🚇 The City Rail Link opens Sunday September 13.
The route
The CRL tunnel runs from a rebuilt Waitematā Station (formerly Britomart) beneath Albert Street and Mercury Lane, calling at Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape before surfacing at Maungawhau (formerly Mt Eden). From there, trains continue on to the rest of the network above ground.
🔀 Getting to Maungawhau from the South City Line? Maungawhau is only served by the East West Line. If you're travelling on the South City Line — from Pukekohe, Papakura, Manurewa, Newmarket and stations in between — change platforms at Karanga-a-Hape onto an East West Line train to reach Maungawhau.
👇 Click any station name to open the full neighbourhood guide.
The four stations
| Station | Overview |
|---|---|
Waitematā |
Waitematā Station — known for most of its life as Britomart — is Auckland's central rail hub, sitting beneath the heritage General Post Office building at the foot of Queen Street. Step out and you are immediately surrounded by some of the city's best dining, drinking and retail, with the Waitematā Harbour just a few minutes' walk away. The Downtown Ferry Terminal is right next door, connecting you to Devonport, Waiheke Island and the wider Hauraki Gulf. Served by both the East West Line and the South City Line. |
| Te Waihorotiu New |
Te Waihorotiu Station is named for the Waihorotiu Stream that once flowed through this valley before being buried beneath Queen Street. Located on Albert Street between Wellesley and Victoria Streets, the station sits at the geographic heart of Auckland's cultural, entertainment and civic life — the Aotea Quarter arts precinct, SkyCity, the International Convention Centre, the Auckland Art Gallery, and the city's main universities are all within easy walking distance. Wellesley Street serves as a dedicated bus interchange, making Te Waihorotiu the best-connected station on the Auckland network. Served by both the East West Line and the South City Line. |
| Karanga-a-Hape New |
Karangahape Road — universally known as K Road — is one of Auckland's most distinctive and culturally rich streets. Long the heart of Auckland's LGBTQ+, arts and alternative communities, it has also become one of the city's best dining and drinking destinations without losing any of its edge. The station sits right below the road, with K Road's full length of restaurants, bars, live music venues and legendary thrift shops within easy walking distance of both entrances. Served by both the East West Line and the South City Line. This is where South City Line passengers transfer for Maungawhau. |
| Maungawhau New |
Maungawhau Station serves the Uptown precinct — a dense, walkable neighbourhood spanning Eden Terrace, Mt Eden and Newton. Several excellent cafes, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine, fine dining, Korean BBQ, specialty wine bars and gastropubs are all within a 5-minute walk. The iconic Maungawhau / Mt Eden volcano is about 15 minutes on foot. Served only by the East West Line — not the South City Line. Also served by the Onehunga West Line at peak times. |
Travel tips
A few practical tips for common journeys affected by the CRL changes.
🚶 Travelling from the South City Line to Maungawhau? Change at Karanga-a-Hape — it's only 15 metres (about 20 seconds) on foot, with no stairs, lifts or escalators required.
🏥 Used to catch the Western Line to Grafton or Newmarket at peak times? Change at Karanga-a-Hape the same way — 15 metres, no stairs or lifts. If you're heading to Auckland Hospital, it's often easier to catch a bus from Karangahape Road instead, around the corner from Pitt Street — the Inner Link, 866 or 966 all head to Newmarket, running every 5 to 10 minutes, about a 4-minute ride. If you're heading to the University of Auckland main campus or AUT, stay on the train to Te Waihorotiu instead and either walk, or catch an NX2 bus from Wellesley Street for 2 stops — buses run every couple of minutes at peak times.
🚉 Travelling from the East West Line to stations south of Newmarket? You'll no longer change at Newmarket. Either change at Karanga-a-Hape onto the South City Line, or — at off-peak times — catch the Onehunga West Line direct to Remuera, Greenlane, Ellerslie and Penrose.
✈️ Heading from Onehunga into the city? Catch the Onehunga West Line to Newmarket, then change to the South City Line. Don't be thrown if the train's displayed as "Newmarket" — it travels through the City Rail Link first before arriving there.
🌳 Travelling from the East West Line to Parnell? Change at Waitematā Station for a South City Line train that terminates at Newmarket, calling at Parnell on the way.
Venue and station details were current at time of writing. Always check at.govt.nz for current timetables and service information.