How to pay for public transport

Pay for public transport with an AT HOP card

Pay for travel on buses, trains and ferries with funds loaded onto an AT HOP card. Before travelling, you will need to buy and top up your HOP card.

Currently, you cannot pay for the bus if you do not have a HOP card. Cash, debit cards and credit cards are not accepted on buses.

Contactless payments will be available on Auckland public transport by the end of 2024. 

Prepay for the train

Auckland trains operate on a prepaid system. No tickets are sold on trains. To travel without a HOP card, you must buy a ticket before boarding the train.

You can buy single-trip tickets from a ticket and top-up machine or customer service centre at any station. For the return journey, you will need to buy another ticket at the station you leave from. Cash, debit and credit cards are accepted.

Travelling with a single-trip ticket

At electronic gates, scan the QR code on your ticket to access and exit the platform. Keep your ticket for the duration of your trip.

• Single-trip tickets can only be used once and must be used within 2 hours of purchase.
• You must travel from the starting point to the destination printed on your ticket.
• If you do not have a valid ticket before boarding the train, you may be fined.

Prepay for the ferry 

To travel, you must buy a ticket before boarding the ferry or tag on with your AT HOP card. Make sure you have enough funds on your HOP card to cover your ferry journey.

You can buy a ticket from a ticket machine or customer service centre at any ferry terminal other than Northcote Point. Northcote passengers will need to buy a ticket at the Downtown Ferry Terminal. Cash, debit and credit cards are accepted.

How to buy a single-trip ticket from a machine 

For more details, see ticket information.

For information on ferry ticket prices and conditions, see ferry fares.