Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Wellington Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
I was ready to sleep on the floor when a staff guy came to tell me that there was a better area to sleep… so nice! – Chacha
WLG Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Wellington International Airport.
What to Expect
Wellington Airport (code: WLG) is a small, single-terminal airport with three piers (South, South-West and North-West). Domestic flights depart from the South and Southwest Piers, and both domestic and international flights depart from the North-West Pier. In this pier, there are 9 gates (21 – 29 or 41 – 49) that are re-numbered depending on whether the departing flight is domestic or international. The airport is undergoing upgrades which should be complete in 2020 after which you can expect a light, airy terminal offering more food options including grab & go options. Travellers can look forward to free WiFi and a good range in restaurants, with Subway being the only place open during airport hours (approx. 3:30AM – 1:30AM). There are also free showers available to all travellers landside! For added comfort, economy class passengers can access one of two airline lounges with an airline membership.
Sleeping in Wellington Airport
Wellington Airport is officially closed from 1:30AM to 3:30AM, and, according to airport staff, everyone is asked the leave unless they have airline problems, such as a major flight disruption. That said, some reviewers have said that they spent the night without interruption, so there is perhaps some wiggle room here. Explore our guide to sleeping in Wellington Airport or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips. If you’re looking for uninterrupted sleep – or, if you get evicted around 1:30AM – there are nearby hotels connected by shuttles. See our Airport Hotels section below for locations and shuttle information.
Covid-19 Update
Some airport reviews and tips in this guide and elsewhere on the site were written before March 2020 and may no longer be valid. To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.
For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Wellington Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Sleeper Policy
According to an FAQ on the airport’s web site, they answer the Can I Stay Overnight in the Airport question with this response: “Wellington Airport does not operate 24hrs. The terminal building is closed for two and a half hours each night between 1.30AM – 3:30AM. In October 2014, received an email from a reader who let us know that airport sleepers are asked to leave the terminal between 2:00AM – 4:00AM “unless they have “airline problems” like major flight disruptions – thus overnight sleeping on a ‘regular basis’ is not possible.”
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door and through a lounge membership program (ie. Koru Club or Qantas Club). Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- Air New Zealand Lounges – Multiple Locations – (1) Regional Departures, (1) Domestic Departures and (1) International Departures.
- Qantas Club – Location: Airside, International Departures. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Wellington Airport Lounges
Wellington Airport Hotels
Quick Facts
Nearest Hotel: At the Airport
Sleep Cabins or Pods: No
Day Rooms: No
Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair is giving you nightmares, there is good news for those of you who are looking to sleep at Wellington Airport in comfort. If you are on a layover, you will have to pass through immigration/security as there is no transit hotel or accommodation on the airside. There is one hotel conveniently connected to the terminal from public area and a number of nearby hotels.
With Covid restrictions constantly changing, we recommend that you confirm shuttle availability prior to booking and/or prior to your arrival.
- Rydges Wellington Airport – Connected to the terminal. Day use rates are available. » Check Rates
- Airport Motor Lodge – 6-minute walk to the terminal. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Brentwood Hotel – Free airport shuttle is available. For airport pick-up, use the free phone at the bottom of the stairs in baggage claim (dial 3). Pick-up is by the Cargo convenience store outside of the left-most sliding glass doors at the bottom floor baggage claim. » Check Rates
- Airport Motel – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Wellington, search deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Wellington Airport. Connect to the ” WLG Airport Free WiFi ” network.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
Airport Ambassadors – They can be found in the busiest parts of the airport between 12:00PM and 4:00PM every day to offer traveller assistance.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Machines are operated by ANZ, BNZ and Westpac. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Airside and Landside.
Baby Care Facilities – Parents Room: located on level 1 along the retail street in the main terminal. In addition, baby change tables are available in the international arrivals and departures areas.
Children’s Play Areas – Location: The Rock, International Terminal, Airside
Currency Exchange – Travelex Money Exchange has kiosks available. Location: Domestic, Landside, Level 1. Hours: 4:00AM – 7:30PM • International, Arrivals. Hours: Open to all international flights • International, Departures. Hours: Open to all international flights.
Duty Free & Shopping – JR Duty Free is available in the International Departures and is open for all incoming and outgoing international flights. Relay convenience store opens at 6:00AM and closes at 8:00PM (except Saturdays when it closes at 7:00PM). Retail, cosmetic and souvenir shops are also available.
Food & Drinks – There is a good variety of restaurants available both Landside and Airside, although none are open 24 hours. Subway is open from 6:00AM – 8:00PM.
Information Desk – If you require assistance and do not see an Airport Ambassador, there are two airport customer assistance phones are located by the escalators in the baggage claim area (level 0) and on level 1 just past the check in area.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Location: Baggage Claim, Level 1. Rates: ranging from $5 (1 small bag up to 12 hours) to $20 (1 large bag up to 24 hours). Rates are also available for keys/technology items and oversized baggage. You will need to use a courtesy phone (found on Level 0 or 1) to make arrangements for storage. Hours: 5:30AM – 1:00AM.
Medical Services – There is no dedicated clinic or station at the airport; however, should you require medical assistance, seek assistance from any staff member or use any courtesy phone (ground and 1st Floor). The airports fire service are trained for medical emergencies.
Mobile Charging – A reader tells us that mobile charging stations are available. (February 2020)
Postal Services – Drop off your last minute postcards at the airport’s mailbox. Location: Landside, Level 1, near the front doors in the check-in area. You can purchase stamps and postcards at the Relay Store.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Free showers are available Landside, Level 1, to the left and the right of the main entrance.
Airport Hours
The airport is open from 3:00AM – 1:30AM daily.
Airlines
Wellington airport is served by the following airlines: Air Chathams • Air New Zealand • Golden Bay Air • Jetstar • Qantas • Singapore Airlines • Sounds Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus
Metlink route 2 offers daily service to Seatoun City. Nearest stop is Hobart or Broadway which is 7 minutes walk or around 700km from the airport.
Car Rentals
Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Europcar • EZI Car • Hertz • Thrifty offer car rental services onsite at Wellington Airport. Location: Level 0 of the main terminal.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update we were able to find just one hotel offering an airport shuttle: Brentwood Hotel.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Shuttle
Super Shuttle provides connections to a variety of destinations and can be booked at the airport or online in advance. Prices start at AUD $18 one way.
Taxis
Taxis are available during airport hours of operation outside of the baggage claim area on Level 0 of the main terminal. At the time of this update, the average fare to downtown is approximately AUD $40 – $50 one way.
Last updated: 2022-10-28
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers and their web sites. We are not representatives of any of the above mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.
