Getting around · Auckland · New Zealand
Getting around Auckland
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Etherbug , Alan Collins, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
Auckland is spread out and car-centred, but the central city, waterfront and inner suburbs are walkable, and Auckland Transport (AT) runs trains, buses and ferries on one fare system. Ferries are the most enjoyable way to reach Devonport, Waiheke and Rangitoto. Not for the city itself, which you can see by foot, bus and ferry.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Ferry
- Airports
- AKL
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- AT HOP card
Ways to get around
Ferry
Ferries from the Downtown Ferry Terminal at the foot of Queen Street serve Devonport (about 12 minutes), Waiheke Island (about 40 minutes), Rangitoto and other Gulf destinations.
Waiheke and Rangitoto services are busy on summer weekends; buy tickets and check return times in advance.
Bus
Buses cover the whole city and are the main way to reach Ponsonby, Mount Eden, Dominion Road and the North Shore.
Tag on and off with an AT HOP card to get lower fares and free transfers.
Train
Suburban rail lines run from Waitematā (Britomart) station to the south, east and west, with useful stops at Newmarket, Mount Eden and Kingsland.
Walking
The city centre, Viaduct, Wynyard Quarter, Britomart and Albert Park are within 20 minutes' walk of each other, though Queen Street climbs steeply uphill.
Car
A car is useful for the west-coast beaches, Matakana and longer trips south. Driving is on the left; city traffic and parking are slow and expensive at peak times.
Ride-hailing
Uber and other ride-hailing apps operate widely and are convenient late at night or for trips to the airport.
Tickets and passes
AT HOP card
Auckland Transport's reloadable smartcard for trains, buses and most ferries, giving lower fares than cash and transfer discounts.
From the airport
Auckland Airport is about 20 km south of the city centre. The AirportLink bus connects to Puhinui station for trains into the city, taking about 45–60 minutes in total, while taxis and ride-hails take about 30–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Do you need a car?
Not for the city itself, which you can see by foot, bus and ferry. Rent a car for a day or two to reach Piha, Muriwai, Matakana or Hobbiton, or for touring the North Island.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Waiheke Island | About 40 minutes by ferry | Ferry from the Downtown Ferry Terminal to Matiatia |
| Muriwai gannet colony | About 45 minutes by car | Car or tour; no practical public transport |
| Tiritiri Matangi Island | About 75 minutes by ferry | Ferry from downtown Auckland via Gulf Harbour (selected days) |
| Matakana and Goat Island | About 1 hour by car | Car |
| Hobbiton Movie Set | About 2 hours by car | Car or organised coach tour |
| Waitomo Caves | About 2.5 hours by car | Car or organised tour |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Auckland?
Not for the city itself, which you can see by foot, bus and ferry. Rent a car for a day or two to reach Piha, Muriwai, Matakana or Hobbiton, or for touring the North Island.
+How do you get from the airport to Auckland?
Auckland Airport is about 20 km south of the city centre. The AirportLink bus connects to Puhinui station for trains into the city, taking about 45–60 minutes in total, while taxis and ride-hails take about 30–60 minutes depending on traffic.
+What is the best way to get around Auckland?
Ferry: Ferries from the Downtown Ferry Terminal at the foot of Queen Street serve Devonport (about 12 minutes), Waiheke Island (about 40 minutes), Rangitoto and other Gulf destinations.