Wellington International Airport

Wellington Airport is in Rongotai, about 5.5 km southeast of the city center in a straight line and about 8 km by road through the Mount Victoria Tunnel. A taxi or car usually takes 15 to 25 minutes, and the Airport Express bus reaches Wellington Railway Station in about 25 to 35 minutes, depending on traffic.

Wellington Airport has one terminal for both domestic and international flights, with three piers. International departures use the north-west pier, and every arriving passenger collects bags on the Ground Floor, so there is no terminal to choose and no transfer between buildings when you connect between a domestic and an international flight.

Yes. Metlink's Airport Express leaves from outside Door E every 10 to 20 minutes for most of the day, seven days a week. It stops in Kilbirnie, Hataitai, Courtenay Place, Manners Street, Willis Street and Lambton Quay before Wellington Railway Station, about 25 to 35 minutes away, and takes Snapper cards, cash and contactless cards.

The taxi stand is directly outside baggage claim on the Ground Floor of the terminal, through Door G. Wellington Combined Taxis, Hutt & City Taxis, Urban Link Wellington and Capital Taxis may pick up passengers without a booking there. A taxi goes door to door to the city, the ferry terminals and the Hutt Valley.

Uber and DiDi pick up on the Ground Floor of the terminal. Leave through Door G, by baggage claim, and cross one lane from the taxi stand to reach the designated app-based pickup area. YourRide drivers use a separate zone reached through Door G and across the first pedestrian crossing, on your right.

Air New Zealand flies the most routes from Wellington, across New Zealand and to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Qantas flies to the same three Australian cities, Jetstar to Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and the Gold Coast, and Fiji Airways to Nadi. Sounds Air, Originair, Air Chathams and Golden Bay Air fly smaller regional routes.

Yes. Sounds Air flies from Wellington to Picton and Nelson, and Originair and Air New Zealand also fly to Nelson, in short hops across Cook Strait. The Interislander and Bluebridge ferries sail from terminals near the city center, not from the airport, so ferry passengers continue by road after landing.

Most visitors from visa-waiver countries, including the US and UK, need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) and pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy with it; Australian citizens are exempt. Every traveler, children included, also completes the NZTD digital arrival declaration, which can be submitted up to 24 hours before departure.

Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots, tents and fishing equipment, on your arrival declaration. Biosecurity officers check what you declared after baggage claim. If you are unsure about an item, declare it or drop it in an amnesty bin before you reach the inspection point.

Yes. Air New Zealand has an International Lounge in the north-west pier after passport control, a Domestic Lounge in the south-west pier after security and a Regional Lounge on the second floor for turboprop flights. Qantas has a lounge in the north-west pier for Qantas Club members and eligible passengers on its international flights.

No. The airport says it is open every day but closes from 1:30 to 3:00 at night, so you cannot wait in the terminal through those hours. If you arrive late or leave on an early flight, Rydges Wellington Airport is beside the terminal, a short walk from the multi-level parking garage.

The airport runs paid baggage lockers on Level 1 of the multi-level parking garage, by the motorbike parking. Oversized items such as bikes and surfboards are stored by the Operations team; use the wall phone near Baggage Belt 1 on the Ground Floor. Payment is by EFTPOS or credit or debit card only, as cash is not accepted.

Wellington Airport offers Valet Parking at the terminal, Covered and Premium Secure parking in the multi-level parking garage, Uncovered parking south of the terminal, P120 Express on the top deck next to drop-off, and Long Term Parking on Freight Drive, about 10 to 15 minutes from the terminal by shuttle. Parking can be booked online.