Explorer Bus: Auckland Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

About this experience

Book Explorer Bus Auckland hop-on hop-off tickets and see the City of Sails at your own pace. Choose a 24 or 48 hour pass, ride a double-decker or glass-roof bus with English audio commentary, and step off near the harbour, the Sky Tower, the War Memorial Museum and the city's volcanic viewpoints. Buses come round roughly every 30 minutes, so you can stay as long as you like at each stop and catch the next bus when you are ready. Which routes does the Auckland bus cover? Your pass covers two routes that start from Downtown Auckland. The Red Inner Tour runs all year and heads east through Parnell Village to Holy Trinity Cathedral, Bastion Point and SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium on the waterfront. The Blue Tour is a summer bonus that runs from October to April and climbs inland to the Wintergardens in the Domain, Mt Eden (Maungawhau) and Eden Park in Kingsland. Together the two routes have 14 stops, and most sights are a short walk from the bus. What can you see along the way? The commentary explains Auckland's Māori heritage as Tāmaki Makaurau and its history as a port city, which is why it is known for having more boats per person than almost anywhere. Good places to hop off include the Auckland Art Gallery for its Māori collections, the Sky Tower for a view over the whole city, and the Auckland War Memorial Museum in the Domain. Mt Eden is the highest natural point in the city and a popular stop for photos of the harbour and the volcanic cones around it. How do tickets and boarding work? Your voucher arrives by email straight after booking. Exchange it at Stop 1, Downtown Auckland at 23 Customs Street East, or at Stop 2 outside the Sky Tower on the corner of Hobson Street and Victoria Street West. After that you can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off as often as you like until your pass runs out. On both routes the first bus leaves Stop 1 at 9am and the last at 4pm, so start early if you want to fit in several stops on a one day pass. Is the Auckland bus tour right for you? The bus suits first time visitors who want an easy overview before choosing where to spend more time, and travellers who would rather not drive or work out local transport. Most buses are wheelchair and pram accessible, but contact the operator before your trip so they can plan for your needs. Large luggage is not allowed on board, though handbags and small backpacks are fine. Auckland weather can change quickly, so bring a light layer for the top deck even on a sunny morning. Make more of your Auckland visit Hop off on the waterfront and add SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium entry tickets, or spend an afternoon inside with an Auckland War Memorial Museum entry ticket. For a view of the city from the water, finish the day with an Auckland scenic harbour cruise.

Highlights

• Hop on and off for 24 or 48 hours on up to 14 stops
• Ride the year-round Red Inner Tour and the summer Blue Tour
• Listen to English audio commentary on Māori heritage and city history
• Stop near the Sky Tower, the War Memorial Museum and Mt Eden

What is included

• 24 or 48 hour unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
• Access to the Red and Blue routes
• Audio commentary in English

Not included

• Entry to attractions along the route
• Food and drinks

Cancellation terms

This ticket cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.