Even though it’s not the capital of New Zealand — actually, that’s Wellington — Auckland gets over 3.3 million international visitors a year. With so many tourists and 1.7 million locals, having a straightforward and reliable public transport system is paramount.
Auckland meets this need with a broad range of travel options. There are buses, trains, ferries, taxis, rideshares, and even e-scooters. Whatever your destination is, you’ll probably find it easy to get there using the city’s public transit options.
AT Metro Buses and Trains
Auckland has an extensive bus and train network managed by Auckland Transport, a division of the New Zealand government.
Train and bus service begins shortly after 5:00 am, and the vehicles depart on their final runs of the day just before midnight. Depending on the bus or train route, public transit vehicles may operate as frequently as once every 10 minutes.
Smart urban transportation is gaining traction globally, and the NZ government is already on board. It has a goal of having the entire fleet of buses operate via electricity by 2036, phasing out their older diesel counterparts forever. The program is off to an excellent start. In 2025, an entire fleet of electric buses was introduced, including 26 double-deckers.
The rail system consists of twin underground train tunnels running underneath the city center. It’s comparable to the rapid transit systems operating in Sydney and Vancouver.
Both buses and trains are wheelchair accessible. Every train station has a dedicated wheelchair space, and over 91% of the current bus fleet is suitable for wheelchairs.
AT Metro Ferry Service
Ferries can be boarded at the Downtown Ferry Terminal on Auckland Harbour to 10 commuter destinations, including Bayswater, Half Moon Bay, and Pine Harbour. You can also get the two day-trip ferries to Rakino and Waiheke from here. The ferries run every 30 minutes, from around 6 am until 10 pm on weekdays, with reduced service on weekends.
The average age of Auckland’s ferries is 20 years, with some expected to have around 10 years of service left in them. AT plans to build electric and hybrid ferries to replace the aging fleet. After listening to feedback from commuters, they will make boarding and disembarking more seamless, redesign the interiors for better space utilization, and provide additional areas for luggage and prams.
The AT website is a comprehensive source of information. One of its best features is the journey planner page. Enter your starting point and destination, and it will give you all your options, including the duration and the cost. Download the app so you have instant access to it wherever you are in Auckland.
How to Pay for Your Trip
Contactless payments are preferred on Auckland’s metro system. That said, it’s possible to pay by cash at the Downtown Ferry terminal and at some train station ticket boxes.
The alternatives are tap-and-go, using any debit or credit card, or a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay. There are tap-on and tap-off machines on every bus and at every station. The charge is calculated when you tap off. Be sure to do this when you complete your ride to avoid being charged the full destination fare. Currently, this system charges adult fares only; there are no concession options.
The better option is to purchase an AT Hop prepaid card. These can be obtained from train and ferry stations and numerous retail outlets across Auckland. They can be topped up online or at ticket machines. Cards are available for adults, children, students, and seniors. An advantage of these cards for frequent travelers is that they’re capped at NZD50 (USD29) travel per week. Any trips taken after that amount is reached are free for the rest of the week.
Rideshare Services and Taxis
There are five rideshare operators in Auckland: Uber, Ola, Yourride, Bolt, and Talixo. Each of them has an app, and rides can be booked immediately or scheduled for a future time. Vehicles come in three choices: economy, luxury, and large-capacity cars. Uber has an Uber-Green option for environmentally conscious travelers.
Auckland has two taxi cooperatives, Auckland Co-Op Taxis and SATA. They all operate with a meter, and the fare calculation is displayed in every vehicle. The taxis in Auckland are strictly regulated, so it’s unlikely that you’d be a victim of any taxi scams, as you might in some other large cities.
Like in most major urban centers, rideshares tend to be more affordable than taxis, except during peak-surge times. The apps will notify you in advance if this is the case.
Other Ways to Get Around
Along with public transport, taxis, and rideshares, there are three other ways to see Auckland.
E-scooters
Environmentally friendly and so easy to use, e-scooters are taking off in Auckland. It’s estimated that 79% of locals have used an e-scooter in Auckland, showing just how popular they are. They’re dockless and can be unlocked via an app; you ride, then drop them off anywhere. The unlock fee is NZD1 (USD0.60), and it’s charged per minute, averaging out to around NZD18 (USD10) per hour.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
One of the best ways to discover a new city as a tourist is via a hop-on hop-off bus. Auckland has one that takes you to all the major tourist attractions like the War Memorial, the Maritime Museum, and Queen’s Wharf. The service runs daily, every hour from 10 am until 5 pm, and you can choose a one- or two-day pass.
Walk
The Auckland CBD is relatively small, 4.33 km2, and if you’re staying in a city hotel, walking is one of your best options. It’s an opportunity to see the little things that you might miss by whizzing by on a bus or train.
Then there’s going out at night, for which Queen’s Wharf and waterfront restaurants are popular choices. And if you’re in the mood for some gambling after dinner, the most popular casinos might offer no deposit bonuses, but nothing beats the excitement of visiting SkyCity Casino.
When you’re out at any of these places, you may be tempted to have a drink or two, so walking back to your hotel makes sense.
Airport Transfers
Auckland Airport is 20km south of the CBD, and there are a few ways to get there.
Taxis are by far the fastest and most convenient, taking around 20 minutes and costing between NZD45 and NZD85, depending on the traffic and weather.
For groups or people with many suitcases, the SkyDrive shuttle bus service can be booked in advance or at the airport for around NZD35.
If you have the time, say, your hotel’s check-in time isn’t for an hour or so, you can catch public transport, Airport Link Bus 38 to Puhinui Station, then a train to the city. This option is also the most affordable at NZD6.