Best Time to Visit

For many, the sweet spot for visiting Wellington rolls around at the tail end of summer, typically in February and March. This is when the city exhales from the peak tourist rush, and the weather starts playing nice and predictable. You can still bask in the splendour of New Zealand's nature, but also catch a more varied mix of local events than during the summer — and the crystal-clear skies are likely to serve up the year's best sunsets. Summer stretches from December to February, and it's the peak season, drawing in scores of families with children enjoying their school break. These are the warmest months with temperatures nudging between 15–21ºC (60–70ºF). But, remember, Wellington's weather has a whimsical streak with sudden gusts of wind. So, pack with layering in mind!

Passport/Visa

Citizens of Australia and the UK, as well as visa waiver countries, do not need to apply for a visa for short visitor stays, but may need to produce documented proof of onward travel. Visa waiver countries include the USA and multiple countries across Europe and Asia, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, and Vatican City. Since 2019, travellers that are visa waiver must request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) prior to travel. It is mandatory for all sea and air arrivals, including transit. The issued authorisation is valid for two years. Citizens of other countries will need to apply for a visa in advance, which can be done online for solo travellers and in paper format for those travelling with a partner or as a group. The applicant’s passport validity in this case will need to last 3 months after the planned departure date.

• Web:

  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_New_Zealand

Wellington International Airport (WLG)

Wellington International Airport (WLG) is located 8 kilometres or a 20 minutes drive from the city centre. Wellington is less than one hour’s flight from anywhere in New Zealand, and Pacific Blue covers most major cities domestically with flights to Australia and the South Pacific. A number of shuttle operators provide a regular half-hourly or hourly shuttle bus service between the airport and the Wellington Railway Station. They operate on demand, or you can book in advance to have them waiting for you at Wellington Airport. There are always a couple of shuttles waiting at the departure exits of the airport.

• Web:

  www.wellingtonairport.co.nz

• Address:

  Stewart Duff Drive, Rongotai, Wellington

• Phone:

  +64 4 385 5100

Public Transport

Wellington has a well developed public transport system, the most used in New Zealand. It consists of buses, commuter trains, ferries and a funicular (the Wellington Cable Car). One of the best features of Wellington is its compact size. In half an hour, you can walk from the Railway Station, past the Parliament Buildings, along Lambton Quay, past Cuba Street to Courtenay Place near Te Papa. Collect a map from the Wellington i-SITE Visitor Centre and explore downtown Wellington for fashion, food, arts and all the main attractions. Or take a guided tour with Walk Wellington. Discover the history, the people and the places of Wellington with knowledgeable guides who know the capital’s hidden secrets. There is an express bus that travels between the airport, Wellington city, Queensgate, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt. This shuttle only stops at the main stops, which makes travel faster and easier. City buses operate every day from 7am to 11pm on most routes. Individual tickets may be purchased from the bus driver, and discounted ten-trip tickets are also available.

• Web:

  www.metlink.org.nz

Taxi

Numerous taxi companies operate throughout Wellington. Rideshare apps like Uber are a convenient way to find a ride, too.

• Web:

  www.taxis.co.nz

• E-mail:

  admin@taxis.co.nz

• Phone:

  +64 4 384 4444

Electricity

New Zealand operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency. The country uses Type I power plugs, which feature two flat pins forming a 'V' shape, along with a grounding pin. This standard is also commonly used in Australia, Argentina, China, and several Pacific island nations. Remember to pack a universal adapter if your devices use a different plug type to ensure hassle-free charging.