Auckland Airport Transfers

Like most urban metropolises, Auckland has its main airport on the outskirts of the city, about 30 kilometers from the downtown area, so it will be necessary that at the time of organizing the itinerary of your trip you choose an alternative to get to your accommodation, which usually, with some exceptions, will be located in the epicenter that brings together the main attractions of this destination.

Among the alternatives you can choose to travel from the airport to your accommodation are transfers in a shared minivan, private transfers for group visits, travel by SkyBus, cab 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 you have to move to the downtown area of the city, the first option you will be offered is the transfer in a shared minivan. This alternative is the most popular among tourists, because it will take you to the door of your accommodation without paying extra fees and because it has an acceptable relationship between price and quality of service.

These services usually have a reception at the airport, so if you hire in advance, someone will be waiting for you and you will be able to secure your place in the minivan, even if you plan to visit Auckland in summer or during the high season. Just keep in mind that as it is a shared service you may have to wait for other tourists to arrive before starting the tour.

The minivans usually include enough space for suitcases, even if you carry a lot of luggage, and they also have baby seats. In addition, 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 will 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.

Details of interest

• Price: the approximate starting fare is 18 euros per passenger.
• Duration of the trip: it will depend on the location of your hotel and the number of stops, but from the airport to the center it will take approximately 45 minutes.
• Advantages of these transfers: you will be able to travel to the door of your accommodation at an affordable price and in a simple way.
• How to book this means of transportation: 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 morning or with a lot of luggage.

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

Generally, if you hire a private transfer in advance, you can be sure that a representative of the transport will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall and will guide you on your arrival. In addition, if you occupy all the seats in the minivan or car, it may even be more economical 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 the best museums in Auckland and even the best full-day excursions around the city, which has some of New Zealand's top attractions.

Please note that if you pre-book the arrival and departure transfer of your trip you will be able to access discounts and better prices on the final fare.

Details of interest

• Price: the approximate starting fare is 116 euros per minivan, 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 a comfortable and safe way.
• How to book this means of transportation: 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 plan to visit Auckland in a group, with your family or with a lot 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 possible that some of them will leave you in an area near your accommodation.

The approximate duration of this route from the start at the airport to the last station is approximately 50 minutes, although it could stretch a little by traffic or time of transfer, as the SkyBus operates 24 hours a day and every day of the week.

Please note that these services include the transfer of luggage, but it must meet certain size requirements and if you have extra luggage, you may have to pay a surcharge. On the other hand, you can hire the service in advance on the official website of SkyBus or once you arrive at your destination, since the company also has offices at the airport.

You can also hire the SkyBus to travel to other places such as the harbor, from where Auckland cruises sail, or SkyCity, the area of the city that stands out for the observatory of the main tower, although the most famous services of this bus are those that begin or end at the airport.

Details of interest

• Price: the approximate starting fare for the SkyBus is 14 euros per person.
• Duration of the trip: the entire trip lasts approximately 50 minutes.
• Advantages of these transfers: it is the most economical option among those available.
• How to book this means of transport: you can book in advance online or hire the service once you arrive at the airport, at the SkyBus offices.
• Recommended if... you are looking for the cheapest alternative.

Many times the arrival of the plane at the destination can be complicated or delayed and, although most of the transfer alternatives are available 24 hours a day, during the early morning services have a more moderate frequency, so if you want to get to your accommodation quickly to rest, you can opt for a cab, the perfect alternative for last minute complications.

You can get into a cab at the main esplanade of the airport and at gate number 8 in the international arrivals area and you will be sure to be using an authorized car, since only some authorized companies can pick up passengers there to transfer them to their accommodation.

What you should keep in mind is that fares are usually higher than elsewhere, as cabs have to pay a fee of approximately 5 euros to stay at the airport, which is usually added to the final price. It is also an ideal alternative if you have planned a short stay in the city and do not want to waste time. In that case, here is a list of activities for you to discover Auckland in 3 days.

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

Details of interest

• Price: the approximate cab fare from the airport to the city center is 65 euros, with room for up to 4 passengers. Please note that the airport entrance surcharge is approximately 5 euros.
• 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 center takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
• Advantages of these transfers: it is a comfortable and easy option, especially if you are traveling in a group or family.
• How to book this means of transport: you can find a cab at gate number 8 in the international arrivals area or in the main concourse of the airport.
• Recommended if... you need a last minute alternative or plan to arrive in Auckland early in the morning.

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

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

The positive thing about the platforms is that they offer cheaper fares than cabs and will not charge you airport tax, simply because they will not pick you up inside the airport area. A trip from the terminal gate number 11 to the center will have an initial cost of approximately 48 euros.

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

Interesting details

• Price: the approximate fare for an airport transfer from the airport to the city center is 48 euros, with room for up to 4 passengers. Please note that these vehicles do not pay airport tax because 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 center takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
• Advantages of these transfers: it is a safe and easy option to hire.
• How to book this means of transportation: you can request a ride in a platform car at gate number 11.
• Recommended if... you want a cheaper option than that offered by cabs.

It is not usually the most common alternative, especially among tourists who only intend to know Auckland, but some travelers get to the city's airport, which is one of the most famous in the country, to start a journey through different cities, and in many cases 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 approximately 40 euros per day, so it is the most expensive option of all, although it will also allow you to visit other nearby sites, such as Hobbiton, the natural setting of the saga of The Lord of the Rings, which is one of the most visited sites on the outskirts of Auckland, in addition to reflecting the Maori culture in its nearby villages.

Renting a car could also prove to be a good option if you plan to visit Auckland during Christmas, a date when some services are interrupted 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 very popular in the northern part of the island for its beaches.

Keep in mind that if you finally decide to rent a car, it will be more economical to do it in advance and the more days of rental you choose the better price you will get. In addition, the roads in New Zealand are in very good condition, so you should not have problems with driving.

Interesting details

• Price: renting a car has an initial cost of approximately 40 euros per day.
• Duration of the trip: it will depend on the time of the trip and the state of the traffic, but the trip from the airport to the center has an approximate duration of between 30 and 40 minutes.
• Advantages of these transfers: you will be able to travel comfortably and autonomously, 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 nearby places in Auckland by car, in that case it will be convenient to pick it up at the airport as soon as you arrive in the city.