Auckland Airport Parking

Auckland Airport (AKL) is New Zealand’s biggest and busiest airport, welcoming over 16 million international and domestic travellers every year. As one of only two airports in the country capable of accommodating the largest category of long-haul aircraft, AKL is a vital part of New Zealand’s infrastructure, handling over 70 per cent of the country’s international arrivals and providing thousands of jobs for the region. Consisting of two terminals dedicated to international and domestic travel and one 2.2-mile (3.6-kilometre) runway, Auckland Airport serves as the international base for Air New Zealand and the domestic hub for both Virgin Australia and Jetstar Airways.

Location of Auckland Airport

Auckland Airport is only 13 miles (21 kilometres) south of Auckland city centre, overlooking the picturesque Manukau Harbour. Easily accessible from the State Highway network that connects the region to the rest of the country, AKL will be accessible directly from Auckland city centre via the Waterview Connection tunnel upon its completion, which will significantly reduce travel times.

A number of frequent bus services connect the airport to Auckland to the north and Manukau city six miles (10 kilometres) to the west and, although there is currently no direct rail service at AKL, Papatoetoe Railway Station is only five miles (eight kilometres) north east and is a frequent stop on many of the shuttle bus routes, making it easy to reach the airport from further afield.

History of Auckland Airport

First established as Mangere Aerodrome in 1928 for the Auckland Aero Club, the airfield saw significant expansion over the following decades and, in 1960, the decision was made to turn the site into Auckland's main passenger airport.

AKL was officially opened six years later with a grand air pageant to coincide with the Auckland Anniversary weekend of 29 January to 31 January in 1966. A purpose-built international terminal, named after iconic New Zealand aviator, Jean Batten, was subsequently added in 1977 with the original terminal becoming responsible for all domestic traffic.

Auckland Airport is now the fourth-busiest in Australasia and is frequently rated one of the best of its size in the world. Capable of 45 flight movements per hour, the airport is planning further terminal extensions and a second runway in order to support even larger aircraft and welcome more visitors.

Car

Located on the coastline between the cities of Auckland and Manukau and easily accessible via the region’s extensive State Highway network, you can navigate to Auckland Airport by using the post code Auckland 2022.

The airport is connected to the north west by State Highway 20A and the south east by State Highway 20B, providing convenient access to AKL from the wider region and the rest of the country. The Waterview Connection Tunnel is intended to significantly reduce travel times by allowing drivers to reach the airport directly from Auckland city centre.

Both terminals and all of the parking facilities at Auckland Airport are clearly signposted, so whichever direction you’re driving from, finding the right car park near your terminal is easy.

Bus

A variety of shuttle bus services also take advantage of the airport’s highway connectivity and run between the terminals, Auckland city centre, nearby Manukau city and the surrounding region. There are numerous bus routes between downtown Auckland and AKL that run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and take between 40 and 60 minutes depending on traffic.

Train

AKL doesn’t currently have its own dedicated train station, but the Papatoetoe and Onehunga Rail Stations are only 10 minutes away by taxi and both are prominent stops on many of the airport bus services.

You can find more information and up-to-date timetables on all of Auckland’s Airports transport options here.

Leave plenty of travel time

As New Zealand’s biggest airport, AKL sees approximately 45,000 visitors every day and the airport’s check-in, parking facilities and surrounding roads can become busy, especially during peak hours. If you’re flying domestically, it’s a good idea to leave at least one hour between arriving at the airport and take-off and, if you’re travelling internationally, it’s best to arrive no less than three hours before you fly. Use AKL’s live arrivals/departures feed to stay up-to-date with all your flight information.

Freshen up with a free shower

Complimentary shower facilities are available in both terminals at Auckland Airport, with towels and a range of bathroom essentials, should you require them, available to purchase from a number of nearby retailers.

Opening hours

AKL’s international terminal is open 24/7, but the domestic terminal closes between 11pm and 4:30am every day. The majority of the shops, cafés and restaurants will close after the last arrivals and departures, although a selection of retailers in the international terminal provide food, drinks and travel essentials 24 hours a day.

Welcome to the Wait Zone

If you're picking someone up and arrive at the airport ahead of schedule or if you want to spend some time saying farewell, AKL’s Wait Zones make picking up and dropping off travellers easy, whether they’re flying domestic or international. Each terminal has a dedicated zone just two minutes away where you can wait, completely free of charge, for 30 minutes. From there, it’s a quick drive either round to the terminal pick-up/drop-off bays or back onto the State Highway.

Need some help?

Auckland Airport’s hospitality ambassadors, affectionately known as the ‘bluecoats’, are easily recognisable by their distinctive blue jackets and are there to make sure you get the best out of your time at the airport. Whether you need to double-check your gate number or want some advice on where to eat before you fly, the bluecoats will be happy to help.

You will be comfortable and entertained during your stay, whether you’ve just touched down or you're getting ready to take off. With an extensive range of local and international food and drink options across its two terminal buildings, as well as retailers offering everything from holiday essentials to cutting-edge technology and lifestyle collections from award-winning designers, AKL has everything you need to make your trip an enjoyable one.

Facilities at Auckland Airport include:

• Baggage services

• Business facilities

• Car hire

• Cash machines/ATMS

• Collection point

• Currency exchange

• Disabled access

• Family facilities

  • Change tables

  • Cots

  • Nursery rooms

• Food and drink

  • Bars

  • Cafés

  • Delis

  • Fast food

  • Pre-packaged food

  • Restaurants

• Games arcade

  • Coin-operated rides

• Hospitality ambassadors

• Information desks

• Internet access

  • WiFi

• Inter-Terminal transport

• Left baggage

• Lost property

• Lounges

  • Spa facilities

• Luggage services

  • Storage

  • Lockers

• Massage chairs

• Medical services and first aid

• Parking facilities

  • Executive parking

  • Long-stay

  • Park and Ride bus services

  • Pick-up/Drop-off

  • Short-stay

  • Valet parking

• Pay phones

• Phone and laptop charging

• Postal service

• Prayer rooms and chapel

• Shopping

  • Convenience stores

  • Duty free

  • High-street brands

  • Luxury goods

• Showers

• Smoking areas

• Special assistance

• Spectator areas and viewing platforms

• Toilets

• Transport facilities

• Travel agent

• Trolleys

Eat like a Kiwi

As New Zealand’s biggest and busiest airport, AKL is more than equipped to provide its hungry visitors with a wide variety of fast and fresh food among a showcase of culinary curiosities inspired by the airport’s status as a hub for international travel. You can grab a quick coffee, freshly squeezed juice or a sweet snack or find fast food chains, cafés and restaurants offering a selection of favourites from New Zealand and beyond. Some vendors at Auckland Airport are open 24/7 so, whether you’re taking off first thing or you’re the very last arrival of the day, there’s always somewhere to grab a bite.

One-stop shopping

Auckland Airport is one of the region’s premier shopping destinations, with over 150 retailers offering last-minute holiday essentials, best-selling books, a rainbow of luxury cosmetics and skincare products, iconic fashion ranges and exclusive lifestyle collections, cameras, computers and electronic accessories from some of the world leaders in technology and entertainment. AKL’s Duty Free stores also sell a rotating selection of high-quality local products that make the perfect souvenir for you or someone at home to keep.

The airport provides a complimentary pick-up on arrival service, allowing you to leave your purchases safe and secure at the airport and have them ready and waiting for you the moment you touch down, rather than lugging them around on your trip.

Lounge life

If you’re craving some peace and quiet away from all the sights and sounds of AKL’s busy International terminal, you’ll always be welcome in the Emperor Lounge - regardless of who you’re flying with or how you’re flying. Open from 6am to 1am every day of the week, the lounge offers complimentary international food and drink, books, newspapers, magazines, shower facilities and a children’s play area if you’re looking to relax and let the kids off the leash for a while.

If you’ve got work to do before you take off, the lounge also has a suite of private desks with business facilities and free, high-speed WiFi.

Although entry into the Emperor Lounge can be purchased on the day, it can quickly become full. Pre-booking your visit will always guarantee you a space and can often save you money as well.

Enjoy art at the airport

Auckland Airport is home to Artport, a unique gallery showcasing the best of New Zealand’s rich cultural heritage. The gallery's rotating displays often include traditional Maori carvings alongside paintings and sculptures by some of the country’s most celebrated artists and upcoming new designers.

All the work on display is for sale, so if you like the look of something, you can simply let the gallery attendant know. All purchased works are professionally prepared and packaged for travel either with you or via delivery to an address of your choice.

Bay watch

Take advantage of the 40 minutes’ free WiFi or get stuck into your holiday reading while watching all kinds of aircraft come and go from AKL’s top-floor observation deck. Weather permitting, you’ll also be treated to an impressive panoramic view of Manukau Harbour beyond and, if you’re flying in the evening, you might even be lucky enough to catch a spectacular sunset over the bay.

A massage in a moment

Feeling the jet lag after a nonstop week of travelling and meetings or just looking to get into the holiday mood before you fly? Both Auckland Airport’s International and Domestic terminal buildings have a number of ergonomic, coin-operated massage chairs that can ease out all your stress and tension in five minutes, leaving you refreshed, relaxed and ready for whatever you’ve got planned next.

Totally tropical

If you’re in the mood for something completely different, why not explore Butterfly Creek? Situated within the Auckland Airport compound, only a two-minute drive or a 10-minute walk away, Butterfly Creek is home to a huge range of unusual animals from New Zealand and elsewhere around the world, from over 700 free-flying exotic butterflies to a pair of enormous saltwater crocodiles.