Only two of New Zealand’s major airports provide flights to Omaha, Nebraska. Auckland Airport (AKL) is one of them with flight times of about 55h. Christchurch Airport (CHC) is the other, and departures from here require significantly less time with journeys lasting 47h 30min to Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA), Omaha.
Unfortunately, non-stop flights from New Zealand to Omaha are not currently available and the only service from any airport involves at least three connections. Flights departing Christchurch make connections at Singapore, Frankfurt and Chicago on the way to Omaha, with a total flight time of approximately 47h 30min. If you prefer to depart from Auckland, you can get Omaha flight deals requiring stops at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Seattle/Tacoma International Airport (SEA), with journeys lasting approximately 54h 50min.
The only mode of public transportation is Metro Transit Bus 16, but it only runs on weekdays during rush hours. Travel time to Omaha City is approximately 30min. The fastest option is via taxi, which takes about 5min to reach the city centre. Taxis, buses and hotel shuttles can be found at the Ground Transportation Centre near Door 3, located on the Lower Level of the terminal building. Ride-share pick-ups via Uber and Lyft use the Ground Floor of the South Garage while the airport car hire centre is located on Floors 1 and 2 of the North Garage.
Omaha may not be familiar to many Kiwis, unless they’ve heard of Warren Buffett, the Wizard of Omaha. This Midwestern city near the Iowa state line was once home to thriving Native American tribes like the Pawnee, Baxoje and Otoe before the pioneers arrived, drawn by the lure of gold along the Platt River. Modern Omaha still retains many of the original Native-American names, although few tribal descendants remain in the city. You can learn more about the history of Omaha and Nebraska by visiting The Durham Museum near the Old Market in the heart of the city centre. Afterwards, you can tour Heartland of America Park and Conagra Lake on the banks of the great Missouri River. Culture abounds in Omaha with several theatres like Omaha Community Playhouse, the Blue Barn Theatre and Rose Theatre. The Holland Performing Arts Centre hosts the Omaha Symphony while the Orpheum Theatre is home to the Omaha Opera. The NCAA College Baseball World Series is the biggest sporting event in Omaha and a significant draw for tourists each June. For eco-tourists, adventure seekers and lovers of the great outdoors, Omaha is a gateway to pristine prairies, amazing National Historic trails and waterway adventures. Come visit a Native-American reservation and be part of exciting tribal gatherings like the Native Omaha Days Festival or the Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow during August and September.
To fly to Omaha, USA, New Zealand citizens will need a valid passport and a US ESTA authorisation for entry. You can submit applications online, which are processed in about 30min, and the processing fees are approximately $14.00 (NZ$ 20). Foreign passport holders should contact their local consulate for instructions on visa requirements to the US.
Most people fly into Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA) if they book a flight to Omaha. Eppley Airfield is conveniently located just 6.2 km from Omaha’s city centre.