Auckland Explorer: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Tour
Auckland, New Zealand
- 1 day (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
See Auckland’s major sights and attractions with a hop-on hop-off city bus tour featuring informative audio commentary. Perfect for first-time visitors, it’s a great way to explore the city. The bus tour takes about an hour to complete. Enjoy the flexibility of a 1-day or 2-day pass, hop off at key points including Parnell Village, the Auckland Museum, or the Sky Tower, and stay connected with Wi-Fi on board.
- Create your own sightseeing itinerary to suit your schedule
- Stay on the bus for the loop or hop off to visit Auckland attractions
- Be as active or relaxed as you like by staying on board or getting off
- Ideal for first-time visitors to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city
What's Included
- Hop-on hop-off tour
- Informative English commentary
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- WiFi on board
- Enjoy onboard multilingual audio commentary in Mandarin, Spanish, German, and Japanese via an app
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Start time.9:00 am
Departure Point
- You may start this tour at any of the stops listed.
Ticket Redemption Points
Itinerary
Start your hop-on hop-off bus tour in Downtown Auckland. You can create your own sightseeing itinerary with a flexible ticket, valid for one or two days. Listen to interesting audio commentary during the entire loop. Buses depart regularly throughout the day on a seasonal schedule.
If you like, hop on and off throughout the day to explore Auckland on your own or visit top attractions. Discover New Zealand history at the Auckland Museum, meet King and Gentoo penguins at Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium, and soak up the city skyline from the Sky Tower, to name a few.
If you like, hop on and off throughout the day to explore Auckland on your own or visit top attractions. Discover New Zealand history at the Auckland Museum, meet King and Gentoo penguins at Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium, and soak up the city skyline from the Sky Tower, to name a few.
Red Tour
10 Stops
6 Points of Interest
Duration: 1 day
Operating Schedule: The first bus departs at 9:00 am and the last bus departs at 4.00 pm - departing each stop every 30min (*timings may vary due to traffic conditions)
1
Stop 1/23 Customs Street East
2
SkyCity Auckland
3
Auckland Art Gallery
4
359 Broadway
5
Auckland Museum
6
Holy Trinity Cathedral
7
279 Parnell Road
8
12 Tamaki Drive
9
Hapimana Street
10
23 Tamaki Drive
Points of interest passed by on this route
Sky Tower
Auckland Museum
Hauraki Gulf
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Bastion Point
Princes Wharf
Free Blue Loop - October to April
6 Stops
1 Point of Interest
Duration: 1 day
Operating Schedule: The first bus departs at 9:30 am and the last bus departs at 3:30 pm - departing each stop every 30min (*timings may vary due to traffic conditions)
1
Auckland War Memorial Museum
2
Domain Wintergardens
3
Mount Eden
4
Eden Park
5
Auckland Zoo
6
MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology
Points of interest passed by on this route
Eden Park
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Please note, some days when cruise ships are in port, we can be extremely busy. Additional coaches are used to help with the crowds, however, wait times may still increase.
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.0
based on 1,288 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
We do these hop in hop off tour in most cities we visit. This was the worst. There were three stops where the driver didn’t stop long enough for people to get off. We stood up to get off and he took off, knocking us off of our feet. Very disappointed.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Alan, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We are very sorry that the bus moved off while you and other passengers were trying to get off. Passenger safety is our highest priority, and what you have described is not the experience or standard we expect from our drivers. We take this feedback extremely seriously and will raise it with our operations team so the service involved can be reviewed. We sincerely apologise for the distress and disappointment caused during your visit to Auckland.
Most of the stops were not really tourist attractions. There were only a very few that were worth while
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Rosanna, thank you for sharing your feedback. We are sorry the tour did not provide the value or range of attractions you expected. Our route is designed to connect visitors with a mix of Auckland’s major landmarks, neighbourhoods, museums and scenic locations, but we appreciate that not every stop will suit every traveller’s interests. Your comments are valuable and will be shared with our team as we continue reviewing the route and the way we communicate what guests can experience at each stop.
Auckland hop on hop off is must if you want to experience and learn about the city of auckland. Its convinient and highly recommended
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Donald, thank you for the wonderful recommendation! We are delighted that you found the Auckland Explorer Bus a convenient way to experience and learn about Auckland. Helping visitors discover the city while travelling at their own pace is exactly what we aim to provide. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Auckland.
Good, efficient and informative welcome. Bus route map was clear and service went to time. Service was tailored for visit of our large cruise ship which was good as it was leaving port at 3.30pm.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Catherine, thank you for your lovely review. We are pleased you found the service efficient, informative and easy to navigate, and that the route map and timetable worked well for your visit. It is especially good to hear that our cruise-day schedule helped you make the most of Auckland before your ship’s departure. Thank you for choosing Auckland Explorer Bus, and we hope you had a wonderful onward journey.
Wonderful guides, very knowledgeable, very accommodating. The whole tour was fantastic from start to finish.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Denise, thank you for your wonderful feedback! We are thrilled that you enjoyed the tour from start to finish and found our guides knowledgeable and accommodating. Our team takes great pride in helping visitors discover Auckland, so your kind comments will mean a great deal to them. Thank you for choosing Auckland Explorer Bus, and we hope you left with many happy memories of the city.
I get had another day we should have purchased the two day pass. There were a few stops we wanted to see but spent all our time at the zoo. We had done an uber to the War Memorial the previous day but shorlukd have done that on this trip.
Depending on your interests, a two day pass is well warranted.
We thought the location directions for pick up were weird. The directs could just be ‘meet at the base of the tower’. We missed your first bus looking for the stop. But other than that, a good and economical way to see the sights in and around Auckland.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Carlton, thank you for your thoughtful review. It sounds like Auckland Zoo was well worth the visit, and we agree that a two-day pass can be a great option when guests want time to explore several attractions. We are sorry the pickup directions were unclear and caused you to miss the first bus. Your suggestion to describe the location as being at the base of the tower is practical and helpful, and we will share it with our team. We are pleased that, aside from this, you found the service an economical way to see Auckland.
Uses both red and blue lines. Was not expecting that so pleasant surprise. Great way to get around town.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Lee, thank you for your review! We are pleased that the inclusion of both the red and blue routes was a welcome surprise and helped you see more of Auckland. It is great to hear that you found the service a convenient way to get around the city. Thank you for travelling with Auckland Explorer Bus, and we hope you enjoyed exploring all the different neighbourhoods and attractions along the way.
Stops and recorded narrative were limted for where we wanted to go. When we wanted to return to a red line route stop, we didn't realize we would have to complete both the blue line route and red line route before returning to the red line stop we wanted. We chose to exit the bus and walk back to the cruise port.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Shari, thank you for sharing your experience. We are sorry the route structure and recorded commentary did not meet your needs. We understand how frustrating it would have been to discover that returning to your preferred red-line stop required completing both routes. Your feedback highlights the importance of clearly explaining route connections and expected travel times before guests board. We will share your comments with our team as we review how this information is communicated. We apologise that you ultimately needed to leave the bus and walk back to the cruise port.
The stops were good - it went to all the major attractions and in theory would be an easy way to get around however in practice it lacked buses. Now granted we were on a cruise and therefore there were more people on the buses then normal, but on several stops we were stranded as 2-4 buses refused to let us on as it was full. And the frequency was also not as advertised - it was supposed to be every 30-35 mins but sometimes the duration between buses was an hour or more. But take that away it went to all the major attractions, has a good number of stops and good commentary (English not sure about other languages). The one thing I would suggest is that they develop an app similar to other hop on and hop off companies I has been on which included real time tracking, find your nearest stop function and a full route(s) map. An app would be ann improvement. Overall it was a good way to get around Auckland.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Jason, thank you for taking the time to provide such detailed and constructive feedback. We’re pleased you enjoyed the route, stops and commentary, but we’re very sorry that overcrowding and longer-than-expected waits affected your experience. Cruise ship days can bring significant increases in demand, but we understand how frustrating it must have been to wait only to find buses were already full. Your suggestion of an app with live bus tracking, stop locations and route information is also excellent feedback and something we are currently working on. We appreciate your balanced review and are glad that, despite the delays, you still found Auckland Explorer a good way to see the city.
These are the best hop on hop off bus operation ever! Very timely and comfortable. Our first bus had a table for 4 people to sit at. All buses were modern and super clean! Very timely, and extra buses were hired for sea cruise days.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Douglas, what a fantastic review, thank you! We’re delighted you had such a great experience with Auckland Explorer and appreciated the comfort, cleanliness and timeliness of our buses. It’s also wonderful to hear that the additional services on cruise ship days helped make your day run smoothly. We really appreciate you describing us as the best hop-on hop-off operation you’ve experienced. That’s a huge compliment for our team, and we’ll be very happy to pass it on. Thanks for exploring Auckland with us!
Great way to get around the city with kids and take your time at each stop. Flew in really early and began right away!
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Marcela, thank you for the lovely review! We’re so pleased Auckland Explorer gave you and the kids an easy and convenient way to start exploring the city, especially after such an early flight. Being able to hop off, explore at your own pace and then continue your journey is exactly the experience we want families to have. We hope you all had a wonderful time discovering Auckland and made some great memories along the way. Thanks for choosing Auckland Explorer!
One of the better Hop on/off bus trips we have done. Lovely new buses,excellent commentary and well thought out routes and places to see. Auckland is a beautiful place and we saw lots of it. We were lucky enough to be able to do the blue Summer route also. Loved walking to the top of Mt Eden, walking through West Spring Park to MOTAT and also visiting the Wintergardens. (The gardens were amazing!). Would definitely do it all again.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Hi Linda, thank you for such a wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear Auckland Explorer was one of the better hop-on hop-off experiences you’ve had. It sounds like you made fantastic use of both routes, from climbing Mt Eden and walking through Western Springs to exploring MOTAT and the beautiful Wintergardens. We’re especially pleased you enjoyed our buses, commentary and the variety of stops along the way. Auckland certainly gave you a great day for exploring! Thank you for travelling with us, and we’d love to welcome you aboard again on your next visit.
A great way to see different parts of Auckland. The commentary was helpful. I did one full circuit and then the hop on hop off options. This is an easy way to orientate yourself. I recommend the 48 hour pass as you can't see all the attractions in a single day
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for your wonderful review. We're delighted to hear that you found the Auckland Explorer Bus a great way to get your bearings and discover different parts of the city. It's fantastic that you were able to enjoy both a full circuit and the flexibility of hopping on and off at the attractions that interested you most.
We especially appreciate your recommendation of the 48-hour pass. Auckland has so much to see, and having that extra time really helps visitors make the most of the experience.
We hope you enjoyed your time in Auckland and would love to welcome you back on board again in the future.
Kind regards,
The Auckland Explorer Team
The staff was really nice and professional. I felt safe with the driver. Sometimes bus drivers can be scary.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
We're so pleased to hear that our team made a positive impression and that you felt safe and comfortable throughout your journey. Our drivers and customer service team work hard to provide a professional, friendly, and enjoyable experience for every guest, so your feedback means a lot to us.
We hope you enjoyed exploring Auckland and thank you for choosing the Auckland Explorer Bus.
Kind regards,
The Auckland Explorer Team
Great way to see the city and get to other attractions.
Check carefully where to catch bus, as signage is small.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Hi Nicola,
Thank you for your review and for choosing the Auckland Explorer Bus.
We're glad to hear that you found the service a great way to see the city and reach Auckland's attractions. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the bus stop signage. We're continually looking for ways to improve the visitor experience, and comments like yours help highlight areas where we can do better.
Thank you again for your valuable feedback, and we hope you enjoyed your time discovering Auckland.
Kind regards,
The Auckland Explorer Team
This hop on hop off bus is a great way to get a feel for the layout of the city and see some sights. The bus narration tells you about the areas and builds you are passing and gives some history and other information about them. It is also a great way to get to some sights you want to explore without walking the whole way there.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Kia Ora Jeffrey,
Thank you for your review! We're so pleased to hear that you enjoyed using the Auckland Explorer Bus and found it a great way to get familiar with Auckland. Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope you had a wonderful time exploring Auckland!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the Explorer Bus Team
Great excursion with a very knowledgeable guide. He was extremely polite. The walk to the waterfalls could be tricky with some of the steps and he made sure my wife had no issues
Great bus and good information from recorded tour. Weather was quite wet but not tor fault. We road full red line then got off to do Museum and back on to cruise ship.beast to find stops and easy access to cruise pier. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour and found the commentary informative, and it's also great to hear you found the stops easy to locate. Thank you for your recommendation!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the Explorer Bus Team
Not all stops were open but we didn’t know this at booking, only when we boarded the bus. The commentary was ok but have had more interesting hop on hop off experiences in other cities. Still a good way to see a part of the city quickly and easily.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Kia Ora David,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're disappointed to hear about your experience and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss it with you further. If you'd be willing, please contact info@explorerbus.co.nz with your booking details so that we can look into this further.
Many Thanks,
The Explorer Bus Team
Just avoid this at all costs! The Hop On Hop Off buses aren’t clearly marked. We searched for them a couple of hours and didn’t see any buses. When I asked for a refund, it was denied. You’re welcome for the free money.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi John,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're sorry to hear about your experience with us and would appreciate the opportunity to look into this further and provide any clarification. If you're willing, please email info@explorerbus.co.nz with your booking details so we can investigate this for you.
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the Explorer Bus Team
We enjoyed traveling around the city with hop on hope off bus. The Bus was very convenient for us. We recommend this for first time travelers to Auckland.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Kia Ora Vivi_O,
Thank you for your kind words! We're so pleased to hear that you found the Auckland Explorer Bus to be a convenient way to discover the many charms of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). We really appreciate your recommendation and thank you for choosing to travel with us!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the Explorer Bus Team
Nice ride around the beautiful city and water. Walk at your own pace and just catch the bus afterwards.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review! It’s great to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city sights at your own pace, and we’re so pleased this was a highlight for you. Thank you for joining us on board!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the Explorer Bus Team
Awesome service, very helpful and supportive. We lived every bit of this trip. I will advised more people you use this service.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for your kind words! It’s fantastic to hear that you enjoyed your time with us on the Auckland Explorer Bus, and we really appreciate your recommendations!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the Explorer Bus Team
Enjoy god and really like it and driver very noce and polite and really worth it and want to explore more
Very friendly and helpful. On time at stops! Drivers were focused and friendly. Lots to see at all the stops.
Response from Host, May 2026
Kia Ora Lance,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review. We’re so pleased to hear that our drivers and ground staff contributed to such a positive experience for you. We really appreciate you choosing to travel with us and hope to welcome you onboard again in the future.
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the Explorer Bus Team
Always a great way to see a city and learn its history. Unfortunately it was raining that day and the bus was cold and wet- not their fault. We were able to do the combined blue and red.
From downtown stops are not clearly marked. One stop near the tower had a sign that this bus stop is closed so we walked a half a mile to another stop. Streets are not easy to locate on maps. Bus only has English recording and is on a bus speaker. In the back you can not hear the speaker. Some buses were warm on a fall day. One other bus was cold. Not really much to see outside of downtown but still was somewhat enjoyable.
Response from Host, May 2026
Kia Ora Brian,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet expectations. We’d really appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your experience and better understand the issues you encountered, so we can address any concerns, if you'd be willing to reach out to info@explorerbus.co.nz with details of your booking.
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the Explorer Bus Team
Just what we were looking for. Broad exposure to the city of Auckland, before we explored some areas of interest in depth. It was great being able to get off at a museum we wanted to visit and then catch a later bus. Totally worth it for us.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your time onboard and exploring at the stops. Wishing you safe travels ahead!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the Explorer Bus Team
Bus was very clean and comfortable! Great driver, and narration was by speaker (no ear buds required)!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Kia Ora Paul_H,
Thank you for your kind review! We’re pleased to hear you found the buses clean and comfortable and we really appreciate you choosing to travel with us.
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the Explorer Bus Team
Staff were very helpful! Buses came on time! Learned a lot about Auckland. Took us to all the sites we wanted to see. The climb up Mount Eden was worth the stop!!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Kia Ora Jean_G,
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re glad to hear our ground staff made a positive impression and that you found the bus services punctual. Wishing you safe and pleasant travels ahead!
Many Thanks,
Madeline
Member Pricing
From
$39.34
per personWas $41.41(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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