Hamilton is located on the banks of the Waikato River and is one of the most popular cities in New Zealand. With its great bars, exciting casinos, a plethora of restaurants, vibrant nightlife and famous rugby team, Hamilton has something for everyone to enjoy.
There are two different transfer options when it comes to travelling from Auckland airport to Hamilton; taxi or bus. Taking a private Auckland airport shuttle or taxi is the quickest option but costs around €130 ($215 NZD). A much slower but cheaper option is to take the 380 Airporter bus from Intercity which costs as little as €12 ($20 NZD) but takes on average 3 hours to reach Hamilton.
3 options to go from Auckland Airport to city center
PRICE FOR 
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €175 | 105min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
Taxi | €130 | 105min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| If you're travelling on a tight budget and arrive between the hours of 7:45 and 17:50, you may want to consider taking the bus as an alternate and much more affordable transfer option. | ||||||
Bus | €24 | 180min | 07:45–17:50 | Convenience | Read more | |
| If you're not travelling on a tight budget, or if you arrive after 17:50, I strongly recommend taking a private Auckland airport shuttle as it's twice as fast and much more convent. | ||||||
The quickest and most convenient way to get from Auckland airport to Hamilton is by taking a private Auckland airport shuttle or taxi. The journey is only 105 minutes long in light traffic and costs around €130 ($215 NZD).
Taxi fare from Auckland airport to Hamilton
The local taxi drivers at Auckland airport don’t offer a set-rate fee for the journey to Hamilton. Instead, you will be charged using a taximeter based on the distance you travel and the time it takes. The average cost for the journey from Auckland airport to Hamilton is €130 ($215 NZD).
Where do I get it?
You can find the taxi ranks located just outside of the arrivals hall exit doors at both the International and Domestic Terminals at Auckland airport.
Convenience
Although some of the buses run directly to Hamilton from Auckland airport, taking a taxi is much faster and more comfortable. You won’t need to wait in the heat for public transport and you can enjoy your scenic journey knowing your loved ones and belongings are safe in the back.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreAlthough the slowest transfer option, there’s an Intercity bus that runs from Auckland airport to Hamilton daily. The 380 Airporter bus has direct and indirect routes but takes 3 hours on average to reach Hamilton. If you take the indirect route, you will need to make a change to another Intercity bus in Manukau before making your way to Hamilton.
How much is the bus from Auckland airport to Hamilton?
The cost of a one-way ticket on the 380 Airporter bus starts at €12 ($20 NZD). The cost of a ticket depends on the time of day you need to travel. You can purchase your tickets at the airport or online in advance.
The 380 Airporter bus runs 5 times a day from 7:45 to 17:50.
Where do I get it from?
The 380 Airporter bus can be found outside the Domestic Terminal at Auckland airport at bus stop 2206 (Stop C) and outside the International Terminal at the bus stop adjacent to Sky Bus Ticket Booth.
Convenience
Although there are direct Intercity buses that sometimes run from the airport, most buses from Auckland airport to Hamilton have a change in Manukau, which adds a lot of time to your journey. The buses also only depart 5 times a day, so if you land after one has just left, you could have up to 4 hours wait.
Timetables
380 Airporter bus
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from Auckland airport to Hamilton?
There are two different ways to get from Auckland Airport to Hamilton, by taxi or bus. Taking an Auckland airport taxi is the quickest transfer option as it takes 1 hour 45 minutes and costs €130 ($215 NZD). The slowest option is to take a bus from Auckland Airport to Hamilton. The 380 Airporter bus costs from €12 ($20 NZD) one-way and takes around 3 hours on average.
How far is the journey from Auckland airport to Hamilton?
Hamilton is located around 45 km from Auckland Airport. To take the journey from Auckland Airport to Hamilton by private Auckland airport shuttle or taxi, it will take around 1 hour 45 minutes. To take the 380 Airporter bus will take on average 3 hours.
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