TRAVEL TIPS

Air Travel

Auckland International Airport (AKL) lies 21 km (13 miles) southwest of the city center, about a 30-minute drive away. It has adopted a "quiet airport" policy, so it doesn't use loudspeakers to announce boarding times. Look for flight info on screens, which abound.

A free inter-terminal bus links the international and domestic terminals from 6 am to 10 pm. Otherwise, the walk between the two terminals takes about 10 minutes. Luggage for flights aboard the two major domestic airlines, Air New Zealand and Qantas Airways, can be checked at the international terminal.

Air New Zealand and Jetstar, Qantas's budget airline, are the main domestic carriers serving Auckland. Air New Zealand connects with 25 domestic cities a day, and makes about 10 flights a day to Australia. Jetstar also connects Auckland with many cities and complements Qantas's cross-Tasman service; Jetstar is now competing with Air New Zealand on some regional flights. It can have unpredictable service and requires check-in one hour before departure. Air Tahiti Nui stops off in Auckland on its LA and New York runs.

Airport

Auckland International Airport. Ray Emery Dr., Auckland, Auckland, 2150. 09/275–0789; www.aucklandairport.co.nz.

Airport Transfers

The Airbus (NZ$16 one-way; NZ$28 round-trip) leaves the international terminal every 20 minutes between 6 am and 6 pm, then every 30 minutes through the night. You can request a stop at any bus stop or hotel along the 60-minute route between the airport and the Ferry Building in downtown Auckland. The bus leaves the Ferry Building at 20-minute intervals between 5 am and 6 pm, and then every 30 minutes until the morning.

Limo Hire Auckland runs between the airport and the city ($350 one-way or $650 return). Taxi fare to the city is NZ$90 to NZ$100. Super Shuttle has service between the airport and any address in the city center (NZ$35 per person.). Allow an hour's traveling time.

Contacts

Airbus Express. This service runs 24/7 between the airport and the city and vice versa. Auckland International and Domestic Airport, Ray Emery Dr., Auckland, Auckland, Manukau 2150. 09/366–6400; www.airbus.co.nz; www.at.govt.nz.

Limo Hire Auckland. This is a high-end service for those wanting special treatment. Limo Hire Auckland, 8 Falls St., Warkworth, Auckland, Auckland, Warkworth 0910. 09/422–2505; www.limohireauckland.co.nz.

SuperShuttle. This pragmatic shared door-to-door transport is cheaper than a taxi. 393 Khyber Pass Rd., Level 7, Newmarket, Auckland, Auckland, Auckland 1023. 09/522–5100; www.supershuttle.co.nz.

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