Cheap flights to Nelson airport

Discover Nelson

It may not be one of the biggest or most populous cities in the country, but Nelson, New Zealand is a city with great cultural significance. Music and the arts are celebrated throughout the year in Nelson with various craft markets and music festivals. And the city is not only home to talented local artists, it's also located on the coast of the beautiful Tasman Bay. Ready for an artistic adventure? Enter your home airport and travel dates into Skyscanner's flight search tool to find all the cheapest flights to Nelson Airport (NSN) from around the world.

Best Time to Book a Flight to Nelson

With mild to warm weather year-round and an abundance of sunshine, Nelson is a lovely place to visit any time of the year. As a city in the Southern Hemisphere, the warmest months occur between November and March. These are also the months when the majority of the city's major music festivals take place. In the winter months, between June and August, high winds and rainstorms are a frequent occurrence. Travellers with flexible vacation dates can use Skyscanner's Cheapest Month Search Tool to search flights to Nelson over the entire year and find the absolute lowest airfare prices.

Airlines that Fly to Nelson Airport

Nelson Airport is served by a handful of airlines, all of which only fly to and from destinations within New Zealand. Most of the airport's traffic is controlled by the country's flag carrier airline, Air New Zealand (operating as Air Nelson or as Mount Cook Airline). The airport's most popular flight routes are from Auckland to Nelson and from Wellington to Nelson. Flights from Canada to Nelson Airport will require one to two layovers.

Arriving at the Airport

When arriving at Nelson Airport's one terminal, you may be greeted with the sights and sounds of construction. A two-year construction project to rebuild and expand the terminal began in August of 2016 and will cause some delays and confusion within the airport area until its completion. Taxis still stop just outside of the terminal to take passengers into Nelson. The ride from the airport to Nelson's city centre is about 8 km.

Other transportation options include airport shuttles and tour busses. However, both options must be arranged in advance. Six rental car companies, including Europcar and Thrifty, are also available at the airport. Their offices are all located at the terminal entrance.

Nelson Airport Facilities

As a small airport, there are relatively few amenities and services available at NSN. The airport's one café is located in the departures terminal and serves food items made on site, coffee and beverages, and alcohol. There is no currency exchange location at the airport but there is an ATM. For business travellers, Wi-Fi is available for free for up to one hour. Families can utilize the baby changing facilities and enjoy a fun outdoor play area.

Though guest facilities may be limited now, the new Nelson Airport terminal building is being built to meet the demands of a larger passenger base. In the next few years, travellers can expect the airport to house more shopping and dining options.

What to See and Do in Nelson

Beauty and culture go hand in hand in Nelson, with all the best tourist attractions involving either artistic endeavours or gorgeous scenery. If you're visiting the city on the weekend, exploring the Nelson Saturday Market is a must. At the Market, you can not only pick up crafts and art pieces made by local artisans, you can also sample some of the city's best cuisine.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the city's beautiful beaches, including the famous Tahunanui Beach. Queen's Garden is another lovely outdoor spot in the city complete with native plants and flowers, sculptures, and beautiful fountains.