How to Navigate Public Transport in Auckland - Best Ways to Get Around Auckland

As one of New Zealand's most dynamic and vibrant tourist hotspots, Auckland attracts visitors from every corner of the globe. Those who are heading to the Kiwi city on a business trip or a holiday will find that there are a plethora of public transport options accessible to travellers. From hopping on local buses to enjoying train and ferry rides, here's how to get around with ease during your next trip to Auckland.



Dillon Mahoney, Fullers Ferry Te Kotuku, CC BY-SA 4.0

1. Secure a Convenient Base


Although Auckland offers tourists an array of public transport services, one cannot overstate the advantage of staying in a conveniently placed hotel. Whether you choose the Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences or any similar rest, it is crucial to consider the venue's proximity to the key attractions and main points of interest in the city. Tourists who stay in the CBD will be able to walk to most of the highlights in the city including its best shopping hubs and restaurants. Those who are unable to secure a strategically situated hotel must find a base close to the bus and train station so that the top things to do in Auckland City are easy to access.



2. Buy a HOP Card


Tourists who arrive in Auckland must first purchase a HOP Card at a local HOP retailer or online as this card can be used to pay for every train, ferry and bus ride in the city. This travel pass, which is easy to top-up in value can serve as your main travel currency when using ferries, buses and trains on holiday. One can load money or cash into the card manually or sign up for a top-up system that adds cash to the card when the value dips after use. Travellers must tap the card at SkyBus stations and other transport hubs to pay for each ride after disembarkation. Students who are vacationing in Auckland can get discounts on bus, train and ferry fares by visiting the official website for Auckland Transport services.



3. Buses


Available between 6 am and 12 midnight, bus services serve the inner city suburbs and the Central Business District in Auckland. City centre travel is delegated to red buses while yellow and green buses are for navigating the inner suburbs. Blue buses; on the other hand, connect the CBD to the beach towns to the east of the city while there is a special Northern Busway service for transfers to the North Shore. Tourists can download the Auckland Transport app to their smartphones to check bus numbers and routes or visit the official website for up-to-date timetables.



4. Trains


With 41 train stations dotting the city, train travel is alive and well in Auckland where train services are divided into 4 lines. Ideal for those who are travelling longer distances, train stations are often located near bus stops in most locations. The Auckland Transport app also includes an online journey planner for those who wish to rely on train travel during their time in the city.



5. Ferry Travel


Ferries are a scenic mode of transport that's far less useful than most other means of travel in Auckland. Those who wish to experience travelling around Auckland via its waterways and marvelling at Harbour Bridge and Rangitoto, however, will find that it is the most romantic way to get around on a clear sunny day. Weekends are the busiest time of the week for ferry travel as locals and tourists all take ferry rides for the stunning views. SeaLink and Fullers are the two main ferry operators in Auckland although there are some smaller tour operators offering transfers to lesser-known areas of the city.