Quick & Dirty Itinerary for New Zealand (With Flight Deals)

Quick & Dirty Itinerary for New Zealand (With Flight Deals) 

Hello friends!!

There are some awesome flights right now across the US to fly into Auckland around or over Thanksgiving. I’ve linked all the flights, where to stay, and a list of to-dos.

Let’s dive in!

*Some links in this post are affiliate links. It doesn’t change the price, but I may earn a small commission if you purchase something I’ve recommended. I’m really grateful for your trust in my advice, and if I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend, I won’t recommend it to you.

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WHAT TO DO IN NEW ZEALAND

📍 Waiheke Island:

Escape the hustle and bustle of Auckland and venture to the enchanting Waiheke Island. This island paradise is just a short ferry ride away and offers a perfect blend of stunning beaches, boutique vineyards, and picturesque landscapes.

🛥 Milford Sound Cruises:

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic fjords and towering peaks.

Here are some cruise options for you:

• Milford Sound Cruise Including Underwater Observatory

• Milford Sound Nature Cruise

• Milford Sound Cruise & Tours

📍 The Onsen Hot Pools:

Treat yourself to an indulgent and relaxing experience at The Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown. Nestled amidst the picturesque mountains, these private hot pools offer panoramic views and a sense of serenity. Soak in the soothing mineral-rich waters, basking in the tranquility of the surrounding landscapes.

⭐️ Glow Worm Caves:

Venture into the enchanting world of glow worm caves in Waitomo. Embark on a mesmerizing boat ride through dark underground caverns illuminated by the luminescent glow worms that create a celestial-like spectacle on the cave ceilings.

Here are some tour options for you:

• Springbrook and Tamborine Rainforest Tour Incl Natural Bridge and Glow Worm Cave

• Premium Springbrook, Mt Tamborine Glow Worm, Lunch, and Skywalk

📍 Lake Tekapo for the Lupins:

Visit Lake Tekapo during the blooming season to witness a dazzling display of colorful lupins blanketing the lakeshore and November is the perfect time to see these flowers.

📍 Hobbiton:

Calling all Lord of the Rings fans! Step into the fantastical world of Hobbiton, where the beloved movie series was brought to life. Take a guided tour of the charming Hobbit holes, stroll through lush gardens, and enjoy a pint of ale at the Green Dragon Inn.

Here are some tour options for you:

• Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest

• Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland (this one is Hobbiton + the glow worms)

⛰ Hike, Bike, Bungee Jump, etc.:

Embrace the spirit of adventure in New Zealand by indulging in adrenaline-pumping activities.

WHERE TO STAY IN NEW ZEALAND

Hotels in Auckland

Park Hyatt Auckland

SO/ Auckland

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

Hotels in Queenstown

Eichardt's Private Hotel

Azur Luxury Lodge

Sofitel Queenstown Hotel

If you are interested in getting VIP perks at these hotels at no extra cost to you, reach out to me, and we’ll get planning!

FLIGHT DEALS TO NEW ZEALAND FOR NOV. 2023

I tried to find the:

• Best deals

• Layovers that aren’t god awful

• Flights over Thanksgiving (so you don’t have to use as much PTO)

  If the prices went up, check out Google Flights or reach out to me, and I can try to find you a new flight.

• Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $1,023

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $585 cheaper

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $1,158

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $585 cheaper

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

  DEPARTURE: Fri, Nov 24

  RETURN: Tue, Dec 5

  COST: $970

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $694 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Bradley International Airport (BDL)

  DEPARTURE: Tue, Nov 21

  RETURN: Fri, Dec 1

  COST: $1,162

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $802 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 2 layovers both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Nashville International Airport (BNA)

  DEPARTURE: Wed, Nov 15

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 29

  COST: $987

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $878 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

  DEPARTURE: Mon, Nov 20

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $1,058

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $621 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

  DEPARTURE: Mon, Nov 20

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $1,342

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $478 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 2 layovers both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)

  DEPARTURE: Mon, Nov 20

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $1,133

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $773 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)

  DEPARTURE: Mon, Nov 20

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $1,763

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $981 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Denver International Airport (DEN)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 12

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 22

  COST: $1,074

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $745 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

  DEPARTURE: Sat, Nov 18

  RETURN: Tue, Nov 28

  COST: $1,798

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: 🟡 Typical

  LAYOVER: Nonstop

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $1,158

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $898 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $1,498

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $649 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

  DEPARTURE: Mon, Nov 13

  RETURN: Wed, Nov 22

  COST: $1,087

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $649 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Dulles International Airport (IAD)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Fri, Dec 1

  COST: $1,475

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $481 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Air Canada

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

  DEPARTURE: Wed, Nov 22

  RETURN: Mon, Dec 4

  COST: $1,103

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $879 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

  DEPARTURE: Wed, Nov 22

  RETURN: Tue, Dec 5

  COST: $1,165

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $766 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

  DEPARTURE: Thu, Nov 23

  RETURN: Tue, Dec 5

  COST: $998

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $415 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

  DEPARTURE: Wed, Nov 22

  RETURN: Mon, Dec 4

  COST: $898

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $358 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Kansas City International Airport (MCI)

  DEPARTURE: Fri, Nov 24

  RETURN: Tue, Dec 5

  COST: $988

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $968 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Orlando International Airport (MCO)

  DEPARTURE: Wed, Nov 22

  RETURN: Mon, Dec 4

  COST: $1,473

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $848 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $1,047

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $786 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

  DEPARTURE: Wed, Nov 22

  RETURN: Tue, Dec 5

  COST: $1,097

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $568 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

  DEPARTURE: Wed, Nov 22

  RETURN: Tue, Dec 5

  COST: $1,032

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $822 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

  DEPARTURE: Sat, Nov 25

  RETURN: Thu, Dec 7

  COST: $1,219

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $664 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

  DEPARTURE: Wed, Nov 22

  RETURN: Mon, Dec 4

  COST: $1,323

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: 🟡 Typical

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta

  LINK: Google Flights link

• San Diego International Airport (SAN)

  DEPARTURE: Tue, Nov 21

  RETURN: Sun, Dec 3

  COST: $1,186

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $445 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

  DEPARTURE: Wed, Nov 22

  RETURN: Mon, Dec 4

  COST: $1,186

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $261 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta

  LINK: Google Flights link

• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

  DEPARTURE: Thu, Nov 23

  RETURN: Tue, Dec 5

  COST: $1,251

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: 🟡 Typical

  LAYOVER: Nonstop

  AIRLINE: Air New Zealand

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

  DEPARTURE: Wed, Nov 22

  RETURN: Tue, Dec 5

  COST: $1,103

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $590 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)

  DEPARTURE: Wed, Nov 22

  RETURN: Mon, Dec 4

  COST: $1,133

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $818 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: American

  LINK: Google Flights link

• Tampa International Airport (TPA)

  DEPARTURE: Sun, Nov 19

  RETURN: Thu, Nov 30

  COST: $1,523

  PRICE VS AVERAGE: ✅ $749 cheaper than usual

  LAYOVER: 1 layover both ways

  AIRLINE: Delta

  LINK: Google Flights link

I hope you found this quick and dirty itinerary helpful! I’d love to help you with your trip (just with hotels or a full-on itinerary). Reach out if you want to start planning your adventure!