Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING THERE & AWAY
New Zealand is a long way from almost everywhere - most travellers jet in from afar. Flights, tours and rail tickets can be
booked online at
lonelyplanet.com/bookings
.
Entering the Country
Disembarkation in New Zealand is generally a straightforward affair, with only the usual customs declarations and the
luggage-carousel scramble to endure. Under the the Orwellian title of 'Advance Passenger Screening', documents that
used to be checked after you touched down in NZ (passport, visa etc) are now checked before you board your flight −
make sure all your documentation is in order so that your check-in is stress-free.
Passport
There are no restrictions when it comes to foreign citizens entering NZ. If you have a current passport and visa (or don't
require one), you should be fine.
CLIMATE CHANGE & TRAVEL
Every form of transport that relies on carbon-based fuel generates CO2, the main cause of human-induced climate
change. Modern travel is dependent on aeroplanes, which might use less fuel per kilometre per person than most
cars but travel much greater distances. The altitude at which aircraft emit gases (including CO2) and particles also
contributes to their climate change impact. Many websites offer 'carbon calculators' that allow people to estimate
the carbon emissions generated by their journey and, for those who wish to do so, to off set the impact of the green-
house gases emitted with contributions to portfolios of climate-friendly initiatives throughout the world. Lonely
Planet off sets the carbon footprint of all staff and author travel.
Air
There are a number of competing airlines that service NZ if you're flying in from Asia, Europe or North America, though
ultimately you'll still pay a lot for a flight unless you jet in from Australia. NZ's abundance of year-round activities means
that airports are busy most of the time: if you want to fly at a particularly popular time of year (eg over the Christmas
period), book well in advance.
The high season for flights into NZ is during summer (December to February), with slightly less of a premium on fares
over the shoulder months (October to November and March to April). The low season generally tallies with the winter
months (June to August), though this is still a busy time for airlines ferrying ski bunnies and powder hounds.
