Getting to New Zealand & Australia
Booking flights to New Zealand or Australia is the first real commitment of your working holiday. Here's how to choose between one-way, return and flexible tickets, which airlines are worth the extra cost, and how to sort transfers and luggage without overpaying.
Main airports in New Zealand & Australia
Where you'll most likely land, and what each one is known for.
Ticket types compared
One-way, return, or flexible return — here's how they stack up.
| One-way | Return | Flexible returnOur recommendation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Open-ended trips, 6+ months, no fixed end date | Short, fixed trips under 3 months | Trips of 3–12 months with a rough plan |
| Cost | Often cheaper upfront, but you pay again for the trip home | Usually the cheapest total price | Slightly more than a fixed return, but no rebooking fees |
| Flexibility | Total freedom on when you leave | None — fixed return date | Change your return date within the ticket's validity window |
| Peace of mind | Lower — you may need to show proof of onward travel at the border | High — everything is locked in | High — flight home is booked, date is adjustable |
| Watch out | Some border officials ask for proof of onward travel or funds | Changing your return date can cost more than the ticket itself | Book the change online early — fees rise closer to the date |
Which ticket type suits you?
Three quick questions to point you in the right direction.
1. How long are you planning to travel for?
2. How do you feel about spontaneous changes of plan?
3. What matters most when booking?
Choosing an airline
Budget-friendly with a longer journey, or a smoother trip for a bit more?
Chinese airlines
Often the most affordable option, with a layover in a Chinese hub city.
- China Eastern
- China Southern
- Air China
- China Airlines
Check whether you need a transit visa for your layover, and note that western apps (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram) are blocked without a VPN.
Western airlines Our recommendation
Stopovers in Dubai, Doha or Singapore, with a shorter total travel time.
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- British Airways
Usually more expensive, but no visa worries and a more comfortable overall journey.
Getting the best price
A bit of patience here can save you hundreds.
Set up Skyscanner price alerts. Search your route, switch "Whole month" on to spot the cheapest days, then set an alert on your exact dates so you get notified the moment prices drop instead of refreshing every day.
Best months to book from the UK: flights to NZ and Australia are cheapest in NZ/AU's shoulder seasons — aim to fly in April–June or September–October, and avoid booking around the Australian and NZ summer school holidays (mid-December to late January), when prices spike hard.
Book 8–12 weeks in advance. That's the sweet spot for long-haul fares from the UK/Europe — much earlier and airlines haven't released their best fares yet, much later and you're paying a last-minute premium.
Airport transfers
Why a pre-arranged transfer is worth it
After a 20+ hour flight, you'll be jet lagged and arriving at unsociable hours — the last thing you want is to navigate public transport with a huge backpack. A pre-arranged transfer means a driver tracks your flight number so they're there even if you're delayed, handles a luggage trailer for you, and often means sharing a minibus with other young travellers just like you — sometimes the first friends you make on the trip.
Sort the transfer before you fly
Klook is a straightforward place to price it up — private cars, shared shuttles and airport train tickets for the main arrival airports in New Zealand and Australia, booked and paid for in your own currency before you leave home. Compare it against your hostel's pickup and the plain public transport fare too; on some routes the train genuinely is the right call.
Find an airport transfer on Klook →The Klook link above is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it doesn't change the price you pay. See our affiliate disclosure for details.
What to pack it all in
Three bags, three jobs.
Main backpack
~70L — your entire life for the next year, packed to move often.
Day bag
Smaller pack for everyday use — hikes, work, day trips.
Body pouch
Passport, wallet, and documents — keep it on you, always.
FAQs
The questions worth settling before you book the first real commitment of the trip.
Should I book a one-way or a return flight for a working holiday?
For three to twelve months with a rough plan, a flexible return is our recommendation. The flight home is booked but the date moves within the ticket's validity window, with no rebooking fees. One-way suits open-ended trips of six months or more. A fixed return is usually the cheapest total price, but it only makes sense on a trip under three months.
Will I need proof of onward travel?
Possibly. Some border officials ask a one-way arrival for proof of onward travel or of funds, and that is the main practical drawback of a one-way ticket. A booked return date removes the question. It is the reason a flexible return often beats a one-way even when the one-way looks cheaper upfront.
When is the cheapest time to book flights to Australia or New Zealand?
Book 8 to 12 weeks ahead. That is the sweet spot for long-haul fares from the UK and Europe: much earlier and airlines have not released their best fares, much later and you pay a last-minute premium. Aim to fly in April to June or September to October, the shoulder seasons down there. Avoid mid-December to late January, when their summer school holidays push prices up hard.
Which airport should I fly into?
Auckland is New Zealand's main international hub and Sydney is Australia's. Christchurch is the usual South Island gateway, Queenstown serves the adventure end of it, and Wellington covers the capital. In Australia, Melbourne is the major Victorian gateway, Brisbane opens up the Sunshine and Gold Coasts, and Perth is the closest arrival point to Asia and Europe.
Is a pre-arranged airport transfer worth it?
After a twenty-hour flight, often landing at an unsociable hour, usually yes. The driver tracks your flight number so they are there even if you are delayed, there is a luggage trailer for the backpack, and a shared minibus is how plenty of people meet the first friends of their trip. Price it against your hostel's pickup and the plain public transport fare, though. On some routes the train really is the right call.