Book cheap flights to New Zealand

New Zealand’s climate is best described as predominantly maritime. The weather can be quite unpredictable. Most people choose to visit the mountainous island in summer (December to February). During the months filled with sunshine, people frequent the many outdoor attractions. Autumn (March to May) is a great time to escape the city bustle and take time to enjoy a serene hike. April is the chance to see the natural change in colour of the leaves, while the atmosphere awakens you with its crisp air. The best time to visit truly depends on what suits you. If you wish to see the island destination’s winter aesthetic, consider visiting during the months of June to August. See the breath-taking snow-capped mountains and go skiing at one of Queenstown’s many reputable ski resorts. The Queenstown Winter Festival takes place in June, it is a great annual event with a variety of fun activities.

South African passport holders require a visitor visa to enter New Zealand.

Visa criteria you should meet:

• You must show that you are a genuine tourist and intend to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.

• Prove that you will have enough money for the duration of your stay in New Zealand.

• You must have a ticket to leave New Zealand or have a sponsor to cover the cost of your onward travel.

See this step-by-step guide on how to apply for your New Zealand visa.

There are no specific vaccinations required to travel to New Zealand. All travellers are required to be up-to-date on all routine vaccinations. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and your yearly flu shot.

Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals when visiting the cities of New Zealand. New Zealand is a safe place to travel to, experiencing a relatively low crime rate. Tourists are still encouraged to maintain vigilance and to take personal safety seriously as you would when visiting any country.

Staying safe in New Zealand:

• Travel with someone you trust whenever possible.

• If you’re out in the city at night, stay in well-lit areas where other people are present.

• When out at the bars and nightclubs, do not accept drinks from strangers and do not leave your drink unattended.

• Do not leave your bags unattended in any public place and do not wear flashy jewellery when out in public.

Accommodation in New Zealand ranges from legendary backpacker hostels and family-run bed and breakfasts to boutique wilderness lodges, luxury vineyard retreats and some of the most spectacularly situated hotels in the Southern Hemisphere — and as one of the most popular long-haul destinations for South African travellers, New Zealand delivers outstanding quality, genuine warmth and extraordinary natural settings at every budget level.

In Auckland — New Zealand’s largest city and the most common entry point for South African travellers — the most convenient areas to base yourself are the CBD and Viaduct Harbour, within walking distance of the Sky Tower, the waterfront restaurants and the ferry terminals for Waiheke Island and the Hauraki Gulf. The neighbourhoods of Ponsonby and Grey Lynn are beloved by independent travellers for their excellent café culture, independent boutiques and vibrant restaurant scene — a short taxi or bus ride from the city centre. Well-regarded properties include the Grand Hyatt Auckland (opening 2024), the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour and the boutique Hotel DeBrett in the heart of the CBD. For budget travellers, Auckland has an excellent hostel scene with YHA Auckland City and Base Auckland among the most popular options.

In Wellington — New Zealand’s compact, characterful capital — the most atmospheric base is the Te Aro neighbourhood, the creative heart of the city with its excellent independent coffee shops, world-class restaurants, Cuba Street’s bohemian energy and the remarkable Te Papa Tongarewa national museum on the waterfront. Wellington is widely regarded as having the best food and café culture of any New Zealand city — a city that punches well above its weight for its size. Well-regarded properties include the InterContinental Wellington, the QT Wellington and the boutique Bolton Hotel.

In Christchurch — the South Island’s largest city and gateway to the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps — accommodation has been significantly renewed and reinvented since the devastating 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, with a creative wave of boutique hotels, repurposed heritage buildings and innovative new properties giving the city a fresh, forward-looking energy. The Riverside Market and Cashel Street areas are the most vibrant bases, within easy reach of the Botanic Gardens and the Hagley Park. Well-regarded options include The Mayfair, the Hulbert House in the leafy Fendalton suburb and the grand Crowne Plaza Christchurch.

In Queenstown — the adventure capital of the world and one of New Zealand’s most visited destinations — accommodation ranges from lively backpacker hostels in the town centre to supremely luxurious lakeside retreats with the Remarkables mountain range as a backdrop. Queenstown is a year-round destination and accommodation fills quickly during peak periods — the Southern Hemisphere ski season (July to September) and the summer adventure season (December to February) — so booking well in advance is essential. Well-regarded properties include the Eichardt’s Private Hotel on the lakefront (one of New Zealand’s finest boutique hotels), the Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel and the outstanding Matakauri Lodge — a luxury wilderness retreat on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with views that rank among the most dramatic of any hotel in the world. For budget travellers, Base Queenstown and Nomads Queenstown are excellent backpacker options in the heart of town.

For exploring the South Island’s wilderness — Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, the Mount Cook and Aoraki alpine region, the Catlins Coast and Stewart Island — a wonderful range of eco-lodges, DOC (Department of Conservation) campgrounds, wilderness huts and luxury lodge experiences await. The iconic Fiordland Lodge near Te Anau, the Mount Cook Alpine Lodge in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, and the extraordinarily remote Eagles Nest in the Bay of Islands are among New Zealand’s most celebrated wilderness accommodation experiences. The DOC hut system — a network of serviced and basic huts along New Zealand’s Great Walks — makes multi-day tramping accessible and affordable for South African travellers with a spirit of adventure.

In Rotorua — the geothermal heart of the North Island and the centre of Māori culture — a wide range of accommodation is available from budget motels and mid-range hotels to the iconic Pullman Rotorua and the Polynesian Spa complex, where natural mineral pools heated by geothermal energy offer one of New Zealand’s most restorative experiences. The region’s marae (Māori cultural centres) also offer immersive cultural stays where guests can experience traditional Māori hospitality, hāngi feasts and cultural performances firsthand.

Ready to book? Search and book accommodation in New Zealand at Travelstart and find the best deals across all budgets.

Getting around New Zealand is one of the great pleasures of visiting this extraordinarily beautiful country — whether you’re cruising the South Island’s mountain passes in a campervan, taking a scenic train through the Southern Alps, or island-hopping between the North and South islands by ferry across the Cook Strait. New Zealand is a compact, well-connected and road-trip-friendly country that rewards South African travellers who take the time to explore beyond the main cities.

Domestic flights are the quickest way to travel between New Zealand’s major cities and regions. Air New Zealand operates the most extensive domestic network, connecting Auckland (AKL), Wellington (WLG), Christchurch (CHC), Queenstown (ZQN), Dunedin (DUD), Nelson (NSN), Napier (NPE) and Rotorua (ROT), among others. Jetstar also operates selected domestic routes. The flight from Auckland to Queenstown takes approximately 2 hours, while Auckland to Christchurch takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. Book domestic flights in advance for the best fares — Air New Zealand’s Grabaseat promotion regularly offers heavily discounted last-minute fares for flexible travellers. Queenstown Airport in particular fills quickly during peak ski and summer seasons.

The Interislander and Bluebridge ferries connect Wellington on the North Island with Picton at the top of the South Island — a spectacular 3-hour sailing through the Marlborough Sounds, widely regarded as one of the most scenic ferry crossings in the world. Both operators run multiple sailings daily, carrying passengers and vehicles. Booking in advance during peak periods (school holidays, Christmas and New Year) is strongly recommended — particularly if you are taking a hire car or campervan across. The ferry crossing is a highlight of many South African travellers’ New Zealand road trips and far more atmospheric than flying.

New Zealand has two celebrated scenic train journeys that rank among the finest rail experiences in the Southern Hemisphere and are well worth building into a South Island itinerary. The TranzAlpine runs daily between Christchurch and Greymouth across the Southern Alps — a breathtaking 4.5-hour journey through river gorges, alpine meadows and the dramatic Arthur’s Pass — offering some of the most extraordinary mountain scenery accessible by train anywhere in the world. The Coastal Pacific runs between Christchurch and Picton along the Pacific coast of the South Island, passing vineyards, seal colonies and dramatic clifftop ocean views. Both trains are operated by KiwiRail and can be booked through the Great Journeys of New Zealand website.

Within Auckland, the AT Metro train, bus and ferry network covers the city and inner suburbs reasonably well — the train from Auckland Airport to the Britomart city centre takes approximately 47 minutes. That said, Auckland is a sprawling, car-dependent city and a hire car gives significantly more flexibility for exploring beyond the CBD, including day trips to the Waitakere Ranges, the west coast beaches and the Coromandel Peninsula. In Wellington, the compact city centre is extremely walkable and the Metlink train and bus network covers the wider region well. A free shuttle bus loops through the CBD for inner-city travel. Uber and taxis are readily available in all major cities.

For exploring New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes — and for most South African travellers this is the primary reason for making the long journey — a hire car or campervan is absolutely the best option and the way the vast majority of international visitors choose to see the country. New Zealand’s roads are generally excellent, well-signposted and drive on the left — making the transition comfortable for South African travellers. The South Island in particular is one of the world’s great road trip destinations, with legendary routes including the Milford Road (SH94) from Te Anau to Milford Sound — arguably the most dramatic road in Australasia — the Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wanaka (New Zealand’s highest sealed road), the West Coast Road past the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, and the scenic Lindis Pass and Lake Hawea route between Wanaka and the Mackenzie Country.

Campervans are enormously popular in New Zealand and represent outstanding value for South African travellers — combining transport and accommodation in one, with the freedom to park up beside a glacial lake, a deserted beach or a mountain stream wherever the mood takes you. Operators including Jucy, Maui, Britz and Wilderness Motorhomes offer a wide range of campervan sizes and price points. New Zealand’s extensive network of DOC campgrounds and holiday parks makes campervan travel practical and affordable throughout both islands. Note that freedom camping regulations vary by region and must be checked carefully — many areas require a self-contained vehicle certification.

For reaching Milford Sound — one of the world’s great natural wonders and a non-negotiable highlight of any South Island itinerary — most visitors drive from Queenstown (approximately 4 hours) or Te Anau (approximately 2 hours) along the spectacular Milford Road, then take a cruise on the fiord itself. Day cruises, overnight cruises and kayaking experiences on the sound are all extraordinary options. The Milford Track — one of New Zealand’s Great Walks and regarded as one of the finest multi-day hikes in the world — can be booked through the DOC website and requires advance planning, as places are strictly limited.

Planning to explore New Zealand’s iconic mountain passes, fiords and coastal highways at your own pace? Search, compare and book a car hire in New Zealand at Travelstart and find the best rate for your New Zealand adventure.