Airport services
Jump on board public transport and see how easy, quick, and affordable it is to travel to and from Auckland Airport with us.
On this page
AirportLink bus service
The orange AirportLink bus service carries passengers between Auckland Airport, Puhinui Station and Manukau Bus Station.
Puhinui Station connects to the wider public transport network, so you can travel to and from Auckland Airport, from anywhere. You can get from the city centre all the way to Auckland Airport for just $6.
Download the AT Mobile app or use Journey Planner to plan your journey to and from Auckland Airport.
When trains are not running to Puhinui
Works will sometimes stop trains from running on the rail network. At those times, you will need to take a Southern or Eastern Line rail replacement bus to Puhinui. You will need to allow more time for your journey.
During extended closures, an express rail bus RBSX will operate between Puhinui and the city centre. The RBSX will only stop at Newmarket, Otahuhu, Middlemore, Papatoetoe, Puhinui, Manukau and Papakura.
You can go to Journey Planner or the AT Mobile app to find out where and when the Rail Replacement buses will run.
For more information about upcoming closures that will impact trains to Puhinui, visit the Next stages of the Rail Network Rebuild Project webpage.
Arriving in Auckland for the first time?
Auckland Transport’s (AT) network of buses, trains and ferries can take you all across our region. You can pay for public transport in Auckland using an AT HOP card, contactless debit or credit card, or smart device.
You can:
- buy a HOP card at the airport
- visit how to buy an AT HOP card
- visit More ways to pay your way to learn more about Contactless Payments.
Leaving Auckland Airport
The AirportLink bus will take you to Puhinui Station, where you can travel anywhere on the AT network.
- At Puhinui Station, you can catch a train to anywhere along the Southern Line and Eastern Line, getting you to Central, East and South Auckland.
- The AirportLink bus leaves from bus stop B at the Domestic terminal and bus stop A at the International terminal. Look out for the orange signage.
- AirportLink buses have room for your luggage on board and travel on bus priority lanes to both the Domestic and International Airport Terminals.
Travelling to Auckland Airport
- You can travel from Central, East and South Auckland on the Southern Line and Eastern Line to Puhinui Station.
- Puhinui Station connects with the orange AirportLink bus, which operates every 10 minutes from 4:30am to 12:40am, 7 days a week.
Travel times
- Puhinui Station to Domestic Terminal – 13 to 17 minutes
- Puhinui Station to International Terminal – 18 to 20 minutes
Route 38 bus service
If you’re travelling between Auckland Airport and Onehunga via Māngere Town Centre, you can take the 38 bus.
You can get from Onehunga all the way to the Airport for just $2.60.
- It operates every 15 to 20 minutes during the day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- At the terminals, it stops at the same bus stops as the AirportLink service.
Travel times
- Onehunga to the airport – 30 to 35 minutes.
Getting around Auckland
Visit network maps to view a map of Auckland’s train and rapid bus network. The map shows routes for major train lines including the Eastern, Southern, Western and Onehunga train lines. It also shows major interchanges where you can transfer from bus to train and vice versa.
For more information, download our brochure Getting around Auckland on public transport in Auckland (PDF 1.93MB).
Contactless payments
You can pay for buses, trains and most ferries using your AT HOP card, contactless debit or credit card, smartphone or smart device.
Contactless payment methods accepted include:
- contactless enabled debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay)
- Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay in the digital wallet of your smart device.
Standard adult AT HOP fares apply with contactless payments. For continued access to discounted concession fares, keep on using your AT HOP card.
*Excludes Fuller Waiheke commercial ferries. Please continue to use your AT HOP card or purchased tickets through the ticket office or ticket machine.
Getting an AT HOP card
An AT HOP card is a reusable prepaid travel card. You need a HOP card to travel on Auckland Transport’s buses, trains and ferries. AT HOP cards cost $5 and require a minimum top-up of $1.
Where to buy an AT HOP card at Auckland Airport
Domestic terminal
AT HOP card vending machine next to the AirportLink bus stop, just outside door 4 of the Auckland Airport Domestic terminal.
International terminal
- Take Home Convenience shop in the International arrivals area, right next to the building exit. Follow the exit sign labelled Ground Transport and you’ll see the shop on your right.
- AT HOP card vending machine next to AirportLink bus stop A, inside the Transport Hub.
How to use and top up an AT HOP card
Load some money onto your new card to begin using it. No cash is accepted on AT buses.
To top-up in person, view a full list of AT HOP retailers and find your nearest HOP retailer or visit your local train station and use the top-up machine there to load more money to your card.
If you purchase a preloaded AT HOP card from our vending machine, it will automatically be loaded with $20 credit. Find out how to top up your AT HOP card online.
Tag on by holding your AT HOP card flat and still to the AT HOP card reader or electronic gate until you hear a beep. Do the same thing when you exit.
Fares to and from Auckland Airport
To find out how much your journey will cost, download the AT Mobile app or use Journey Planner to plan your journey. Your journey will be calculated, and the cost will appear.
You can get from the city centre to Auckland Airport for just $6, or Onehunga to Auckland Airport for just $2.60.
Find out about our fare zones and integrated fares system.