Their unexpected success saw the part-time footballers playing on the same fields as football galaticos Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos.
But it created a logistical challenge as administrators worked to get the players and staff back to New Zealand, with the side never expected to get as far as they did.
"I don't know what the final bill will be but I think we have already spent close to $45,000 to change tickets and buy new flights," said Auckland City chairman Ivan Vuksich. "It's been a lot of work."
The team were initially booked to leave Morocco the day after their first match against Moghreb Tetouan on December 11. They won on penalties, then three days later caused another shock by beating African champions ES Setif to progress to the semifinal. That victory extended their stay in Morocco by almost a week.
"We went back to our airline and were told that, in some cases, there were simply no seats available on those dates we needed," Vuksich said. "There were some seats available in early January, but that just wasn't practical."
The club has had to shell out for higher fares and buy seats on other flights to ensure the players can be home for Christmas.
Watch: Auckland City FC - Thank you
The first group will arrive back tomorrow morning. Others will arrive in two separate groups later that day and some, including coach Ramon Tribulietx, will instead head to Europe.
Fifa covers the costs of all competing teams' travel to the Club World Cup - but only to a point. It asks them for quotes, verifies the amounts and then deposits the money into a bank account.
That is where its involvement stops, and costs associated with travel on dates other than the one specified are the clubs' responsibility.
"It's part of the deal and you just have to live with it," Vuksich said. "It hasn't helped being so close to Christmas when a lot of flights are full."
Plans are being put in place for a civic welcome to celebrate the team's achievement. The chief executive of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, Brett O'Riley, said the organisation was in discussions with the club to plan "an appropriate civic welcome for the team in the New Year".
"No formal plans are in place at this stage but we look forward to working with the team in due course."
Mr Vuksich said the recognition meant a lot.
"To be recognised by the civic leaders is absolutely wonderful."
City's road to glory
*Auckland City 0 Moghreb Tetouan 0 (Auckland won 4-3 on penalties)
*Auckland City 1 ES Setif 0
*Auckland City 1 San Lorenzo 2 (after extra time)
*Auckland City 1 Cruz Azul 1 (Auckland won 4-2 on penalties)
- additional reporting: Morgan Tait
