Flying from Raleigh / Durham Airport (RDU) to Auckland International Airport (AKL): what you need to know
Auckland's timezone is UTC+13, which makes Auckland 18 hours ahead of Durham.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules worth sticking to. Show up at the airport on time to catch your RDU to AKL flight.
Flying during a peak time such as July? Public holidays and other popular periods can result in longer lines at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Raleigh / Durham Airport to Auckland International Airport. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' to break up your journey, or enjoy a detour to a new and interesting place. Here's where you can stop between RDU and AKL:
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
New York John F. Kennedy Airport
San Francisco International Airport
Handy information about Raleigh / Durham Airport (RDU)
Of the flights that depart from Raleigh / Durham Airport, 78% land on time at their destination.
Raleigh / Durham Airport is about 18 kilometres from central Durham. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Expect a trip time of roughly 45 minutes when using public transport.
Booked an early flight from Raleigh / Durham Airport to Auckland International Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to RDU:
Arriving at Auckland International Airport (AKL)
The last thing you want is a lengthy trip to your hotel if you're arriving on a late Raleigh / Durham Airport to Auckland International Airport flight. Reserve one of these accommodation options near AKL instead:
Travel at your own pace with a Auckland International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Auto-Union, Yes rentals or Bargain Rental Cars and chase adventure across Auckland and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Auckland International Airport about four weeks ahead can help you get the lowest rate.
When to fly to Auckland International Airport (AKL)
December is the most popular month for flights from Raleigh / Durham Airport to Auckland International Airport. To steer clear of the crowds, visit Auckland in March.
The warmest month in Auckland is February, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC (59ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF). Lock in your flights from Raleigh / Durham Airport to Auckland International Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap tickets from RDU to AKL in July if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 9ºC (48ºF) and 14ºC (57ºF) on average.
Explore more of New Zealand
Auckland is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of New Zealand just waiting to be discovered. About 499 kilometres south of Auckland, a trip to Wellington will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading sights like Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington Botanic Gardens and Weta Workshop.
