Auckland offers visitors a very cheap and efficient service on their Link buses, the public transportation options offer a great way to get around the city, along with trains to reach the wider regions and ferries to get to the islands. The main transportation station is located in downtown where visitors will find the Britomart train station, Link bus stations, and the ferry terminals.

A rental car is a great option for those wanting to explore the greater regions of Auckland and the remote surrounding areas of New Zealand. Having your own car will give you the flexibility to travel around at your own pace, and visit areas not accessible by public transport. Rental car companies can be found at the airport and throughout the downtown area. The city rush hours can cause road congestion just like any other city, during mornings hours from 7 am - 9 am and the evening hours from 4 pm - 6 pm. The streets in the city are wide and there are plenty of parking options available, so it is best to park your car during these hours and walk around or use public transport.

The downtown and CBD areas of Auckland are compact enough to walk around; even walking from the CBD to downtown is only about a 10-minute walk. Auckland offers its visitors a wide range of stunning scenery ready to be explored, from the beaches to the countryside and the downtown area, you can enjoy many different options for walking and hiking in the area. On Rangitoto Island you can climb to the top of a dormant volcano, Waitakere Ranges offers rugged beaches and lush forest, walk around the city and visit historical sites or do the coast to coast walk crossing the entire width of the country! There are thousands of walking trails and hiking tracks provided for you to get out and enjoy the beautiful city.

Biking in Auckland is a great way to get around, there are several cycling paths provided which provide an excellent option to make your way around the suburbs and the CBD. Bicycle rentals can be found in the city with rates around NZ$25 a day.

Auckland is a major cruise port of call, with the main cruise terminal located in the CBD by Britomart Station on Queens Wharf and nearby piers. Ferry services run from Queens Wharf to Hauraki Gulf and Waiheke Island. Visitors will need to catch a ferry or boat to get out to the islands, and visit historic Devonport. Tickets can be purchased from the Downtown Ferry Terminal at the CBD, prices vary based on the routes taken but cost approximately NZ$11 for an adult round trip and around NZ$5.50 for children ages 5 - 15. The AT HOP pass offered in the city for use on public transportation can be used on select ferries and operating times vary from 5:15 am to 1:15 am leaving approximately every 30 minutes.

Taxis are readily available in the city, and can be hailed from the street or booked by phone. All taxis are metered and prices vary, costing approximately NZ$5 and go up to NZ$2 per mile. Taxi stands can be found on the corner of Customs Street West and Queens Street, and around the bus and train stations. A cheaper more convenient option is Uber and Zoomy who both operate in Auckland, order a ride through your smartphone for pick up and drop off at exact locations requested in the app. Both services can be half the price of a regular taxi and payment is made directly through your phone.

The main train station in the city is the Britomart Transport center, which is located at the corner of Queen Street and Customs Street West in the Central Business District of Auckland. The train network offers four lines that can you take travelers to the South, East and West sides of Auckland. Trains run approximately every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes in off-peak hours. They run every half hour in the evenings and on the weekends with late services offered on Friday and Saturday nights, the hours of operation are generally from early in the morning until around 10 pm. Tickets can be purchased using cash or charge from ticket machines located at the stations, or using the AT HOP card. Some popular attractions that are reachable by train include the Auckland Museum, Coast to Coast walk in Onehunga, Eden Park, Newmarket and Rainbow`s End at Manukau.

The main form of public transportation in Auckland is run by the CityLink bus services with the main bus terminal located at the Inter City Sky bus station behind Sky City Plaza in the city center.

Buses are color coded and operate different routes and times throughout the city.

The red CityLink travels through the city center with seven stops in the CBD via Queen Street connecting to Wynyard Quarter and Karangahape Road. This bus runs Monday through Saturday from 6:25 am - 11:25 am, Sundays 7:00 am - 11:20 pm approximately every 5 - 10 minutes. The green InnerLink bus operates a circular route from Britomart train station, traveling to most tourist attractions running out to Parnell past Victoria Park. The bus runs from 6:30 am - 11:30 pm daily. The amber Outer Link travels in a large loop around the suburbs taking it through Parnell, Newmarket and other neighborhoods as well as MOTAT, Auckland Zoo, Mount Eden and the main shopping center at St Luke`s.

Buses run so frequently that timetables are not used, just look for the corresponding color bus stop and wait for the same color bus. Tickets cost approximately NZ$1 to NZ$4.50 depending on the route and distance. Cash tickets can be purchased on board the buses and AT HOP passes include unlimited rides on the buses.

There is a free Inner City Service that is operated by NZ bus it links major areas such as Karangahape Road, Wynyard Quarter, Queen Street and the Britomart Transport Center. The service runs from 7 am - 7 pm on weekdays about every 10 minutes.