Today marks the beginning of our journey to New Zealand, and as expected, the excitement and nerves of embarking on a new adventure are palpable. This isn’t just any trip; today, we start our journey to New Zealand, a country we’ve longed to visit, and a new continent we’ve yet to explore.
Our flight to New Zealand is with Singapore Airlines, a recently familiar airline, as we flew with them just a month ago for our trips to Singapore and Thailand. After that experience, we can confidently say that Singapore Airlines is one of the best airlines we’ve flown with.
The flight to Auckland departs at 11:55 AM, with only a brief layover of just over an hour in Singapore. We hope this minimizes jet lag, allowing us to start our campervan adventure in New Zealand in two days. We’ll pick up our home on wheels and visit Auckland, which will be our entry point to the country.
With this introduction done, it’s time for breakfast at our usual café before heading to Barcelona. We’ll leave the car at our regular Aena parking, then go through check-in and security. We’ll use the remaining hour before the flight to New Zealand to review, once again, the itinerary for this incredible trip that begins in just a few hours.
Flight to New Zealand
Boarding for the flight to New Zealand is announced at 11:00 AM, and within 15 minutes, we are seated, ready for the first leg of our journey from Barcelona to Singapore, a 12-hour and 40-minute flight. This flight brings back memories of our 6-day trip to Singapore, which we fondly remember.
Without going into too much detail, the nearly 13-hour flight passes relatively quickly. We spend our time reading, watching movies, and resting, landing in Singapore at 7:30 AM.
Layover in Singapore
One of our main concerns about this flight to New Zealand, besides the long hours, was the brief 1-hour and 10-minute layover in Singapore. When we traveled to Singapore a month ago, we took a quick look at how transit works in Singapore’s airport, which is considered one of the best in the world. We learned that the process typically takes 15-20 minutes.
And they weren’t wrong. This time, we landed in Terminal 3 and had to get to Terminal 2. Although this might sound daunting, all you need to do is follow the signs to reach the new terminal and take the skytrain that will get you there.
Additionally, about 30 minutes before landing, the flight screens display the schedules of upcoming flights, the departure terminal, and instructions for transit, making the process even easier.
Internet in Singapore Airport
Another feature of Singapore Airport is its unlimited Wi-Fi, which you can access at machines located in various areas of each terminal by scanning your passport or directly through a message to your mobile phone. It’s a very easy process and will help you pass the time if your layover is longer than ours.
So, after a little over an hour in transit, we boarded our second flight to New Zealand. This time, it’s the flight from Singapore to Auckland, which will take 10 hours and 50 minutes and bring us to our destination and gateway to the Land of the Long White Cloud.
We won’t deny that this flight feels a bit more tiring, and jet lag begins to set in. But the excitement and butterflies in our stomachs are also present, becoming even more evident as we land in Auckland at midnight, finally setting foot in New Zealand.
Entry into New Zealand
We’re sure that, like us, you’ve read a lot of information about the entry process into New Zealand. Often, this process seems more daunting than it really is. We don’t know if it was because we arrived late at night or just good luck, but our experience was quite the opposite. We completed the entry process into New Zealand in less than 30 minutes without any issues. Here are some tips and details that we believe can help you:
First, if you have a Spanish passport, you can stay in New Zealand for up to 90 days without a visa until October 1, 2019. However, it’s important to check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration New Zealand website to ensure this information is current when you travel.
From October 1, 2019, visitors from visa-exempt countries must apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) at least 72 hours before traveling to New Zealand. An International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of 35 NZD must also be paid when applying for the visa.
Your airline will ask for your NZeTA when you check in, similar to the ESTA requirement for the USA, to verify its validity.
The NZeTA is valid for two years and costs 12 NZD, plus the 35 NZD IVL fee.
You can apply for it on the official website or through the mobile app, where the price is reduced to 9 NZD.
VERY IMPORTANT: Since the introduction of this process, several well-positioned companies on Google offer this service at a much higher cost. Please ensure you are on the official website and don’t trust recommendations from bloggers or websites that might lead you to unofficial pages.
Usually, on the last flight to New Zealand, you will be given a form to fill out and present at passport and baggage control. If you don’t receive it or are asleep when it’s handed out, don’t worry; you’ll find more forms before passport control.
One of the questions on this form is whether you have trekking equipment. If you do, even if it’s just boots, mark “yes” to avoid any issues if your baggage is checked.
First, you’ll go through passport control. At most, they might ask if you have an onward ticket, where you’ll be staying in New Zealand (if traveling by campervan, just mention that), and if you have sufficient funds for your stay.
Once your passport is stamped, you’ll collect your baggage and go through baggage control.
You’ll need to present the form you filled out on the plane again and will be asked if you have any food or trekking gear. It’s crucial to be honest and not bring prohibited food items like fruits or meats. If you have trekking gear, they may ask to see it or not. In our case, arriving late at night, we were simply asked if our boots were clean; we said yes, and they didn’t inspect them.
After this last check, you can finally enjoy your trip to New Zealand.
Internet in New Zealand
This is another topic many of you have asked about. Firstly, it’s important to note that there are several companies in New Zealand offering internet services. We opted for Spark, which offers various traveler-friendly packages tailored to our needs.
Most plans include 200 minutes of international calls, 200 free messages to all countries, unlimited calls within New Zealand, and 1GB for social media. With Spark, you can also connect to booths located throughout the country. An app provides locations and offers 1GB of free data.
While you can buy a SIM card at any Spark store in any city, it’s advisable to get one at the airport to have internet as soon as you arrive. Purchasing it before collecting your luggage, perhaps at the Tax-Free store, saves you fees, making it worthwhile to do it then rather than waiting until you’re at the Departures Terminal.
Another option is to buy a Holafly SIM card in Spain, providing instant internet upon arrival, saving time and hassle. With Holafly, you’ll get several GB of data (depending on your choice), free delivery to your home, keep your WhatsApp number, and receive Spanish assistance.
How to Withdraw Money in New Zealand Without Paying Fees
Another common question is about withdrawing money abroad. To avoid fees and get the current exchange rate, we recommend using Revolut and N26 cards. They’re what we use, they’re free, and they save you money. You can find more information in an article about the best cards for traveling without fees.
With our paperwork done, luggage, SIM card, and money sorted, we leave the airport and head to the meeting point provided by Auckland Airport Lodge, our accommodation for the night in Auckland, with free shuttle service to/from the airport.
We chose to stay in a hotel tonight due to our late arrival time in New Zealand. Anticipating fatigue and the rental office for campervans being closed, we preferred to spend our first night in a hotel, rest, and start enjoying this incredible country tomorrow.
After a 10-minute wait and a 5-kilometer journey from the airport to the hotel, we arrive at Auckland Airport Lodge, where we spend the night, already dreaming of the days ahead in the Land of the Long White Cloud.
As we settle into our accommodation for the night, the anticipation of what lies ahead in New Zealand fills us with excitement. From navigating the stunning landscapes to immersing ourselves in the rich culture, every moment promises to be an adventure. Tomorrow marks the beginning of our journey through the Land of the Long White Cloud, and we can hardly wait to embark on this unforgettable experience. With each step, we’ll create memories to cherish for a lifetime, embracing the beauty and wonder of this remarkable country. As we drift off to sleep, visions of the coming days dance through our minds, fueling our anticipation for the adventures that await.
