Compare New Zealand flights

New Zealand may be on of the furthest countries away from the UK, but its sheer beauty keeps it high on most travel wish lists. So there’s a good choice of flights from UK airports, with most routes flying into Auckland, the capital city. And even with an average flying time of 24 hours, it’s still possible to find good deals on flights to New Zealand.

The country sits deep in the southern hemisphere, and is particularly popular with adventurers and backpackers, who often come for extended trips – with such a long flight and so much to explore, anything less than two weeks will feel rushed.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a 'cheap' flight to New Zealand – but some are cheaper than others. It can help to avoid the country's summer, between December and February when it’s high season for tourism, and when many Kiwis are flying home to see family for Christmas.

Cheaper flight deals are available in spring (September to November) or autumn (March to May). New Zealand’s dramatic landscape can lend itself to winter holidays, and it's a good time for skiers to be in the mountains of South Island. School holiday pricing starts to push prices up again in July and August.

Choosing the right route is another way to pick up cheaper flights to New Zealand. Many carriers offer low fares on routes with stopovers in their home country, such as Thai Air’s flights to Auckland via Bangkok, or Singapore Airlines’ flights to Dunedin via Singapore.

New Zealand is over 11,500 miles (18,000km) from the UK, and there are currently no direct flights. Generally you'll only need a single stop for Auckland, but may need two for other cities.

The average flying time is 24 hours from London Heathrow Airport to Auckland, and Emirates also flies from Gatwick to Wellington, via Dubai, in 24 hours. New Zealand is about the same size as the UK and has widespread domestic flights covering North and South Island.

After seeing New Zealand’s dramatic scenery in films and photos, many first time visitors are pleasantly surprised by the country's compact size. Fly into Auckland or Wellington and you’ll be starting on North Island. It’s the more populous of the country’s two islands and home to its greatest cities. Head out of town and it’s also the place for volcanic Mount Taranaki, magnificent Egmont National Park, and glorious Bay of Plenty beaches.

South Island is wilder and less developed, and is home to New Zealand's spectacular Fiordland National Park, including famous Milford Sound. Marlborough wine country and the Otago peninsula – a great area for watching penguins and seals – are also on South Island.

Have a look at our New Zealand holiday page for inspiration and package deals – and if you haven't already guessed, it's also worth considering car hire to get around this wild, unforgettable destination.