Auckland Airport to city by bus & train

[AustraliaPoochie]

Don't think the NZ public transport half fare system will be back.
Now the only way, is travel off peak in some cities and pay 90% of the fare, but this must be with the pre paid card as per each city, Hop for Auckland, Snapper for Wellingtoon etc.
But from AKL to Puhinui, then train from there is the best, not cheap though, ...
Bus all the way from AKL airport to the city, does entail 3/4 changes of buses, AKL airport to Mangere, and then something to Ellerlsie then the 70 to city.
I believe the Take Home at AKL airport still sells the Hop, but not sure what will happen when credit cards/debit cards can be used on public transport in NZ.
Each time we use most Aust issued cards, there is a fee, it will zap quite an amount if we have to tap the card many times per day in AKL/WLG/CHC/ZQN instead of their "former" prepaid public transport cards.
Not sure that there is a Kiwi bank that will allow an account to be opened by Aussies, not moving to NZ, that is.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So, just noticed, Auckland dom airport terminal, has a HOP card machine to buy and top up Hop.
But for the Auckland int airport terminal, its still having to go Take Home food outlet.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If anyone reads this and wants the Skydrive AKL Skycity pick up location, its on the other side, ie, opposite of the Skycity hotel checkin, directly behind the hotel, right under Auckland Skytower.
The curved car park out the front of the Skycity, is for car and taxi drop off, but at the back of the hotel, is a lot of bus bays, not only Skydrive, but also Kiwi Experience buses that cross the North Island.
===
The Skydrive website, lists trips from the city on the first line, with times, and on the 2nd line, its from the airport to the city, and alternates so.
When I first saw the website, I couldn't see trips from the airport to the city.
If your trips are during the day, maybe get the bus to Puhinui, but evenings or nights, till last, Skydrive is the one to go for.
After that, its $$$ Supershuttle, or the Novotel/Pullman Auckland Airport, if you won lotto.