Getting from Auckland Airport to the city

No train

Auckland's airport has no rail connection. This surprises visitors from cities of comparable size, and it means every option below sits in the same motorway traffic.

SkyDrive

• About 35 minutes to the city centre.
• Under NZD 20 for an adult, under NZD 10 for a child, with student and senior fares in between.
• Runs frequently through the day and into the evening.
• Luggage space is proper, which the public bus cannot always promise.

The public bus

• Cheaper than SkyDrive, and slower.
• An AT HOP card cuts the fare against paying cash, and works across Auckland's buses, trains and ferries.
• Buy the AT HOP card at the airport or a convenience store - it pays for itself quickly if you are using public transport at all.

Cars

• Auckland is a driving city and New Zealand is a driving country. If your trip involves anything beyond Auckland, hiring at the airport is usually the plan.
• Uber and Ola operate, collecting from designated areas.
• Taxis are metered with an airport surcharge.

Timing your departure

• The southern motorway backs up badly in the afternoon peak.
• A journey that takes 35 minutes at 10:00 can take well over an hour at 17:00.
• Allow for it. This is the practical difference between a calm departure and a sprint through the terminal.