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, nine gates (21 – 29 or 41 – 49) are re-numbered depending on whether the departing flight is domestic or international. Travellers can expect free WiFi and a good range in restaurants, with Subway being the only place open during airport hours (approx. 3:30 AM – 1:30 AM). 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
The Wellington Airport closes nightly between 1:30 AM and 3:30 AM. Generally, it is impossible to spend the night inside the airport unless in the case of an emergency such as major flight cancellations; however, some recent travellers reported no problem staying in the terminal overnight.
For daytime sleepers, you’ll find some armrest-free seating and couches throughout the airport.
Bright fluorescent lighting and noise have been reported. Come prepared with eyeshades and earplugs or noise-cancellation headphones.
If you’re looking for uninterrupted sleep – or if you get evicted – there are nearby hotels connected by shuttles. See our Airport Hotels section below for locations and shuttle information.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips or click here to write your own.
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 website 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 website, 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 1.30 AM – 3:30 AM. In October 2014, we received an email from a reader who let us know that airport sleepers are asked to leave the terminal between 2:00 AM – 4:00 AM “unless they have “airline problems” like major flight disruptions – thus overnight sleeping on a ‘regular basis’ is not possible.”
Airport Hours
The airport is open from 3:00 AM – 1:30 AM daily.
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 gives you nightmares, there is good news for those who are looking to sleep at Wellington Airport in comfort. If you are on a layover, you must pass through immigration/security as there is no transit hotel or accommodation on the airside. One hotel is conveniently connected to the terminal from the public area and several nearby hotels.
- 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 – A 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 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 for deals, and read traveller reviews.
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 (i.e. Koru Club or Qantas Club). Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain 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
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does Wellington Airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
There is a good variety of restaurants available both Landside and Airside, although none are open 24 hours. Subway is open from 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM. A reader tells us there is a Burger King within 5-minute walk from the terminal.
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: 5:30 AM – 1:00 AM.
Mobile Charging
A reader tells us that mobile charging stations are available. (February 2020)
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers
Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Free shower facilities are located on the landside, Level 1, to the left and the right of the main entrance. Bring your own toiletries and towel!
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Wellington Airport. Connect to the ” WLG Airport Free WiFi ” network.
More Airport Information
Airport Ambassadors – They can be found in the busiest parts of the airport between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM 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 check your bank’s fee schedule and 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: 4:00 AM – 7:30 PM • International, Arrivals. Hours: Open to all international flights • International Departures. Hours: Open to all international flights.
Duty-Free & Shopping – JR Duty-Free is available on International Departures and is open for all incoming and outgoing international flights. Relay convenience store opens at 6:00 AM and closes at 8:00 PM (except Saturdays when it closes at 7:00 PM). Retail, cosmetic and souvenir shops are also available.
Information Desk – If you require assistance and do not see an Airport Ambassador, 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.
Medical Services – There is no dedicated clinic or station at the airport; however, should you require medical assistance, seek help from any staff member or use any courtesy phone (ground and 1st Floor). The airport’s fire service is trained for medical emergencies.
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.
Bus
Metlink Route 2 offers daily service to Seatoun City. The nearest stop is Hobart or Broadway, a 7-minute walk or around 700m from the airport.
The Airport Express Bus connects Wellington Airport to the Wellington Railway Station. Free WiFi and USB charging ports are available on board. Travel Time: 20-25 minutes. Frequency: 10-20 minutes. For information on fares and stops, visit the Metlink website.
Car Rentals
Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Europcar • EZI Car • Hertz • Thrifty offer car rental services on-site at Wellington Airport. Location: Level 0 of the main terminal.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update, we found just one hotel offering an airport shuttle: Brentwood Hotel.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Shuttle
Super Shuttle provides connections to various 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.
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Wellington Airport.
However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is 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 websites. 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.