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Auckland Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours
4.1/5
(379)
Deadotta
Apr 2025Verified booking
5/5
Buses were great, did have covered seating on top level, which was needed since it rained a lot while we were there. Narration was interesting and easy to understand. Appreciated not having to use 'ear buds'.
We appreciated that we could do both the red line and the blue line without having to get off and change buses. The first day, when it was raining, we just stayed on board and figured out which stops we wanted to go back to (had 2 day tickets!) This was our main way of getting around Auckland and it worked out well for us.
Allison
Mar 2025Verified booking
4/5
Easy to do and I liked that the bus changed to and from red and blue tour at the junction point. This saved getting of there if you didn't want to.
I wasn't so impressdc with the end time. This meant I had to leave the mueseum an hour before it closed so I had time to get back to the centre, surely you could extend the service an hour so visitors could remain at difreent attractions until they closed?
Alan
Mar 2025Verified booking
4/5
The ticketing and bus stops was staright forward. The route taken by the Bus for the Blue and Red tour's stopped at some varied places. With buses every 20 mins, it was easy to hop on and off at places of interest. Good information from drivers. I would recomend this tour as a way to get to know Auckland.
Routes
TimelineMap
1
Downtown Auckland
Get direction
2 attractions
2
Sky City
Get direction
2 attractions
3
Art Gallery & Queen Street
Get direction
2 attractions
4
Newmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
5
Auckland Museum
Get direction
2 attractions
6
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Get direction
2 attractions
7
Parnell Village
Get direction
2 attractions
8
Takaparawhau, Bastion Point Lookout
Get direction
2 attractions
9
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium
Get direction
2 attractions
1
Auckland Museum
Get direction
2 attractions
2
Wintergardens
Get direction
2 attractions
3
Mt Eden/Maungawhau
Get direction
2 attractions
4
Eden Park/Kingsland
Get direction
2 attractions
5
Auckland Zoo
Get direction
2 attractions
6
MOTAT
Get direction
2 attractions
- Discover Auckland’s sparkling harbors and volcanic peaks with a 24/48-hour hop-on hop-off tour, the ideal way to see the city’s highlights without limits!
- Every 30 minutes, a new bus swings by 14 prime stops around Auckland, placing top sights like the Sky Tower and Art Gallery within quick reach.
- Touring aboard a double-decker bus with English audio commentary makes the journey between stops feel like a mini history tour!
- Soak up views from Sky Tower’s 328m-high observation deck, explore the Art Gallery’s Maori works, and the War Memorial Museum featuring NZ’s history.
- Discover Auckland’s sparkling harbors and volcanic peaks with a 24/48-hour hop-on hop-off tour, the ideal way to see the city’s highlights without limits!
- Every 30 minutes, a new bus swings by 14 prime stops around Auckland, placing top sights like the Sky Tower and Art Gallery within quick reach.
- Touring aboard a double-decker bus with English audio commentary makes the journey between stops feel like a mini history tour!
- Soak up views from Sky Tower’s 328m-high observation deck, explore the Art Gallery’s Maori works, and the War Memorial Museum featuring NZ’s history.
Inclusions
- 24/48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
- Access to Red & Blue routes
- Audio commentary in English
Please click here for a detailed route map and its boarding points.
You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red Inner Tour
- First bus: 9am from stop #1 (Downtown Auckland)
- Last bus: 4pm from stop #1 (Downtown Auckland)
- Frequency: Approx. every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell Village, Bastion Point, and SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium
Blue Outer Tour (Nov to Apr)
- First bus: 9am from stop #1 (Downtown Auckland)
- Last bus: 4pm from stop #1 (Downtown Auckland)
- Frequency: Approx. every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Wintergardens, Mt. Eden/Maungawhau & Eden Park/Kingsland
- Most buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Large pieces of luggage are not allowed onboard. However, you can carry small bags like handbags and backpacks onboard the bus.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.1
379 ratings
167
137
43
17
15
Guests from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and over 28 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
SUSAN
Jul 2025Verified booking
The convenience of not driving and the pleasure of seeing! The bus height enable expansive view. The 30 mins frequency allowed for quick visits and then back on the bus. The bus warmth as the day cooled.
Lim
Jun 2025Verified booking
Patient drivers and helpful staff. Buses were on time. Hop on and off whenever we like. Able to fully explore Auckland in one day, visiting many attractions. Totally free and easy itinerary, relaxing yet fun.
Ray
Jun 2025Verified booking
Usual worthwhile experience when visiting a new city. Sadly our first bus was a single Decker so we found the view restricted. Second bus was open topped so fab!
Rosalind
May 2025Verified booking
The audio system on the bus was not working properly. There was a lot of static and the commentary was cutting in and out. Most of the 90 minutes tour there was no audio commentary. Another passenger told the driver, who said sorry but couldn't fix it.
CHIZUKO
May 2025Verified booking
Narelle
May 2025Verified booking
Cheryl
May 2025Verified booking
Denise
May 2025Verified booking
Jasmine
Jul 2025Verified booking
Shocking experience ! Unclear booking information on ticket. $150 spent on bus tickets we were unable to use! Absolute joke. No assistance from support team. Not willing to help or try and get some sort of resolution. 100% will never book through this company again! Absolute rip off and joke.
Kamaliah
Apr 2025Verified booking
I had a great experience and orientation tour on Auckland City with the Explorer Bus. Awesome service and excellent routing on Auckland.
ALAN
Mar 2025Verified booking
The ticketing and bus stops was staright forward. The route taken by the Bus for the Blue and Red tour's stopped at some varied places. With buses every 20 mins, it was easy to hop on and off at places of interest. Good information from drivers. I would recomend this tour as a way to get to know Auckland.
Amanda
Mar 2025Verified booking
Great way to see a bit of Auckland in a short amount of time.
Viktoriia
Apr 2025Verified booking
I liked the route that goes across all interesting and picturesque places in Auckland, comfortable bus providing access to amazing views, audio guide telling interesting things about history and places. And of course an opportunity to hop on and off!)
Kim
Apr 2025Verified booking
The tour changed from red to blue tour at a stop, BUT there was no indication that was going to happen. No indication from the bus driver or announcement. Most people on the bus were annoyed.
DeaDotta
Apr 2025Verified booking
Buses were great, did have covered seating on top level, which was needed since it rained a lot while we were there. Narration was interesting and easy to understand. Appreciated not having to use 'ear buds'. We appreciated that we could do both the red line and the blue line without having to get off and change buses. The first day, when it was raining, we just stayed on board and figured out which stops we wanted to go back to (had 2 day tickets!) This was our main way of getting around Auckland and it worked out well for us.
Allison
Mar 2025Verified booking
Easy to do and I liked that the bus changed to and from red and blue tour at the junction point. This saved getting of there if you didn't want to. I wasn't so impressdc with the end time. This meant I had to leave the mueseum an hour before it closed so I had time to get back to the centre, surely you could extend the service an hour so visitors could remain at difreent attractions until they closed?
Peter
Mar 2025Verified booking
Buses run frequently so didn't have to worry about getting back to the shop place that was on the route were interesting especially the war museum
Katherine
Mar 2025Verified booking
The tour was fine, a good way to see varied parts of Auckland. What we didn't like was that there was not one downtown departure point for each tour; it was annoying to have to redo part of the tour of one colour in order to get back to the starting place of the other tour.
michael
Mar 2025Verified booking
Loved the flexibility ! Loved seeing the entire city of Sydney Loved the narrated tour Loved city on top of the open bus where you could see & hear & feel the city Loved the economical cost My package also had the hop on ferry and the Sydney eye included
Steven
Mar 2025Verified booking
Ease of booking online and securing tickets at any stop. The stops all had interesting sights to be seen and experienced.
Patricia
Apr 2025Verified booking
Interesting commentary and helpful team.
Gary
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great to take the same bus on both red and blue routes.
Janice
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great narrative--easy to hear and well-coordinated with the stops.
Rollie
Apr 2025Verified booking
Not having to wait long for the next bus!!
Sarah
Apr 2025Verified booking
Clear audio through the headphones! Some other companies they need to update this. Great choice of stops etc.
4.5(317)
Western Explorer: Waiheke Island Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with Optional Ferry Transfers
4.5/5
(317)
Juden
Aug 2025Verified booking
5/5
It was a really nice experience to begin with. The bus tour driver bought heaps of trivias and jokes. It makes the trips so very welcoming. No dull moments, just pure happiness and enjoyment. Hope heaps of tourists will experience that kind of service. Highly recommend! The photo uploaded was taken at Station 13.
Julie
Apr 2025Verified booking
5/5
The convenience of being able to choose what we wanted to do during our day on Waiheke Island. It was very ease to get on and off at each stop. Also knowing that there would be a bus passed every 20 minutes made our day easy. All the drivers and guides were extremely friendly and informative. You could tell that they enjoyed their job.
Fei
Mar 2025Verified booking
5/5
In general the HOHO service is quite comfortable and convenient, plus staff was accomodating and friendly!
The only drawback is the issue that it took us a while to collect our tickets at ferry teminal in Central Auckland for the staff didn't find the reservation in the system.
Routes
TimelineMap
1
Matiatia Ferry Terminal
2
Mudbrick Vineyard
Get direction
1 attractions
3
Cable Bay Vineyard and Allpress Olive Groves
Get direction
1 attractions
4
Waiheke Community Art Gallery
Get direction
1 attractions
5
Oneroa Village
Get direction
1 attractions
6
Goldie and Kennedy Point Vineyards
Get direction
1 attractions
7
Ostend Village
Get direction
1 attractions
8
Wild Estate, Stonyridge, Te Motu and Soho Family Vineyards
Get direction
1 attractions
9
Postage Stamp Wines and The Heke Kitchen, Brewery and Distillery
Get direction
1 attractions
10
Onetangi Beach - Charlie's, Three Seven Two
Get direction
1 attractions
11
Waiheke Museum
Get direction
1 attractions
12
Opposite Wild Estate, Stonyridge, SohoTe, and Motu Family Vineyards
Get direction
1 attractions
13
Batch Winery and Waiheke Wings
Get direction
1 attractions
14
Ostend Village
Get direction
1 attractions
15
Goldie and Kennedy Point Vineyards
Get direction
1 attractions
16
Oneroa Village
Get direction
1 attractions
Flexible hop-on hop-off tour with Auckland ferry transfer upgrade.
- This hop-on-hop-off bus gives you access to the Western Explorer route with real-time tracking. Opt for a 1 or 2-day pass and upgrade to include Auckland ferry transfers.
- This tour is perfect for families, independent travelers, and day-trippers. It lets you design your own schedule while exploring the island and stopping at the places that interest you.
- The tour is an 80-minute loop of Waiheke’s top spots with 15 handpicked stops, including premium vineyards, boutique shops, and golden beaches.
- From the Mudbrick Vineyard to the golden sands of Onetangi Beach, your trip will include the perfect blend of wine tasting, boutique shopping, and coastal charm.
Flexible hop-on hop-off tour with Auckland ferry transfer upgrade.
- This hop-on-hop-off bus gives you access to the Western Explorer route with real-time tracking. Opt for a 1 or 2-day pass and upgrade to include Auckland ferry transfers.
- This tour is perfect for families, independent travelers, and day-trippers. It lets you design your own schedule while exploring the island and stopping at the places that interest you.
- The tour is an 80-minute loop of Waiheke’s top spots with 15 handpicked stops, including premium vineyards, boutique shops, and golden beaches.
- From the Mudbrick Vineyard to the golden sands of Onetangi Beach, your trip will include the perfect blend of wine tasting, boutique shopping, and coastal charm.
Inclusions
- 1 or 2-day hop-on hop-off tour (based on option selected)
- Access to the Western Explorer Route
- Round-trip walk-up ferry transfers from Auckland (based on option selected)
- Mobile app with live bus tracking
Exclusions
- Entry fee to various attractions
- Winery tastings or tours
Please click here for a detailed route map and its boarding points.
You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Western Explorer Route
First bus: 10am from Matiatia Ferry Terminal
Last bus: 5:20pm from Matiatia Ferry Terminal
Frequency: Every 20 minutes
Popular stops: Oneroa Village, Cable Bay Vineyard, Onetangi Beach
Round-trip ferry transfer
Board your Fullers360 Waiheke Walk-up ferry from piers 11 and 12 from Auckland’s Downtown Ferry Terminal. On the way back, ride the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus back to Matiatia Ferry Terminal and catch the Fuller360 Waiheke Walk-up ferry from pier 1.
Please click here for a detailed timetable.
First ferry: 6am
Last ferry: 4pm
Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- Bring your swimsuit, towel, and walking shoes during the summer.
- This experience is wheelchair and stroller accessible. However, some walking trails may be difficult to access with a stroller.
- Dogs inside pet carriers are welcome.
- Most ferries have fully licensed cafés, Wi-Fi, power points, luggage and bike racks. All ferries are equipped with toilets.
- Remember to thoroughly check your gear for pests before boarding, clean your footwear to remove soil and seeds, and ensure any food is in a sealed container.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.5
317 ratings
162
150
0
1
4
Guests from Australia, United Kingdom, United States and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Juri
Aug 2025Verified booking
it's really good for us the drivers explained each winnery and Island history. But the bus time talble is every a hour route .when we miss the bus we have to wait a hour, it's waste of time for the travler.
Rowena
Aug 2025Verified booking
Ash (the main tour guide we encountered) was very informative and entertaining. Was great to be able to go as fast or slow as we wanted. Mudbrick winery was a highlight - must stop destination!
Juden
Aug 2025Verified booking
It was a really nice experience to begin with. The bus tour driver bought heaps of trivias and jokes. It makes the trips so very welcoming. No dull moments, just pure happiness and enjoyment. Hope heaps of tourists will experience that kind of service. Highly recommend! The photo uploaded was taken at Station 13.
May-Anne
Aug 2025Verified booking
The bus drivers are friendly, specially the younger one.He is so funny as well, the tour was never boring thanks to him. Also, the island is fantastic! A really must-see in NZ.
Rosalie
Jun 2025Verified booking
Didn't have printed tickets but worked well from my mobile. Bus driver ASH was excellent. Good commentary with some humour.
Trina
Jun 2025Verified booking
Convenience although buses were too full, too many standing. And drivers were lovely, funny and informative 😊
Ken
May 2025Verified booking
Yuri
Aug 2025Verified booking
I am still waiting for the team to resolve my issue. I was given wrong information over the phone and most of things were already closed by the time I caught the first ferry. I was the only passenger boarding on the bus after ferry transfer. The bus driver said I should have not be allowed to buy such a late coming ticket as most are already closed. I could not use hop on hop off as as it's supposed to be.
Julie
Apr 2025Verified booking
The convenience of being able to choose what we wanted to do during our day on Waiheke Island. It was very ease to get on and off at each stop. Also knowing that there would be a bus passed every 20 minutes made our day easy. All the drivers and guides were extremely friendly and informative. You could tell that they enjoyed their job.
Fei
Mar 2025Verified booking
In general the HOHO service is quite comfortable and convenient, plus staff was accomodating and friendly! The only drawback is the issue that it took us a while to collect our tickets at ferry teminal in Central Auckland for the staff didn't find the reservation in the system.
Markus
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great experiance and the best way to Discovery the beautiful Waiheke 👍
Lauralee
Apr 2025Verified booking
ease to book. ease to get around on the island. many drop off sites.
Mark
Mar 2025Verified booking
Nicola and Tanya - and all the other crews 😁
Danica
Apr 2025Verified booking
Helen
Apr 2025Verified booking
Daleen
Apr 2025Verified booking
Simon
Apr 2025Verified booking
Robin
Mar 2025Verified booking
Maura
Mar 2025Verified booking
Nathan
Mar 2025Verified booking
Headout Guest
Mar 2025Verified booking
Headout Guest
Mar 2025Verified booking
Headout Guest
Mar 2025Verified booking
Headout Guest
Mar 2025Verified booking
Headout Guest
Mar 2025Verified booking
From happy customers
Rowena
AustraliaAug, 2025
Ash (the main tour guide we encountered) was very informative and entertaining. Was great to be able to go as fast or slow as we wanted. Mudbrick winery was a highlight - must stop destination!
Western Explorer: Waiheke Island Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with Optional Ferry Transfers
Susan
New ZealandJul, 2025
The convenience of not driving and the pleasure of seeing! The bus height enable expansive view. The 30 mins frequency allowed for quick visits and then back on the bus. The bus warmth as the day cooled.
Explorer Bus: Auckland Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Alan
United KingdomMar, 2025
+ 2 more
The ticketing and bus stops was staright forward. The route taken by the Bus for the Blue and Red tour's stopped at some varied places. With buses every 20 mins, it was easy to hop on and off at places of interest. Good information from drivers. I would recomend this tour as a way to get to know Auckland.
Explorer Bus: Auckland Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Stephen
United StatesOct, 2023
Great opportunity to see a beautiful town. Only negative was when the driver yelled at us at a place where she stopped and the back door opened, which where I come from, means that it is a stop. Apparently it was not
Combo: 24/48-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Auckland + Sky Tower Tickets
Malehlogonolo
Nov, 2022
Had the best time using the bus to get to all the main city attractions. Bus was efficient, howeve during peak hour, around 4ish, had to wait for an hour for pick up. This was my only issue, besides this everything was superb.
Combo: 24/48-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Auckland + Sky Tower Tickets
Julie
AustraliaSep, 2023
Good information from website and staff on the day, easy to book online, very friendly staff, buses on time within a few minutes, good information from the recording on the bus, a really easy and convenient way to get around the city, hopping on and off whenever you want to. 🙂
Combo: 24/48-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Auckland + Auckland Museum Ticket
Why choose Auckland Hop-on Hop-off bus tours
- Auckland's diverse exploration: From the bustling CBD and waterfront to the charming Parnell Village, Auckland has a wide variety of attractions in different neighborhoods. A hop-on hop-off bus seamlessly connects them all in one route.
- Enjoy the city’s panoramic cityscapes: Auckland is known as the City of Sails, thanks to its beautiful harbor and waterfront views. The hop-on hop-off bus allows travelers to enjoy panoramic cityscapes from open-top seats while cruising past many iconic locations.
- Avoid navigation challenges: Like many major cities, Auckland has congested roads with limited parking spaces. With a hop-on hop-off tour, you don’t need to worry about parking, fuel, or navigation challenges across the city.
- Ideal for short stays: Many travelers only have a day or two in Auckland before heading to other popular destinations like Rotorua, the Bay of Islands, or Queenstown. The hop-on hop-off bus allows them to maximize their time by covering multiple attractions quickly and efficiently.
- Gain fascinating insights with pre-recorded commentary: With live pre-recorded commentary in English, travelers can learn fascinating facts about the city's Maori heritage, colonial history, and modern development. This adds a layer of engagement and storytelling to the journey, making sightseeing more immersive and meaningful.
Hop-on Hop-off buses are the perfect choice for
First-time visitors
For travelers new to Auckland, hop-on hop-off buses offer a curated, easy-to-follow route covering all major landmarks, without worrying about getting lost or missing connections.
Families
The buses are designed to accommodate groups, making it easy for friends and families of all sizes to explore together.
Solo travelers
Solo travelers will find the hop-on hop-off tour a safe, social, and efficient way to explore Auckland independently.
Photography enthusiasts
Hop-on Hop-off buses provide incredible, unobstructed views of Auckland’s skyline, waterfront, and landmarks and the flexibility to chase the best natural lighting.
Budget-conscious tourists
Combining transport and guided commentary into a single ticket, hop-on hop-off bus tours save time and money while offering an enriching travel experience.
How to book tickets
Step 1: Choose your route
Each tour follows a unique route. Review the routes and stops and pick the tour that covers your must-see attractions.
Step 2: Book your tickets
Purchase your Hop-on Hop-off tickets easily using a credit or debit card.
Step 3: Check your email
Receive your ticket voucher instantly in your inbox. If you don’t see it, check your spam or junk folder.
Step 4: Download the operator’s app
Track the bus in real-time, plan your journey, and explore routes with an interactive map.
Step 5: Hop-on & explore!
Head to any designated stop, redeem your mobile voucher at Stop 1 or 2, and start your adventure!
Top landmarks on your Auckland Hop-on Hop-off tour
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Sky City
A must-visit for its 360° views from the Sky Tower, world-class dining, entertainment, casino, luxury hotels, and thrilling experiences like the SkyWalk and SkyJump - all in one iconic destination.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hop-on Hop-off Auckland tours
How long is the full circuit of the Auckland hop-on hop-off bus tour?
The Red Inner Tour takes 70 minutes to complete a full, non-stop loop, while the Blue Outer Tour takes about 50 minutes. Buses depart every 30 minutes.
Are the hop-on hop-off buses wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the buses are wheelchair accessible.
Are the buses operational on public holidays?
The buses operate all round the year but are closed on Christmas.
Are there any discounts available?
Yes, discounted tickets are available for groups of 15 or more, subject to availability.
Is there luggage storage available on the bus?
Large items like suitcases cannot be accommodated on the bus, but you’re welcome to bring small carry-on items such as handbags or collapsible strollers with you.