In short
- Auckland: the AirportLink runs every 10 minutes to Puhinui Station and Manukau, and route 38 to Onehunga.
- Wellington: the Airport Express (AX) costs $12.00 cash or contactless and $9.23 with Snapper (checked 24 October 2026).
- Christchurch: routes 8, 29 and 3 link the airport with the city in about 30 minutes.
- Queenstown, Napier, Nelson, Palmerston North and Rotorua airports also have a city bus route.
Most New Zealand airports with a city bus are served by regular public routes, so you pay the normal local fare rather than a special airport ticket. Here is how to reach the main airports by public transport, with fares checked on 24 October 2026.
Auckland Airport
The orange AirportLink bus runs every 10 minutes between the airport, Puhinui Station and Manukau Bus Station. It leaves from stop B at the domestic terminal and stop A at the international terminal. From Puhinui it takes about 13–17 minutes to the domestic terminal and 18–20 minutes to the international terminal, and at Puhinui you change to trains on the East West and South City lines. Route 38 links the airport with Onehunga via Māngere Town Centre every 15–20 minutes during the day, in about 30–35 minutes.
Standard adult AT HOP fares apply, also when you pay contactless. An AT HOP card costs $5.
Wellington Airport
The Airport Express (AX) runs every 10–20 minutes between the airport and Wellington Station via Kilbirnie, Courtenay Place and Lambton Quay, in about 25–35 minutes. At the airport it stops on the ground floor of the car park outside the baggage area. An adult fare costs $12.00 in cash or contactless and $9.23 with Snapper; a child pays $6.00 or $4.62. Off-peak discounts and free transfers do not apply on the AX.
Christchurch Airport
Buses leave from the northern end of the International Arrivals hall, next to the Novotel. Route 8 (Port to Port) runs every 15 minutes on weekdays via the city to Lyttelton; route 29 goes via Fendalton every 30 minutes; every third bus on route 3 (to Sumner) also enters the airport. Each of them reaches the city in about 30 minutes. Pay with Motu Move or Metrocard for the $3.00 fare; Metrocard can no longer be used from 23 November 2026.
Queenstown Airport
Orbus route 1 links the airport with Queenstown town centre and Frankton, where you can change for Arrowtown and Jacks Point. Buses generally run every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening. An adult pays $2.50 with a Bee Card or $10 in cash; you can buy a Bee Card at the PaperPlus store in the terminal.
Regional airports
- Hawke’s Bay (Napier): goBay route 4 runs from Napier via the airport to Bay View.
- Nelson: eBus route 4 runs from The Brook through the city centre and Tāhunanui to the airport, every 30 minutes.
- Palmerston North: Connect route 101 links the airport with Massey University via the city.
- Rotorua: Baybus route 10 runs from the city centre via Holdens Bay and Ngapuna to the airport.
Our timetables for Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin and New Plymouth have no route to the local airport.
