Cheap Flights to Wellington Airport

Discover Wellington

Cheap Flights to Wellington, New Zealand

Why visit Wellington?

The charming city of Wellington is perhaps New Zealand’s most enchanting. Set amongst forested hills that look out onto the gorgeous Wellington Harbour, this town is considered to be New Zealand’s cultural capital and that can be attested to with the restaurants, bars, galleries, museums, theatres and trendy boutiques that fill the city streets. Beyond that, Wellington is a gateway city to the spectacular wonders of the South Island, and is a wonderful way to be introduced to the land of the long white cloud.

Things to do in Wellington

Start your city tour by hiking up to Kelburn Lookout, right next to the Botanic Gardens, this is one of the best views in the city, and a great way to get situated. If you don’t fancy huffing and puffing your way to the top, there is a lovely cable car that will take you up the hill from Lambton Quay and is in itself a typical Wellington experience. Afterwards, stroll through the delightful Botanic Gardens, 25 hectares of lush greenery within the city borders, or for a real escape from urbanisation, make plans to see Zealandia, a sanctuary that is a whopping 225 hectares and protects native birds and plants of the region.

There are several museums that culture vultures should make time for, the first of which is the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, which focuses on the maritime history of Wellington and its progression into the city it is today, and the second is the Museum of New Zealand that delves into the Maori roots of the country, and its subsequent colonial settlers, documenting how both cultures shaped contemporary New Zealand. Art admirers will love the City Gallery Wellington that displays modern, indigenous artists in a variety of artistic mediums ranging from photography to painting and sculpture.

Film fans should make time for the Weta Cave, the movie-making magic factory that brought The Lord of the Rings to life. You can go on a tour of the Weta Workshop, and even join a location tour around the city where the movie was filmed, such as the city’s popular Mount Victoria and its surrounds.

Lastly, spend some time along the city’s lovely waterfront, wonderful on a sunny day, where the water sparkles an iridescent blue, and the hilltops shelter the worst of the wind. There are lots of bars and cafes to sit in, throw back a cocktail and watch the sun go down of an evening.

Best time to visit Wellington

· The most temperate time of year to visit Wellington is between October to April, the spring, summer and autumn seasons, when you can expect averages of 17-21°C.

· Winters stick between about 6 and 12°C, but the southerly winds can make it feel much, much colder, so pack warmly if you choose to visit in this season.

Best time to book

· For flights to Wellington, the best time to book your flights is about 6 weeks ahead of your departure date.

Expect to pay

· New Zealand Dollar (NZD).

· Generally, you’ll find a cappuccino will run to about 4.50NZD ($4) in Wellington.

Arriving in Wellington by plane

· Wellington Airport (WLG) services flights into the city, and airlines that fly there include Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Qantas, Emirates, Fiji Airways and LATAM Airlines Group.

· About 6km from the city centre, WLG is well connected to downtown. There are plenty of facilities available to passengers too, such as cash machines, currency exchange, dining and shopping outlets and free WiFi.

· Brisbane (BNE), Melbourne (MEL) and Sydney (SYD) all offer direct and regular flights to Wellington.

Visa requirements

· If you hold an Australian passport, you will not need a visa to enter New Zealand. For foreign nationals, you can check restrictions and up to date information on Australia’s Smart Traveller website.

Transportation to city centre

· Taking a taxi will cost around 20-30NZD ($18-28) into downtown, or you can arrange an airport transfer to meet you when you land.

· There are also shuttles and the express bus service, the Airport Flyer, if you’d prefer to take public transport.

· Many choose to hire a car to explore Wellington’s wonderful surrounds, organise one at the airport, or reserve a vehicle ahead of time using our search tool.

Where to stay in Wellington?

· Staying in the centre of the city, right by the harbour, means you’re in with a chance of a sea-view room, as well as close access to the shopping, museums, galleries and restaurants. Look for hotels in Lambton Quay if you want to be in the heart of the action.

· Otherwise, Thorndon is a nice choice, lots of bed and breakfasts, historical buildings, and fashionable eating and drinking hotspots. You still have good links into the CBD, and can stroll to the lovely Botanic Gardens of the city.

Useful tips before you go

· Tips aren’t expected in New Zealand, but if you experience excellent service, gratuity is gratefully received.

· If you’re driving around the country, or just touring the city, keep an eye out for i-SITE centres, which provide tourists with excellent recommendations and information should you need it.

Please note that the information provided above is accurate as of May 2016