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1 adult
Economy
Sat 29/4
Sat 6/5
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Good to know
Top tips for finding cheap flights to South Island
- Looking for cheap airfare to South Island? 25% of our users found tickets to South Island for the following prices or less: From Auckland $205 one-way - $278 round-trip, from Napier $337 one-way - $350 round-trip, from Dunedin $274 one-way - $485 round-trip
- Book at least 4 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price.
- High season is considered to be January and February. The cheapest month to fly to South Island is August.
- Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest South Island flight deals.
FAQs - booking South Island flights
Top airlines flying to South Island
Scores according to KAYAK customer reviews8.4
Air New ZealandOverall score based on 2835 reviews
8.6Boarding
8.3Comfort
8.9Crew
8.5Entertainment
8.1Food
Airline reviews
Pros: "The crew on Air NZ is consistently wonderful. The entertainment and sets for domestic flights are good, but not great. For international flights, their seats and entertainment are excellent."
Pros: "The crew on Air NZ is consistently wonderful. The entertainment and sets for domestic flights are good, but not great. For international flights, their seats and entertainment are excellent."
Pros: "The crew was very hospitable and friendly"
Cons: "Nothing"
Pros: "The corn chips!"
Cons: "The snack were very simple. They don't communicate properly all the different snack options."
Pros: "Great entertainment"
Cons: "Overall great"
Cons: "We got off an hour and a half late as there was an audio technical problem."
Pros: "Flying Air NZ is a pleasure. You guys generally do a very good job. Even though the flight left late I was impressed with the Pilot announcement to allow connecting passengers to leave the plane first, and all others remain seated."
Cons: "The flight left late, making it stressful to catch my connecting flight in Auckland."
Cons: "Basic flight with no frills"
Cons: "$80 baggage fees for luggage over 7 kg. I wasn’t aware of high price and luggage weight restriction until I was at airport"
Pros: "the staffs and the boarding experienve"
Pros: "Appreciated check in staff who professionally answered our requests re routine steps to process check in. Only regretted that we weren’t aware (perhaps we missed announcement) that my husband who is still recovering from knee surgery was not aware we could have boarded from the forward entrance and avoid the descent and ascent via rear entry."
Cons: "The lack of communication with everything from queuing to board, to food allowance."
Pros: "Crew solid n friendly enough"
Cons: "Seats too tight n cramped"
Pros: "Inflight magazine was just the right length for the flight time"
Cons: "Cookie was stale and coffee was nothing special... but that’s typical of all airlines"
Cons: "I was connecting on an International flight on same airline, New Zealand Air, and did not see where I was required to pay for our one checked bags for my wife and I. When I checked in on line I was not notified that I should buy the checked backs online so assumed one bag each was free. Instead we were charged $nz120. This is not acceptable and I would like a refund. Please help on this request. Thank you."
Pros: "No security on this regional flight; made it simple to board. Very quiet for a turboprop aircraft. Boarding was delayed and not well announced."
Pros: "Legroom"
Cons: "Late"
Cons: "Bathroom did not work, food was not so tasty"
Pros: "Cabin crew was fantastic! Inflight experience was woderful."
Cons: "Airport personnel were very unhelpful. When I asked them a question, they told me to come back later. I came back at the time they said to and they told me they don’t have time for me. I need to come back another time. I went to another gate agent and she told be to go downstairs to the check in counter for help. That would have taken 2 hours. I called customer service and they answered my question quickly. I just wanted to know if I would be charged a fee to change my flight."
Pros: "Friendly and helpful staff"
Cons: "No WiFi or outlets on aircraft"
Pros: "Flying over the country of NZ."
Cons: "Crying kids."
Pros: "Attendants were friendly. The agent at the gate rerouted my flight after my initial flight was delayed. She explained she did that so that I could make my international connection in time."
Pros: "The usual "shuttle" flight between chc and akl."
Pros: "Comfy seats, the flight was basically empty so I got my own row. Very nice flight attendants. Pilot kept us updated on timing and storm movement."
Cons: "Flight was delayed twice, seat hadn’t been swept for garbage from the previous flight (wrappers and used tissues in the seat pocket)."
Pros: "Quickest boarding ever - Have hardly seen an airline having people board through the rear entry Super fun safety video All-in-all a great experience"
Pros: "The check-in process was extremely simple and easy. The staff were very friendly and happy to help. They didn't make a huge deal out of small problems, as so many seem to like doing."
Pros: "Very friendly staff, speedy boarding, nice comments from the captain."
Pros: "I was very impressed by the entire experience. Boarding and disembarking at front and at rear of plane, good spacing between seats, cookies, entertainment options... and lovely flight crew. Thank you Air NZ!"
Cons: "Nothing I can think of. Very happy with the flight."
Cons: "Air New Zealand needs to manage double door boarding a little differently - a ticket checker needs to be at the split point - to streams of passengers trying to find their seat in opposite directions just doesn't work."
Pros: "A little cramped on the domestic flight, but for the hour or so from Christchurch to Auckland, it was acceptable. I was impressed that ANZ did a quick meal service on this short flight. The crew was great - very friendly and efficient."
Cons: "Close quarters between seats."
Pros: "We did not use the food or entertainment"
Pros: "Staff & aircraft were good."
Cons: "Flight was little late but not too bad."
Pros: "Things generally went well on this flight; you never know what you're going to get, and this was successful- all went well!"
Cons: "Wasn't all that bad!"
Pros: "VERY friendly and genuine!"
Cons: "Only one cookie-haha!"
Pros: "everything"
Cons: "nothing"
Pros: "everything"
Cons: "Nothing"
Pros: "Everything, felt safe"
Cons: "Nothing"
Pros: "Unlike the American flights, they actually served a light snack (not pretzels and nuts) and offered complementary wine and beer. The ride was pleasant."
Cons: "For the economy passengers, we had to go down a flight of stairs onto the tarmac and then back up on a portable stairs to get onto the plane. The same was true when we were deboarding the plane. This has more to do with the airports than with Air New Zealand."
Pros: "Cabin crew was excellent"
Cons: "No complaints"
Pros: "Everything was quite nice."
Cons: "Not much"
Pros: "Extra leg room at front of plane."
Cons: "Seats too narrow."
Pros: "Not a problem, anywhere. For a long day, that is appreciated."
Pros: "Awesome crew! Tasty food! Comfy seats!"
Cons: "departed to late .. nearly missed connecting Auck- Hong Kong. Suitcase was left behind .. will receive 498 hrs later .. not good enough"
Pros: "short flight made seats less inportant"
Cons: "not the seats I selected in October"
Pros: "Free cookie!"
Cons: "Using a 777 meant longer check in time and was much longer arrival time and baggage collection. Meant I was stuck in Auckland traffic because of the extra time"
Pros: "Everyone was very friendly and accommodating. Seats were comfortable and roomy. Food was delicious served by real professionals."
Pros: "Service"
Cons: "Waiting for passengers and delaying our flight"
Pros: "I love air new zealand. Watched dr strange and had yummy breakfast. Crew very friendly"
Cons: "All good"
Pros: "Nice cabin crew, nice boarding, ontime departure, clean aircraft."
Cons: "Check-in agent at bag drop counter was a sour puss."
Pros: "Efficient, professional crew"
Cons: "More space. Snacks, at least a drink! (that doesn't require more expenditure)"
Cons: "Boarding was chaotic. They started boarding from the back, which is fine, but never indicated that the forward seats could board and never checked to make sure people were boarding in the proper groups. Terrible process."
Cons: "Flight was canceled."
Pros: "Absolutely nothing"
Cons: "Just about everything this poor excuse of an airline needed to be better. Not only did they rob me at the check in desk of $210, there was also an extremely loud alarm coming from the exit door of the plane the crew couldn't fix. I was sitting right next to it for an hour and had to plug my ears to avoid hearing damage. This was the worst flight I've ever been on, and I've flown hundreds of times"
Pros: "Comfotable flight, Good landing."
Cons: "Though one of the stewardess' was professional she was a little impersonal. That statement is a little harsh as she was very young. I am sure as she gains experience she will become great at what she does. Maybe a big smile would help when she addresses passages."
Pros: "Exactly what we expected from a budget airline."
Cons: "Dragging the luggage between international and domestic terminal wasn't fun."
Pros: "Short flight. Good crew"
Cons: "Flight delayed twice. Later Jetstar scheduled flights to the same location left before ours. Luggage damaged beyond repair or use. Wheels broken off, sides smashed. Now have to purchase new and file "proof" paperwork, pictures, etc. Will never fly Jetstar again. The cheaper flight is not worth it."
Pros: "Efficient processes all round - check-in, boarding, disembarking, baggage collection, etc."
Cons: "Nothing"
Pros: "boarding has been delayed however there is poor communication between the staff regarding estimated of delay..."
Pros: "The seat was extraordinarily uncomfortable."
Cons: "Seat spacing was the worst ever. Aisle very narrow."
Pros: "Flight was fine"
Cons: "They find ways to scam you out of more money!"
Pros: "Easy check in, bag drop and courteous staff"
Pros: "Easy boarding"
Cons: "No food or water"
Cons: "$120 bag fee!! Plane was late. Ticket line took over an hour. Paying bag fee was a separate line took one-half hour. Gate was changed had to move 1/4 mile."
Cons: "Charged over $500 for our luggage a real Scam We never fly with Jetstar again!"
Pros: "Friendly efficient crew"
Cons: "The process to get boarding pass and check bags was chaotic and frustrating"
Pros: "Actually left a bit early. Warm, friendly in flight crew."
Cons: "Storms in the area so it was a bit bumpy. Not the fault of the crew, but Mother Nature"
Pros: "Once we were seated and lift off was timely the flight uneventful as one can only hope for. The food was not outstanding but the chicken salad was better than most airline food and was a nice portion to tide us over for a long day after landing."
Cons: "The staff was lacking in personality and consideration. While well groomed and that plastered on smile was there the actual attention was missing the mark. I went to use the toilet before the flight and stood for several minutes waiting as the occupied sign was engaged. I was passed by staff three times before informed that the toilet is unvaivable until in the air. Really! So why did you squeeze past me 3 times without telling me this detail?"
Pros: "Decemt crew.At least they didn't charge for water on the flight."
Cons: "We did not include a checked bag when we purchased tickets (not knowing what we would have) and had to pay $60 per bag once we got to the airport. Absurd!"
Pros: "No redeeming factors with awful customer service. I missed my connecting flight due to another flight being late. As a result, I called them to notify them I would not be able to make the flight and asked to switch flights. After explaining the situation, they refused to waive the flight change fee and even charged additional fees even though I had no control of the situation. They took advantage of the situation I was forced into and have no ethics. Absolute garbage."
Cons: "See above. A terrible airline who treats paying customers with disrespect and takes advantage of the situation. I will never fly with this airline again."
Pros: "Friendly service"
Cons: "Seats with no room."
Pros: "It is exactly what you pay for. The plane left on time and arrives on time."
Cons: "You have no leg room and the service on the plane is just okay but for the price it is excellent. The way you pay in advance for the weight of your luggage is really tacky but that is how they make money."
Pros: "We survived"
Cons: "Baggage policy is terrible even after buying extra baggage. Stressful."
Pros: "It's called "WiFi." Why don't you know about it?"
Cons: "More leg room up front. It's ridiculous that there's legroom."
Pros: "Departure on time, arrival ahead of schedule, baggage delivery very fast"
Cons: "No food or beverage included"
Pros: "First time flyer very good"
Pros: "All very straightforward from boarding to landing. Pleasant and helpful crew. As comfortable as could be for a small plane."
Cons: "No entertainment available - although flight was only an hour so not really a big deal"
Cons: "On an international connection I had to collect my baggage, clear customs, and re-check for my onward trip."
Pros: "Ticket price seemed reasonable, until it was time to check in"
Cons: "Airline wanted to charge $145 for one 20 kilo check-in bag Wanted to also push me to a later flight Would not allow anything over 7 kilos carry on, and were weighing items at the gate. This put several thousand dollars of camera gear for me at risk to baggage handlers with no option to pay more for weight. The airline of course accepts no responsibility if you do have to check fragile gear due to their carry on restrictions. Seat space was hands down the smallest I've ever seen. Overheard at least three other passengers say the same Overall, experience couldn't be worse. Will not fly again."
Pros: "Up front seat, very comfortable! Comfortable enough for me to sleep through the flight which it doesn't happen ever on any flight I've been on"
Cons: "First flight I've been on that I got nothing to complain about! Crew were friendly everything was awesome!"
Pros: "Value"
Cons: "Baggage fees, but that is to be expected now"
Cons: "Beware- no baggage allowed beyond minimal amount. Not suitable for a long distance visitor."
Pros: "Little"
Cons: "Flight attendant that yanked my boarding pass out of my hand. 2d flight attendant who twice "forgot" to tell me whether she had looked for or found my luggage lock which had gotten lost when 1st flight attendant yanked my boarding pass out of my hand."
Pros: "Just got socked with $465 checked baggage fee for 3 bags! Let the buyer beware. I will NEVER use Jetstar again & suggest you look elsewhere. Fyi there is no ZERO rating, so would have given that!"
Cons: "Nothing"
Cons: "Butchered by prices that were offered on Kayak and then taken to the airline sites where the prices are different. Jetstar rips you up with baggage prices at the gate. Nowhere does Kayak state that you have to pay upfront for Jetstar baggage......"
Pros: "The check in team was very cordial. The pilot did a great job in landing the airplane in difficult weather conditions."
Pros: "Not much about JetStar or Kayak"
Cons: "I like many others, had to pay $320 to get our suitcase on the plane. JetStar said that it was kayak's fault for not including the luggage allowance at the time of booking. First off no one in this world has ever heard of this predatory way to rip people off. I consider it dirty and extremely underhanded. So you book your "economical flight through Kayak and they do not include this fee for $11. Big deal you say, well it gets to be a very big deal. We paid about $600 for our seats only, without knowing that Jetstar would want to also be paid extra for our baggage. They call it baggage allowance. If Kayak knew what the hell they were doing ( they are supposed to that is why we pay them) they would also know about the baggage allowance and it would have been $11. However when we arrived at the airport Jetstar wanted another $640 for our two 20kg bags. We were able to talk them down to $320. We went from Auckland to Sydney and for our connecting flight they wanted an additional $640. I said no, and that they could keep the bags. At that point I was told to get control of my emotions. Eventually we did not have to pay any additional "baggage allowance" to get to the Sunshine Coast. If I had kept control of my emotions they would have charged us at total of $1280.00 for our luggage on a $600 pair of connecting flights. What bullshit!!!!!!! Also wanted $4.00 for any kind of drink on board the plane. don't even think of food or a drink on board the plane unless you have money to burn!"
Pros: "No issues with boarding"
Cons: "Delayed"
Cons: "United did not ship our bag so we had to make a claim before leaving Cutoms in Aukland. We got to the Jet Star ticket counter 3"
Pros: "Comfortable seating and professional crew"
Pros: "Polite caring treatment by all counter and plane staff Able to take on my usual carry-on that I take everywhere else Well managed ontime flight"
Cons: "Jet star counter at Melbourne has the WORST customer service I've ever encountered. Literally 3 employees standing around chatting while I'm trying to find someone to help with my passport not reading. Then standing at another counter waiting to be helped while being completely ignored. I understand when you're busy (even though he didn't seem busy) but at least acknowledging my presence would've been lovely. Also- baggage fees for this airline should be criminal."
Cons: "they charged $150 to check in a bag over 7 kg (15 lbs). the size of the bag was fine (20"), and if you fill such a bag with regular clothes, two pairs of shoes, and a toothbrush, you will easily hit 9-10 kg. so this airline expects you to travel with a 20" bag that is only partially filled, which is ridiculous."
Pros: "Great electronic boarding procedures, mobile app and website. Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable agents at airports and on-board. Will definitely fly JetStar in the future and highly recommend this airline!"
Pros: "Our flight suddenly changed from 7:20am to 3:45pm and then 4:15pm. There was little to no apologies, explanation or communication. We got a $20 food voucher for the entire delay."
Pros: "Flight canceled. Fiji airways told us we would be booked on Qantas instead but the flight wouldn't give us time to make the connection. Ended up flying later,, longer and much more uncomfortable than expected. Had to take separate seats from family and middle seats, had to spend entire day in Sydney which required us to spend money on a visa and money to eat, had additional stress of then arriving too late and needing to rebook rental car and arranged hotel and make sure elederly parents with special needs were ok health wise. An overall disaster. Never ever a worse experience and I am a world traveler to 68 countries on 6 continents. Will be asking Fiji for full refund plus compensation for having to buy visas and spend day in Sydney."
Cons: "Flight canceled. Fiji airways told us we would be booked on Qantas instead but the flight wouldn't give us time to make the connection. Ended up flying later,, longer and much more uncomfortable than expected. Had to take separate seats from family and middle seats, had to spend entire day in Sydney which required us to spend money on a visa and money to eat, had additional stress of then arriving too late and needing to rebook rental car and arranged hotel and make sure elederly parents with special needs were ok health wise. An overall disaster. Never ever a worse experience and I am a world traveler to 68 countries on 6 continents. Will be asking Fiji for full refund plus compensation for having to buy visas and spend day in Sydney."
Pros: "Efficient boarding."
Cons: "NO legroom in standard seats. I'm 6' tall and my knees touched the seat in front of me when seated all the way back in the seat. Closest spaced seating I've seen on an airline."
Pros: "Nothing."
Cons: "They left my luggage in Auckland (I live in Dallas) AFTER forcing me to pack everything into it due to the dumbest "1 carry on" rule I've ever heard. The check in counter was severely understaffed. The whole experience was terrible and it was literally my first experience."
Pros: "Initially, the ticket was cheap."
Cons: "The cost of my baggage was triple the cost of my flight. The assistants at the desk and gate were rude. I don't fly internationally often and I was anxious, they did not have time or interest in helping me. I could've been on a United flight with my parter 10 hours earlier for the same cost, had I known I would actually pay far more than the cost upfront. I will not be flying Jetstar again."
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Recent return flight deals
9/8Wed
directJetstar
1h 20mAKL-CHC
16/8Wed
directJetstar
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$99
26/9Tue
directJetstar
1h 20mAKL-CHC
30/10Mon
directJetstar
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$106
16/9Sat
directJetstar
1h 25mAKL-CHC
13/10Fri
directJetstar
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$122
13/9Wed
directAir New Zealand
0h 55mCHC-NSN
14/9Thu
directAir New Zealand
0h 55mNSN-CHC
$127
27/5Sat
directJetstar
1h 50mAKL-ZQN
30/5Tue
directJetstar
1h 50mZQN-AKL
$130
15/5Mon
directJetstar
1h 25mAKL-CHC
16/5Tue
directJetstar
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$131
11/9Mon
directAir New Zealand
0h 55mCHC-NSN
14/9Thu
directAir New Zealand
0h 55mNSN-CHC
$135
7/8Mon
directJetstar
1h 20mAKL-CHC
10/8Thu
directJetstar
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$136
6/7Thu
directJetstar
1h 25mAKL-CHC
17/7Mon
directJetstar
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$138
4/7Tue
directJetstar
1h 25mAKL-CHC
2/8Wed
directJetstar
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$139
4/7Tue
directJetstar
1h 25mAKL-CHC
18/7Tue
directJetstar
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$143
13/9Wed
directAir New Zealand
0h 55mCHC-NSN
14/9Thu
directAir New Zealand
0h 55mNSN-CHC
$144
26/5Fri
directMultiple Airlines
1h 25mAKL-CHC
27/5Sat
directMultiple Airlines
1h 25mCHC-AKL
$148
13/9Wed
1 stopAir New Zealand
2h 55mCHC-NSN
14/9Thu
directAir New Zealand
0h 55mNSN-CHC
$178
26/5Fri
directMultiple Airlines
1h 25mWLG-ZQN
29/5Mon
directMultiple Airlines
1h 20mZQN-WLG
$181
13/9Wed
1 stopAir New Zealand
6h 15mCHC-NSN
14/9Thu
directAir New Zealand
0h 55mNSN-CHC
$183
24/4Mon
directAir New Zealand
0h 55mCHC-NSN
27/4Thu
directAir New Zealand
0h 55mNSN-CHC
$184
7/7Fri
directMultiple Airlines
1h 25mAKL-CHC
17/7Mon
directMultiple Airlines
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$191
11/6Sun
1 stopMultiple Airlines
6h 30mWLG-ZQN
25/6Sun
directMultiple Airlines
1h 15mZQN-WLG
$210
26/5Fri
1 stopMultiple Airlines
8h 00mWLG-ZQN
28/5Sun
directMultiple Airlines
1h 15mZQN-WLG
$218
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1h 30mAKL-NSN
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$112
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$148
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$148
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1 stopMultiple Airlines
15h 05mAKL-DUD
$159