If anyone can answer my question, I am convinced it is one of the great people on this message board. We are flying from Los Angeles (in March) and will arrive at Auckland Airport at 6 am. We are flying to Queenstown 5 hours later. Since we will be going through immigration & customs, I figure we may have 3 hours "free". Would it be worth it to get a cab and go somewhere, even if it is only a nice coffee shop? Or should we just stick to the airport and play it safe? I appreciate any ideas! Thanks!

Jodes,

Just stick to the airport; you can find a nice coffee shop there without going through Security twice. With the amount of time you have at the airport, it's not worth taking a cab, or shuttle in. I was just in Auckland getting in at about the same time and the traffic / driving time into the city was much worse than I remember!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

I agree, by the time you get through etc you don't have much time. However if you are a risk taker there is a great cafe in the immediate environs. Along Tom Pearce Drive next to Treasure Island Adventure Golf. I think it is called Bufferfly Creek there is also Travellers Rest along the same road. Taxi would take 5 mins. With 3 hours to kill 1 hour for the cafe may be okay.

Welcome!
www.geocities.com/go2nelson

Thanks for your replies! We are not risk takers, so I think we'll just stick to the airport. Perhaps, as a "treat" instead, we'll check out the showers at the airport and freshen up a bit!

Go through customs, change your money, buy a newspaper, check out the duty free shops in advance of the return trip, pick up brochures at the Info Centre, eat, go to the domestic terminal, check your luggage in....