Auckland, New Zealand — Travel Tips
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 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. 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. 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. The AA (tel: 0800 500 222; www.aa.co.nz) is the major motoring organization.
Emergency breakdown services
AA (tel: 0800 500 222).
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.
Driving times to the city
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. The biggest coach service provider throughout New Zealand is InterCity (tel: (09) 583 5780; www.intercitycoach.co.nz), in conjunction with its partner, Newmans (tel: (09) 583 5780: www.newmanscoach.co.nz). Apart from these two major bus companies, there are smaller operators and shuttle bus companies. Go Kiwi Shuttles (tel: (07) 866 0336; www.go-kiwi.co.nz) runs to the Coromandel Peninsula and Rotorua, while Northliner Express (tel: (09) 583 5780; www.northliner.co.nz) travels to the Bay of Islands.
Getting There By Rail
Rail Services
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.
Rail Operators
Tranz Scenic (tel: 0800 872 467, in New Zealand only or (04) 495 0775; 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. 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.
Connections
From Wellington - 12 hours.
Getting Around in Auckland, New Zealand
Public Transport
The information service Maxx (tel: (09) 366 6400 or 0800 103 080; 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. Auckland’s bus network spreads its tentacles throughout the city and many services leave from the Britomart Center. ‘The Link' (tel: (09) 373 9118; www.linkbus.co.nz) 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 to the North Shore (including Devonport) for the day of purchase. 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; www.veoliatransport.co.nz), with three main lines, although it is of little value to tourists as it serves only the suburbs.You can buy all tickets and passes on the train (exact change is recommended) or more cheaply at the Britomart.
Taxis
There are several private taxi companies in Auckland, with ranks situated around the city. One of the biggest companies is the Auckland Co-op (tel: (09) 300 3000); Alert (tel: (09) 309 2000) or Corporate Cabs (tel (09) 377 0773). Taxis are metered and tipping is not expected.
Driving 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. Parking downtown can also be a problem. Central 24-hour car parks include Albert Street, 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. 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. The best deals are usually available from mid-range domestic firms and 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; www.acerentalcars.co.nz), A2B (tel: (09) 377 0825 or 0800 222 929; www.a2brentals.co.nz), Avis (tel: (09) 275 7239 or 0800 284 722; www.avis.co.nz), Budget (tel: (09) 976 2270 or 0800 283 438; www.budget.co.nz) and Hertz (tel: (09) 256 8695 or 0800 654 321; www.hertz.com).
Bicycle Hire
Cycling is popular in 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, 9 Premier Ave, Western Springs (tel: (09) 940 2453; www.adventure-auckland.co.nz). The company also hires out bikes for a month-long period.
