New Zealand may look a long way from the rest of the world on a map, but getting here is more straightforward than you might think.
Auckland is well connected with major cities across North America, Australia, Asia and the Pacific, while travellers from the UK and Europe have plenty of convenient connecting options.
Most MoaTrek travellers fly into either Auckland or Christchurch, depending on which tour they are joining. Below, we’ve covered the most common ways to reach New Zealand, along with a few tips to make planning your journey a little easier.
Getting to New Zealand: the quick answer
- Flying from the USA or Canada? Non-stop flights are available from several major North American gateways, with connecting options from cities across the continent.
- Flying from Australia? Auckland and Christchurch are only a short flight across the Tasman Sea from major Australian cities.
- Flying from the UK or Europe? You’ll usually travel through Asia, the Middle East, North America or Australia.
- Joining our 17-day Kaka or 21-day Kakapo Tour? These tours begin in Auckland.
- Joining our 12-day Kiwi Tour? This tour begins in Christchurch.
We recommend arriving in your tour departure city at least one day before your tour begins. This gives you time to rest after your flight and settle in before meeting your Kiwi Guide and fellow travellers.
Flying to New Zealand from the USA and Canada
Auckland has excellent connections with North America, including non-stop flights from several major US cities and Vancouver.
Common gateways include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York and Vancouver, with other options available through cities such as Dallas and Honolulu. Travellers from elsewhere in the USA or Canada will usually take a domestic flight to one of these gateways before continuing to New Zealand.
When comparing flights, it pays to look at the whole journey rather than the number of flights alone. Check the total travel time and the length of your connection. Sometimes a slightly longer stop can make the journey much more relaxed.
From the west coast of North America, a non-stop flight to Auckland generally takes around 12 to 14 hours. Most flights travel overnight, so you can have dinner, watch a movie and hopefully get some sleep before waking up close to New Zealand.
For more detailed travel times from cities across the United States, read our guide to how long it takes to fly from the USA to New Zealand.
What does crossing the International Date Line mean?
When travelling from North America to New Zealand, you’ll cross the International Date Line.
This means you may leave North America on a Friday evening and arrive in New Zealand on Sunday morning. You haven’t spent two full days in the air—you’ve simply moved forward a calendar day as you crossed the Pacific.
You’ll get that day back on your journey home and may arrive in North America on the same calendar day that you left New Zealand.
The easiest thing to remember is to check the arrival date, not just the flight time, when booking your pre-tour accommodation.
Flying to New Zealand from Australia
New Zealand is only a short trip across the Tasman Sea—or “across the ditch”, as we say here.
Non-stop services operate from major Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with a typical flight to Auckland or Christchurch taking around three to four hours.
Flights are also available from a number of other Australian cities. Depending on where you live and which MoaTrek tour you are joining, you may be able to fly directly to Auckland or Christchurch.
If you are joining our 17-day Kaka or 21-day Kakapo Tour, Auckland is your tour departure city. Our 12-day Kiwi Tour starts in Christchurch, so travellers from Australia may be able to fly directly into the South Island without connecting through Auckland.
Flying to New Zealand from the UK and Europe
There are no non-stop flights between the UK or Europe and New Zealand, so your journey will include at least one connection.
Many travellers fly through major hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai or Doha. Depending on your departure city and airline, you may also travel through North America or Australia.
From London, the total journey to New Zealand generally takes around 24 hours or more, depending on your route and the length of your connection.
It is a long journey, but choosing a comfortable connection can make a big difference. Some travellers prefer to continue straight through, while others add a night or two somewhere along the way and make the stopover part of their holiday.
For more detailed information, read our guide to flying to New Zealand from the UK and Europe.
Which New Zealand airport should you fly into?
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest international gateway and the arrival point for most MoaTrek travellers. However, the right airport for you will depend on which tour you are joining.
Joining our 17-day Kaka or 21-day Kakapo Tour?
Both tours begin in Auckland, so you should arrange your international or domestic journey to arrive there.
We recommend arriving at least one day before the tour begins. This gives you time to settle in, recover from your flight and start your New Zealand holiday feeling refreshed.
Joining our 12-day Kiwi Tour?
Our 12-day Kiwi Tour begins in Christchurch.
Christchurch has international flights from Australia, Singapore and other overseas destinations. Alternatively, you can fly into Auckland and connect with a domestic flight to Christchurch.
The flight between Auckland and Christchurch takes around one hour and 25 minutes.
Making your journey to New Zealand easy
A little planning before you book will help your journey run smoothly—and most of it is simply a matter of checking the dates and choosing the right arrival city.
Plan to arrive the day before your tour
We recommend arriving in Auckland or Christchurch at least one day before your tour begins.
This gives you time to settle into your hotel, have a good night’s sleep and begin your New Zealand holiday feeling refreshed. Many of our travellers enjoy having this extra time to get their bearings before meeting their Kiwi Guide and fellow travellers.
You can find more information about our recommended pre and post-tour accommodation in Auckland and Christchurch.
Check where your tour begins
Our 17-day Kaka and 21-day Kakapo Tours begin in Auckland, while our 12-day Kiwi Tour begins in Christchurch.
Your booking confirmation will clearly show your tour start date and location, and our friendly team is always happy to help if you are unsure which flights will suit your plans.
Double-check your arrival date
Travellers flying across the Pacific will cross the International Date Line, which means you may arrive two calendar days after leaving North America.
Your airline itinerary will show the correct local arrival date. It is worth checking this carefully when booking your pre-tour accommodation, but don’t worry—you haven’t spent two days in the air!
Check the latest entry requirements
Before travelling, check the current passport and entry requirements for New Zealand. Depending on your nationality, this may include arranging a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority before departure.
We provide helpful information before your tour, but official requirements can change, so it is always best to confirm them through New Zealand’s official immigration and travel websites.
Need a hand planning your journey?
Planning a long-haul journey can feel like a big undertaking, especially if this is your first visit to New Zealand.
While we can’t book international flights on your behalf, our friendly New Zealand team is always happy to help with general advice about your arrival airport, tour start date and how much time to allow before your tour begins.
One thing our travellers often tell us is how much they appreciated being able to ask questions before they even left home. No question is too small, so please get in touch whenever you need a hand—we want you to feel well prepared from the very start.
