Auckland Airport Transfers

Like most urban metropolises, Auckland's main airport is located on the outskirts of the city, some 30 kilometres from the city centre, so it will be necessary when organising your travel itinerary to choose an alternative way to get to your accommodation, which, with some exceptions, will usually be located in the epicentre of the city's main attractions.

Among the alternatives you can choose to travel from the airport to your accommodation are shared minivan transfers, private transfers for group tours, SkyBus, taxi or platform cars, and rental cars. In any case, the choice will depend on the type and price of trip you want to make before starting the best activities in Auckland.

If you plan to arrive in Auckland by plane and need to travel to the city centre, the first option you'll be offered is a shared minivan transfer. This option is the most popular with tourists because it will get you to your accommodation without paying extra fares and because it's a good value for money.

These services are usually met at the airport, so if you book in advance, someone will be waiting for you and you can secure your place in the minivan, even if you plan to visit Auckland in the summer or during peak season. Just be aware that as a shared service you may have to wait for other tourists to arrive before the tour begins.

The minivans usually include plenty of space for luggage, even if you're carrying a lot of luggage, as well as baby seats. Also, these Super Shuttle minivans operate 24 hours a day, so you don't have to worry about arrival times at the airport.

Private minivan options are also available, but they are more expensive and you'll need to travel in a group to make it cost-effective, as the final fare will vary depending on the number of passengers. This is usually the option that will be recommended during the best Auckland tours to get you to and from the airport during your trip.

Interesting details

• Price: Approximate starting fare is 18 euros per passenger.
• Travel time: Depends on the location of your hotel and the number of stops, but it will take approximately 45 minutes to get from the airport to the city centre.
• Advantages of these transfers: you will be able to travel to the door of your accommodation at an affordable price and in an easy way.
• How to book this means of transport: you can book in advance online or hire the service once you arrive at the airport.
• Recommended if... you plan to arrive in Auckland in the early hours of the morning or with a lot of luggage.

If you are planning to visit Auckland as a group with friends or family, the best alternative is a private transfer, either in a minivan or a chauffeur-driven car depending on the number of passengers and the amount of luggage. These options are usually the most suitable, as although you will pay a little more, you will not be dependent on the arrival times of other tourists and you will be able to travel with your group.

Generally, if you book a private transfer in advance, you can be sure that a representative of the transport company will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall and will guide you through your arrival. In addition, if you take up all the seats in the minivan or car , it may even be cheaper than opting for a shared transfer.

Some private transfer services also often include an introduction to the city and will provide you with information on Auckland's best museums and even the best day trips around the city, which has some of New Zealand's top attractions.

Please note that by pre-booking both the arrival and departure transfer for your trip, you will qualify for discounts and better prices on the final fare.

Useful details

• Price: Approximate starting fare is 116 euros per minivan, for up to 8 passengers.
• Duration of the trip: it will depend on the location of the hotel, but as there are no intermediate stops it will take approximately 30 minutes.
• Advantages of these transfers: you will be able to travel with your group in comfort and safety.
• How to book this means of transport: you can book in advance online or hire the service once you arrive at the airport, although in this case it could be more expensive.
• Recommended if... you're planning to visit Auckland in a group, with your family or with lots of luggage.

The cheapest alternative to travel from the airport to any point in Auckland is to use the SkyBus, which offers a regular service that includes 16 stops, so it is very likely that some of them will leave you in an area close to your accommodation.

The approximate journey time from the start at the airport to the last station is approximately 50 minutes, although it may take a little longer due to traffic or the time of the transfer, as the SkyBus operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Note that these services include luggage transfer, but that luggage must meet certain size requirements and that if you have extra bags, you may have to pay a surcharge. Alternatively, you can book the service in advance on the official SkyBus website or once you arrive at your destination, as the company also has offices at the airport.

You can also use the SkyBus to travel to other places such as the harbour, where Auckland's cruise ships sail from, or SkyCity, the area of the city noted for the observatory in the main tower, although the most popular SkyBus services start and end at the airport.

Useful details

• Price: The approximate starting fare for the SkyBus is 14 euros per person.
• Journey time: The full journey takes approximately 50 minutes.
• Advantages of these transfers: it is the cheapest option available.
• How to book this means of transport: you can book in advance online or book the service once you arrive at the airport, at the SkyBus offices.
• Recommended if... you are looking for the cheapest alternative.

Arriving at your destination can often be complicated or delayed, and while most transfer alternatives are available 24 hours a day, services are more moderate in the early hours of the morning, so if you want to get to your accommodation quickly to rest, you can opt for a taxi, the perfect alternative to last minute complications.

You can get into a taxi on the main concourse of the airport and at gate number 8 in the international arrivals area and you'll be safe in the knowledge that you're using a licensed car, as only a few authorised companies can pick up passengers there and take them to their accommodation.

What you should be aware of is that fares tend to be higher than elsewhere, as taxis have to pay a fee of around 5 euros to stay at the airport, which is usually added to the final price. It is also an ideal alternative if you are planning a short stay in the city and don't want to waste time. In that case, here is a list of activities so you can discover Auckland in 3 days.

The transfer to the city centre will take approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic and the time of your trip, and costs approximately 65 euros, and can carry up to 4 passengers and their luggage.

Useful details

• Price: The approximate taxi fare from the airport to the city centre is 65 euros, with room for up to 4 passengers. Please note that the airport entrance fee is approximately 5 euros.
• Duration of the journey: it will depend on the time of the journey and the traffic conditions, but the journey from the airport to the city centre takes approximately 30-40 minutes.
• Advantages of these transfers: it is a comfortable and easy option, especially if you are travelling in a group or with your family.
• How to book this means of transport: you can find a taxi at gate number 8 in the international arrivals area or on the main concourse of the airport.
• Recommended if... you need a last-minute alternative or plan to arrive in Auckland in the early hours of the morning.

Uber, Ola and Zoomy are some of the transportation platforms currently operating in New Zealand and, for digital natives, they can often be a better alternative to taxis, as they feel safer knowing the identity of the driver, the vehicle details in advance and can also pay by credit card, so you can also opt for these alternatives at Auckland Airport.

The only downside to requesting a car from these platforms is that they are not authorised to enter the airport, so you will have to walk to the designated area for these transports, which is at the gate 11 entrance, which could be tiring, especially if you are carrying bulky luggage or if you plan to arrive at the airport in the early hours of the morning. It can also be an inconvenient option if you are planning to visit Auckland in winter.

On the plus side, the platforms offer cheaper fares than taxis and you won't be charged an airport tax, simply because you won't be picked up inside the airport area. A journey from the terminal at gate 11 to the city centre will cost approximately 48 euros initially.

Please note that, as with other cities, the availability of cars in Auckland and the final fare will depend on the demand in the area at the time of ordering. You may also choose to opt for more spacious vehicles, especially if you plan to travel with a large amount of luggage.

Interesting details

• Price: The approximate fare for an app car from the airport to the city centre is 48 euros, with room for a maximum of 4 passengers. Please note that these vehicles do not pay airport tax as they cannot enter the airport.
• Duration of the trip: it will depend on the time of the trip and the traffic conditions, but the trip from the airport to the city centre takes approximately 30-40 minutes.
• Advantages of these transfers: it is a safe and easy option to hire.
• How to book this means of transport: you can request a ride in a platform car at gate 11.
• Recommended if... you want a cheaper option than taxis.

It's not usually the most common alternative, especially among tourists who just want to get to know Auckland, but some travellers arrive at the city's airport, which is one of the most famous in the country, to start a trip to different cities, and in many cases they rent a car, so in that case you could book it and pick it up directly from the airport.

The average cost of renting a car is around 40 euros per day, making it the most expensive option of all, but it will also allow you to visit other nearby sites, such as Hobbiton, the natural setting of the Lord of the Rings saga, which is one of the most visited sites outside Auckland, as well as reflecting the Maori culture in its nearby villages.

Car hire could also be a good option if you plan to visit Auckland over Christmas, when some services are disrupted by the festive eve and others are overwhelmed by the large number of tourists arriving in the city, as the Christmas season coincides with the New Zealand summer, which is popular in the northern part of the island for its beaches.

Bear in mind that if you do decide to hire a car, it's cheaper to do so in advance and that the more days you choose to rent a car, the better the price you'll get. Also, the roads in New Zealand are in very good condition, so you shouldn't have any problems with driving.

Interesting details

• Price: Car hire costs approximately 40 euros per day initially.
• Travel time: Depends on your travel schedule and traffic conditions, but the journey time from the airport to the city centre is approximately 30-40 minutes.
• Advantages of these transfers: you will be able to travel comfortably and independently, managing your own time.
• How to book this means of transport: you can book a rental car in advance online or rent one at the airport, although at the last minute the rates will be higher.
• Recommended if... you plan to visit other places around Auckland by car, in which case you'll want to pick it up at the airport as soon as you arrive in the city.