AKL - NSN

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Air New Zealand. Average duration is 1h 35m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
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Avoid delays
Most punctual • 88% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
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When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 22 weeks in advance save around 51% compared to booking last minute.
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Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 18% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
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Good to know
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Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $210 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 5h 28m (one-way)
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Cheap Flights from Auckland to Nelson (AKL-NSN)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Auckland to Nelson

Multiple Airlines Logo
AKL  Auckland Airport-NSN Nelson
308 mimulti-stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
NSN  Nelson-AKL Auckland Airport
308 mimulti-stop
Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Auckland to Nelson flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Auckland to Nelson with more confidence.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Auckland to Nelson?

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Auckland to Nelson, it is 12% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 27% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Auckland to Nelson?

  • June is the cheapest month to fly from Auckland to Nelson at $176 round-trip.
  • December ($261) and April ($239) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 48% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Auckland to Nelson the cheapest?

Flights from Auckland to Nelson are cheapest 22 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 51% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Auckland to Nelson flights

Low season

April
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 12% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 1% lower on average.

When to book flights from Auckland to Nelson

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Auckland to Nelson based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Auckland to Nelson flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • What airlines are available from Auckland to Nelson?

    Only Air New Zealand operates flights between Auckland and Nelson.

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Auckland to Nelson?

    Flights from Auckland to Nelson usually depart from Auckland Intl (AKL) and arrive at Nelson (NSN).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Auckland to Nelson flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Air New Zealand: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so travelers should check the fare details before booking.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Auckland to Nelson?

    Only Economy Class is available on flights from Auckland to Nelson.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Auckland to Nelson?

    On this route, nonstop and layover fares are close on average, with nonstop at $214 round-trip and layover options via Christchurch (CHC) at $210.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Auckland to Nelson?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $17–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Auckland to Nelson?

    The ATR 72-201 / 202 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Air New Zealand. Other aircraft seen on the route include De Havilland (Bombardier) DHC-8-300 Dash 8 / 8Q variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Auckland to Nelson pass through?

    Connecting flights from Auckland to Nelson most commonly pass through:

    • Wellington (WLG) - 91% of one-stop connections
    • Christchurch (CHC) - 9% of one-stop connections
    Together, these airports account for 100% of one-stop bookings on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Auckland to Nelson?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 31% on the Auckland to Nelson route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $189 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $273, a difference of $84. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from Auckland to Nelson?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Auckland to Nelson route, 12% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1 hour 26 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from Auckland to Nelson spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Auckland to Nelson flights, with 40% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 30%, evening flights for 30%, and night flights for 0%.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Auckland to Nelson?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Auckland to Nelson:

    • Earliest: departs at 6:30 am and lands at 8:05 am
    • Latest: departs at 8:10 pm and lands at 9:45 pm.

    The flight takes about 1h 35m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Auckland to Nelson flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 34% above the route average of $214. Book 22 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Auckland to Nelson?

    A nonstop flight from Auckland to Nelson takes 1h 35m, covering 308 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Auckland to Nelson?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID, or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • How does Air New Zealand’s on-time performance compare to other airlines on Auckland to Nelson flights?

    Air New Zealand is the only airline operating Auckland to Nelson flights. 88% of its flights are on time.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Auckland to Nelson?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Auckland to Nelson?

    Flying via Christchurch (CHC) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 3h 52m, compared with 5h 28m via Wellington (WLG).

  • What car rental options are available at Nelson Airport (NSN)?

    Nelson Airport (NSN) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $14 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · EZI
    · Snap Rentals
    · Thrifty
    · Apex
    · Budget

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Auckland to Nelson flight?

    Round-trip flights from Auckland to Nelson range from $170 to $268, with an average of $214 over the past 12 months. Anything below $170 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Auckland to Nelson flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $189 - about $84 less than Sunday (31% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 22 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 51% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Auckland to Nelson trip for June. Fares historically average $176 round-trip in that month - typically $85 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Christchurch Airport (CHC) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $210 round-trip on this route - about $4 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Nelson Airport.
    - The Honest Lawyer, an Ascend Collection Hotel
    - The Beachcomber Hotel
    - Driftwood Motel

Prefer to fly direct from Auckland to Nelson?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Auckland Intl Airport to Nelson Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Auckland Intl to Nelson

Monday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Tuesday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Wednesday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Thursday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Friday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Saturday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Sunday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Nelson to Auckland Intl

Monday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Tuesday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Wednesday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Thursday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Friday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Saturday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Sunday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from Auckland to Nelson

Information on your arrival and departure airports