Malcolm McCracken
Driving to the airport can be a nightmare, particularly at peak times, you also need to have someone to pick you up and drop you off or pay for parking. Taxis and the Skybus are also very expensive. This is a guide on how to get to and from the airport for less.
Arguably one of the most useful but under-advertised services Auckland Transport offer is the Airporter 380 bus. It operates as part of Auckland’s Transport Network and therefore under the same Fares System with the AT HOP Card. The route runs from Manukau to Onehunga via Papatoetoe Station, Mangere Town Centre and both of the airport terminals, as shown above. This means it intersects with 3 of the rail lines (Onehunga, Southern and Eastern Lines) as well as connecting to the bus hubs in Manukau, Mangere Town Centre and Onehunga. Despite the three bus number 380, the Airporter bus is now a Frequent Service, meaning there is now a bus every 15 minutes from 7am-7pm 7 days a week.
From the North
To get from the North Shore or the Hibiscus Coast, it is easiest to get the Northern Express to Britomart. With the New Network implementation coming on the 30th September 2018, things are likely to change, but your local bus should connect you with the Northern Busway. From Britomart, you can take the Onehunga, Eastern or Southern Line to either Onehunga or Papatoetoe, where you can board the Airporter 380 to connect to the airport.
From the East
Until the proposed rapid transit line from Botany to the Airport is completed, using the existing Eastern Line is the fastest route to the airport and with the new bus network designed around the Panmure Station Bus-Rail interchange, this is an easy transfer from most of East Auckland. From Panmure take the next Manukau bound service to Papatoetoe Station.
Alternatively, bus to Botany and take the 31 service to Papatoetoe Station and connect to the Airporter 380. Which route to take depends on your starting point. However, at peak times, rail can offer the most certain travel times and 10-minute frequencies.
From the South
The Southern Rail Line offers a direct service to Papatoetoe Station to connect to the Airporter 380 and consistent travel times. Alternatively, you can bus to the new Manukau Bus Station to connect to the 380. Use the journey planner on the Auckland Transport app or Google Maps to select your best route.
From the West
From the west, you need to get yourself to your nearest rail station. With the New Network, most bus routes are designed to intersect with the rail lines. From there you take the city-bound train to Newmarket. Next, transfer to the next Onehunga or Southern Line, whichever is sooner, to Onehunga Station or Papatoetoe Station respectively.
Prices
Prices will range depending on how many fare zones use pass through. It is best to use a HOP card as this gives you the benefit of Integrated Fares. For example with a HOP Card, an Adult Fare is $4.80 from the City to the Airport versus $18 on the Skybus or $6.20 versus $24 from the Lower North Shore. For students, those with a Gold Card or another form of concession, there are even more significant savings possible.
Notes
- At Papatoetoe Station, the Airporter 380 Manukau bound services and the Airport bound services arrive in the same direction and use the same stop. Check with the driver which direction they are heading to be sure they are heading in the right direction.
- For precise times use the journey planner in the Auckland Transport App
- Unlike the usual AT Metro buses, the Airporter 380 buses are uniquely designed to serve the airport with a large number of luggage racks