Christmas on a beach, New Year in summer and seven weeks on the other side of the world.
China Southern flies from London to Auckland from £591 return, out on 1 December 2026 and back on 20 January 2027. Two checked bags are included.
✈️ The Deal
- From: London Gatwick (back to Heathrow), United Kingdom
- To: Auckland, New Zealand
- Airline: China Southern
- Stops: 2 stops out (Zhengzhou and Guangzhou), 1 back (Guangzhou)
- Price: £591 - £595 return
- When: December 2026 - January 2027
Example dates:
Claim up to £520 for your delayed or cancelled flight →
You leave Gatwick at 20:20, stop for about 3 hours in Zhengzhou and 3h35 in Guangzhou, and land in Auckland at 16:15 two days later. The flight home leaves Auckland at 22:25, stops for 8h50 in Guangzhou and lands at Heathrow at 18:35 the next day. Leaving a day or two either side costs about £595.
💰 How far does your money go?
A pint in London now costs £6-7. In Auckland, a flat white is about £2.50 and a pint of local craft beer around £5.50. A pie from a bakery costs £3 and fish and chips on the waterfront about £8. The ferry to Waiheke Island costs about £20 return.
☀️ The Weather
December and January are the height of summer in Auckland. Expect highs of 23-25°C, nights around 16°C and long days, with light until almost 9pm. Showers pass quickly, and the sea is warm enough to swim from late December.
🏨 Where to Stay
Stay central and use the ferries to reach the islands.
Sudima Auckland City · 8.8/10 · From £94/night
A modern hotel near Karangahape Road, with good-value rooms and the city centre a short walk away.
Hotel DeBrett · 9.3/10 · From £173/night
A colourful 1920s boutique hotel on High Street, in the middle of the city's best shopping and dining.
Park Hyatt Auckland · 9.1/10 · From £271/night
Harbour views from the Wynyard Quarter, with a spa and an indoor pool. The splurge.
⏱️ Making the most of your layover in Guangzhou
The stop in Guangzhou Baiyun on the way home lasts 8h50. UK passport holders can currently enter China visa-free for short stays, but check the rules before you fly, and be back at the airport at least 3 hours before your next flight. Metro line 3 reaches the city centre in about 45 minutes.
Canton Tower: Views over the whole city from the 450-metre tower, with the bubble tram ride around the top.
Pearl River night cruise: The skyline and the bridges lit up at night, with the Canton Tower light show.
Historic Canton walking tour: Old temples, arcaded streets and dim sum in the old city with a local guide.
If you'd rather rest:
Pullman Guangzhou Baiyun Airport · 8.5/10 · From £74/night
Connected to the terminal, for a shower and a proper sleep without leaving the airport.
🎯 What to Do
Auckland is a city of volcanoes, harbours and islands, and the North Island is on its doorstep.
Hobbiton Movie Set: The Shire from The Lord of the Rings, with a guided walk through the hobbit holes and a festive lunch at the Green Dragon Inn.
Waitomo glowworm caves and Hobbiton: A boat ride under thousands of glowworms in the Waitomo caves, combined with Hobbiton in one day.
Waiheke Island wine tour: Vineyards, olive groves and beaches, 40 minutes by ferry from the city, with tastings at the island's best wineries.
Mount Eden: A dormant volcano in the middle of the city, with the best view of Auckland from the crater rim.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
Auckland is the starting point for a summer road trip around New Zealand.
Rotorua: Geysers, hot pools and Māori culture, about 3 hours by road.
Bay of Islands: 144 islands, dolphins and sailing trips, about 3 hours north by road.
Queenstown: Lakes, mountains and adventure sports, about 2 hours by air. Search flights
Wellington: The capital, with great coffee and the Te Papa museum, about 1 hour by air. Search flights
£591 return to New Zealand for the whole southern summer. One date pair at this price, so book it while it lasts.
Get every flight deal we find, on your favourite app.
Pick how you want to hear from us — or all three. Free, no spam.
