Auckland Airport (AKL) is New Zealand's busiest airport and the main hub of Air New Zealand. It is in Māngere, about 21 km south of the Auckland city centre, and is run by Auckland International Airport Limited. There are two passenger terminals in separate buildings: the International Terminal for flights to and from overseas, including every flight from Australia, and the Domestic Terminal for flights within New Zealand.

The airport is in the middle of a major rebuild that will eventually bring domestic jet and international flights together in one integrated terminal. Until then, the two buildings are linked by a free bus and a signposted walkway. This guide covers which terminal to use, how to move between them, the ways into Auckland, parking, opening hours, facilities and tips for arriving from Australia.

Terminals and airlines at Auckland Airport

The first question at AKL is whether your flight is international or domestic. A trans-Tasman flight always uses the International Terminal. A flight within New Zealand uses the Domestic Terminal. Assignments can change, so check the terminal on your e-ticket before you travel.

International Terminal

All international flights depart and arrive at the International Terminal. Check-in is on the ground floor, in zones A to E. International check-in is being rebuilt zone by zone, so some flights temporarily check in at zone T, outside near the Transport Hub, and then drop bags at zone B inside. This is a temporary arrangement: check your zone on the airport's departures page up to 24 hours before you fly.

Domestic Terminal

The Domestic Terminal is one building with separate areas for its two main airlines, which use it for flights within New Zealand:

• Air New Zealand (domestic flights)
• Jetstar (domestic flights)

Both airlines also fly internationally, and those flights use the International Terminal instead. Smaller regional airlines check in at the Domestic Terminal too.

Airlines at Auckland Airport

The airport does not publish a list of which international airline uses which terminal, but these carriers fly to Auckland Airport. Your e-ticket confirms the terminal:

• Air New Zealand
• Jetstar
• Qantas
• Air Canada (seasonal)
• American Airlines (seasonal)
• Delta Air Lines (seasonal)
• United Airlines
• Air China
• China Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Hainan Airlines
• Sichuan Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Korean Air
• Singapore Airlines
• Malaysia Airlines
• Emirates
• Qatar Airways
• LATAM
• Fiji Airways
• Air Tahiti Nui
• Aircalin
• Solomon Airlines
• Air Chathams
• Barrier Air

Air Canada, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines fly to Auckland seasonally, so their flights are not available all year. On a codeshare booking, the operating airline on your e-ticket is the one whose check-in you need.

Moving between the terminals

The International and Domestic terminals are separate buildings. The free inter-terminal bus takes about 10 minutes and runs from early morning until late evening. Catch it at Bus Stop B in the Transport Hub at the International Terminal, or at Bus Stop C outside Door 2 at the Domestic Terminal.

You can also walk. The signposted Green Line walkway is about 950 m long and takes 10 to 15 minutes. It has been re-routed around construction for the new integrated terminal, so follow the green markings. If you are connecting from a trans-Tasman flight to a domestic one, allow time for immigration and customs, then the transfer and check-in again.

Getting to and from Auckland Airport

Auckland Airport sits well south of the city, so the trip in takes some planning. Buses, trains via a connecting bus, taxis, shuttles, rideshare and hire cars are all available. Fares are set by each operator and shown at the stop, at the counter or in the operator's app.

AirportLink bus and train

AirportLink is the public transport connection to the rail network. It links the airport with Puhinui Station, where you change to trains on the Southern and Eastern Lines, and with Manukau Bus Station. Board at Bus Stop A in the Transport Hub at the International Terminal, or Bus Stop B at the Domestic Terminal. It runs frequently from early morning to after midnight.

SkyDrive express bus

SkyDrive is an express bus to SkyCity in central Auckland, a simple choice if you are staying in the CBD. It leaves from Bus Stop E in the Transport Hub at the International Terminal and Bus Stop A at the Domestic Terminal.

Route 38 bus

Route 38 uses the same stops as AirportLink and runs to Onehunga via Māngere Town Centre. It is a daytime service, useful for nearby suburbs.

InterCity coaches

InterCity long-distance coaches stop at Bus Stop E in the Transport Hub, outside the International Terminal, with services across the North Island.

Taxi and shuttle

At the International Terminal, taxis wait in the Transport Pick-up zone outside Door 11 of arrivals, a walk of 1 to 2 minutes. Shared door-to-door shuttles use lane 2 of the same zone. At the Domestic Terminal, the taxi rank is outside Door 4.

Rideshare

At the International Terminal, go through Door 11. Uber picks up in the Transport Pick-up zone, and other providers use the Off-site Transfer zone. At the Domestic Terminal, rideshare uses Lane 2 near Door 2.

Car rental

At the International Terminal, rental desks are inside the Transport Hub. At the Domestic Terminal, they are on the ground floor of car park R, opposite the terminal.

Parking at Auckland Airport

The airport's official parking is run as ParkAKL, with options at both terminals:

• Short-stay drive-up parking, including P60 and P180 in the Transport Hub at the International Terminal
• Standard parking for longer trips
• Premium, the closest and covered option
• Valet, where you hand over the keys
• Park & Ride, with a free shuttle to both terminals

Stopping at the terminal fronts to drop off or pick up is limited to a 1-minute attended stop, so use short-stay parking if you need longer. Prices vary by product and length of stay, so check and book on the airport's parking pages.

Opening hours at Auckland Airport

The International Terminal at Auckland Airport is open 24/7. Its arrivals area never closes, and the departures area opens from about 4:30am until about 1:30am. The Domestic Terminal is different. It closes overnight and opens from the early morning until 11pm.

If you land late from Australia and have a domestic connection the next morning, the International Terminal is the one that stays open through the night. The operator pages do not state a curfew.

Facilities at Auckland Airport

Both terminals cover the essentials, with the widest choice in the International Terminal. Here is what to expect, in the order travellers usually ask.

Duty free shopping

Duty-free and tax-free shops are in International departures, after emigration. Arriving travellers can also buy duty free at the collection counters in international arrivals. If you order online ahead of time, collection points are in both departures and arrivals.

Terminal layout

In the International Terminal, check-in is on the ground floor. After check-in, go up to the first floor for customs, emigration and security. The premium lounges and the Strata Lounge are up the escalator on level 2, airside. The Domestic Terminal is a single building with separate Air New Zealand and Jetstar areas.

Lounges

The International Terminal has VIP airline lounges, and your airline will tell you whether your ticket or status gets you in. The airport also owns the Strata Lounge, airside on level 2 of the International Terminal. It is open to travellers on any international airline, either booked ahead or paid at the door.

Food and drink

Food and drink are available in both terminals, before and after security. In the International Terminal, shops open for all incoming and outgoing flights.

Luggage storage

In the International Terminal, luggage storage and bag wrapping are by Door 3 on the ground floor. At the Domestic Terminal, self-service lockers are available 24/7 on the ground floor of car park R, opposite the terminal.

Smoking areas

At the International Terminal, smoking is allowed in designated forecourt areas before security and in a smoking lounge after security on the second level. At the Domestic Terminal, there are designated forecourt areas only.

Currency exchange and ATMs

ATMs are spread throughout both terminals. Currency exchange branches are in the International Terminal, handy if you want some New Zealand dollars on arrival.

Showers

Showers at Auckland Airport are free. In the International Terminal, they are in departures after security, and in arrivals outside the arrivals gate near Door 11. In the Domestic Terminal, they are before security near Door 4 and after security.

Free Wi-Fi and charging

Join the free Wi-Fi hotspot called Auckland Airport. Power and USB outlets are at select locations, and seating areas in international departures have power outlets.

Prayer room and medical help

There is a non-denominational chapel, shown on the airport maps, and a Muslim prayer mat on the first floor of the Domestic Terminal. First aid is available on request through an airport phone, and a medical centre is at the Airport Shopping Centre on John Goulter Drive, outside the terminals.

Families

Free nursery rooms have cots and change tables. Change tables are also in the female toilets in both terminals, and free trolleys are available before security in both terminals.

Tips for departing and arriving at Auckland Airport

The operator's advice is to follow the arrival time your airline recommends. As a general guide, allow about 3 hours before an international flight and about 1 hour before a domestic one. For international departures, check whether your flight uses the temporary zone T before you set off.

Leaving New Zealand, you check in on the ground floor of the International Terminal, then go up to the first floor for customs, emigration and security before reaching the gates and lounges. Domestic travellers check in at the Air New Zealand or Jetstar area and pass through security.

Arriving from Australia, you clear immigration and customs in the International Terminal. Entry requirements for New Zealand are set by its government, not the airport, so check the official guidance for your passport before you travel. To see live departure and arrival times on the day, check the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Auckland Airport

Booking a trip from AKL? This page is a good place to start. The fare cards show fares from Auckland to popular destinations, so you can compare trans-Tasman, domestic and long-haul options in one place. For timings, the schedule tables list upcoming Auckland Airport departures and arrivals date by date, showing the airline and the scheduled times for each flight. They show a selection of flights rather than every service.

Choose a route, compare airlines and times, and check whether you need the International or Domestic Terminal. If you are waiting for a better fare, set a Price Alert and Traveloka will let you know when it moves. Your e-ticket is emailed to you and saved in the app.

Popular routes from Auckland Airport include:

• Auckland to Sydney flights
• Auckland to Melbourne flights
• Auckland to Brisbane flights
• Auckland to Gold Coast flights
• Auckland to Perth flights
• Auckland to Queenstown flights
• Auckland to Christchurch flights
• Auckland to Wellington flights

Crossing the Tasman or exploring New Zealand? Compare flights from Auckland Airport on Traveloka and book the one that suits your trip.