Intl to Dom transfer times in NZ

[SeatBackForward]

Hi everyone, I'm thinking of flying to NZ later this year, and wanted to find out how much time is required if transferring from International to Domestic flights in NZ - specifically in Christchurch. I wont be able to check in all the way through as its being bought on seperate tickets. 3

Is 40mins pushing it? to clear through immigration, collect bags and then recheck in for domestic? Thanks all.

 

[Mal]

I wouldn't do it. Way too short if something goes wrong. I've been questioned for 10 mins by NZ immigration once alone! Waiting for bags will be at least 10 mins. Check-in/Bags drop will close for the domestic flight (I think) 20 mins before the flight - or maybe even 30 mins.

Not worth the rush IMHO.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I wouldn't do it. Way too short if something goes wrong. I've been questioned for 10 mins by NZ immigration once alone! Waiting for bags will be at least 10 mins. Check-in/Bags drop will close for the domestic flight (I think) 20 mins before the flight - or maybe even 30 mins.

Not worth the rush IMHO.

Thanks Mal,

Yeah I think having to checkin again will be the killer. I'm thinking of overnightting it in Christchurch instead.

Thanks again.

 

[simongr]

Could you OLCI? Also even on three separate bookings you might be able to check bags through...

 

[NM]

Could you OLCI? Also even on three separate bookings you might be able to check bags through...

OLCI is only available for QF Australian Domestic flights at the moment. And that means no OLCI for domestic flights with international connections.

 

[Mal]

OLCI is only available for QF Australian Domestic flights at the moment. And that means no OLCI for domestic flights with international connections.

OLCI for Qantas is available for NZ domestic flights, and AirNZ have something similar in that you can print your boarding pass way before you travel. However, both of these being available does not change my initial recommendation that 40 mins is not enough,

 

[StevePER]

Flying PER-AKL-DUD last month on one ticket we found that 90 minutes in Auckland was only just enough. I certainly wouldn't risk 40 minutes on separate tickets.

 

[NM]

OLCI for Qantas is available for NZ domestic flights, and AirNZ have something similar in that you can print your boarding pass way before you travel.

Ahh, NZ domestic is now available, so if a separate tix then could be used.

However, both of these being available does not change my initial recommendation that 40 mins is not enough,

100% agree!

 

[docjames]

Agree. Have done MEL-AKL-DUD and DUD-CHC-MEL last year.

MINIMUM (and i mean, bare) minimum i'd even considere is an hour, i'd be comfortable with 1h30. And no less than 1h15 if on different tix.

What is annoying is the QF flight CHC-Queenstown leaves just after (30 mins iirc) the QF arrives from MEL into CHC, so you cant connect.

 

[simongr]

I just see no spirit of adventure in people any more - it has to be worth a shot - even if only for the subsequent trip report

 

[futaris]

I just see no spirit of adventure in people any more - it has to be worth a shot - even if only for the subsequent trip report

At least they're not trying to do a large MR on JetConnect, like some others on Flyertalk.

 

[kamchatsky]

I have had similar question on FT earlier this year and the recommendation is not to do this with such short time especially with immigration, pickup bag then recheckin etc.

We allow for 2.5 hours at AKL for our SYD-AKL-CHC trip at Xmas this year. Now I just have to figure what to do at AKL for those hours ......

 

[Tawita]

On a flight into CHC from NAN in 2006 I queued for over an hour to get through immigration (with only one other flight than ours). While other times have not been as bad, I got a distinct sense that this was normal for CHC. Don't take the chance.

 

[Flashback]

Hm, I've flown into CHC twice at peak times and picked up bags and gone through immigration etc. in 15-20 mins both times...

 

[SeatBackForward]

Well thanks all for the feedback. I've decided not to risk it, especially as the flight in would be with JetScare, I mean Jetstar. And instead of overnighting it, I'm taking the Hirecar down to Queenstown that same day.

 

[straitman]

Well thanks all for the feedback. I've decided not to risk it, especially as the flight in would be with JetScare, I mean Jetstar. And instead of overnighting it, I'm taking the Hirecar down to Queenstown that same day.

It's a great drive.

 

[Flashback]

It's a great drive.

'Tis indeed, and luckily I didn't have to do it....... that's what the bus driver is for. I just sat back and enjoyed the beautiful scenery

 

[docjames]

It's a great drive.

Agree.

Dunedin-Queenstown by road is pretty good too. There's a great part heading up from the coast highway that just seems to keep winding along for kilometre after kilometre next to a river that is so blue it's unbelieveable!

 

[serfty]

... I wont be able to check in all the way through as its being bought on seperate tickets. ...

If the connection times betwixt the bookings meets MCT then you should be able to check all the way through.

However, I agree that 40 mins would be very tight.

 

[Holly]

Agree. Have done MEL-AKL-DUD and DUD-CHC-MEL last year.

MINIMUM (and i mean, bare) minimum i'd even considere is an hour, i'd be comfortable with 1h30. And no less than 1h15 if on different tix.

What is annoying is the QF flight CHC-Queenstown leaves just after (30 mins iirc) the QF arrives from MEL into CHC, so you cant connect.

Here's my mini trip report which describes an extraordinary chain of events on this topic....

I recently did Melbourne to CHC on JQ then connecting to Queenstown on QF. The connections were tight but within the 1.5hr they recommend for transfer from international to domestic terminal in CHC. Nevertheless on the actual day when I arrived at Tullamarine to check in, there were departure delays expected due to snow storms overnight. The flight which was due to depart at 9am from MEL didn't leave until ~10.20am, so instead of arriving at 13.55 in CHC, I got in at around 14.55! And my flight to Queenstown was starting to look v improbable given that it was to depart at 15.30 and bearing in mind the usual ticket conditions that "latest check-in is 30minutes before departure"!

As soon as we touched down, it was a mad scramble off the plane, ran to the queues in customs & I was actually out collecting my luggage at around the 10min mark (!). Whilst waiting for my bags, I went to the Jetstar counter & asked the person there if it was possible to radio ahead on our behalf to the QF check-in that my travel group's flight from MEL had been delayed but that we were still coming....I know, worth a long shot but to my surprise the JQ person kindly did that for us whilst we waited for all our bags to come. After the last bag was collected, I thanked the guy and we ran to the QF check-in which was ALL THE WAY down the OTHER end of CHC airport, navigating pass the various obstacles (eg. AirNZ's counter, the other travel & souvenir shops, other departure gates, etc) .

Finally we reached the QF domestic check-ins and to my surprise there were NO queues at all. The lady sitting behind the one counter which was opened remarked "You must be the travelling group that I'm expecting!" I literally threw our passports and itinerary down and put our bags one by one onto the conveyor belt. As she passed us our boarding passes, it was now 15.25. She could see we were all panicked and catching our breath after all the dashing & scrambling, and assured us that in fact the flight to Queenstown had also been delayed! Also luckily for us the departure gate was literally upstairs.

And that was how I managed to go through customs, quarantine, baggage collection, and finally check-in at CHC in around 35min! A most surreal experience and I really count my blessings that everything worked out despite the fact that a lot of things were well beyond my control...still can't believe how lucky I was!!