Flights from Chicago to Auckland on Air Canada are now available priced at $766 round trip for travel in February and March — a massive price cut on a route that has averaged north of $1,300. If New Zealand has ever been on your travel radar, this is a great price point.
February and March are late summer in New Zealand: warm days, long daylight, and postcard-level scenery everywhere you turn. Auckland makes for a great base with more than enough to fill a week — and it’s the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the rest of the country.
Here are a few things you can build into your trip:
Ferry to Waiheke Island for beaches, wineries, and the best coastal views close to the city.
Hobbiton — an easy and surprisingly fun day trip, even if you’re not a huge LOTR fan.
Bay of Islands, north of Auckland, for clear water, dolphin tours, and laid-back beach towns.
Rotorua & Taupō, a few hours south, for geothermal pools, Māori culture, and adventure activities.
Quick flight to Queenstown if you want to add the South Island’s mountains and Milford Sound.
The Flights
