There are 6 ways to get from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves by plane, car, bus, train, or rideshare
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly, drive
best- Fly from Auckland (AKL) to Tauranga Airport (TRG)plane AKL - TRG
- Drive from Tauranga-Airport-TRG to Waitomo Cavescar
2h 36m$87–422Drive 179.7 km
cheapest- Drive from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Cavescar 179.7 km
2h 17m$52–76Bus
- Take the bus from Manukau City to Waitomo Townshipbus Auckland - Central - Palmerston North
4h 45mTrain
- Take the train from Papakura to Otorohangatrain Northern Explorer
5h 41m$77–100Airport Transfer
- Take the rideshare from Auckland-AKL to Waitomo Caves179.7 km
2h 17mBus via Auckland - Central
- Take the bus from Auckland - Central to Waitomo Glowworm Cavesbus Auckland - Central - Auckland - Central
5h 19m$85–123
Auckland (AKL) to Tauranga Airport (TRG) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves is to drive which costs $50 - $75 and takes 2h 17m.
The fastest way to get from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves is to drive which takes 2h 17m and costs $50 - $75.
No, there is no direct bus from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves. However, there are services departing from Stop A International Airport and arriving at Waitomo Township via Manukau City. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 45m.
No, there is no direct train from Auckland Airport (AKL) station to Waitomo Caves. However, there are services departing from Manukau Train Station 1 and arriving at Otorohanga via Puhinui Train Station 2 and Papakura. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 41m.
The distance between Auckland Airport (AKL) and Waitomo Caves is 297 km. The road distance is 179.7 km.
The best way to get from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves without a car is to bus which takes 4h 45m and costs .
It takes approximately 2h 36m to get from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves, including transfers.
Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Manukau City station.
Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves train services, operated by KiwiRail - Northern Explorer, depart from Papakura station.
The best way to get from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves is to bus which takes 4h 45m and costs . Alternatively, you can train, which costs $75 - $100 and takes 5h 41m.
What companies run services between Auckland Airport (AKL), New Zealand and Waitomo Caves, New Zealand?
InterCity operates a bus from Manukau City to Waitomo Township 5 times a week, and the journey takes 3h 15m. Alternatively, KiwiRail - Northern Explorer operates a train from Papakura to Otorohanga 3 times a week. Tickets cost $70–85 and the journey takes 2h 10m.
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Auckland to Tauranga Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 40 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45–360
- Phone
- +64 4495 0775
- [email protected]
- Website
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
Train from Papakura to Otorohanga
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $70–85
- Schedules at
- greatjourneysnz.com
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- [email protected]
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Manukau City to Waitomo Township
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Website
- InterCity
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5790
- [email protected]
- Website
- GreatSights
Bus from Auckland - Central to Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $75–110
- Website
- GreatSights
- Standard
- $75–110
- Flexi
- $85–650
- Website
- https://www.mozio.com
Rideshare from Auckland-AKL to Waitomo Caves
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 17m
- Frequency
- On demand
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More Questions & Answers
Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Waitomo Township station.
Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves train services, operated by KiwiRail - Northern Explorer, arrive at Otorohanga station.
Yes, the driving distance between Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves is 180 km. It takes approximately 2h 17m to drive from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves.
Book your Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves train tickets online with 12go.asia.
Book your Auckland Airport (AKL) to Waitomo Caves bus tickets online with 12go.asia.
There are 57+ hotels available in Waitomo Caves.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Auckland Airport (AKL) and Waitomo Caves. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.