Explore New Zealand D1: Ultimate Chengdu to Auckland Travel Guide

✈️ [Flight]
I embarked on a direct flight from Chengdu at 1:50 AM, with a total duration of 12 hours. Sichuan Airlines’ A350 is a delightful experience, adorned with panda motifs both inside and out. The exterior features an adorable panda design, while the cabin is filled with charming panda-themed items like meal boxes, paper cups, and pillows.

Shortly after takeoff, the crew distributed a box of milk and mineral water. About two hours into the journey, the first meal was served, consisting of black rice porridge, pickled mustard, and chocolate bread. Two hours before landing, the second meal was presented, featuring a new dish from Sichuan Airlines: Mapo Tofu & Braised Lion’s Head, accompanied by Fish in Chopped Pepper Sauce.

This meal also included bananas, coconut bread, iced black tea, probiotic milk, and freshly baked brown sugar steamed buns. Throughout the flight, the attentive staff continuously offered tea refills.

🌟 [Entry]
To streamline the entry process, I downloaded the NATD app in advance to make my declaration, which conveniently supports Chinese. If you haven’t made an electronic declaration, you can ask the flight attendants for a paper entry card to fill out on the plane.

🍪 [Food Declaration]
Since I brought some food, I packed it all in a box and printed an English list. Upon arrival, I showed this list to the customs officer, who directed me to gate 3 for a luggage inspection. The staff carefully checked my food, confirmed that I did not bring any meat, and then allowed me to pass through gate 2.

The food inspection was quite rigorous, and many travelers like me were asked to open their luggage for thorough checks. The inspector even went through my clothes to ensure no other food was hidden.

📱 [SIM Card]
I purchased SIM cards in advance on TB in China, opting for two different operators to avoid any issues. One is from JOYTEL New Zealand, and the other is a Hong Kong card, both providing excellent signal and internet. You can also buy SIM cards at the airport, but they offer less data and are more expensive.

🚘 [Taxi]
Given our need to stay overnight nearby and fly out the next day, we considered the airport shuttle bus, which costs 8 NZD per person. However, a DiDi ride only cost 15 NZD, making it a more economical choice for the two of us. I also checked Uber, which would have cost 19 NZD, so DiDi was clearly the better option.

🏨 [Hotel]
We stayed at the Naumi Auckland Airport Hotel, just a short 10-minute taxi ride from the airport. The hotel is spacious and offers excellent service. The self-service breakfast was a pleasant surprise, featuring a variety of delicious options such as coffee, milk, fresh fruits, juices, hash browns, bacon, and an array of breads.

The hotel provides self-check-in and check-out, adding to its convenience. I booked the room during a promotion, paying only 400+ NZD for two people, including breakfast, which was incredibly cost-effective. Now, the same room costs around 900+. It was also easy to get a DiDi to the airport the next morning.