RAR

$259 Find Cheap Flights to Rarotonga – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$540
Typical prices: $718-$1,086
Jetstar
Fri 26/10Sun 11/11
AKL - RAR • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
$259
Typical prices: $309-$556
Jetstar
Mon 8/10
AKL - RAR • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with Air New Zealand and Jetstar. Average duration is 3h 57m
FAQs
FAQs
Top airlines
Most flights • 13 per week
Best reviews • 8.0 score
Airline reviews
+1
Airline reviews
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 28% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 23 weeks in advance save around 22% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 11% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Rarotonga!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Rarotonga

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

Recent return flight deals to Rarotonga

Mon, 26 Oct - Wed, 11 Nov
Jetstar Logo
09:35 - 14:30AKL  Auckland Intl-RAR Rarotonga
3h 55mdirect
Jetstar Logo
15:30 - 18:50RAR  Rarotonga-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 20mdirect
$540Jetstar
Sat, 23 Jan - Fri, 5 Feb
Jetstar Logo
15:10 - 20:05AKL  Auckland Intl-RAR Rarotonga
3h 55mdirect
Jetstar Logo
21:05 - 00:25RAR  Rarotonga-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 20mdirect
$545Jetstar
Mon, 26 Oct - Wed, 11 Nov
Jetstar Logo
09:35 - 14:30AKL  Auckland Intl-RAR Rarotonga
3h 55mdirect
Jetstar Logo
15:30 - 18:50RAR  Rarotonga-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 20mdirect
$547Jetstar
Sun, 29 Nov - Thu, 3 Dec
Air New Zealand Logo
15:10 - 20:10AKL  Auckland Intl-RAR Rarotonga
4h 00mdirect
Air New Zealand Logo
21:25 - 00:50RAR  Rarotonga-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 25mdirect
$561Air New Zealand
Sun, 31 Jan - Sun, 31 Jan
Air New Zealand Logo
08:50 - 13:40AKL  Auckland Intl-RAR Rarotonga
3h 50mdirect
Air New Zealand Logo
14:55 - 18:10RAR  Rarotonga-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 15mdirect
$562Air New Zealand
Fri, 12 Mar - Sun, 28 Mar
Air New Zealand Logo
08:50 - 13:40AKL  Auckland Intl-RAR Rarotonga
3h 50mdirect
Air New Zealand Logo
21:15 - 00:55RAR  Rarotonga-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 40mdirect
$576Air New Zealand
Wed, 16 Dec - Fri, 18 Dec
Multiple Airlines Logo
08:50 - 13:40AKL  Auckland Intl-RAR Rarotonga
3h 50mdirect
Multiple Airlines Logo
21:05 - 00:25RAR  Rarotonga-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 20mdirect
$587Multiple Airlines
Wed, 2 Dec - Fri, 4 Dec
Multiple Airlines Logo
15:10 - 20:10AKL  Auckland Intl-RAR Rarotonga
4h 00mdirect
Multiple Airlines Logo
21:05 - 00:25RAR  Rarotonga-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 20mdirect
$655Multiple Airlines
Thu, 29 Oct - Fri, 6 Nov
Qantas Airways Logo
09:35 - 14:30AKL  Auckland Intl-RAR Rarotonga
3h 55mdirect
Qantas Airways Logo
21:05 - 00:25RAR  Rarotonga-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 20mdirect
$879Qantas Airways
Sat, 31 Oct - Fri, 6 Nov
Qantas Airways Logo
15:10 - 20:05AKL  Auckland Intl-RAR Rarotonga
3h 55mdirect
Qantas Airways Logo
21:05 - 00:25RAR  Rarotonga-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 20mdirect
$879Qantas Airways
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for New Zealand to Rarotonga flights

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

What is the cheapest flight to Rarotonga?

Auckland to Rarotonga is the cheapest route at $540 return, found in the past 5 days on KAYAK. KAYAK data shows this is also the most popular route.

How much is a flight to Rarotonga?

A return flight to Rarotonga costs $848 on average, based on data over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Return fares from Auckland average $797, while Christchurch runs a bit higher at $986.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Rarotonga?

Monday is the cheapest day to fly to Rarotonga at $824 return on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Wednesday is the most expensive at $952.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Rarotonga?

•February is the cheapest month to fly to Rarotonga with an average price of $751 return.
•December ($1,114) and September ($927) are the most expensive.
•Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Afternoon flights to Rarotonga are the cheapest at $824 return on average. Night flights are the most expensive at $941.

What is a good deal for flights to Rarotonga?

Flights under $718 are considered a good deal. 25% of KAYAK users found return flights to Rarotonga at or below these prices, with the lowest fares from:
•Auckland $704.

When are flights to Rarotonga the cheapest?

Flights to Rarotonga are cheapest 23 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 22% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for flights to Rarotonga

Low season

March

Cheapest flight

$259
Best time to beat the crowds (9% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 5% lower on average.
Flights from Auckland to Rarotonga

When to book flights to Rarotonga

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to Rarotonga 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 Rarotonga, answered

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

  • Can I purchase duty-free items when I land at Rarotonga Airport?

    There are two duty-free shops which you can browse within the Arrival Terminal of Rarotonga Airport. The stores have an extensive range of liquor, local handcrafted gifts and souvenirs for you to choose from.

  • Can I hire a car from Rarotonga Airport?

    Pick up a rental car from either Avis or Polynesian Rentals and explore the breathtaking sights across the island at your own pace. Both companies have offices located within the Arrivals hall of Rarotonga Airport.

  • How much will a taxi cost to Avarua from Rarotonga Airport?

    The majority of accommodation on the island is within the Avarua district and a taxi from the airport to the centre of town will cost CI$ 20 (≈NZ$ 20). It is recommended that you prearrange a driver to meet you, as taxis do not commonly wait at Rarotonga Airport for customers.

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

    Air New Zealand operates the most flights from New Zealand to Rarotonga at 13 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 Rarotonga. The two are sometimes different because flight volume reflects an airline's schedule, while popularity reflects traveller choice.

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

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

    • from Christchurch: 4h 45m
    • from Auckland: 3h 45m

  • How many flights serve Rarotonga?

    Rarotonga receives 2 flights per day and 16 per week from across the world. Auckland has the most flights to Rarotonga with 14 weekly flights.

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

    A good deal on a flight to Rarotonga is around $718 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 expensive are last-minute flights to Rarotonga?

    Last-minute fares to Rarotonga – booked within 2 weeks of departure – run 23% above the average return fare of $848.

  • Which airlines should I consider for flights to Rarotonga?

Your guide to booking Rarotonga 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 Rarotonga, aim to book around 23 weeks before you fly. That window historically saves about 22% versus last-minute pricing based on KAYAK booking data over the last 12 months.
  • For flights to Rarotonga, recent KAYAK data shows that stronger deals tend to be around $718 return. If you see a fare below that threshold, it's a good deal – book before the price climbs back up.
  • If you can choose when to go, aim to travel to Rarotonga in February. Return fares historically average $751 that month – typically the cheapest month to travel based on 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 midday to save up to $117 per return. Midday flights to Rarotonga average $824 compared to $941 for evening flights. See the time-of-day chart above for the full breakdown.
  • Bag allowances vary by airline, fare type, cabin class, and route. On flights to Rarotonga, 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, Jetstar includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class, and Qantas Airways 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.
  • Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) is the major travel hub for those travelling to the island of Rarotonga, as well as the greater Cook Islands region. The only other international airport for the Cook Islands is Aitutaki (AIT), where flights are less regular and considerably more expensive.
  • The distance between Rarotonga Airport and the downtown district is 3 km, however destinations all across the island can easily be reached by a short drive. Tikioki Beach is a popular resort destination on the opposite side of the island from the airport and can be reached within approximately 25 min.
  • You can find an ATM just after you pass through customs in the International Arrivals hall. The ATM will dispense New Zealand dollars, which is widely accepted across all of Rarotonga as well as the Cook Islands currency. The value of both currencies is equal and they are circulated throughout all of the Cook Islands.

Reviews of the top 3 airlines flying to Rarotonga

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Rarotonga? 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 669 reviews
7.9Comfort
8.2Boarding
7.5Food
8.5Crew
7.4Entertainment
Airline reviews

Premium economy seats and food we're very nice although the price could be more affordable so we can do it more often.

10.0 ExcellentSharon, Sept 2026
Read more Air New Zealand reviews

Premium economy seats and food we're very nice although the price could be more affordable so we can do it more often.

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

mechanical issue, so delayed take-off (hence the low boarding rating) and made a number of people miss their connecting flight. Also took a long time to get our checked baggage. I luckily made mine with 5 minutes to spare, but it was nerve-racking.

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.

Needed more leg room. Leg rest and entertainment system box took up a lot of space and I'm not tall. Breakfast was good. Poor quality of the entertainment options.

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

A better selection of entertainment would have been nice. I found nothing that appealed to me as a middle-aged traveler. The flight attendants were gracious, helpful, and attentive. It also would have been nice to have more bathrooms as the flight was full and the plane was big.

Poor. Flight was delayed by 50 mins. Poor quality aircraft. Aged, few parts broken. Bad plane.

I want a refund. I had to switch flights and buy another airline ticket because this one was delayed.

We had a medical emergency, needing to get to an emergency room upon landing at LAX. I let the back flight attendants know the situation. One, David, contacted the pilot, who made arrangements for EMT's to be there when we got off the plane. They went above and beyond for us. We didn't have to go through customs, as a customs person came to us and checked us right at the exit of the jet way. Another wonderful woman, a United employee at LAX, perhaps a customer service liaison, took care of our luggage situation, as we weren't going to make our connection to Bozeman. When we came back to LAX to see when we could get a flight to Bozeman, the personnel are very accommodating and booked us on the next flight out, and assigned good seats. It was a horrible flight, physically, from Sydney to LAX, , but the professionalism of all involved was excellent! We are very grateful fir the way they all stepped in and helped during a very unpleasant medical situation. Thank you!!

Very good overall. However, your choices of free movies was limited and there was no music Channel???

We booked with Qantas instead of Delta and we instead flew on American Airlines. American is not our favorite to go on. No leg room and the width of seats are a joke. Your are packed like sardines on American flights.

After already paying for excess luggage prior to flight, i was advised AT check in that i had to pay $816 or forfeit my flight! The lady at the counter was SO rude and had already started offboarding me when i said i would pay it after asking her three times for the exact amount! Have lodged a formal complaint yet heard nothing. Will not ever travel via Qantas again

they ran out of fruit for breakfast and so I just had a yogurt instead. other than that the flight was good

I liked the service, the menu, and the comfort of the seats! Even tho we were seated by the bathrooms, the reclining seats and movie selection was very good, my husband and I didn’t mind at all

Everything was great from the staff to the seats and food. The plane was timely taking off and landing.. I couldn't have asked for a better experience (especially on such a long flight)

Flight delay was informed at the last minute. Food quality is not up to Qantas standard I was unable to book an online boarding pass on any of my 6 flights.

Great. Seats are a little cramped with only a very small recline. Service was great. Food was fine.

The flights got us to our destination. The seats on the planes were uncomfortable.

The flight ticket were not reimbursed on Jan 22nd from Auckland to Wellington. Very Very dissatisfied.Please reimburse the ticket of my onward travel.

I was treated poorly in Dunedin by check in crew, then my bag was lost in Auckland. Never again.

Overall good trip I find seats a bit hard. We were waiting on board for about an hour for 2 passengers with some document issue. This main our arrival late for our pickup person.

They added the weight of my back to the carryon luggage and charged me NZ$75 for being over 7 kg.

a constant reminder that you need to work harder so you can avoid this airline

Would be better if can provide small free snacks on a long flight

The price difference/saving isn't sufficient to compensate the experience difference, don't recommend unless flight is under 3 hours. Huge queues for check in and the priority lane of other ailines blocked checked in Jetstar passengers from proceeding through to screening. Gate change to a "dungeon gate" that didn't have toilets in the vicinity. 45minute delay in boarding, no updates or explaination, let alone apology for any inconvenience. 1 scanner working for a full fight to board, no coordination. Loaded on to crowded buses to get on the plane in the middle of the tarmac, up stairs with no explaination. 4 bus trips. No system for boarding in sections. Over an hour late departing. Nothing complimentary, not even water or in-flight music. Pay wave not available and no cash sales. Staff onboard were friendly and professional.

Captains address to passengers was excellent. Knee room in seating was very uncomfortable.

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