Why take a flight to New Zealand?

Start an unforgettable adventure to a land of incredible sights and epic natural beauty with flights to New Zealand. Landscapes made famous by The Lord of the Rings film adaptations and wonderous glacial valleys are just the beginning when you fly to New Zealand. The country is also home to charming cities and a fascinating, complex history.

When to book flights to New Zealand?

When it's winter in Europe, it's summer in New Zealand due to its location in the southern hemisphere. That's why December, January and February see people taking flights to New Zealand from the UK to take advantage of the warm temperatures. You can also escape the cold even earlier by trading autumn for spring and travelling from September to November.

The very north of the North Island can experience subtropical temperatures in the summer. Most of the country, however, enjoys temperate weather year-round because of its proximity to the ocean. The best months for a beach vacation are December through March, though you can still swim in some places up to April. Booking cheap flights to New Zealand can be easier when you aim for the end of the summer. The autumn from March to May also offers some dazzling sights as the leaves change colour.

If you're tired of the usual summer holiday destinations, book New Zealand cheap flights during their winter and enjoy some skiing from June through August.

How to find cheap flights to New Zealand?

Once you've picked the season for your New Zealand flights from £641*, we can help you find some of the best deals when you search on Expedia, even when you want to go in high season.

Compare a broader range of New Zealand plane tickets when you select flexible dates during the search process. Flight prices can vary widely within a week, so choosing a flight just a few days away from your initial selection can lead to significant savings on some of the cheapest flights to New Zealand.

Expedia can also help you unlock even more savings when you bundle your tickets to New Zealand, car hire or stay together in one booking. You can even choose to only book stays for part of your trip and still take advantage of the savings.

Flights to New Zealand from UK

It takes a while to get from one hemisphere to the other, so you can plan on having at least one stop on your cheap flight to New Zealand.

• Flights from London to Auckland – 27 hours 55 minutes (one stop)
• Flights from London to Wellington – 29 hours 40 minutes (2 stops)
• Flights from London to Christchurch – 30 hours 55 minutes (2 stops)
• Flights from London to Queenstown – 28 hours 35 minutes (2 stops)

Want to fly from another part of the UK? Use Expedia to find connecting flights to New Zealand from Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Main airports in New Zealand

With up 20 million passengers per year, Auckland is the busiest New Zealand airport by far. Wellington and Christchurch both see around 6 million passengers annually, and then Queenstown greets an additional 2 million.

With around one million passengers per year, Nelson, Dunedin and Hawkes Bay are significant smaller airports good for domestic flights.

What airlines fly to New Zealand?

There are numerous airlines that fly to New Zealand from the UK.

• China Airlines
• Air New Zealand
• Qatar Airways
• Korean Air
• China Eastern
• Singapore Airlines
• Malaysia Airlines
• British Airways

Get around in New Zealand

Once you've taken your New Zealand flight, it's time to start exploring. A hire car in New Zealand makes it easy to explore at your own pace, and you can even choose to hire a motorhome or a camper van to stay out in nature. Ferries are available to take you from the North to South Island or out to the smaller islands.

There are also abundant public bus options and trains if you prefer to use public transit on your New Zealand journey. The trains available are more about seeing the sights than getting to your destination quickly, so don't expect high-speed services like those in Europe and Asia. If your holiday is limited, consider some domestic flights to save on travel time.

Must-see attractions in New Zealand

Head to the top of Auckland's Sky Tower and treat yourself to views that stretch out for 50 miles. Then it's time to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, which is easy to reach on a day trip from Auckland and can even be combined with marvelling at the glow worms in the Waitomo Caves.

On the South Island, you can reach the island's highest natural point on Aoraki/Mount Cook. Relax in the Southern Alps' temperate forests and by serene glacial lakes. When you return to civilization you can walk through the streets of Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South and take in its historic architecture.

Tips for travelling in New Zealand

Travellers from the UK do not need a visa to visit New Zealand for stays of up to 6 months, as long as they meet the requirements for visa-free entry such as a confirmed return flight and sufficient funds. Just complete the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA, valid for up to 2 years) before you go: it's recommended that you allow up to 72 hours of processing time. In addition to paying for the NZeTA, you'll also be charged the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) at the time of application.

*Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.