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Plan ahead and expect delays when IKEA opens Plan ahead and expect delays when IKEA opens

IKEA’s first NZ store opens Thursday 4 December at Sylvia Park and is expected to be very popular, with thousands of visitors anticipated each day. When that many people head to a big event or opening, there’s always extra traffic so be prepared. Check traffic levels on navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze before you go and allow lots of time to get there.

Getting to the opening

We’re expecting extra congestion on and around SH1, Mt Wellington Highway on/off‑ramps, and local roads over the opening period, which could last a few months. In the initial days, traffic modelling shows that in a worst-case scenario, there could be 40-minute-plus queues to exit the motorway at Mt Wellington and wait times of up to an hour to get into car parks at IKEA.

To avoid the longest queues, people should consider visiting the store outside of peak traffic times.

If you aren’t buying furniture or are able to get it delivered, the train on the Eastern Line will be the fastest journey, taking around 19 minutes from Waitematā to Sylvia Park. Staff will be on the ground at Sylvia Park Station to help direct you. Car journeys may exceed an hour at busy times.

Sylvia Park station

Trains will operate seven days a week, at least every 20 minutes 7am-7pm, 7 days a week, and every 10 minutes at peak times on weekdays. Sylvia Park is on the eastern line with bus interchanges at Ōtāhuhu and Waitematā stations, and a short walk from the store.

Visitors from the Airport can take the AirportLink bus to Puhinui Station then transfer to the Eastern Line.

Other ways to get to the store:

Bus

The following frequent services operate seven days a week, with a minimum of fifteen-minute frequencies between 7am and 7pm, 7 days a week.

  • 32: Māngere Town Centre to Sylvia Park via Massey Rd and Ōtāhuhu Station
  • 74: Glen Innes to Onehunga Transport Centre via Tripoli Rd, Panmure, Sylvia Park and Church St
  • 66: Sylvia Park to Pt Chevalier via Penrose Rd, Mt Smart Rd and Mt Albert Rd

Connector services include the 298, 323 and 782.

Be advised that congestion on the roads during the opening period is likely to result in bus delays or cancellations. Download the AT Mobile app for live tracking and bus arrival/departure times before you travel.

Park & RIde

If you’re driving but want to avoid traffic or parking around Mount Wellington, consider switching to public transport for part of your journey. There are great Park & Ride options across Auckland that connect easily to trains and buses heading to Sylvia Park. Visit Park & Ride to see locations.

Congestion will affect the whole Auckland network

Travel times across the wider Auckland transport network are likely to be substantially longer than usual if queues extend to the motorway. At peak travel times, there could be additional delays of 20-40 minutes for all motorists travelling on State Highway 1 – not just those heading to the store.

Surrounding streets in Mt Wellington will also be busy, with forecast delays of up to 40 minutes on Mt Wellington Highway in peak traffic.

Alternative routes

If you’re passing through consider the Western Ring Route (State Highway 20, 18 and 16) through Māngere, Mt Roskill and Massey to avoid State Highway 1 if traffic levels are high.

Expect the worst congestion weekday evening peaks and Saturdays 1–4pm, with queues and delays across the Mt Wellington area.

We recommend using navigation apps to check traffic levels and find the best route before you travel.

Coming from out of Auckland

Drivers coming from out of Auckland to either visit the store or drive through this part of SH1 through Mount Wellington should plan for potential delays and check traffic levels before departing.

Taking the train from outside of Auckland

  • From the Waikato: Catch the Te Huia train to Puhinui Station Paying: Te Huia fares can be paid by Bee Card or cash.
  • At Puhinui, transfer to the Eastern Line heading to Waitematā. Important: you will now be travelling on the Auckland network, you’ll need to tag on with an AT HOP card or contactless debit/credit card for the Auckland train. Don’t forget to tag off when you arrive at Sylvia Park.

How we’re helping

The Auckland Transport Operations Centre (ATOC), which is a joint venture between AT and NZTA for managing the transport network in real time, has been working with IKEA to ensure their traffic management plan minimises the traffic impact as much as possible, and will be actively managing traffic light signals and diverting traffic where possible as congestion levels increase.

Follow updates in the AT Mobile app, Journey Planner, electronic road signs, and our social channels.