New Zealand Airports

New Zealand, home to picturesque mountain ranges, white-sand beaches, magical rainforests, volcanoes and glaciers, is land hard to match anywhere in the world. It's not surprising to find that many who visit this magical gem for the first time find it hard to leave.

New Zealand has about a dozen airports including international terminals that are conveniently spread out across the country. Other than flying, travel in New Zealand can be a bit drawn out due to the slow ferry services between the two main islands and a lack of high-speed trains.

Auckland International Airport is the main gateway to New Zealand, with flights coming in throughout the day from Europe, North America and all over Asia. About 10-million visitors pass through its three terminals every year, which are joined by a foot passage as well as being linked by shuttles. Two of the airport's terminals are domestic and the third is international. Regular shuttles run to downtown Auckland, as do taxis. The journey time to the city can be lengthy, although a motorway makes the trip comfortable.

Christchurch International Airport is the South Island's main airport and it receives international flights as well as many daily domestic flights at its two terminals. The domestic terminal is only open during the daytime, while the international terminal is open 24 hours. Passengers can walk between the two terminals. The city centre is served by regular buses that run from the airport to the city throughout the day, while reasonably priced taxis also provide access.