Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

Most international flights to New Zealand go through Auckland. Direct flights connect to and from west coast USA; east coast Australia and Perth; London and Frankfurt, and several cities in Asia. There's a departure tax for all international flights from Auckland, payable at the airport. A number of domestic airlines connect Auckland with other major centres in New Zealand.

There are regular bus services between Auckland and most larger towns and tourist areas; they operate from the Sky City Coach Terminal on Hobson St. There's an early morning train and an overnight train to Wellington daily.

Hiring a car and driving around New Zealand is easy, although the roads can be spoiled by cowboy behaviour.

Getting around

Auckland airport is 21km (13mi) southwest of the city centre and airport shuttles run to several accommodation places and Aotea Square in the city. A taxi will cost around 30.00.

The Britomart Transport Centre provides a hub where you can access buses, trains and ferries as well as general transport information.

Because it is such a sprawling city, the car is king in Auckland. The place is crawling with car-hire operators. If you're a cyclist, hire a bicycle and try the pleasant waterfront rides. Taxis are easy to hire from ranks or from the sidewalk. Ferries run between the city centre and various spots on the North Shore and the gulf islands.