Thinking you will just jump on a plane from the North Island to the South? Before purchasing your flights from Auckland to Christchurch, here are five potentially time and money saving things to consider before you travel.
1. Duration of Flight & Airlines You Can Travel with
- The flight is required to be non-stop and, travelling direct, takes approximately 1 hour 25 minutes.
- The main two operators are Air New Zealand and Jetstar.
- Layover connecting options are also available in cities like Wellington or Palmerston North, but direct flights from Melbourne are far more convenient for most tourists.
2. Best Times to Book Cheap Flights from Auckland to Christchurch
- To find the best and cheapest time to do an Auckland to Christchurch flights comparison, simply enter your travel dates into our search tool and we’ll sort you out with cheap fares that suit you!
- On average, the cheapest month to fly this route is May. On the other hand, December and April are usually the most expensive months.
- Trips during the week (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) are usually cheaper than weekend service.
- Cheap flights Christchurch to Auckland also share the same rules of thumb: steer clear of peak hours and weekends, and get fare drop alerts.
3. Know the Airports & Terminals
- Auckland Airport (AKL)
Auckland to Christchurch will be departing from the Domestic Terminal.
If you fly internationally into Auckland and then onward into Christchurch you will need to clear immigration or customs (often quicker in NZ then Aus.) as well as collect luggage and recheck it or, if your domestic flight is on another ticket, transfer from the international terminal to the domestic one. It would be advisable to have a buffer of 3-4 hours in this regard as suggested by many travelers.
- Christchurch Airport (CHC):
There’s one terminal for domestic and international flights, although it does have convenient signage channeling you to domestic arrivals and departures.
The airport is situated around 11 km from the center of Christchurch. A taxi is 15 minutes or there’s a public bus option (45 mins).
4. Baggage & Additional Fees Matter
- Low-cost airlines have often stricter baggage limits. Checked baggage, seat choice and other “extras” could cost extra.
- When traveling with sports gear (surfboards, skis and the like), be sure to check what the airline’s policy is. For example, on domestic New Zealand legs there are sometimes dimensional or length limits (e.g. 1.8m) on items.
- Always check the fare class you’re purchasing — the base fare might include only a carry on; adding baggage later usually costs more.
5. Tips for a Smoother Flight Experience
- Arrive early: You are recommended to arrive 1 hour in advance of domestic flights. But if you’re transiting from international to domestic (via AKL), allow for more buffer time.
- Use airport amenities wisely: Cafes, shops and free Wi-Fi are available on AKL’s domestic terminal. CHC is centrally located and has available information counters, rental car hires counters and transport.
- Stay flexible: Be flexible with alternate times or even consider flying a day earlier or later for better deals.
- Monitor airline updates: Check SMS or updates by your airline, particularly at times of year when weather causes major disruptions.
- Have backup plans: Know your options if a flight is delayed or canceled — alternative flight times, waiting lists, possibly travel insurance.
Final Thoughts
The Auckland to Christchurch (and Christchurch to Auckland) route is also heavily served, relatively short and quite competitive — which means there’s potential for good deals if you do a bit of planning. With these five tips in your arsenal — covering everything from how to book effectively and luggage rules to weather contingency planning and navigating the terminal — you’ll have a smoother, more predictable flight.
