Re: Auckland international airport to city, look up Skydrive

[AustraliaPoochie]

Skybus Auckland has stopped indefinitely.
But don't do taxis or Supershuttle.
Not big news but Ritchie's NZ has started Skydrive bus from AKL to city and vv.
$16 which is ok for so fast a ride.
Auckland trains not running due to major track works.
Supershuttle is ok, but very bumpy ride going into smaller streets in Auckland suburbs
No one mentioned Skydrive before.
AKL domestic airport might be served by them too, not too sure as I got Supershuttle when I read Skybus NZ has stopped running.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Yes skydrive serves both both domestic and intl terminals. Only stop in city is at sky city.

There is a cheaper and slower public bus+train option via Puhinui (must have AT Hop card as cash not accepted onboard). Trains replaced by buses for the next few weeks only.

 

[clifford]

Yes skydrive serves both both domestic and intl terminals. Only stop in city is at sky city.

There is a cheaper and slower public bus+train option via Puhinui (must have AT Hop card as cash not accepted onboard). Trains replaced by buses for the next few weeks only.

So if you have to purchase the AT Hop card and load it up, it probably isn't (much) cheaper than a Skydrive return ticket AKL-City_AKL. And it's certainly not as convenient.

For me, at least (senior). Just an observation.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Up to mid Jan no AT (Auckland transport) Metro trains are being run though.
Got asked if I wanted a taxi by a driver in the arrivals line, thought they can't do that until approached by a customer.
I think TakeHome deli at AKL INT took over selling AT and recharge for a while, not sure if they are still there.
For Clifford, aye, must have an AT Hop card, but another thread in here says they are being phased out, replaced by credit or debit card, or a whole of Aotearoa public transport card.
That's not till 2025 tho.
And only registered AT Hop balance can get refunded via NZ bank account.
Unregistered AT Hop cards are refundable!
Don't know what to do with mine later on, I don't have an NZ bank account.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

So if you have to purchase the AT Hop card and load it up, it probably isn't (much) cheaper than a Skydrive return ticket AKL-City_AKL. And it's certainly not as convenient.

For me, at least (senior). Just an observation.

Currently only 2.80 for public transport (increases to 5.60 in April 2023).

There's a vending machine at domestic bus stop.

 

[clifford]

Currently only 2.80 for public transport (increases to 5.60 in April 2023).

There's a vending machine at domestic bus stop.

Thanks, I might check it out when I'm there in June. Guess I'll miss the half price....

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Buy the Hop card from Take Home deli at AKL int terminal tho, unless you already have Hop.
Not sure if the Hop machine at that bus stop at AKL int sells Hop or only recharge, by the machine at the route 38 bus stop.
Edit: ah AKL dom airport...
Bus now takes you to Puhinui, not Papatoetoe or toytoy as they pronounce it.
From Puhinui trains then go to Britomart.
Watch for train closures though.
They haven't dug up Queen St and K Rd yet.
Lots of works at Wellesley St though.
Can recommend the Mercure, at 500 Queen, away from buskers but near a bit noisy park.
Windows are double glazed.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Sorry to pull up my old post.
If anyone here is looking at Skydrive Auckland, while the service is very good, and is the nearly the same as what NZ Auckland Skybus was, (RIP). I note that their booking system only allows you to book 24 hours in advance.
Just be aware that you can't book days in advance, as its just blank, but if you pick 24 hours ahead. their available times and seats do appear.
Their opposition provider ie Supershuttle, does allow bookings quite far in advance, granted Supershuttle is pricier.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So my NZ124 got cancelled.
NZ128 took its place, arr 10. 30pm, so it's NZD31.20 inc card fee, with supershuttle for me.
Plane arr 10.30pm but by the time I get to outside it would be too late for the last Skydrive bus.