Flights to Coromandel, Waikato from NT$5,326

Auckland Intl. Airport (AKL) is the one and only airport serving Coromandel.

A flight to Coromandel means touching down at Auckland Intl. Airport (AKL). Step off the plane, pick up your luggage and you’ll be 72 kilometers from downtown.

Coromandel is serviced by 22 air carriers from 53 airports around the world.

Air New Zealand and Jetstar frequently fly to Coromandel. Catching an Air New Zealand flight from Petone is one of the most popular ways to travel there.

With 1,268 nonstop flights each week, you’ll be hitting the runway in Coromandel before you can say, “Are we there yet?”

The most popular flights to Coromandel leave from Wellington, Christchurch and Sydney airports.

Where you depart from determines how long you’ll be strapped into your seat. From Wellington to Coromandel, the average flight time is 1 hour and 5 minutes. From Christchurch it’s more like 1 hour and 24 minutes, and from Sydney it’s 3 hours and 7 minutes.

If you’d like to save some cash on your Coromandel vacation, then listen up! As any experienced traveler will tell you, don’t leave booking until the last minute. Fares are usually more expensive just prior to the departure date. Another terrific way to get a bargain is to research all options. If your destination has several airports, look into the cost of flying into a smaller terminal. Last but not least, another easy way to save a few dollars is be ready to book at a moment’s notice. If you come across a fantastic bargain, don’t hold off — grab it while the opportunity’s there.

We’ve got the lowdown on how to make your journey as pain-free as possible. Follow our top tips and you’ll be speeding through airport security and enjoying Coromandel in no time flat.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a stress-free travel experience is to pack in advance. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, cash and important medications. Next, bring on board items that’ll help while away those hours, like some electronic gadgets or a thrilling novel. It’s also smart to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of headphones. And of course, be sure to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked luggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) won’t be allowed on. Pointed or sharp objects, like your precious Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosols and strong acids, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are not the place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfortable clothing and pack a sweater as the temperature can drop inside the cabin on long-haul flights. Closed-toed, flat shoes are also a good choice.
• A serious condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation. Doing foot and leg exercises in your seat is a great way to prevent this from occurring. Wearing a quality pair of compression tights or socks is also a wise idea.

The answer is — be prepared. We’ve compiled some handy tips and tricks for a fuss-free trip through airport security. Look out Coromandel, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid passport and travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them within easy reach, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you’ll have to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronics also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a sensible footwear choice as you’re less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) can’t be taken on board. They’ll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked luggage.