Destination
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland spreads over volcanic cones between two harbours, with wine islands, black-sand surf beaches and the start of most New Zealand road trips.
Trips to Auckland from every city
No live trip to Auckland right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | best |
| February | best |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | fine |
| June | fine |
| July | fine |
| August | fine |
| September | fine |
| October | fine |
| November | best |
| December | best |
- January, February, March: Settled summer weather and the Auckland Anniversary regatta in late January.
- March: Pasifika Festival, the largest Pacific Island cultural festival, in March.
- June, July, August: Mild, wet winter around 15°C.
Where to stay in Auckland
- Viaduct Harbour and Britomart: Waterfront hotels, restaurants and the ferry terminal to the islands.
- Ponsonby: Victorian villas and the city's liveliest strip of restaurants and bars.
- Parnell: Historic village streets near the Domain and the museum.
- Waiheke Island: Vineyards and beaches 40 minutes by ferry, worth a night.
What to do in Auckland
- Ferry to Waiheke Island for vineyard lunches
- Sky Tower SkyWalk or SkyJump
- Hike the Rangitoto volcano summit track
- Black-sand surf beach at Piha
- Hobbiton Movie Set day trip
- Sail the harbour on an America's Cup yacht
Good to know
| Airports | Auckland International (AKL) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | upscale |
| Time zone | Pacific/Auckland |
| Kind of trip | city, nature, wine, adventure, island |
Questions about Auckland
When is the best time to visit Auckland?
November, December, January, February, March and April.
Do US citizens need a passport for Auckland?
Yes. Auckland is in New Zealand; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Auckland on the ground?
Auckland is upscale by US standards: plan about $130 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.