Auckland Airport (AKL) is the largest and most important international airport of New Zealand and is located about 21 km south of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Auckland by Express bus, Minibus (Shared Shuttle), Taxi, Private Transfer or Uber.

This guide compares all available airport transfers at Auckland Airport (AKL) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison from AKL airport to downtown

Overview of all airport transfers from Auckland Airport to the City Center (Central Business District, CBD)

	Transport	Travel time	Cost	More
	Express bus	45 Min.	NZ$ 20	Details
	Minibus	30‑45 Min.	NZ$ 40	Details
	Taxi	25 Min.	NZ$ 75‑90	Details
	Private Transfer	25 Min.	NZ$ 100	Details
	Uber	25 Min.	NZ$ 55‑65	Details

Notices:
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked transfer (e.g. via AirportTransfer.com) is the more faster and comfortable option.

Express bus

Timetable and tickets here ↗

Travel time:

45 minutes

Cost:

NZ$ 20 pp

Description:

Express bus ‘SkyDrive’ from Auckland Airport (stop outside International Terminal/Door 8 and Domestic Terminal/Door 4) to the central Skydrive bus stop on Hobson Street in the SkyCity complex (at CBD)

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Minibus (AD)

Book a minibus ride ↗

Travel time:

30-45 minutes

Cost:

NZ$ 40 pp

Description:

Shared Shuttle (Minibus) from Auckland Airport (pick-up location at International Terminal/Arrival Hall and Domestic Terminal/Dunkin Donuts store) to your accommodation in central Auckland (CBD), max. 2-4 stops

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Taxi

Official local taxis

Travel time:

25 minutes

Cost:

NZ$ 75-90

Description:

Taxi from Auckland Airport (Taxi rank outside International Terminal/Door 8 and Domestic Terminal/Door 4) to central Auckland (CBD) or directly to your accommodation in the city center

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Private Transfer (AD)

Book a Private Transfer ↗

Travel time:

25 minutes

Cost:

NZ$ 100

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via AirportTransfer.com) from Auckland Airport (Nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to central Auckland, CBD or to your accommodation in the city center

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Uber (AD)

Order an Uber ride ↗

Travel time:

25 minutes

Cost:

NZ$ 55-65

Description:

Uber from Auckland Airport (pick-up location as per Uber App) to central Auckland, Central Business District (CBD) or directly to your accommodation in the city

Things to know about Auckland:

1. There are over 50 volcanoes in the city of Auckland
2. You can walk from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea in just four hours
3. Auckland’s second name is Tāmaki-makau-rau (Tāmaki loved by many)