Taupo Airport

Taupo Airport (IATA: TUO) opened in the mid-20th century (1950s) and operates from a single compact terminal that serves the central North Island. As a small but strategically important regional gateway to Lake Taupō and Tongariro National Park, TUO handles scheduled domestic flights—primarily to Auckland—alongside scenic, charter and skydiving flights, and serves as a base for local sightseeing operators and regional carriers such as Air New Zealand Link. The airport is a short 10–15 minute drive from Taupō town centre with car hire, shuttles, taxis and limited bus links available. Facilities are straightforward and travellers generally find fares and on-site costs budget-friendly for short domestic hops.