NSN

$87 Find Cheap Flights to Nelson – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$176
Typical prices: $280-$512
Air New Zealand
Tue 23/1Mon 5/2
CHC - NSN • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
$87
Typical prices: $159-$327
Sounds Air
Thu 22/2
WLG - NSN • Direct
Direct flights
Every day
You can fly direct with Air New Zealand and Sounds Air. Average duration is 1h 07m
FAQs
FAQs
Top airlines
Air New Zealand
Most flights • 166 per week
Sounds Air
Best reviews • 10.0 score
Airline reviews
+1
Airline reviews
+1
Top routes
WLG - NSN
Cheapest • 41% average savings
AKL - NSN
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
23 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 23 weeks in advance save around 63% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
August
Cheapest • 17% price drop
January
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Nelson!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Nelson

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to Nelson

Sat, 23 Jan - Fri, 5 Feb
Air New Zealand Logo
08:00 - 09:00Christchurch  Christchurch-Nelson Nelson
1h 00mdirect
Air New Zealand Logo
14:35 - 15:30Nelson  Nelson-Christchurch Christchurch
0h 55mdirect
$176Air New Zealand
21 hours ago
Tue, 15 Dec - Fri, 25 Dec
Air New Zealand Logo
08:25 - 09:10Wellington  Wellington-Nelson Nelson
0h 45mdirect
Air New Zealand Logo
09:40 - 10:20Nelson  Nelson-Wellington Wellington
0h 40mdirect
$189Air New Zealand
11 hours ago
Wed, 16 Dec - Wed, 23 Dec
Air New Zealand Logo
08:25 - 09:10Wellington  Wellington-Nelson Nelson
0h 45mdirect
Air New Zealand Logo
18:35 - 19:15Nelson  Nelson-Wellington Wellington
0h 40mdirect
$189Air New Zealand
11 hours ago
Tue, 8 Dec - Tue, 15 Dec
Sounds Air Logo
06:00 - 06:50Wellington  Wellington-Nelson Nelson
0h 50mdirect
Sounds Air Logo
20:10 - 20:55Nelson  Nelson-Wellington Wellington
0h 45mdirect
$190Sounds Air
1 day ago
Thu, 26 Nov - Tue, 15 Dec
Sounds Air Logo
06:00 - 06:50Wellington  Wellington-Nelson Nelson
0h 50mdirect
Sounds Air Logo
17:25 - 18:10Nelson  Nelson-Wellington Wellington
0h 45mdirect
$192Sounds Air
1 day ago
Fri, 15 Jan - Sun, 17 Jan
Sounds Air Logo
07:00 - 07:50Wellington  Wellington-Nelson Nelson
0h 50mdirect
Sounds Air Logo
09:20 - 10:05Nelson  Nelson-Wellington Wellington
0h 45mdirect
$194Sounds Air
2 days ago
Fri, 12 Feb - Fri, 12 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
15:10 - 15:50Wellington  Wellington-Nelson Nelson
0h 40mdirect
Multiple Airlines Logo
20:15 - 21:00Nelson  Nelson-Wellington Wellington
0h 45mdirect
$196Multiple Airlines
3+ days ago
Thu, 10 Dec - Mon, 14 Dec
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 06:50Wellington  Wellington-Nelson Nelson
0h 50mdirect
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:00 - 12:40Nelson  Nelson-Wellington Wellington
0h 40mdirect
$214Multiple Airlines
3+ days ago
Fri, 27 Nov - Sun, 29 Nov
Originair Logo
14:30 - 15:10Wellington  Wellington-Nelson Nelson
0h 40mdirect
Originair Logo
13:20 - 14:00Nelson  Nelson-Wellington Wellington
0h 40mdirect
$356Originair
17 hours ago
Sun, 27 Dec - Sun, 3 Jan
Originair Logo
18:20 - 19:00Wellington  Wellington-Nelson Nelson
0h 40mdirect
Originair Logo
13:20 - 14:00Nelson  Nelson-Wellington Wellington
0h 40mdirect
$381Originair
3+ days ago
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for flights to Nelson

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

What is the cheapest flight to Nelson?

Christchurch to Nelson is the cheapest route at $176 return, found in the past 5 days on KAYAK. Wellington to Nelson is the most popular connection with return deals from $189.

How much is a flight to Nelson?

On average, a return flight from New Zealand to Nelson costs $377, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months. Return fares from Wellington average $292, while Christchurch runs a bit higher at $314.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Nelson?

Saturday is the cheapest day to fly to Nelson at $356 return on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Tuesday is the most expensive at $439.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Nelson?

•August is the cheapest month to fly to Nelson with an average price of $313 return.
•December ($461) and March ($447) are the most expensive.

Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Nelson?

Morning flights to Nelson are the cheapest at $388 return on average. Evening flights are the most expensive at $432.

What is a good deal for flights to Nelson?

Flights under $280 are considered a good deal. 25% of KAYAK users found return flights to Nelson at or below these prices, with the lowest fares from:
•Wellington $231
•Christchurch $248.

When are flights to Nelson the cheapest?

Flights to Nelson are cheapest 23 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 63% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Find deals

Key details for flights to Nelson

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$87
Beat the crowds with an average 21% drop in travellers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 44% increase in travellers.
One-way flight from Wellington to Nelson

When to book flights to Nelson

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to Nelson based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your questions about flights to Nelson, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • How do I know if a flight to Nelson is a good deal?

    A good deal on a flight to Nelson is around $280 return. This fare is in the lowest 25% of return flight prices searched on KAYAK, averaged across the cities most often searched as origins by KAYAK users.

  • How long are direct flights to Nelson from different departure cities?

    Direct flight time to Nelson varies depending on your departure city:

    • From Wellington: 45m
    • From Paraparaumu: 50m
    • From Christchurch: 1h
    • From Auckland: 1h 35m

  • How expensive are last-minute flights to Nelson?

    Last-minute fares to Nelson (booked within two weeks of departure) are typically 32% higher than the average return fare of $377.

  • What is the difference between the most popular and the most frequent airline at Nelson?

    Air New Zealand operates the most flights from New Zealand to Nelson at 166 per week, and for this route Air New Zealand is also the airline most often selected by KAYAK users searching for flights from New Zealand to Nelson. The two are sometimes different because flight volume reflects an airline's schedule, while popularity reflects traveller choice.

  • Which airlines should I consider for flights to Nelson?

    Air New Zealand, Sounds Air, and Originair are the most popular airlines among KAYAK users flying to Nelson. Sounds Air has the best on-time record at the destination's main airport.

  • How many flights serve Nelson?

    Nelson receives 28 flights per day and 198 per week from across the world. Wellington has the most flights to Nelson with 85 weekly flights.

Your guide to booking Nelson flights

From booking to airport arrival, find tips to help you plan your flight with more confidence.
  • For the best chance at a low fare to Nelson, book around 23 weeks before departure. Based on KAYAK data from the last 12 months, fares are historically about 63% lower during this window than last-minute fares.
  • For flights to Nelson, a good return fare is around $280. If you find a fare below that, you're getting a strong deal.
  • If your travel dates are flexible, consider flying to Nelson in August. Return fares historically average $313, making August the cheapest month to travel based on KAYAK data from the last 12 months.
  • Before you book:

    • Check the route's typical price range so you can spot a deal.
    • Confirm baggage fees and seat selection costs on budget carriers.
    • Verify whether you need any travel documents beyond an ID.
    • Pick a departure airport, since your nearest may not be the cheapest origin.
  • Shift your departure to morning to save up to $44 on a return flight. Morning flights to Nelson average $388 compared to $432 for afternoon flights.
  • Bag allowances vary by airline, fare type, cabin class, and route. On flights to Nelson, some airlines may include bags at no extra cost. For example, Air New Zealand includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class, Sounds Air includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class, and Originair includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class. Always check the fare details before booking, since bag policies can change by ticket type.

Reviews of the top airline flying to Nelson

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Nelson? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
Air New ZealandOverall score based on 684 reviews
7.5Food
8.2Boarding
8.5Crew
7.9Comfort
7.5Entertainment
Airline reviews

Not up to their standard . After checking in my bag and having made a tight connection off NZ 29, they tried to bump me off the flight at the gate. In they end I argued myself onto the plane but my bag followed on a later plane. After over 24 hours of flying and despite being an Air NZ Platinum card holder being put in this position was unnaceptable

6.0 GoodAnonymous, Aug 2026
Read more Air New Zealand reviews

Not up to their standard . After checking in my bag and having made a tight connection off NZ 29, they tried to bump me off the flight at the gate. In they end I argued myself onto the plane but my bag followed on a later plane. After over 24 hours of flying and despite being an Air NZ Platinum card holder being put in this position was unnaceptable

More comfortable seats. Even after an hour of travel, they are very hard to sit on. Enforce the amount of stuff that travellers can carry on. Some have up to three bags and take over other passengers' overhead locker space.

Crew members are so courteous and easy to talk to. My flight ticket was expensive from Chicago to Rotorua at $2800 usd. Everything else is very nice!

Great first time experience with ANZ. Such a great customer service. The crew was very friendly and welcoming

Great first time experience with Air New Zealand and loved it. The flight crew was extremely friendly and provided great service.

Boarded on time, smooth flight and "gentle" landing in Palmerston North. Ahead of time due to a tailwind

Appreciated the ability to get an earlier flight home after flying in from in from Japan. No problem with boarding or crew service. The limited choice of snacks, compared to previous years. Aircraft seats seem to be getting harder and more uncomfortable all the time. Overall, happy to be home

The Air New Zealand product is terrible, it's as expensive as a Jetstar ticket with add ons but with surely staff and old aircraft.

Wonderful trip. Everyone from checking in to the gate to the flight itself was amazing - kind, helpful, and has a beautiful smile.

The seats are feeling very hard to sit on. All the padding is flat, like sitting on a park bench for over an hour

More options for your flight to Nelson