You can fly easily around New Zealand with the maximum flight time being just a few hours. This is due to the fact that the country is not overly large. There are also several airports including major international airports and smaller domestic airports dotted around the country so that no matter where your final destination may be, there is an airport close enough by to not make your onward transfer too long.

Flying in New Zealand is very convenient and not that expensive to do. It is often cheaper than train travel, particularly for the longer trips, and certainly more convenient than driving. Prices will vary according to airline, route and individual requirements, but average prices for flights are very low. If you wish to travel from Auckland to Wellington for example, then you can expect to pay anywhere between NZ$49.00 and NZ$270.00 for a one way journey. For those travellers who don’t mind flying economy class then there are real bargains to be had. For an extra NZ$10.00 at just NZ$59.00 you can fly from Auckland on the North Island to Christchurch on the South Island, which if you were driving or taking the train would include a ferry trip too, then flying is definitely the easiest, cheapest and most convenient option.

The most expensive route is that between Queenstown and New Plymouth at around a minimum of NZ$210.00 per one way trip. The journey itself takes just over two and a half hours to complete by plane. Between Auckland and Wellington the flight time is just one hour. Making this same journey via car will take over 9 hours and by train over 11 hours. This is why domestic flights around New Zealand are very popular. If you want to fly during school holidays or during the bank holidays then you may find that flight prices rise dramatically.

There are three main airlines in New Zealand that offer domestic flights; they are Air New Zealand, Jet Star and Pacific Blue. Each has a Freephone contact number for those already in New Zealand who are looking to make a reservation. Often the airlines have special deals and discounts where you can save even more money off your domestic flights. Tickets can be bought online, over the phone or at any travel agents. You can even arrange to collect tickets from the airport if this is a more convenient option for you.

Useful Resources

Air New Zealand
Tel:0800 737 000 (freephone within NZ)
http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/

Jet Star
Tel: 0800 800 995 (freephone within NZ)
http://www.jetstar.com/gx/en/home

Pacific Blue
Tel: 0800 67 0000 (freephone within NZ)
http://www.webjet.co.nz/flights/pacific-blue/