How to pay for public transport using an AT HOP card Te ara hei utu mā tētahi kāri AT HOP
Pay for travel on buses, trains and ferries using an AT HOP card or contactless payment method. Cash can be used to buy tickets for train or ferry travel only.
On this page
Getting started with AT HOP
An AT HOP card is a prepaid card that allows you to pay for bus, train and most ferry services in Auckland.* Add money to your card before you travel, then ‘tag on’ when you board and ‘tag off’ when you exit our public transport services.
Contactless payments are also accepted on AT public transport.
*Contactless Payment excludes Fullers Waiheke commercial ferries. Island Direct Waiheke ferry services are included.
Cash and EFTPOS cards are not accepted on buses. To pay for bus travel, you need a HOP card, credit card, contactless debit card, or digital card loaded on your smartphone or smartwatch.
Benefits of using a HOP card
- Get 20% off every trip, compared to buying train and ferry tickets before boarding.
- Easily transfer between bus, train and ferry services.
- Pay just one fare as you travel between zones.
- Load applicable concessions on your HOP card for further travel discounts.
Tagging on and tagging off
Tag on and off using the card reader on buses and at train stations and ferry terminals when you travel. That way, you’re charged the correct fare, whether you’re using a HOP card or contactless payment method.
How to tag on and off (4 steps)
Always use the same card or smart device to tag on and off.
If you do not, your trip will show a missing tag in our system and you will be charged the default fare, which may cost more than the trip you actually took.
If you’re using a physical card, remove it from your wallet.
Remove your HOP card, credit card or contactless debit card from your wallet or phone case to ensure the card reader scans only that card.
To tag on, hold your HOP card or smart device flat against the card reader.
Wait for the beep and a green light, then you’re ready to go.
- 2 beeps plus a green and amber light mean you are travelling on a concession fare.
- 3 beeps plus a green light mean your HOP card is not registered or you are using a contactless payment method.
Tag off by holding your card or device against the reader as you exit.
If you’re transferring between services, always use the same payment method for all your travel so that you’re charged the correct fare.
Your chosen payment method may be checked once you are on board the train, ferry or bus.
If you change your mind and decide not to board the service, just tag off within 20 minutes and you won’t be charged for the trip.
If you forget to tag on or off
If you forget to tag on or tag off, you will be charged the default fare, which will be automatically deducted next time you tag on.
If a default fare puts your HOP card balance below $0, you will be unable to use that card until you top it up with more money. If this happens, you can use a contactless method instead.
If you are unable to tag on or tag off
If your card is not allowing you to tag on or tag off, it could be one of the following:
Your HOP card has a negative balance
You must top up your card before using it again.
Incorrect tag-on
You may have tagged on at the wrong reader or withdrawn your card too quickly. If there’s no beep and green light, please try again.
Faulty card or card reader
If your HOP card isn’t working, you’ll need to visit a customer service centre, where we’ll examine your card and replace it free of charge if there’s something wrong with it. If your contactless payment method isn’t working, please contact your bank or card issuer.
Fraudulent use
If we detect fare evasion or fraudulent behaviour, we may cancel your HOP card. If your card is registered, we will try to contact you first. Even if your HOP card isn’t working, you must have a valid way to pay for your travel.
Paying for someone else with your HOP card
If you’re travelling with someone who doesn’t have a HOP card or contactless payment method, you can use your HOP card credit to buy a single-trip ticket for them. Full adult fares apply.
To pay for more than one person on the bus, simply tag on as usual, then ask the bus driver to charge your HOP card for each passenger.
To pay for more than one person on the train or ferry, use your HOP card credit to buy a ticket from a vending machine or customer service centre before boarding. (Cash, debit and credit cards are also accepted at these locations.)
Lending your card to others
You can only lend your HOP card to someone else if:
- it does not have discount concessions loaded
- it is not a gold AT HOP card.
How much you pay with AT HOP
To find out how much it costs to travel with a HOP card, visit fare zones and calculating how much you pay.
If you think you’ve been charged an incorrect fare, you can query your transaction.
How much the default fare is
The default fare may cost more than the trip you actually took.
For the bus or train, the default fare is equivalent to 3 zones on your HOP card, including any discounts or concessions you may have.
The default ferry fare is equivalent to the highest fare for any service that leaves through your tag-on point.
Find out about bus, train and ferry fares.
If we detect fare evasion or fraudulent behaviour, we may cancel your HOP card. If your card is registered, we will try to contact you first.
Journeys will appear in your MyAT account or contactless payment history as:
Missing tag-off - The card was tagged on but not tagged off.
Missing tag-on - The card was tagged off but not tagged on.
Other ways to pay for public transport
Contactless payments
Contactless payments are accepted on AT buses, trains and most ferries.* You can use most credit cards, contactless debit cards, and digital payment services like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
You cannot pay for more than one person using a contactless method, so each person travelling must have their own contactless payment method or HOP card.
*Contactless Payment excludes Fullers Waiheke commercial ferries. Island Direct Waiheke ferry services are included.
Buy tickets before boarding the train or ferry
If you do not have a HOP card or contactless payment method, you must buy a ticket before boarding.
Train and ferry tickets are available from a ticket machine at the station or terminal or at one of our customer service centres. Cash, debit and credit cards are accepted at these locations.
Please note that there is no ticket machine or customer service centre at the Northcote Point Ferry Terminal. Northcote Point passengers will need to buy tickets at the Downtown Ferry Terminal.