Auckland's ferry network is one of the city's great assets — 13 AT-contracted routes crossing the Waitematā Harbour and Hauraki Gulf, plus private tourist operators running trips to the Hauraki Gulf islands. Whether you're commuting from the North Shore, heading to Waiheke for the weekend, or exploring the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland's ferries are an enjoyable and practical way to get around.
The basics
How to pay
The easiest way to pay is with an AT HOP card or contactless payment (bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay) — both give the same discounted fare. AT HOP is accepted on all AT ferry routes except Rakino Island. Cash tickets can be purchased from machines at the Downtown Ferry Terminal and onboard most vessels — but fares are significantly higher. See the How to pay section for details on concessions and the $50 weekly fare cap.
Fare zones
Ferry fares are set by zone — inner harbour, mid harbour and outer harbour. Note these are separate to bus and train zones and are generally higher for equivalent distances.
$12.00 cash · 12–15 min crossing
$15.00 cash · 30–40 min crossing
$17.50 cash · 40–55 min crossing
⛴️ Weekly fare cap: The $50 weekly fare cap applies to AT HOP and contactless users on inner harbour ferries (Devonport, Bayswater, Birkenhead, Northcote Point), combined with buses and trains. Mid and outer harbour ferry fares do not count toward the cap. Check at.govt.nz for current fares.
Park and Sail
Free park and sail facilities are available at Devonport, Birkenhead, Northcote Point, Bayswater, Pine Harbour and Half Moon Bay. West Harbour also has parking available on weekdays. Spaces fill quickly at popular terminals — arrive early on weekday mornings.
AT ferry routes
All times are approximate. Frequencies vary — always check the AT Journey Planner or download timetable PDFs for exact departure times before you travel.
| Route | Zone & Fare (AT HOP) | Crossing time | Peak (weekday AM/PM) | Off-peak (midday) | Evening | Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devonport Pier 1 · Runs 7 days |
Inner $7.80 |
12 min | Every 15 min | Every 30 min | Every 30 min (until ~11:30pm, Fri/Sat until 1am) | Every 30 min all day |
| Bayswater Pier 1 · Peak only |
Inner $7.80 |
12 min | Every 30 min | Hourly | Until ~10:25pm | Every 2–3 hrs |
| Birkenhead & Te Onewa Northcote Pt Pier 1 · Runs 7 days |
Inner $7.80 |
15 min | Every 40 min | Hourly | Until ~10:40pm | Every 2–3 hrs (combined Birkenhead & Northcote Point service) |
| Beach Haven & Hobsonville Point Pier 5 · Runs 7 days Hobsonville 30 min · Beach Haven 35 min |
Mid $10.40 |
30 min (Hobsonville) 35 min (Beach Haven) |
Every 40 min | Every 2 hrs | Every 2 hrs | Every 2 hrs |
| West Harbour Pier 5 · Weekdays only |
Mid $10.40 |
35 min | Peak hour sailings only | No service | No service | No service |
| Half Moon Bay Pier 4 · Runs 7 days |
Mid $10.40 |
40 min | Every 1–2 hrs | Every 2 hrs (until ~4pm) | Hourly from ~4pm | Every 3 hrs · last ferry ~4:30pm |
| Gulf Harbour Pier 8 · Weekdays only Operated by Fullers360 AT fares apply |
Outer $13.80 |
55 min | ~3 peak sailings each direction | 1 midday sailing each direction | 1–2 evening sailings | No service (weather-dependent; buses replace cancelled sailings) |
| Pine Harbour (Beachlands) Pier 4 · Runs 7 days Operated by SeaLink AT fares apply |
Outer $13.80 |
45 min | Peak hour sailings (~3–4 per direction) | Every 2–3 hrs | Limited evening sailings | Every 2–3 hrs |
| Waiheke Island (Island Direct) Pier 2 · Runs 7 days AT HOP & contactless accepted |
Commercial from $31.00 |
35 min | Every 30–60 min (every 2 hrs in winter) | Every 30–60 min (every 2 hrs in winter) | Hourly (limited in winter) | Every 30–60 min (every 2 hrs in winter) |
| Waiheke Island (Fullers360) Pier 2 · Runs 7 days AT HOP accepted · no contactless |
Commercial from $31.00 |
35 min | Every 30 min | Every 30–60 min | Hourly | Every 30–60 min |
| Rakino Island Seasonal · AT HOP not accepted |
Outer Cash only |
55 min | Regular sailings on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, plus additional days — check at.govt.nz timetables for the current schedule | |||
💡 Waiheke tip: On summer weekends, sailings to Waiheke can sell out — book ahead on the Fullers360 or Island Direct app or website. For the best value, use Island Direct with your AT HOP card.
Downtown Ferry Terminal
Almost all AT ferry services depart from the Downtown Ferry Terminal on Quay Street — a short walk west of Waitematā (Britomart) train station. The terminal has multiple piers, ticket machines, toilets, a café and AT HOP top-up facilities. Each route departs from a specific pier — check the pier number before heading down.
Tourist ferry trips
Beyond the commuter network, several operators run tourist ferry services across the Hauraki Gulf — from island day trips to whale and dolphin cruises. These are separate from the AT network and have their own ticketing.
⛴️ Fullers360
Waiheke Island: The best-known ferry to Waiheke — approximately every 30 minutes at peak times, every hour off-peak. Return fares from $31.00 per adult. AT HOP accepted, but no contactless payment — buy online, on the app, or at the terminal.
Rangitoto Island: Day trips to Auckland's iconic volcanic island. Multiple sailings daily. 25-minute crossing. Bring good shoes for the summit walk.
Hauraki Gulf Cruises: Scenic cruise options around the inner gulf. Book at fullers.co.nz.
⛴️ Explore Group
Rotoroa Island: A unique arts, heritage and conservation island in the Hauraki Gulf. Full-day and half-day visits with guided walking tracks, beaches and island history. Departs Downtown Ferry Terminal.
Waiheke Island (Orapiu): Explore operates services to the eastern end of Waiheke — arriving at Orapiu rather than Matiatia, giving access to the quieter eastern part of the island. Shuttles at Orapiu add access to the waterfront Man-O-War vineyard.
Tiritiri Matangi Island: A stunning open wildlife sanctuary — kiwi, takahē, saddleback and tuatara. Day trips with guided walks. Book well ahead as trips sell out.
Coromandel: Day trip sailings across the Firth of Thames to Coromandel Town. A scenic and popular way to visit without driving.
Whale & dolphin cruises: Guided marine wildlife cruises in the Hauraki Gulf, searching for orca, dolphins and seabirds. Seasonal.
Sailing trips: Charter sailing experiences on the Waitematā. Book at exploregroup.co.nz.
⛴️ Red Boats
Riverhead Tavern: A unique cruise up the upper Waitematā Harbour to the Riverhead Tavern — one of New Zealand's oldest country pubs. Tide-dependent sailings, departing from Pier Z, Westhaven Marina on the western edge of Auckland's waterfront. A popular group outing.
Motuihe Island: Scenic summer sailings to Motuihe Island in the inner Hauraki Gulf — a beautiful island with beaches and walking tracks. Operates during the summer holiday period only.