flights operating within New Zealand should you need one.

We recommend using comparison websites like Momondo to get an idea of the best route to take to get here, or you could consult with a local travel agent as they often can access airfares comparison websites are still unable to replicate.

Remember the cheapest is not always the best option - personally, the less time spent in the air getting here the better - but it's entirely up to you.

Some popular routes:

Amsterdam / AMS - 500€ - 850€ one way

Copenhagen / CPH - 600€ - 1500€ one way

Frankfurt / FRA - 480€ - 900€ one way

Hong Kong / HKG - HK$3,100 - $7,000 one way

Jakarta / CGK - US$390 - $490 one way

Johannesburg / JNB - R 9 500 - R 26 000 one way

Mumbai / BOM - ₹ 30,000 - ₹ 70,000 one way

Paris / CDG - 550€ - 850€ one way

Singapore / SIN - SG$270 - $1,200 one way
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There are no international flights arriving into Dunedin right now due to COVID-19 - the flight Virgin operated has ceased, but there is discussion of re-starting the route

You'll want to search for flights from your closest airport to:

Dunedin / DUD - southeast part of the South Island
There's something special about Dunedin. A New Zealand city full of authentic welcoming characters that tell it like it is. With abundant wildlife on its door step, your visit can also take in heritage buildings, great cafés and nightlife.

International flights are operated by Virgin Australia between Dunedin and Brisbane, Australia. Unless you're visiting friends or family in Dunedin, you'd be better off flying into and out of a different airport in New Zealand.

If you want to fly more directly to New Zealand, you might consider flying into Auckland Airport, and take advantage of the inexpensive domestic flights operating within New Zealand that we can arrange for you

We recommend using comparison websites like Momondo to get an idea of the best route to take to get here, or you could consult with a local travel agent as they often can access airfares comparison websites are still unable to replicate.

Remember the cheapest is not always the best option - personally, the less time spent in the air getting here the better - but it's entirely up to you.

Some popular routes:

Amsterdam / AMS - 750€ - 2000€ one way

Copenhagen / CPH - 750€ - 1900€ one way

Frankfurt / FRA - 800€ - 2200€ one way

Singapore / SIN - SG$700 - $1,400 one way
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You'll want to search for flights from your closest airport to:

Queenstown / ZQN - southwest part of the South Island
Set on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by majestic mountains, the natural beauty and the unique energy of New Zealand's Queenstown region creates the perfect backdrop for a trip full of adventure, exploration or relaxation.

International flights operate between Queenstown and four Australian destinations - Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. If you want to fly more directly to New Zealand, you might consider flying into Auckland Airport, and take advantage of the inexpensive domestic flights operating within New Zealand that we can arrange for you.

We recommend using comparison websites like Momondo to get an idea of the best route to take to get here, or you could consult with a local travel agent as they often can access airfares comparison websites are still unable to replicate.

Remember the cheapest is not always the best option - personally, the less time spent in the air getting here the better - but it's entirely up to you.

Some popular routes:

Amsterdam / AMS - 800€ - 2800€ one way

Copenhagen / CPH - 850€ - 2300€ one way

Frankfurt / FRA - 900€ - 2400€ one way

Jakarta / CGK - US$390 - $650 one way

Johannesburg / JNB - R 15 000 - R 42 000 one way

Mumbai / BOM - ₹ 65,000 - ₹ 1,80,000 one way

Paris / CDG - 1000€ - 2400€ one way

Singapore / SIN - SG$750 - $3,100 one way
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How do you want to get around New Zealand?With so many things to do and spectacular places to see, choosing how you travel around New Zealand is as important as choosing where you want to go. Self-drive is the most popular way to explore, but there are options that allow you to sit back, relax and enjoy the views as you travel. What mode of transport appeals more to you and your companions?
Self-DriveGroup/Public Transport
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You can legally drive in New Zealand using your Australian Drivers Licence

Roads are well-maintained and signposted, and spectacular scenery awaits around every corner.
Even if you’re used to driving in other places, you need to be well aware of things like weather extremes, narrow, windy roads and different road rules before you begin on your journey.
Watch: What you need to know before getting behind the wheel

Helpful hint:
"... all of the roads are super swervy and curvy - it's fun! 😄 But for passengers in the back it can be a little bit sick inducing 🤢 so try and stay nice and smooth"
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In New Zealand everyone drives on the left side

Roads are well-maintained and signposted, and spectacular scenery awaits around every corner.
Even if you’re used to driving in other places, you need to be well aware of things like weather extremes, narrow, windy roads and different road rules before you begin on your journey.
Make sure you are well-rested before beginning your itinerary; it’s a good idea to have a full night’s sleep after arriving from Canada before getting behind the wheel.
Watch: What you need to know before getting behind the wheel

Helpful hints from clients:
"... all of the roads are super swervy and curvy - it's fun! 😄 But for passengers in the back it can be a little bit sick inducing 🤢 so try and stay nice and smooth"
"The blinkers and the windshield wipers are kind of swapped on the car, so every time we go to put a blinker on, we turn the windshield wipers on 😂"
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You can legally drive in New Zealand using your UK or Irish Driver Licence

Roads are well-maintained and signposted, and spectacular scenery awaits around every corner.
Even if you’re used to driving in other places, you need to be well aware of things like weather extremes, narrow, windy roads and different road rules before you begin on your journey.
Make sure you are well-rested before beginning your itinerary; it’s a good idea to have a full night’s sleep after arriving from the British Isles before getting behind the wheel.
Watch: What you need to know before getting behind the wheel

Helpful hints from clients:
"... all of the roads are super swervy and curvy - it's fun! 😄 But for passengers in the back it can be a little bit sick inducing 🤢 so try and stay nice and smooth"
"The first time a local passed me in the left lane on the dual carriageway I waved my fists with road rage. Then I found out in New Zealand there are no laws that stop you from undertaking 😂"
54
In New Zealand everyone drives on the left side

Roads are well-maintained and signposted, and spectacular scenery awaits around every corner.
Even if you’re used to driving in other places, you need to be well aware of things like weather extremes, narrow, windy roads and different road rules before you begin on your journey.
Make sure you are well-rested before beginning your itinerary; it’s a good idea to have a full night’s sleep after arriving from the USA before getting behind the wheel.
Watch: What you need to know before getting behind the wheel

Helpful hints from clients:
"... all of the roads are super swervy and curvy - it's fun! 😄 But for passengers in the back it can be a little bit sick inducing 🤢 so try and stay nice and smooth"
"The blinkers and the windshield wipers are kind of swapped on the car, so every time we go to put a blinker on, we turn the windshield wipers on 😂"
55
In New Zealand everyone drives on the left side

Roads are well-maintained and signposted, and spectacular scenery awaits around every corner.
Even if you’re used to driving in other places, you need to be well aware of things like weather extremes, narrow, windy roads and different road rules before you begin on your journey.
Make sure you are well-rested before beginning your itinerary; it’s a good idea to have a full night’s sleep after arriving from a longhaul flight before getting behind the wheel.
Watch: What you need to know before getting behind the wheel

Helpful hints from clients:
"... all of the roads are super swervy and curvy - it's fun! 😄 But for passengers in the back it can be a little bit sick inducing 🤢 so try and stay nice and smooth"
"The blinkers and the windshield wipers are kind of swapped on the car, so every time we go to put a blinker on, we turn the windshield wipers on 😂"
56
Which rental vehicle would you select?We have selected just some of the most popular choices, but there are plenty of other choices available too.
Small Car
Large Car
4 Wheel Drive
Tour Guide + Driver
Motorhome / Campervan
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Important Note: Freedom Camping is more expensive than you might expect!

The dream of roaming the countryside in a campervan or motorhome, finding beautiful and remote places to park and picnic sounds idyllic enough, but please be aware that in many places around New Zealand you'll have to pay for a place to park your vehicle overnight in either a holiday park, campground or designated camping spot.
At peak times, we've booked a campervan for clients, and they've paid as much as NZ$120 for a parking spot in popular Queenstown for a single night - at that price you need to ask yourself if the money is not better spent on a cheaper rental car, and staying in a more comfortable fixed abode, especially when you take into account the cost of renting a campervan or motorhome.
Be mindful that you'd also be best to plan out your days as you can't always just find a park where you want to, you'll often need to pre-book a space in many cases.
One other point from our experience - a family of 4 in tight quarters in unfavourable weather can create more headaches and not always be as fun as you'd hoped after 20+ days on the road!
If you are still keen, go for it. Just be sure to plan and prepare well for the trip.
What is Freedom Camping?
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How long does it take to drive around New Zealand?
Unlike some island nations where you can drive around the entire island in as little as 30 minutes (on a scooter!), New Zealand is a lot larger than it looks on the globe.

To answer this frequently asked question with some perspective here are some useful maps to help you appreciate the size of New Zealand. Keep in mind, you won't want to hug the coast the entire time you're here, there's plenty to see and do wherever you end up.

North Island / Te Ika-a-Māui - 3,152km / 1,959 miles - 44 hours of constant driving (view map)

South Island / Te Waipounamu - 3,201km / 1,989 miles - 42 hours of constant driving (view map)
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Okay! We encourage you to use a mix of different transport modes to add variety and interest to your trip through New Zealand.

BY RAIL
New Zealand’s challenging landscapes demanded some remarkable feats of early railway engineers. While our rail network isn’t vast, thanks to their skill and determination, there are some incredible rail journeys on offer.
Our great train trips travel through remote national parks, across spectacular volcanic landscapes, over braided river valleys and alpine passes and along rugged coastlines with steep mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other.

BY COACH / BUS
Over 100 daily services connect more than 600 towns, cities and communities nationwide. A fleet of modern and comfortable air-conditioned buses operate scheduled daily departures to most destinations across the North and South Islands.

BY FERRY
Our most famous ferry route is between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. As well as transporting you and your vehicle, this journey showcases the extraordinary beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. Sightings of dolphins, whales and fur seals are common.

BY FLIGHT
A surprisingly pleasant and popular choice for travel around the country, flights in New Zealand are both easy to organise and very affordable.
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Accommodation in New ZealandFrom quality luxury lodges to back-to-nature camping, the selection of accommodation in New Zealand is varied and plentiful.
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Select the category that appeals most to youDo keep your budget at front of mind. Please also note: BASIC will always have a private bedroom, but will share bathroom facilities while HOSTEL expect shared environs throughout.
$$$$$ EXCEPTIONAL
$$$$ STYLE
$$$ COMFORT
$$ ECONOMY
$ BASIC
¢ HOSTEL
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To those already living in New Zealand, we are known as The Surprise Travel Company - organise a surprise trip for yourself, or friends and travellers on't find out until the day they depart after they've already left home!

If you're helping friends or family from outside New Zealand to visit you, please go back and select the country they are visiting from to continue.
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Our Kiwi travel professionals would like to review your trip ideas and complement them with our local advice and insight to make your visit the best it can be.
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