Auckland Airport, locally known as Mangere Airport is the largest and busiest airport in New Zealand. It handles over 7 million international passengers and 6 million domestic passengers per year. With car hire at Auckland Airport, the city is 21 km away and has a journey time of 40 minutes via the state highway 20a and 20b. Auckland Airport has been voted the 8th best airport in the world.
Auckland Airport has an international terminal and a domestic terminal, these are linked by walkways and there is also a shuttle bus service. Both terminals have a range of facilities available including duty free shopping, currency exchange booths with ATMs and information centres for all your enquiries. There is also Wi-Fi access and VIP lounges in both terminals, if you need to take care of business whilst you wait for your flight. In the domestic terminal, there are 7 shops to keep you busy and 11 food outlets, including Sumo Salad, McDonald’s and Hayama Sushi. The international terminal has 21 shops selling everything from locally made gifts to jewellery and cosmetics. When you feel hungry there are 11 outlets to choose from including Silk Road and the Blue Bar. In the airport shopping centre, you will find more shops and cafes and useful facilities such as a pharmacy and post office. If you get bored of the terminal, there is mini golf just a short walk away.
Auckland is the most populated city on New Zealand’s North Island. It is known as the ‘City of Sails’ due to the all the yachts at picturesque Waitemata Harbour. In the city you can discover more about Auckland’s heritage at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and see fine art at the Auckland Art Gallery. For animal lovers, there is Auckland Zoo to visit. For the adventurous, climb Auckland Harbour Bridge or take a sky walk or sky jump from the city’s Sky Tower. The Sky Tower has a revolving restaurant at the top and spectacular panoramic views of the city and is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere. Take a ferry out to Waiheke Island, a volcanic island in the harbour and try wine tasting or a sea kayaking tour. Out and about in Auckland with your car hire, head for the beautiful Waitakere Mountains and see waterfalls and rugged beaches. The Waitome Caves are also worth a visit, as is the town of Taupo.
