Cycling and walking alternatives

On this page, we’ve mapped out some popular journeys you can use to bike or walk if rail line construction is affecting you. Click on the Journey Planner link to load the map and directions for each one.

Or to create your own cycling or walking trip, use Journey Planner, also available in the AT Mobile app. Be sure to select the cycling/walking icon when mapping your journey.

We also recommend visiting our Cycling & Walking hub for resources including route maps, biking skills courses, and information about community groups and events.

Western Line alternatives

Catching Western Line trains with your bike

To avoid any last-minute disruptions to your commute, consider travelling off-peak if possible. If you travel during off-peak hours with your AT HOP card, you’ll get a 10% discount.

Off-peak hours

Weekdays:

• before 6am
• 9am to 3pm
• 6:30pm until end of service

All day on weekends and public holidays

Get from West Auckland to the city with these Journey Planner examples. You can also access the Auckland cycle network map or get maps by area (Central, West and South Auckland and the North Shore).

1. Avondale Station to Waitematā Station (Britomart)

• Start at Stop 105, end at Stop 133
• 12.3km, 54 minutes by bike
• Route is almost entirely on separated cycleways

2. Swanson Station to Waitematā Station (Britomart)

• Start at Stop 127, end at Stop 133
• 23.5km, 1 hour 41 minutes by bike
• Route includes suburban roads to the Northwestern Cycleway, direct to the city centre

For more cycling options in and around Swanson, access our West Auckland cycle maps.

3. Waitematā Station (Britomart) to Auckland Hospital

• Start at Stop 133, end at 2 Park Road, Grafton
• 2.7km, 13 minutes by bike, 32-minute walk
• Bike parking available at both sites, 90% of route is on separated cycleways

Onehunga Line alternatives

From 20 January, the Onehunga Line will terminate at Newmarket Station, where you can transfer to continue your journey into the city.

If you’re open to biking, you can cycle from Onehunga to the city centre using sample journey 2 below.

For more routes in the Onehunga area, access our Central and South Auckland cycle maps.

1. Onehunga Station to Waitematā Station (Britomart)

• Start at Stop 605, end at Stop 133
• 12.8km, 57 minutes by bike
• Route includes quiet suburban roads, a few bus lanes and separated cycleways

Note: Cornwall Park and Maungakieke Domain close their gates to cyclists at the end of Daylight Savings.

2. Newmarket Station to Waitematā Station (Britomart)

• Start at Stop 115, end at Stop 133
• 4.5km, 20 minutes by bike, 50-minute walk
• Route includes roads, shared paths, parks and separated cycle lanes

Note: Newmarket Station has multiple exits. To access the city centre, take the Broadway exit.

Bike hub now open at Onehunga Station 

Opened in November 2023, the Onehunga Bike Hub offers ample bike parking and cycling advice from Ecomatters staff, including bike maintenance, purchasing an affordable bike or donating your old bike.

Eastern Line alternatives

All Eastern Line stations reopened on 14 January 2024, so now you can combine your bike and train travel. Either take your bike on the train or park it at the station before continuing your journey into town. 

1. Glen Innes Station to Waitematā Station (Britomart)

• Start at Stop 103, end at Stop 133
• 11km, 46 minutes by bike
• Goes through Meadowbank and Orākei, full route on separated cycleways

From Orākei Station, you can continue north to Tāmaki Drive and join the cycleway to the city.

2. Glendowie Town Centre to Glen Innes Station

• Start at 235 West Tāmaki Road, end at Stop 103
• 3.1km, 14 min by bike, 36-minute walk
• Most of route is on new Taniwha Street separated cycleway, opened in November 2023

Southern Line alternatives

KiwiRail is working on the Southern Line. Reduced service or access to stations, in the evenings in particular, may make cycling or walking an attractive option, especially during peak hours.

Get from South Auckland to the city with these Journey Planner examples. You can also access the Auckland cycle network map or get maps by area (Central, West and South Auckland and the North Shore).

Puhinui Station to Onehunga Station

• Start at Stop 108, end at Stop 605
• 13.4km, 59 minutes by bike
• Route includes roads, shared paths, parks and separated cycle lanes

You can park your bike at Onehunga Station then take the train to Waitematā Station (Britomart), or bike further north into the city.

If you’re coming from Māngere, new separated cycle lanes on Robertson Road and Coronation Drive make it easy to get to Onehunga and further.