Auckland Airport (AKL) Guide

About Auckland Airport

Auckland Airport is the largest and busiest airport in New Zealand, with more than 20 million passengers passing through its terminals each year. The busiest international routes to and from Auckland Airport are from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (in that order), while the airport also services 26 domestic destinations.

Air New Zealand has its main hub at Auckland Airport, and from Auckland Airport you can fly direct to international destinations such as London, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Hawaii. Auckland Airport is also a major departure point for Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific travellers en route to South America, with direct flights out of Auckland Airport to Easter Island, Buenos Aires and Santiago.

What facilities are at Auckland Airport?

From luggage wrapping to the non-denominational Chapel which offers a quiet place for contemplation to all travellers, Auckland Airport has all your travelling needs covered. Services and facilities at Auckland Airport begin with check-in counters and kiosks, and cover so much more.

Check-in

There are two terminals at Auckland Airport: domestic and international. At the domestic terminal, you’ll find check-in counters for both Air New Zealand and Jetstar.

At the international terminal, check-in counters are located on the ground floor. After you’ve checked in, you’ll need to travel up to the first floor to the Departure Area where you can complete any Customs formalities, then move on through the Security Checkpoint. If you have any questions regarding the security restrictions for powders, liquids, aerosols, gels or batteries, refer to the information on Auckland Airport’s website.

Baggage

Auckland Airport offers baggage services such as luggage wrapping and luggage storage. Luggage wrapping is available from SmartCarte on the ground floor of the international terminal, in two locations. SmartCarte also offers luggage storage as well as a courier service for unaccompanied baggage, should you turn up to the airport with more luggage than can be admitted onto your flight.

Is there a currency exchange?

Yes there are ten foreign exchange outlets at Auckland Airport, located in the international and domestic terminals. If you’re travelling onward from Auckland and will be needing foreign currency, you can order and pick up any foreign currency before you leave home, at Travel Money Oz.

What are the other services and facilities?

  • Arrival and pick-up service
  • Printer, copier and other document services
  • Emergency services
  • Flight Centre store
  • Parent rooms
  • The Collection Point duty free pick-up
  • Free Wi-Fi for 2 hours or 3 hours for Strata Club members
  • Information points
  • Look-out observation area
  • Lost property and left luggage
  • Luggage trolleys
  • Mail services
  • Medical services and first aid
  • Banking facilities
  • Showers
  • Smoking areas
  • Assistance for travellers with special needs
  • Telephones
  • Chapel and Muslim prayer mat

Transport and terminal transfers

What’s the best way to get to and from Auckland Airport?

Taxi: Auckland Airport licenses specific taxi and shuttle companies, so you’ll always be certain of a quality ride from the airport. Taxi and shuttle ranks are located outside the arrivals area at the international terminal (door 8) and outside the domestic terminal (door 4).

A fare from the airport to the city ranges between NZ$38 and NZ$80 one-way. The licensed shuttle company is Super Shuttle, which will drop individuals or groups anywhere across Auckland. Consult with the shuttle company directly for pricing.

Rideshare: Rideshare companies have been allocated a dedicated pick-up area at both the domestic and international terminals of Auckland Airport, to give you a safe, affordable and reliable alternative to driving. The Rideshare zone is located behind the multistorey carpark at the domestic terminal, and outside door 11 at the international terminal.

Public Transport

SkyBus: SkyBus is the leading public transport option from Auckland City and North Harbour to and from Auckland Airport. There are two bus routes: one via Mt Eden Road and one via Dominion Road, with the airport-to-city route taking between 40 and 60 minutes. The North Harbour service includes Akoranga, Smales Farm and Westfield Albany bus stops, and takes between 40 and 80 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at Airport Ticket Kiosks.

Auckland Transport: Being a harbour city, there are many ways to get around Auckland, and that includes travelling to and from the airport. The key Auckland Transport routes that service Auckland Airport are the 380 Airporter bus, train-bus services via Papatoetoe Station, and the Route 31 bus.

Parking: Parking at Auckland Airport can be divided into three options, with the addition of designated drop and pick-up zones at both the international and domestic forecourts. Economy Parking offers the best rates, Standard Parking is located closer to the terminal and perfect for a few days away, and Executive Parking gives you the closest proximity to the terminals with additional options such as Valet Parking and car grooming.

Car rental: Renting a car, campervan or motorhome is a great idea in New Zealand, with such spectacular scenery and a well-established road-tripping culture. You’ll find all the major car rental companies and at the airport, with campervan or motorhome companies based in Auckland. Arrange it all before you go and get your car hire sorted here.

Helicopter: Yes, you can. Several companies operate airport transfers and charter flights from Auckland Airport to a variety of destinations.

How do I transfer between terminals?

Due to Auckland Airport’s relatively compact size, you can take the 10-minute walk between the terminals just by following the sign-posted walkway.

There is also a free terminal transfer bus service that operates every 15 minutes between the domestic and international terminals. This bus runs between 5am and 10.30pm daily.

What restaurants and bars are at Auckland Airport?

Auckland Airport has a great range of cafes, bars, restaurants and eateries, giving you plenty of opportunity to tantalise your tastebuds before you fly. There are all the fast food favourites as well as juice bars, asian cuisine and cafes serving up good coffee. Auckland Airport even has its very own outpost of 400 Gradi, with the original Melbourne restaurant of the same name known for winning ‘Best Pizza in Oceania’ and taking the finest Napolitan pizza to the world.

Restaurants and bars at Auckland Airport include:

  • 1Above
  • 400 Gradi
  • Aroha Cafe & Bar
  • Best Ugly Bagels
  • Better Burger
  • Blue Marble Lane
  • Cafe Espresso
  • Dunkin Donuts
  • Flight Bar
  • Glamp Grounds Bar & Kitchens
  • Halong Bay
  • Hayama Sushi
  • Hub
  • KFC
  • Krispy Kreme
  • Little Gypsy
  • Long White Cafe
  • McDonalds
  • Mexico
  • Oma
  • Orleans Chicken & Waffles
  • Pita Pit
  • Popo Dumplings
  • Retro Espresso
  • Silk Road
  • Subway
  • Takeoff Espresso
  • Tank Juice Bar
  • Tea Garden by Dilmah
  • The Gypsy Moth
  • The Juicery
  • Take Home
  • Wishbone
  • Wondertree

Shopping at Auckland Airport?

Whether you’re just wanting to stock up on delicious Whittaker’s chocolates before you leave New Zealand or feel like treating yourself to something more substantial like a brand new Icebreaker or accessories from Coach, Auckland Airport has shopping covered.

Shops at Auckland Airport include:

  • The Loop Duty Free
  • Aelia Duty Free
  • 3 Wise Men
  • Adidas Performance
  • Around NZ
  • Benefit
  • Cafe to Bluff
  • Carry On
  • Coach
  • Eye Love
  • Flight Centre
  • Fossil
  • Furla
  • G-Factory
  • Hugo Boss
  • Icebreaker
  • Kate Spade
  • Kiehls
  • Kiwi Discovery
  • Kizclub
  • Lacoste
  • MAC Cosmetics
  • Merino Collection
  • Michael Kors
  • Montblanc
  • Mountain Jade
  • Partridge Jewellers
  • Relay
  • Sunglass Hut
  • Tech2go
  • Toyworld Central
  • Travelex
  • Travelpharm
  • TUMI
  • Victoria’s Secret
  • Vodafone
  • Walker & Hall
  • Weekend Max Mara
  • Whittaker’s
  • World
  • Spark


Strata Club

For anyone making regular trips to Auckland, the Strata Club might be worth joining. This is Auckland Airport’s Rewards Program, and offers benefits to members such as extended to unlimited Wi-Fi access, discounted entry to the Strata Lounge, parking upgrades and more. For details, see the Auckland Airport website or app. 

 

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