12 hours in / around Auckland
Feb 13, 2018, 8:19 pm
#16
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA, FLL, Martha’s Vineyard
Programs: AS MVPGold75K, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Pan Am million-miler
Posts: 2,019
I don’t need a visa, US passport holder. But yes i see your point.
Even just walking around the airport and seeing the outside would be nice.
Even just walking around the airport and seeing the outside would be nice.
Feb 20, 2018, 2:22 am
#17
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA, FLL, Martha’s Vineyard
Programs: AS MVPGold75K, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Pan Am million-miler
Posts: 2,019
I can’t imagine there isn’t some tour guide- some college student- who’d be willing to just show me the city for the day for $50-100. If anyone knows of anything please let me know.
Feb 25, 2018, 9:36 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 2,887
You really do not need a tour guide, english spoken everywhere .. and its pretty easy to get around.. use your money on food or experience. Download an offline map, or tour guide, and you will be all set.
Feb 25, 2018, 10:01 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
I'm sure you could book some kind of tour through an agency such as Viator, or maybe find an agency that specializes in offering personal tour guides. Maybe try to call (on Skype or similar) the Auckland information center?
Feb 25, 2018, 10:28 pm
#20
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA, FLL, Martha’s Vineyard
Programs: AS MVPGold75K, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Pan Am million-miler
Posts: 2,019
I guess I've never really looked, but I don't think that is typical for western, english-speaking countries. Usually one would need a guide for transport and translation, translation is not required here and if someone is using their own transport to drive you around on a private tour for the day, they'll be charging more than $100. This isn't Bali, labor and petrol aren't cheap.
I'm sure you could book some kind of tour through an agency such as Viator, or maybe find an agency that specializes in offering personal tour guides. Maybe try to call (on Skype or similar) the Auckland information center?
I'm sure you could book some kind of tour through an agency such as Viator, or maybe find an agency that specializes in offering personal tour guides. Maybe try to call (on Skype or similar) the Auckland information center?
i got in touch with a very professional guide who wanted $500 and he basically told me it would be very tight on time and I could go downtown by myself if I wanted, take a harbor cruise, and go back. But he said the airport is a far commute to the city so going into downtown Auckland might not be worth it.
Feb 26, 2018, 2:18 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
I would agree that there isn't much time to do anything too meaningful, but realistically you have about 2 hours if you go downtown. Get a map on your phone and go wandering yourself, just remember where the bus stop is.
Otherwise you need some cash but take the 380 bus to Mangere and go for a walk. (Go up the Mangere Domain.) You can even just walk out of the airport for 2 hours, then turn around and go back.
Otherwise you need some cash but take the 380 bus to Mangere and go for a walk. (Go up the Mangere Domain.) You can even just walk out of the airport for 2 hours, then turn around and go back.
Feb 26, 2018, 2:23 am
#22
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA, FLL, Martha’s Vineyard
Programs: AS MVPGold75K, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Pan Am million-miler
Posts: 2,019
I had thought just walking around the airport. I think I’ll probably be beat after flying from DXB for 16 hours. I will be in no shape to start trekking around a major city and catching public transportion on a time crunch.
does anyone know if any of the hotels near Auckland offer rooms by the day/hour?
does anyone know if any of the hotels near Auckland offer rooms by the day/hour?
Feb 28, 2018, 2:54 am
#23
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA, FLL, Martha’s Vineyard
Programs: AS MVPGold75K, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Pan Am million-miler
Posts: 2,019
Seems like I won’t have enough time to see Auckland. I reserved a day room at the Novotel next to the airport for only NZD$129. Im scheduled to land at 11:11, and leave 6:50pm, that really only gives me 4hrs realistically.
What is traffic like to get to get to the airport around 3-4pm? What is the best way to get from downtown Auckland to the airport around 4pm time?
What is traffic like to get to get to the airport around 3-4pm? What is the best way to get from downtown Auckland to the airport around 4pm time?