| Popular in | December | High demand for flights, 12% potential price rise |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest in | March | Best time to find cheap flights, 2% potential price drop |
| Average price | $1,319 | Average for return flights in May 2022 |
| One-way from | $1,122 | One-way flight from Auckland Intl (AKL) to Phoenix |
You can travel from New Zealand to Phoenix, Arizona, USA, in as little as about 15h 35min, with many routes transporting you to your destination in under 26h. From Auckland, the fastest flights generally last between about 15h and 23h. From Wellington and Christchurch, you can reach Phoenix in as little as 18h 5min and 19h 50min, respectively, and you’ll find a variety of options of Phoenix flight deals that arrive at their destination in 26h or less.
Unfortunately, nonstop flights from New Zealand to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Phoenix, are not currently available. However, if you’re flying out of Auckland Airport (AKL), you can find a limited number of flights that stop only once en route to Phoenix. Most of these flights have their single layover in a US city such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Houston. If you’re flying out of either Wellington Airport (WLG) or Christchurch Airport (CHC), your flight will stop at least two times along the way. The fastest flights from both WLG and CHC usually stop in either Auckland, Sydney or Nadi in Fiji; the second stop is usually in Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Getting to the city centre from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona, is easiest via the Valley Metro Rail train, which departs every 15min for the 20min trip to the Roosevelt/Central Ave metro station. The #13 bus also travels downtown every 30min, taking about 20min to get to the Buckeye Rd/Central Ave stop. It takes about 10min to travel downtown by car (add up to an hour in heavy traffic), and you can be picked up at the airport by a taxi or a ridesharing company such as Lyft, TotalRide or Uber.
Phoenix, the capital city of the US state of Arizona, is famous for its world-class golf courses and spa resorts. Golfers can choose from over 180 courses, including the TPC Scottsdale Champions Course and the Troon North course, which highlights the high Sonora desert landscape. Looking for a tranquil spa experience? The Joya Signature Massage at the Montelucia Resort & Spa and the turquoise sage stone massage at the Arizona Biltmore Spa are two relaxing options. Explore the desert landscape without leaving the city at one of the nation’s largest urban parks, the South Mountain Park / Preserve, which has trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. At the Desert Botanical Garden, you’ll encounter art installations among the region’s flora and fauna. Kids of all ages will enjoy the Phoenix Zoo, the Waikiki Beach Wave Pool at the Big Surf Water Park, and the Goldfield Ghost Town, where you can pan for gold in the Wild West of the 1800s. Two attractions that are unique to Phoenix are the Musical Instruments Museum, featuring instruments from around the world, and the Hall of Flame Fire Museum, which displays historical fire-fighting equipment and pays tribute to fallen fire fighters.
New Zealand citizens only need a passport to fly to Phoenix. Most citizens can participate in the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) for visits that are less than 90 days. For this visa-free travel, you must receive Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) approval for the VWP before departing for the US. Please note that you must possess an electronic passport to receive ETSA authorisation, and this authorisation costs about $ 14 (NZ$ 20).