Cheap flights to Wellington
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Quick summary
Country
New Zealand
Continent
Oceania
Airport
WLG
Currency
New Zealand dollar
Time zone
UTC+12 (UTC+13 during austral daylight saving time)
Deals already spotted to Wellington
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Airport and getting into town
An airport very close to the centre, about 5 to 6 km away
Wellington (WLG)
Wellington International Airport is in Rongotai, on the isthmus of the Miramar Peninsula, about 5 to 6 km south-east of the centre. An express bus links the airport with the centre, and a Metlink bus route also serves the centre; shuttles and taxis wait outside the terminal. The trip is short: allow around twenty minutes depending on mode and traffic. The runway is short and landing in strong wind can be a bumpy experience. Most international services go through Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane; from Europe, the journey almost always involves at least one connection, often several.
Indicative distance cross-checked on Wikipedia (FR, EN, DE, ES) and Wikivoyage; the sources give between 5 and 6 km. The time is approximate and varies with traffic. Fares are not given because they change.
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. It occupies the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range, and is often described as the world's southernmost national capital. It has about 210,000 inhabitants, and more than 400,000 in the metropolitan area. Its centre, squeezed between harbour and hills, is compact and easy to explore on foot. It is nicknamed "Windy Wellington" for its winds: nearby Cook Strait exposes it to strong gales.
Landmarks and sights
A compact capital between harbour and hills
Wellington is explored around the harbour: a lively waterfront, urban beaches, hills covered in gardens and wooden houses. The five places below come with photos; Te Papa, Parliament (the "Beehive"), Zealandia and Cuba Street are described in text only.
The harbour and city centre from Mount Victoria
Mount Victoria is considered the best lookout in the city, with views of the harbour, the centre, the hills and the airport. The view shows a very dense centre backed by hills, and the marina along the waterfront; Cook Strait ferries berth here. You can walk up from the centre, or drive.
Oriental Bay, the urban beach
Oriental Bay is a sandy beach with a promenade where people run, walk, cycle or sit out at terraces; the street along it is often cited among the city's most pleasant. The golden late-afternoon light is lovely here, and swimming is possible in summer, though the water stays cool.
The cable car, from Lambton Quay to Kelburn
Wellington's cable car climbs from Lambton Quay, in the heart of the centre, to the suburb of Kelburn at the top of the hill: it is one of the city's symbols and the simplest way to get a good view of the city and harbour. A small museum sits at the top, and the Botanic Garden is right next door.
The Botanic Garden and its rose garden
Wellington Botanic Garden covers a wooded hill above the centre. Its rose garden and glasshouses, one of which is visible in the photo, make an ideal walking destination, which you can combine with the walk down from the top of the cable car. The trees, paths and views make it a calm pause in the heart of the capital.
The coast and the wind
Wellington is famous for its wind, and the hills of the coast carry wind turbines: the city has several wind farms, which contribute to its electricity supply. The image shows a coast with wind turbines without a specific place; we do not attach it to any particular site. Pack a windbreaker: by the sea, the wind can be strong in every season.
Nature and excursions
Hills, the south coast and a nature sanctuary
Mount Victoria and the hills
Around the centre, many paths climb to lookouts. Mount Victoria is a classic walk, popular with locals and visitors alike. Hiking and mountain-bike trails cross the hills and the south coast. In strong wind or rain, some paths become slippery: ask locally.
Zealandia, a nature sanctuary
Zealandia is a sanctuary protected from introduced predators, where you can see rare birds, tuatara and wētā. It is one of the simplest ways to see the country's endemic wildlife close to a big city. We give no prices or hours, which change: check before you come.
The south coast and the harbour islands
A few kilometres south of the centre, the south coast strings together rocky bays and tide pools. In the harbour, Matiu/Somes Island, a former quarantine station and then internment camp, can be reached by boat. Sea conditions are sometimes rough: check the weather and timetables.
The ferry to the South Island
Ferries link Wellington with Picton, on the South Island, with bus and train connections towards Christchurch. The Cook Strait crossing can be rough in bad weather; check timetables and conditions before planning.
Museums and culture
Te Papa, cinema and the capital's institutions
Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, on the waterfront, is the country's national museum: history, Māori culture, nature and art. Its building is designed to withstand earthquakes thanks to a base-isolation system. We give no prices, which change; check access conditions before you come.
The city museum, the gallery and the house museums
Wellington Museum traces the history of the city and its port; the City Gallery shows contemporary art; Katherine Mansfield's birthplace and the Nairn Street cottage are preserved Victorian houses. A small cable car museum tells the story of the funicular.
Parliament, cinema and festivals
The Parliament complex includes the executive wing nicknamed the "Beehive", built between 1969 and 1981; the city is the country's political capital. The special-effects film industry is based in the Miramar district, hence the nickname "Wellywood"; workshop tours are offered, including Weta Workshop. The city is also known as the country's cultural and creative capital.
Food and drink
Coffee, craft beer and cuisines of the world
A renowned café scene
Wellington is known for its coffee culture: according to Wikipedia it has more cafés per head than New York, and the flat white was reportedly perfected here. The cafés of the central streets and Oriental Bay invite a pause in any season. We do not name businesses.
Craft beer and world cuisines
The city has many restaurants, bars and craft breweries. Malaysian food is surprisingly popular, and you can also find good Turkish kebabs and Lebanese dishes in several districts. Nightlife is concentrated around Courtenay Place.
Markets and waterfront
The waterfront, from the Kumutoto area to Te Papa, is ideal for a stroll with cafés and restaurants. Weekend markets and the shops of Oriental Bay complete the offer; check hours locally.
Getting around
Metlink buses, suburban trains, cable car and walking
In town and on foot
The centre is compact and elongated: the commercial "Golden Mile" and the waterfront can be walked. The Metlink network coordinates buses, suburban trains and a ferry service to the east of the harbour. Taxis complete the offer.
Buses, trains and cable car
Buses serve the city and suburbs, and electric trains link the centre with the northern suburbs, Porirua, the Hutt Valley and the Kāpiti Coast. Fares are paid by card or contactless depending on the case. The cable car climbs to Kelburn from Lambton Quay.
From the rest of the country
Wellington is about 640 km from Auckland by road (about 8 hours according to Wikivoyage); a tourist train also links the two cities on set days. To reach the South Island, the ferry to Picton is the most common solution.
Budget and precautions
A medium-to-high budget, without cross-checked figures
Price level
Wellington is a medium-to-high budget destination compared with many European countries: accommodation and restaurants can be expensive, especially in season. Many waterfront and hill activities are free. We give no figures, as we could not confirm them from two independent sources.
Flights
The long-haul flight remains the most variable cost. SniperAir tracks prices to WLG and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets.
Entry requirements and precautions
New Zealand generally requires a travel authorisation or a visa depending on nationality: check the official New Zealand government websites. Also consult the official recommendations of your country of departure. The country lies in a seismic zone: find out about local guidance. When hiking, wind and weather can change fast.
When to go
Reversed seasons, wind and changeable weather all year
Austral summer (December to February)
Mild and pleasant, with long days; temperatures rarely exceed 27 °C. It is the high season, with many events.
Austral autumn (March to May)
Mild temperatures, beautiful light, fewer people; the weather stays changeable.
Austral winter (June to August)
Cool, wet and windy, with southerly gusts that make the cold feel sharper; June and July are the wettest months. Snow is very rare in town.
Austral spring (September to November)
Changeable weather, often windy, with increasingly mild days and gardens in flower.
Mind the reversed seasons: New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, so austral summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August, the opposite of Europe.
Wellington has a temperate oceanic climate: about 1,250 mm of rain a year and more than 2,000 hours of sunshine. Wind is present almost all year; pack a windbreaker and several layers, even in summer. The weather can change within hours.
By length of stay
What to do in Wellington depending on the length of your stay
The essentials
The waterfront, Te Papa, the cable car and the Botanic Garden, a coffee or a meal at Oriental Bay.
Nature and culture
Zealandia, Mount Victoria, Parliament and a visit to the film district.
Beyond the city
The ferry to Picton and the South Island, or a road trip north on the North Island.
In pictures
Wellington and its surroundings in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Wellington
How do I get from Wellington Airport to the centre?
The airport (WLG) is about 5 to 6 km south-east of the centre. An express bus, a Metlink bus route, taxis and shuttles cover the trip, which takes around twenty minutes depending on mode and traffic.
When is the best time to visit Wellington?
December to March for the mildest temperatures; wind is present all year. The seasons are reversed compared with Europe.
Is Wellington expensive?
The budget is medium to high depending on the season. Waterfront and hill walks are free and help keep it under control.
How long should I stay in Wellington?
Two days for the city, one or two more for Zealandia, the hills and the ferry to the South Island.
How do I get around Wellington?
On foot in the centre, by Metlink bus and train for the suburbs, by cable car to Kelburn. A car is not essential in the city.
What should I taste in Wellington?
Coffee, renowned across New Zealand, craft beer and the varied cooking of the central districts.
How much does a flight to Wellington usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the period and the booking date. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Wellington drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Wellington as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching fare is detected.
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