Cheap Flights to Auckland (AKL)

Auckland is the most populated city in New Zealand and a flight to Auckland is a great starting point for any adventure to this beautiful country. The landscape here is dramatic as it has been moulded by volcanic activity, whilst the people are warm and friendly. There is a large expat population both from the UK as well as from the Polynesian islands so expect a cultural mix that only adds to the appeal of taking Auckland flights.

The city has an unconventional layout, with two harbours operating on two different coasts, and lots of waterways breaking up the cityscape. This means that although the Central Business District is still the heart of the action, it could be worth looking into an Auckland hotels in the suburbs where you will find more independent shops and restaurants - it depends on what you want to do on your holiday after your flight to Auckland lands.

Think about day trips as well as well as how you will spend the evenings - Auckland has a wide range of things to do in the surrounding area, from surfing to nature walks to mountain hiking, so being in an easy location to head out to do these things will greatly improve your holiday.

Flights To Auckland

It takes upwards of around 24 hours for a flight to Auckland from the UK to arrive, and this will have to include at least one stopover along the way. The most usual stopovers are in Los Angeles Airport in California or Singapore or Bangkok if you're travelling in the other direction. Whichever route you choose, look for a stop of around two hours so that you can get going again with the minimum of waiting time.

If you're looking to eke out your budget with a cheap flight to Auckland it can sometimes be worth looking at longer stopovers - which can include overnight - but consider how much impact this will have on your enjoyment of your time in Auckland.

All flights to Auckland arrive into Auckland Airport, which is a 45 minute drive from the city centre, so even after your Auckland flight has landed there is a little more travelling to do. You can cover this distance by:

Taxis and shuttle cars: These can be pre-booked or arranged at the airport when you arrive on your flight into Auckland, and although you'll pay a fairly hefty price, you can be sure they will take you right to your hotel. Fares are based on a per person rate which goes down the more there are sharing - so if it's just you, use your flight to Auckland to find a couple of people to share with!

Buses: There are several routes that include the airport, with the Airport Express running between Auckland Airport and Auckland Centre. This runs every ten minutes throughout the day so there will always be one coming along soon.

Car hire: A great way of getting around New Zealand and making the most of your holiday, be aware that you may be quite sleepy when you arrive and plan accordingly!

Getting Around Auckland

After arriving on Auckland flights it can be a good idea to get hold of car hire from Auckland Airport, as this is the best way to get around once you get settled. If you would prefer to get public transport on arrival, there are a range of other places to hire a car throughout the city as well.

Morning and evening rush hour traffic can be quite bad in Auckland, but being on holiday you should be able to avoid the worst of times. Parking in the city is relatively easy and inexpensive. If you prefer to stick to public transport then there are local buses which are easy on the wallet, although they won't allow you to reach such an extensive list of destinations. The train is also available if you want to beat the road traffic, although the destinations are limited.

What To See In Auckland

In the suburbs and centre of Auckland you will find plenty of things influenced by the city's multicultural population. Asians, Polynesians and many an expat have lent their cultures to restaurants, bars and clubs, so make some time to explore this vibrant scene.

Some of the other main sights are the Sky Tower, which is the Southern Hemisphere's tallest building, the Auckland War Memorial Museum which has long since given up focussing on war and now has a vast collection of fantastic size and breadth, and The StarDome Observatory which gives is Brits a chance to see the Southern Cross and other constellations in the Southern Hemisphere.

Further away from the bright city lights, you'll find all manner of natural attractions, which are often then main reason people want to book themselves on a flight to Auckland. Visit Waitakere Ranges, take a hike up one of the extinct volcanoes such as One Tree Hill or Mount Eden and take a day at the beach.