Compare Cheap Hotels in Auckland

New Zealand is the most southern of the Polynesian Islands, and as such, it is one of the most beautiful and welcoming destinations on Earth. There are just 4.5 million New Zealanders living in a country larger than the UK. From the moment you land at Auckland's modern airport, you'll often hear "Kia Ora" which is Maori for "be well/healthy," but is more commonly used as "hello".

Key facts

Although there is never a shortage of things to do, New Zealand tends to be somewhat more low key than its cousin across the Tasman Sea. Most tourists will find themselves staying in or near the CBD, as the Central Business District is known locally. There is a wide variety of accommodations to choose from, from five-star luxury hotels, to hostels and self-catering apartments.

Besides being the business center, the CBD is also a major shopping and entertainment district. The Karangahape Road (or K Road to locals) is on the fringe of the CBD and offers a tremendous choice of alternative entertainment venues, ethnic foods and spectacular people watching, all comfortably within the tightest budget.

Hints and Tips

Visitors prepared to venture a little further out to one of the inner suburbs such as Ponsonby will be rewarded with a genuine local experience. Public transportation is plentiful and inexpensive, and tends to concentrate on the CBD. The ferry from the Princes Wharf to Waiheke Island is one of Auckland's great day trips. New Zealand can get snow in the mountain ski resorts, but the weather in Auckland is temperate year round.