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Getting There By Air:

Auckland International Airport (AKL)
Tel: (09) 275 0789.
Website: www.auckland-airport.co.nz  

Auckland International Airport is located 21km (14 miles) south of central Auckland, in the suburb of Mangere. It is one of the two main international gateways to New Zealand - the other being Christchurch, on the South Island. The airport handles, on average, more than 23,000 passengers per day. There are direct flights to several countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, the UK and the USA, as well as a few other countries in Europe. There is one international terminal and are two domestic terminals, run by Air New Zealand and Qantas respectively. The terminals are linked by a regular free shuttle bus service. There is also a short marked footpath between the terminals.

Approximate flight times to Auckland: From London is 24 to 26 hours; from New York is 21 hours; from Los Angeles is 16 hours; from Toronto is 21 hours and from Sydney is 3 hours.

Airport facilities: Facilities include a bank, tourist information center that stays open for all international arrivals, bureau de change, snack bars, newsagent, duty-free shops, restaurant, courtesy telephones, Internet access terminals, Wi-Fi hotspots (for a charge), left luggage and car hire from Avis, Budget and Hertz, as well as a variety of domestic operators. There are also free showers, although you must pay for the use of a towel.

Business facilities: There is no business center as such, although the Airport Camera Center (tel: (09) 256 8660), located on the first floor of the International Terminal and open daily 0700-1900, has photocopying, courier and faxing services as well as a post shop. Two conference rooms, the Marlborough and Blenheim Conference Rooms (tel: (09) 256 8782), situated on the top floor, are available to hire, with full catering facilities available. Space for private meetings can be booked in one of three areas in the Air New Zealand Domestic Terminal - The Club House, The Cabin or The Coachrooms (tel: (09) 256 8936). All international airlines provide VIP lounges.

Transport to the city: Airbus Express (tel: (09) 275 9396; website: www.airbus.co.nz) connects the international and domestic terminals with the Downtown Ferry Terminal and various hotels and hostels, leaving every 20 to 30 minutes (journey time - approximately 1 hour). Tickets are available from the driver. Super Shuttle (tel: (09) 522 5100; website: www.supershuttle.co.nz) operates private shuttle services into the city. Local buses also run to the city center and other locations; contact Maxx (tel: (09) 366 6400; website: www.maxx.co.nz) for details. A taxi to the city center will cost approximately NZ$55.

Getting There By Water:

There are only two ways to get to New Zealand by water - as part of a round-the-world cruise or by crewing on somebody’s yacht, and picking up a berth in South America or Australia. Most cruise ships call at Auckland Harbour in February, stopping for a couple of days before continuing on their way.

The Tasman Sea, between Australia and New Zealand, is some 3,200km (2,000 miles) of lumpy water that can cut up rough at the drop of a hat. The Pacific Ocean between South America and New Zealand is also renowned for being mischievous. This probably explains why the majority of visitors prefer to fly. However, Auckland’s popularity as a cruise stop is still growing.

Auckland is the ‘City of Sails’ and the harbor is extremely important to the city’s economic and cultural life, which is primarily one of outdoor hedonism. The titular sails are those of an enormous number of private yachts, which compete for space with privately owned pleasure boats ranging from single-engine put-puts to luxury cruisers, upon which people sip cocktails while watching the back wash and listening to the bumble bee-like drone of jet skis hooning around.

Auckland Harbour is located in central Auckland, on the Waitemata Harbour (opposite Queen Elizabeth II Square), and is New Zealand’s maritime hub, providing shipping links to 160 ports in 73 countries. Ports of Auckland (tel: (09) 366 0055; website: www.poal.co.nz) owns and operates ports in the east and west coast of North Island, including Auckland Harbour.

The main passenger sectors are the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Queens Wharf and Princes Wharf, which stand alongside each other, off Quay Street, right at the heart of Auckland Harbour. Cruise liners call at the Overseas Passenger Terminal and Queens Wharf, where facilities are numerous. Since this was the focus of the America’s Cup, the whole area is awash with smart restaurants, trendy pubs and other entertainment options.

Ferry services: Ferries operated by Fullers (tel: (09) 367 9111; website: www.fullers.co.nz) depart from the ferry terminal on Quay Street. Destinations are largely limited to local routes, such as Devonport, Bayswater, Birkenhead and Stanley Bay (see Getting Around). However, there are also regular services to the Hauraki Gulf Islands, particularly Great Barrier and Waiheke islands; competing with these services is the Sealink (tel: (09) 300 5900 or 0800 732 546; website: www.sealink.co.nz) which also runs from the wharfs of the ferry terminal on Queen Street.

Getting There By Road:

Driving in New Zealand is easy and inexpensive. Although Auckland is one of the busiest areas, in terms of traffic, it is still relatively quiet by European standards. Nearly all roads are State Highways, designated by ‘SH’ and a number. Small numbers refer to the major routes between destinations (such as SH1 from Auckland to Wellington) while larger numbers indicate smaller roads linking smaller destinations (such as SH94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound). All other roads, of which there are a few, are known, although not officially, as ‘B’ roads. These are often little more than ribbons of tarmac or, on some occasions, ‘metalled’ roads, where the surface is made of loose chippings.

A valid national driving license is all that is required for driving in New Zealand for up to 12 months. The legal driving age is 18 years. Insurance is not mandatory but is recommended. Traffic drives on the left and most roads are quiet. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08% (0.03% for drivers under 20 years). Speed limits are 100kph (62mph) on open roads, 50kph (31mph) in urban areas and 20kph (12mph) in the vicinity of schools and stopped school buses. There are ‘Limited Speed Zones’ where the speed limit is often reduced from 100kph (62mph) to 50kph (31mph) in adverse conditions.

The AA (website: www.aa.co.nz) provides information on road conditions (tel: 0900 33222) and general information (tel: 0800 500 222) and has a reciprocal agreement with the British AA, whereby visiting drivers can get maps free of charge.

Emergency breakdown service: The AA (tel: 0800 500 222 or *222 if calling from a mobile).

Routes to the city: SH1 north runs parallel to the east coast of North Island to Warkworth and then on to Bay of Islands, Northland Forest Park and Cape Reinga. SH1 south heads toward Hamilton and Wellington, which links with SH5 to Rotorua, SH29 to Taurangia, SH2 to Gisbourne, SH3 to New Plymouth (via the west coast and linking with Raglan or Waitomo), SH5 to Napier and SH4 to Wanganui.

Approximate driving times to Auckland: From Rotorua - 2 hours 30 minutes; Bay of Islands - 3 hours; Wellington - 8 to 9 hours.

Coach services: Auckland has good coach links with other major New Zealand towns and cities, as well as the more popular tourist areas. Coaches operate from the Sky City Coach Terminal, 102 Hobson Street (tel: (09) 913 6100), where there are basic facilities, such as left luggage, a cafe and toilets. Coaches also operate from the Northliner Travel Center, 172 Quay Street (tel: (09) 307 5873), opposite the ferry terminal.

The biggest coach service provider throughout New Zealand is InterCity (tel: (09) 623 1503; website: www.intercitycoach.co.nz), in conjunction with its partner, Newmans (tel: (09) 623 1504; website: www.newmanscoach.co.nz). Apart from these two major bus companies, there are smaller operators and shuttle bus companies, all of which provide an alternative way of getting beyond the city limits. Go Kiwi Shuttles (tel: (07) 866 0336 or 0800 446 549; website: www.go-kiwi.co.nz) runs to the Coromandel Peninsula and Rotorua, while Northliner Express (tel: (09) 307 5873; website: www.northliner.co.nz) travels to the Bay of Islands. Smaller operators, as well as the Airbus Express, stop outside the Scenic Tours and Travel Office at 172 Quay Street, opposite the Downtown Ferry Terminal.

Getting There By Rail:

Tranz Scenic (tel: 0800 872 467, in New Zealand only or (04) 495 0775; website: www.tranzscenic.co.nz) operates New Zealand’s rail service. Trains are efficient and reasonably priced but rare, operating more as a tourist service than a business or commuter network. Auckland Station, the largest underground diesel train station in the world, is in the Britomart Center, a purpose-designed, combined train and local bus station in the old post office building opposite Queen Elizabeth II Square, at the harbor end of Queen Street. The building itself is attractive in a modern, grandiose way and the facilities are what you’d expect in a new, purpose-built terminus.

Rail services: The only service, apart from infrequent local suburban commuter trains, is the daily early morning Overlander service to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, on the southern tip of North Island, as well as an overnight service from Sunday to Friday (journey time - approximately 12 hours).

Getting Around:




Public Transport
Stagecoach Auckland (tel: (09) 373 9118; website: www.stagecoach.co.nz) operates a reasonable bus network around Auckland, most of which leave from the Britomart Center (see Getting There By Rail).

‘The Link’ is a city center loop-route bus convenient to explore the city. The Auckland Discovery Day Pass provides unlimited travel on almost all buses, trains and inner harbor ferries (see below) to the North Shore (including Devonport) for the day of purchase, while the Auckland Pass is valid on any buses, link buses and North-shore and downtown ferries. Tickets are available for purchase upon boarding, at stations and at visitor centers. There is a free Auckland Busabout Guide available from newsagents and visitor centers, which lists routes and fares.

Auckland has a small, commuter metro service run by Veolia Transport Auckland (tel: (09) 969 7777; website: www.veoliatransport.co.nz), with three main lines, although it is of little value to tourists as it serves only to link the suburbs with central Auckland for the benefit of footsore commuters. There are no trains on Sundays.

The metro service has six fare stages. A Day Rover pass is is valid from 0900 Monday to Friday and any time on Saturday. A 10-trip carnet and a monthly pass are also available. You can buy all tickets and passes on the train (exact change is recommended) or more cheaply at the Britomart.

Ferries, operated by Fullers (tel: (09) 367 9111; website: www.fullers.co.nz), link the ferry terminal on Quay Street with some of the further suburbs, such as Devonport, Bayswater, Birkenhead and Stanley Bay. Ferries operate seven days a week. Fares vary and fluctuate with the price of oil. Tickets are available on board, at the terminals and in visitor centers.

The information service Maxx (tel: (09) 366 6400 or 0800 103 080; website: www.maxx.co.nz) provides integrated details on all public transport services. Alternatively pick up the Getting Around Auckland transport guide from the Britomart station.

The main service that visitors will find useful is the Explorer Bus (tel: (09) 571 3116 or 0800 439 756; website: www.explorerbus.co.nz), with one bus running every half hour from 0900-1600 (October to April) and hourly for the rest of the year from 1000-1600 (see Tours of the City), linking up all the major tourist attractions. The hop-on hop-off bus starts and terminates at the ferry terminal on Quay Street. Tickets are available from the driver.

Taxis
There are several private taxi companies in Auckland, with ranks situated around the city. Taxis can also be hailed in the street, although booking by telephone is the usual option. One of the biggest companies is the Auckland Co-op (tel: (09) 300 3000; website: www.cooptaxi.co.nz). Alternatively, visitors could try Alert (tel: (09) 309 2000 or 4000 for larger vehicles; website: www.alerttaxis.co.nz), Corporate Cabs (tel (09) 377 0773; website: www.corporatecabs.co.nz) or Discount (tel: (09) 529 1000). Taxis are metered, with a minimum charge of NZ$3. Tipping is not expected.

Driving in the City
Auckland is as big and busy as any other major city but driving is not the stressful experience it can be elsewhere. Drivers in New Zealand are much more courteous out in the country and reasonably tolerant in the city. A car is useful, because of the sprawling nature of Auckland and the fact that the roads are in good condition and fairly well signposted. However, the Downtown area gets very congested, especially in the morning and evening rush hours and, in particular, on a Friday afternoon. Parking downtown can also be a problem. Central 24-hour car parks include Albert Street (to the west of Queen Street and close to the waterfront), Customs Street West and Beresford Street, near Karangahape (K) Road.

Car Hire
All the major international car hire companies have offices in Auckland, as well as several domestic companies. Most of the large depots are out towards the airport but there are usually shuttle services to and from them. Drivers must be over 21 years of age - some companies add on a hefty surcharge if the driver is less than 25 years. A valid national or international driving license is required - in some cases, if the license has been held for less than three to five years, an extra insurance excess may apply.

Fully comprehensive insurance is not compulsory but is advisable and often included as part of the car hire deal, as many local drivers in rural areas take a very relaxed attitude to driving regulations and may not be insured themselves. However, extra insurance is not really necessary, as with each hire, there is a refundable accident bond (a credit card slip for anything from NZ$500 to NZ$1,000), which goes toward the cost of repairs (either part of it or in its entirety), should the driver have a prang. Drivers will probably find, when hunting around, that the best deals are available from mid-range domestic firms and that money can be saved by booking a car upon arrival in New Zealand, rather than beforehand.

The main car hire companies include Ace Rental Cars (tel: (09) 303 3112 or 0800 502 277; website: www.acerentalcars.co.nz), A2B (tel: (09) 377 0825 or 0800 222 999; website: www.a2brentals.co.nz), Avis (tel: (09) 275 7239 or 0800 284 722; website: www.avis.co.nz), Budget (tel: (09) 976 2270 or 0800 283 438; website: www.budget.co.nz), Hertz (tel: (09) 256 8695 or 0800 654 321; website: www.hertz.com) and Maui (tel: (09) 275 3013 or 0800 651 080; website: www.maui.co.nz), which also hires out camper vans, as does KEA Campers (tel: (09) 441 7833 or 0800 520 052; website www.keacampers.com).

Bicycle Hire
Cycling is popular in New Zealand and Auckland is a pleasant city in which to practice this pastime - away from the center and the rush-hour traffic. A signposted cycle route runs for 50km (31 miles) along the waterfront and around the city. There are several bicycle hire companies, including Adventure Cycles, 1 Laurie Avenue, Parnell (tel: (09) 940 2453; website: www.adventure-auckland.co.nz). The company also hires out bikes for a month-long period, for those who fancy a quick pedal around the North Island.

Auckland has many motorcycle hire companies, with the minimum size of bike usually being 250cc, which requires a full motorcycle license. Smaller scooters and mopeds, where an ordinary car driving license is all that is required, can be hired for short trips but are of limited value when touring the city and no value at all on longer trips. Providers include Bike Adventure New Zealand, 55A Baldhill Road, Pukekohe (tel: (027) 498 8287 or 0800 498 600; website: www.banz.co.nz), New Zealand Motorcycle Rentals and Tours, 35 Crummer Road, Ponsonby (tel: (09) 360 7940; website: www.nzbike.com), and Te Waipounamu Motorcycle Tours, 54 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna (tel: (09) 489 9242; website: www.motorcycle-hire.co.nz). Waiheke Island Rental Cars, Waiheke Island (tel: (09) 372 8635), the only place a scooter comes into its own, offers a similar deal to those available on the main land. To hire a scooter in Auckland, try Scootling, 11 Great North Road (tel: (09) 360 0717; website: www.scootling.co.nz).

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