Auckland - Transport & Facilities for Cruise Ship Passengers
Cruise ships will berth at either Princes or Queens Wharf, which are both in downtown Auckland.
Auckland is the main hub for cruise ships to New Zealand. Upon arrival you will be greeted by friendly and helpful locals who can supply maps and important information such as where to find money changing facilities.
Both cruise ship berths in Auckland are handy to shopping, dining and all sorts of urban comforts. There are many transport options, and if you need local assistance, you can call into an i-SITE Visitor Centre. There’s one at the end of Princes Wharf.
Getting around
On foot
Downtown Auckland is within easy walking distance of Princes Wharf and Queens Wharf, where cruise vessels dock. The Auckland i-SITE Visitor Centre is located at the end of Princes Wharf and the main shopping street, Queen Street, is just five minutes’ walk from either wharf.
Public buses
Auckland has a modern bus network servicing the central city and surrounding suburbs. There are three public bus options that are well suited to cruise ship passengers.
City Circuit bus: The free City Circuit bus travels clockwise in a small loop around key destinations such as the Sky Tower, and Queen Street. This red bus runs every 10 minutes from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week. You can pick up a free city bus brochure at Auckland's i-SITE Visitor Information Centre at the end of Princes Wharf.
The LINK Bus: The LINK Bus is a green bus which runs in a circuit around Auckland's inner suburbs and popular shopping areas such as Parnell, Newmarket, Karangahape Road, Ponsonby and Queen Street. The LINK service runs every 10 minutes between 6am and 7pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm Saturday, and every 15 minutes in the evenings and at other times on the weekends. Tickets cost NZ$1.80 per ride.
The Auckland Explorer Bus: The Auckland Explorer Bus is a hop on, hop off service which takes you to Auckland's key attractions with full commentary. Attractions include Kelly Tarltons, Auckland Museum, Mt Eden, Auckland Zoo and Sky City. Adult all-day bus passes cost NZ$40. Pick up is beside the Ferry Building on Quay Street. From Princes Wharf, exit the pier and turn left onto Quay Street – the pick-up point is a five minute walk away. From Queens Wharf, the pick-up point is at the gate entrance. Buses depart every 30 minutes from 7am to 5pm. Bookings are not required and Australian dollars and US dollars are accepted.
Taxis
Taxis are available to take you from Princes Wharf or Queens Wharf to the rest of Auckland. Corporate Cabs can be contacted on+64 9 377 0773, or online at www.corporatecabs.co.nz. Corporate Cabs accepts New Zealand dollars and major credit cards.
Car rental
It’s a good idea to book rental cars in advance. Visit the Transport section of this site for further details about rental car companies in the Auckland region.
Ferry
The local ferry terminal is located five minutes’ walk from where cruise ships berth and provides day trips to Devonport and the outer islands in the Hauraki Gulf such as Waiheke Island and Rangitoto Island. Return fares for adults start from NZ$11. Visit www.fullers.co.nz for more information.
