Auckland Airport (AKL) is the primary international gateway for New Zealand, in addition to being the largest domestic airport in the country. The hub for Air New Zealand, AKL also enjoys service from many other global carriers, who connect New Zealand nonstop with destinations throughout Australia, Asia and the Americas. Auckland Airport is small and relatively easy to use, in spite of its regional importance, but the tips I’m about to offer should further smooth your journey.
How to get to and from AKL and Auckland
Unlike a lot of airports I’ve been to, Auckland is a place where even international travelers often arrive and leave by car. This is because so many foreign tourists explore New Zealand on a road trip and rent their own cars to do so.
Renting a car right from the airport makes sense if you plan to begin exploring the North Island immediately after landing. Popular spots like Lake Taupo, Rotorua and the Coromandel Peninsula are all between 2-3 hours from the airport by car.
If you’re planning to explore Auckland for a day or more, I’d suggest taking public transport to your hotel and only renting a car when you’re ready to leave the city. A car isn’t much help for seeing Auckland’s main sights (they’re well-connected by transit), and more importantly, parking can be a real pain and pricey.
If you’re heading to the city without a car, you’ve got two main options. Uber offers door-to-door service in typically 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. The SkyDrive express drops you near Sky Tower on the Hobson Street side of the SkyCity complex in Auckland’s CBD, which works great if that’s your destination.
For suburban stays like Mt. Eden Village (closer to the airport), I’d lean toward Uber, especially if you’re splitting the cost with travel companions.
Navigating security lines at AKL
Your experience with security at AKL really depends on whether you’re flying within New Zealand or heading overseas. If you’re catching a domestic flight, you can expect a pretty standard security check, similar to what you’d find in the US but without programs like TSA PreCheck.
Flying internationally? The good news is that Auckland Airport has just one international terminal, which keeps things simple. Air New Zealand offers premium check-in with direct elevator access to a fast-track security lane for Business Premier customers and eligible frequent flyers.
If you’re flying Business Premier with Air New Zealand or have eligible status, you’ll get access to their premium check-in area with a dedicated security lane. APEC Business Travel Card holders can use fast-track lanes at immigration.
After security, you’ll head to passport control. If you have an ePassport from one of the 37 eligible countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and all EU nations), and you’re 10 or older, you should be able to use the automated eGates to speed things up. A personal tip: if the kiosk rejects your passport, make sure you’re pressing it down completely flat. I’ve found it’s often a simple human error that causes the hiccup.
I usually plan on 30 to 60 minutes from check-in to gate at AKL. That said, give yourself 90 or even 120 minutes if you’re traveling with friends or family who need extra time, or if you want to enjoy a lounge or duty-free shopping before departure.
Airline lounges and alternatives at AKL
The international terminal houses Auckland Airport’s nicest lounges, with Air New Zealand’s flagship lounge leading the pack. The domestic terminal offers fewer lounges, though you can still access them depending on your membership and status.
Air New Zealand’s International Lounge features food theatre, buffet meals, barista coffee and a full bar. It’s open to Air New Zealand’s Business Premier passengers and those with Airpoints Elite, Gold, Elite Partner or Koru membership. Star Alliance Gold members can also access the lounge according to Star Alliance benefits.
Honestly, I find these lounges (much like the Business Premier seat itself) a bit mediocre by modern standards. They’re fine for grabbing a seat, a glass of wine and some tarmac views before a long flight, but I wouldn’t show up hours early just to hang out in them.
Other solid lounges at AKL include the Emirates Lounge, though the Qantas International Lounge is temporarily closed for redevelopment and it’s now directing eligible customers to either the Emirates or Strata Lounge. The catch is the Emirates Lounge is only open to passengers flying on Emirates or their partner airlines.
If you have a Priority Pass membership, you can get into the airport-operated Strata Lounge in the international terminal, no matter which airline you’re on. While I find this lounge even less exciting than the Air New Zealand ones, its easy access is a big plus. On the bright side, I’ve never seen it get too crowded.
Over in the domestic terminal, Air New Zealand runs the lounge. It’s comparable to domestic lounges in the US, like a United Club, with light snacks, beer, wine and coffee. You’ll need Airpoints Elite, Gold, Elite Partner or Koru membership to get in (there’s no domestic business class in New Zealand). Priority Pass members are out of luck for domestic lounge access, but Orleans Chicken & Waffles in the terminal partners with the program, giving you a credit off your bill instead.
Transfers at AKL
AKL handles three types of transfers: domestic-to-international, international-to-domestic, and domestic-to-domestic. You’ll usually deal with the first two, like arriving from Los Angeles and connecting to Christchurch, or flying from Queenstown through Auckland to Bangkok.
If you’re arriving on a domestic flight and connecting internationally, you’ll need to take the free terminal shuttle bus. It picks up every 15 minutes (between 5:00 and 23:00) and the ride takes about 10 minutes. Once at the international terminal, you’ll go through security and immigration. Auckland Airport recommends allowing around three hours for this connection.
Going from an international flight to a domestic one? You’ll clear immigration, grab your bags, clear customs and then hop on the shuttle to the domestic terminal. From there, it’s just one more security check. Again, the airport suggests three hours as a safe connection time.
Domestic-to-domestic connections are less common. While AKL is Air New Zealand’s main hub, its location in the far north means connecting here can involve some backtracking. If you do have a domestic connection, you won’t need to re-clear security. You can just walk from your arrival gate to your departure gate, which shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes in the small terminal.
A word to the wise: even if your connection seems long, don’t book your flights as separate tickets. If you do and you miss your onward flight, you’ll likely have no recourse other than hoping for a spot on the next flight and maybe paying a fee.
Connecting between Australia and JFK via AKL
Qantas operates flights from Sydney (SYD) to New York (JFK) via Auckland. This represents the most common scenario where international-to-international connections are required in Auckland.
I’ve also noticed Air New Zealand selling one-stop tickets from its US destinations (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York, and Honolulu) to Australia via Auckland. Geographically, it can seem a bit out of the way, but sometimes the price is right.
For these international-to-international connections, you don’t have to clear immigration or collect your bags. However, you will need to get off the plane and go through security screening again at the International Transfer point, even if you’re on the same flight number all the way through.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
