The fastest way to get to central Auckland is 20 nzd on the SkyDrive special bus service.
Regular public transport beyond 6,25 nzd is via AirLink bus, transferring to the train at Puhinui Station.
Read below to find out exactly where the buses go, how to pay for your ticket and how much taxis or car hire cost.
Car rental
If you're heading straight out of Auckland from the airport for a road-trip around New Zealand, rent a car right at the terminal, where many rental car branches of well-known and local brands are located.
Weekly rental prices start at prices from 260 nzd.
Car rental counters are located in the arrivals hall of the international terminal or in the garages opposite the domestic terminal.
Public transport to Auckland
There are three ways to get to central Auckland.
| Price | Travel time | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SkyDrive bus | 20 nzd | 35 minutes | 30 minutes |
| AirLink bus + Train | 6,25 nzd | 69 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Bus 38 + Bus 30 | 6,25 nzd | 60 to 80 minutes | 30 minutes |
Direct bus SkyDrive
The SkyDrive private bus service runs non-stop to the SkyTower in SkyCity right in the centre of Auckland.
These buses are not subject to Auckland Public Transport fares.
The SkyDrive line doesn't stop anywhere along the way.
Tickets are priced at NZ$20 and can be booked online via the official skydrive.co.nz website or bought from the driver (card payment only).
- Ticket price - 20 nzd
- Journey time - 35 minutes
- Frequency - 30 minutes
- Last bus from the airport - 5:00
- First bus from the centre - 5:26
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AirportLink bus + train
The cheapest way to get around for NZ$6.25 is by public transport, "Auckland Transport". In this case, however, you have to change trains once.
The "AirportLink" bus runs between the airport and the nearby Puhinui train station. Here you change to the suburban train of the yellow (South) or red (East) line. Both routes go to Auckland Britomart Central Station.
For transport searches and timetables, visit at.govt.nz.
- Ticket price - 6,25 nzd
- Total journey time to Britomart station - 10 minutes
- Frequency - 10 minutes
- Last bus from the airport connecting to the train - 21:54
- First train from Britomart - 5:26
Pay your fare conveniently with your own contactless card. On the bus, you attach the card to the reader at the driver's desk and on the train, you attach the card to the turnstile when you enter the platform and also when you get off.
Alternatively, you can purchase an "AT HOP" transport card from the machine at the bus stop behind 5 nzd. However, the fare is no cheaper than if you pay with your own contactless card.
Bus 38 + Bus 30
For an alternative journey to the centre for the same price 6,25 nzd will offer bus 38 to Onehuga station, where you can change to bus 30 to the centre.
This is particularly useful in the evening when the AirLink bus and train are no longer running.
- Ticket price - 6,25 nzd
- Total journey time to the centre - 65 minutes
- Frequency - 30 minutes
- Last bus from the airport with connection to the bus to the centre - 23:05
For transport searches and timetables, visit at.govt.nz.
Taxi, Uber
For the most convenient way to get directly to your hotel, use the numerous taxis or the very popular Uber mobile app, which works great in Auckland.
Usually Uber has lower prices than conventional taxis, but the price varies only within units of dollars.
Prices are calculated by combining distance and travel time, so at peak times when there are bigger queues, the price is also higher.
The prices are as follows:
- Taxi - flat rate to downtown 75 nzd
- Uber - prices from 62 nzd
Regular taxis can be paid for with cash and card.
Intercity buses
InterCity's long-distance buses also stop at the airport and run to various destinations on the North Island.
Direct services run to Hamilton, Rotorua and Tauranga, for example.
Tickets can be purchased at intercity.co.nz.
