Airport
Auckland International Airport
IATA Code: AKLLocation: The airport is situated 14 miles (22km) south of Auckland.
Time: Local time is GMT +12 (GMT +13 from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March).
Contacts: Tel: +64 (0)9 275 0789 or 0800 247 767 (NZ only).
Transfer between terminals: A free bus runs between the International Terminal and the Air New Zealand and Qantas NZ Domestic Terminals from 6am until 10.30pm. Passengers are also able to walk between the terminals by following the blue and white lines painted on the ground, the walk takes about 12 minutes.
Transfer to the city: An Airbus bus service leaves regularly (every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night) for the city centre and costs NZ$15 for a single ticket. Shuttle buses also offer economical transportation between the airport and city or suburbs on a 'shared ride' basis. Maxx also offers public transport to and from the city and surrounding areas. Visit their website www.maxx.co.nzfor details. Taxis are also available; the airport to city fare is about NZ$50 to NZ$65.
Taxis: Taxis are available outside the domestic terminals or to the left of customs in the international terminal. The trip to the city centre costs between NZ$50 an d NZ$65.
Car rental: There are numerous car rental companies including Avis, Budget, Hertz and Ezy Rentals.
Facilities: Facilities at the airport include left luggage, business facilities, a medical centre, banks and ATMs, bars, restaurants and shops, a crèche, a post office, a hairdresser, supermarket, Internet kiosks, tourist information and hotel reservations desks. Disabled facilities are good, but those with special needs should inform their airline or travel agent in advance.
Parking: There is plenty of parking adjacent to both terminals, with fees ranging from NZ$9 per hour to NZ$39 per day. There are also cheaper long-term parking options located off site with free shuttle services to the terminals.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.aucklandairport.co.nz
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Auckland
Auckland is situated on a narrow strip of land, flanked by two magnificent harbours to the east and west. The shallow Manukau Harbour opens out to the Tasman Sea to the west, while the Waitemata Harbour lies at the heart of the city centre and is Auckland's deepwater port. It has a vibrant waterfront that has flourished with the successful hosting of the 2002/2003 America's Cup, the international yachting event of the year, and the trendy restaurants and waterside cafes are a constant hive of activity.
Known as the 'City of Sails', with a larger boat-to-person ratio than anywhere else on earth, it is a paradise for sailing enthusiasts and every weekend the waters of the Hauraki Gulf come alive with a flotilla of colourful sails. The best way to experience the city is from the water, sailing around the attractive harbour or on a ferry cruise to one of the many stunning islands dotted about the Gulf.
Auckland is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand, and acts as a major gateway to the rest of the country. Yet it is also one of the least densely populated in the world, covering an area twice the size of London but with barely a million inhabitants. It has a friendly small-town atmosphere and a relaxed pace of life.
Beyond the bustling downtown area, dominated by the southern hemisphere's tallest building, the Sky Tower, the city sprawls outwards, with low-slung buildings and wooden houses among leafy parks and walking tracks. The suburbs wind their way around picturesque bays and harbours and between volcanic hills that provide panoramic views over the city and mountains, encompassing numerous green urban parklands that are dotted with sheep.
