The 3 Closest Airports to taupo
The 3 Closest Airports to Taupō
Taupō, nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, is a popular destination known for its stunning lake and volcanic landscapes. While it has its own airport, travellers often consider nearby options depending on flight availability, cost, and destination. Here’s a look at the three airports closest to Taupō.
Taupō Airport (TUO)
This is the domestic airport serving the town of Taupō itself. Naturally, it is the closest option geographically, located right on the edge of town. It primarily handles regional flights connecting Taupō with major New Zealand hubs. It is not considered a major airport.
- Distance to Taupō: Approximately 8 km (5 miles) / 10-minute drive to Taupō town centre.
- Address: Anzac Memorial Drive, Taupō 3378, New Zealand.
- Pros, Cons, Airlines, Car Rental: Pros: Extremely convenient location, very short transfer time; Cons: Very limited flight routes and frequency, smaller aircraft, can be more expensive; Airlines: Air New Zealand (via Eagle Airways/Air Nelson links – check current schedules), Sounds Air; Car Rental: Avis, Budget, Hertz (check availability based on flights).
- Official Website: https://www.taupoairport.co.nz/
- Phone: +64 7 378 7686 (Taupō District Council – Airport)
- Rating: Typically around 4.0-4.5 stars on Google Reviews (check current).
Rotorua Airport (ROT)
Rotorua Airport is the next closest option and serves the popular geothermal and cultural hub of Rotorua. It offers more domestic connections than Taupō Airport, making it a viable alternative. It is the closest regional airport to Taupō with a broader range of flight options than Taupō’s own airport.
- Distance to Taupō: Approximately 82 km (51 miles) / 1-hour drive.
- Address: 837 Te Ngae Road, Rotokawa, Rotorua 3074, New Zealand.
- Pros, Cons, Airlines, Car Rental: Pros: More flight options/destinations (e.g., Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch) than Taupō, relatively easy drive; Cons: Requires an hour’s drive/transfer to Taupō; Airlines: Air New Zealand; Car Rental: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty, Ezi Car Rental.
- Official Website: https://www.rotorua-airport.co.nz/
- Phone: +64 7 345 8800
- Rating: Typically around 4.0-4.3 stars on Google Reviews (check current).
Hamilton Airport (HLZ)
Hamilton Airport is further afield but provides a wider range of domestic flights than both Taupō and Rotorua. While not typically considered a major international airport (though it has handled trans-Tasman flights historically), it acts as a significant regional hub for the Waikato region.
- Distance to Taupō: Approximately 155 km (96 miles) / 1 hour 45 minutes to 2-hour drive.
- Address: Airport Road, Rukuhia, Hamilton 3282, New Zealand.
- Pros, Cons, Airlines, Car Rental: Pros: Greater selection of domestic routes and potentially more competitive pricing than ROT/TUO, larger facilities; Cons: Significantly longer drive to Taupō compared to TUO and ROT; Airlines: Air New Zealand, Originair (check current routes); Car Rental: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty, Ezi Car Rental.
- Official Website: https://www.hamiltonairport.co.nz/
- Phone: +64 7 848 9027
- Rating: Typically around 4.0-4.2 stars on Google Reviews (check current).
Conclusion
The closest airport to Taupō is undoubtedly Taupō Airport (TUO), located just minutes from the town centre. However, it has limited services. The closest airport with significantly more flight options (a regional hub) is Rotorua Airport (ROT), about an hour’s drive away. If considering "major" in terms of flight volume and connectivity within New Zealand, Hamilton (HLZ) offers more than Rotorua but is further away. The closest major international airport is Auckland Airport (AKL), which is considerably further (approx. 270 km / 3-3.5 hours drive). Therefore, for most travellers needing more options than Taupō’s own airport provides, Rotorua (ROT) represents the nearest significant alternative.
