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TRAVEL TIPS

Bus Travel

Bus Travel Within Auckland

The easily recognizable red, green, and orange Link Buses, run by Maxx, circle the inner city and close suburbs every 10 minutes between 6 am and 7 pm weekdays, and then every 15 minutes until about 11:30 pm. Weekend service runs from 7 am to 6 pm. The route includes the Britomart Centre between Customs and Quay streets, Queen Street, Parnell, Newmarket (near the Auckland War Memorial Museum), Ponsonby, and Karangahape Road. The fares range from NZ$1 for the inner city NZ$4.50 to the close suburbs. You can pay in cash using change or else buy a Hop prepay card available widely.

Auckland’s bus and train network is slowly being united with new electronic ticketing, but it is in a state of flux. If you're not feeling intrepid, it's best to hire a car or take a taxi. For travel farther afield, Auckland Transport offers services as far north as Orewa on the Hibiscus Coast and south to Pukekohe. A Discovery Pass (NZ$16 a day for unlimited travel) is the best deal for extensive bus and ferry travel; it covers all travel on Auckland Transport. You can buy passes from the ferry office. The information office at Britomart provides maps and timetables.

Information Office. The information center provides timetable information and tickets for all services. Britomart Transport Centre, Queen Elizabeth Sq., Queen and Quay Sts., City Center, Auckland, Auckland, 1010. 09/366--6400; https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/.

Bus Tours

Explorer Bus. This yellow double-decker stops at nine city attractions; you can hop on and off anywhere along the way. Buses begin at the Ferry Building between 9 and 4 daily. Buy tickets from the driver or at the Fullers office in the Ferry Building. Ferry Bldg., Queen's Wharf, 30 Custom St., Auckland, Auckland, Auckland 1010. 0800/439–756; www.explorerbus.co.nz.

InterCity's TravelPass (0800/222–146 flexipass.intercity.co.nz) provides set itineraries on comfortable buses and commentary on the passing scenery. For the independent traveler, the InterCity Flexipass lets you travel where and when it suits you. Based on hours of travel, it lets you hop on and off and stay as long as you like. Passes are valid for 12 months from activation.

Grayline Tours. A variety of guided bus tours leave from Quay Street, just across from the Ferry Building at 9:15. Itineraries might take in city highlights or West Coast beaches. 172 Quay St., Auckland, Auckland, 1010. 09/307–7880; www.graylinetours.co.nz.

Bus Travel Around Auckland

The Sky City Coach Terminal is the hub for InterCity Coaches and Newmans Coaches. The terminal has secure storage lockers and a café next door. InterCity links Auckland to most other major cities at least once a day. Newmans has daily routes to Wellington daily via Hamilton and Taupo, and to Rotorua and Napier. Kiwi Experience goes to many more out-of-the-way destinations such as the East Cape; the "Funky Chicken" round-trip pass allows you to hop on and off where you please along the route. The buses depart from the Parnell office.

Bus Depot

Sky City Coach Terminal. 102 Hobson St., City Center, Auckland, Auckland, 1010. 09/583--5780; www.intercity.co.nz.

Bus Lines

InterCity Coaches. The InterCity company offers a good range of well priced bus services from the Sky City Terminal with a range of pickup places also available: check on booking. Sky City Terminal, 102 Hobson St., Auckland, Auckland, Auckland 1010. 09/583–5780; www.intercity.co.nz.

Kiwi Experience. If you are young, or young at heart the range of Kiwi Experience tours are perfect. From bungy jumping and hot pools to museums and walks this outfit has a slew of offerings. 85 Beach Rd., Parnell, Auckland, Auckland, 1010. 09/336–4286; www.kiwiexperience.com.

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