Layover in Auckland, New Zealand

Stuck on an Auckland layover in New Zealand? The Auckland International Airport is located roughly 14 miles from downtown Auckland which makes the city an accessible destination for those stuck on a long layover. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your Auckland layover, click here for useful tips.

In addition to currency exchange, duty free, shopping, and restaurants (which you can find listed by category here for the Domestic terminal and here for the International terminal), the Auckland airport features an Artport on the first floor departures area, showcasing a wide range of New Zealand’s most talented artists. Artwork can be purchased and shipped, if requested.

Also opened in late October 2008 is Auckland’s new ‘Green Terminal’ which is a green building with solar panels, rain harvesting, cleaner air quality and eco displays. Check out the LED touch screen monitors near gate 15, which will give you a guided tour of how the airport is ‘green’ including how much carbon dioxide is being saved through the use of solar panels.

If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest during your layover, there are a number of hotels in the area for varying price points. For a comprehensive list of nearby hotels, click here.

If you have the time to see the sights, and want to ditch your luggage during your Auckland layover, you have a few options:

• Hand luggage storage- Bags can be left at The Collection Point on the first floor after security for NZ$3, but you’ll need to remember to pick up your bags by 11pm on the same day (Open 6am – 11pm Phone: +64 9 256 8845)
• Luggage storage is available at the Auckland Tourism i-site Visitor Information centre on the ground floor, arrivals area. Charges are NZ$15 per item, per day and NZ$15 per day for large items. Lockers are also available, costing NZ$15 per item, per day.(Open 24 hours, 7 days Phone: +64 9 275 6467)
• Luggage wrapping – Seal ‘n’ Secure (on the Ground Floor at the check-in area) will seal your luggage in recyclable, transparent polythene to protect it from scratches, moisture or any form of tampering, and will ship excess luggage to your destination. Open 5am – 7pm (Monday – Friday); 5am – 9pm (Saturday – Sunday) Phone: +64 9 256 8769

There are many options for transportation into Auckland, including a regular 15-minute Airbus Express service available from the airport for all travelers to the city’s waterfront Downtown Ferry Terminal. Tickets cost about NZ$12 each way. For other bus options, click here.

You can also grab a taxi or shuttle. For a list of companies and numbers, click here.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On An Auckland Layover:

Sky Tower
The tallest man-made structure in the Southern Hemisphere, the Sky Tower is Auckland is more than a thousand feet high. You can enjoy the 360 degree rotating restaurant, travel up in the glass-fronted elevators to a spectacular viewing platforms, or for the adventurous type, you can SkyJump off the Tower!

SailNZ
Take a ride with SailNZ and participate as cure on an actual America’s Cup yacht for a two hour sailing trip. A great way to see the sites of the Waitemata Harbour. (2 hours for $150 per adult, $110 for children)

Tonic Day Spa
If you’re tired and feeling worn out, check out Tonic Day Spa — the award-winning beauty therapy and day spa. From manicures and pedicures to massages and infrared saunas, this place will relax you, for sure!

Auckland Museum
From learning about the Maori culture to the largest, most complete and best preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil ever found, the Auckland Museum covers a wide range of exhibits. For all the latest exhibitions and other things to see, check out the Auckland Museum’s website, here.

Otara Market
For those of you on a layover in Auckland during a Saturday and have the time, make sure you check out the Otara Market. As the world’s largest Polynesian market, you can find everything from crafts to exotic food.

If none of these sound appealing, check out this list of 50 things to do in Auckland.

Have a suggestion for an Auckland, New Zealand layover? Leave a comment below!

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