Cheap Flights to Auckland

As a coastal city, it is no surprise that Auckland has incorporated the sea into its lifestyle. However anyone arriving on cheap flights to Auckland may be taken aback by the extent to which all things nautical have become part of everyday life here. The “city of sails” has the most boats per capita in the world and so it is no surprise that Waitemata Harbour serves as a focal point for the city. Auckland in Maori, the local dialect, means sea of sparkling waters, which is as apt a description of the local setting as any.

The city hosted the America’s Cup in 2000 and benefits from the renovation it underwent to prepare for the event. As a result, a day spent on the water can now be followed by a night touring the many clubs, bars and restaurants that have opened in the past few years.

Outside the city, the stunning natural scenery surrounding the area becomes apparent. More than 100 beaches are located within an hour’s drive of Auckland’s Stanley Bay.

Search and compare: cheap flights to Auckland

Auckland climate

Auckland’s coastal location moderates the local climate and as a result the region escapes the temperature extremes experienced elsewhere. However, rainfall is recorded all year though it is most concentrated in winter. Remember that Auckland is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are reversed. Summer starts in December and winter begins in June. Summer temperatures here are comfortable – the mid-20 degree Celsius range – but it is humid. Winter temperatures, meanwhile, drop to the low single digits (Celsius) but rarely fall below freezing.

When is the best time to fly to Auckland?

Peak Season:

Local peak season starts in December and continues through March. Visitors arriving on cheap flights to Auckland tend to coincide with the warmer temperatures. The number of tourists in the city peak during the summer school holidays (mid-December through January).

Easter and Labour Day (late October) weekends also tend to be busy.

Off Season:

November and April constitute considerably quieter periods making hotel deals and fare discounts easier to find while the weather is still good.

Getting around Auckland

Auckland is a modern city that can be explored on foot, by bicycle or scooter, bus, car or a combination of all of them. The centre is certainly accessible to anyone wanting to explore the city on foot.

The Link is the local bus service and can be used to augment your sightseeing strategy, particularly when your legs begin to feel weary. There are also free transportation options for the major attractions. The north shore suburbs and Hauraki Gulf Islands are all serviced by ferries.

If you’re planning excursions further afield, a rental car makes sense. All major rental car companies are represented both in the city and at the airport. Remember that the locals here drive on the left.

Auckland airport overview

With some 13 million passengers passing through each year, Auckland International Airport (AKL), also known to locals as Mangere Airport after the suburb in which it is located, is New Zealand’s primary airport, and the fourth busiest in Australasia.

The buzzing airport takes its role seriously as the first and last place that visitors see in New Zealand, and has put together an impressive collection of imagery reflecting the culture and heritage of the country, which you can view on the walls of the airport.

The airport is under regular construction, a process that some travellers have reported as unsettling. Until Auckland International has finished with its tweaks and reshuffles, give yourself a little extra time to navigate – nobody likes to fly stressed, so better to be safe than sorry.