By Air in Auckland

By Air

Auckland International Airport (AKL) lies 21 km (13 mi) southwest of the city center, about a 30-minute drive away. It has adopted a "quiet airport" policy, so it doesn't use loudspeakers to announce boarding times. Instead, look for display boards and TV monitors for boarding announcements and other flight info.

A free Interterminal Bus links the international and domestic terminals, with frequent departures in each direction 6 AM-10 PM. Otherwise, the walk between the two terminals takes about 10 minutes along a signposted walkway. Luggage for flights aboard the two major domestic airlines, Air New Zealand and Qantas Airways, can be checked at the international terminal.

Air New Zealand and Qantas are the main domestic carriers serving Auckland. Air New Zealand connects with about 25 domestic cities a day, and makes about 10 flights a day to Australia. Qantas connects with five domestic cities daily and crosses the Tasman 20 to 21 times a day. Air Tahiti Nui stops off in Auckland on its L.A.-and New York-Tahiti flights. Frequent price wars between the two carriers have brought fares down -- there was a time when it was more expensive to fly to Queenstown than to Sydney. Now the domestic fares are reasonable, though they've pared down the catering accordingly. Origin Pacific connects daily to most main and regional centers.

Airport

Auckland International Airport (Fred Thomas Dr., Manukau. 09/256-8899. www.auckland-airport.co.nz).

Carriers

Air New Zealand (09/357-3000. www.airnewzealand.co.nz). Air Tahiti Nui (09/308-3360. www.airtahitinui.co.nz). Cathay Pacific (09/379-0861. www.cathaypacific.com/nz). Emirates (09/968-2200. www.emirates.com/nz). Origin Pacific (0800/302-302. www.originpacific.co.nz). Qantas (09/357-8900. www.qantas.co.nz). Singapore Airlines (09/379-3209. www.singaporeair.co.nz).

Airport Transfers

The Airbus costs $15 one-way and $22 round-trip and leaves the international terminal every 20 minutes between 6 AM and 6 PM, then every 30 minutes until 10 PM. The fixed route between the airport and the Ferry Building at 180 Quay Street includes, on request, a stop at any bus stop, hotel, or motel along the way. The trip takes 60 minutes. Returning from the city, the bus leaves the Ferry Building at 20-minute intervals between 5 AM and 6 PM, and every 30 minutes until 8:50 PM.

Hallmark Limousines and Tours operates Ford LTD limousines between the airport and the city for approximately $120, and Lincoln limousines for around $275.

Super Shuttle has service between the airport and any address in the city center. The cost is $22 for a single traveler and $5 extra for each additional person. The Shuttle picks up several parties on the way to the airport, so allow an hour's traveling time.

Taxi fare to the city is around $45 to $50. There are always plenty of taxis waiting at the ranks directly outside the terminal.

Contacts

Airbus (0508/247-287. www.airbus.co.nz). Hallmark Limousines and Tours (09/629-0940). Super Shuttle (0800/748-885).