betonic Posted July 8, 2017 #1 Share Posted July 8, 2017 We're taking a HAL cruise that starts and ends in Auckland at the end of November. Our flight from LAX arrives 9:20am the day before the cruise departs. I have reserved at the Hilton but can change that. On disembarkation day our flight is at 3pm. My questions are what can we jam into our time pre cruise considering we'll be getting off a very long flight? Is the Hilton ok for what we're planning? Can you recommend a private driver to pick us up at disembark, take us on a 4 hour tour and drop us at the airport? We like good food and culture but not interested in museums on such a short trip. We are also happy to board the ship after the rush, around 3pm. Thanks in advance Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scluvsrain Posted July 8, 2017 #2 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Staying at the Hilton is a great idea. You're right there on the harbor next to the ship. If you get a second wind you can certainly walk around the area there to try to stay awake for the rest of the day. I think there is also a hop on hop off bus that stops right by the hotel and you can go around the city center area including to the Sky Tower. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare roscoe39 Posted July 9, 2017 #3 Share Posted July 9, 2017 Staying at the Hilton is a great idea. You're right there on the harbor next to the ship. If you get a second wind you can certainly walk around the area there to try to stay awake for the rest of the day. I think there is also a hop on hop off bus that stops right by the hotel and you can go around the city center area including to the Sky Tower. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I second this....if you're flight arrives at 9.20am or so, you will be at the hotel probably between 11 and noon..... The Hilton is great for watching the ships come and go if you go for an ocean view room. The viaduct and wynyard areas are easy walking distance for great bars and restaurants and if you are into sailing. Also you are situated right by the ferry building - a great relaxing trip could be to catch the ferry across to devonport which is a beautiful victorian suburb over the harbour with a great view back at the city. Certainly plenty of things to do without too much effort. Kelly Tarltons has a free bus which operates from close to the Hilton if you are interested in some of the South Pacific marine life.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betonic Posted July 9, 2017 Author #4 Share Posted July 9, 2017 Thank you. Is the easiest way to get from the airport to the Hilton a taxi? How about disembarkation? I really want to spend some time in the morning seeing some of Auckland as opposed to sitting at the airport. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted July 10, 2017 #5 Share Posted July 10, 2017 A taxi is probably the easiest. The Hilton is at the far end of Princes Wharf so best to have a transport option that drops you at the door. It's a fantastic location. There are plenty of great restaurants/cafes in the downtown area, including around the Viaduct Basin and the Wynyard Quarter. I really recommend a ferry trip across to Devonport. It's a lovely place to wander around for an hour or two. I'm sure there will be companies that you could book a private tour on disembarkation day, just look online. HAL may even offer such a tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nattygee Posted July 27, 2017 #6 Share Posted July 27, 2017 This site may help you with food and whats on https://www.heartofthecity.co.nz Theres the hop on and hop off bus as well https://www.viator.com/tours/Auckland/Auckland-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d391-3237EXBUS Or theres the City LINK bus https://www.heartofthecity.co.nz/all-you-need/city-link-bus-around-auckland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deec Posted August 9, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 9, 2017 We will spend 2 days in Aukland from a cruise ship one day has an included city tour. What would you suggest on the other? Will there be plenty to do if we take the ferry across to Devonport? A wine tour is offered is the country side worth spending $$$ to see? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat.roberts Posted August 10, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 10, 2017 What about a guided art tour? Try artexplore.co.nz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewon Posted August 27, 2017 #9 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Has anyone used Quick Shuttle from the Auckland Airport to downtown. I've received a quote for 2 people, private transfer of NZ$75. Have yet to confirm, but it doesn't seem too bad a price. Just trying to see if this is a reputable company. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwicruiser25 Posted September 3, 2017 #10 Share Posted September 3, 2017 If its a nice day, the Sky Tower will give you a view around all of Auckland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_ll Posted October 20, 2017 #11 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Has anyone used Quick Shuttle from the Auckland Airport to downtown. I've received a quote for 2 people, private transfer of NZ$75. Have yet to confirm, but it doesn't seem too bad a price. Just trying to see if this is a reputable company. Sent from my iPad using Forums Earlier this year we used Discount Taxi, the rate was $40 cash from airport to downtown, the CBD - Central Business District. (To airport-$45.). Each time we had a local driver in a new Toyota Camry. We contacted them once through Customs and in the Arrivals hall. Using the "Free phone" - payphone, we made a "Free call" - think 1-800 number to Discount. Operator tells you car number and ours was there in 3 minutes. You walk past a McDonalds and out the door and go to the LEFT to meet the car. I understand regular cabs are $75 and higher. We are in Auckland this December and will use them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scluvsrain Posted October 20, 2017 #12 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Sounds like a version of Uber Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beejay4016 Posted October 21, 2017 #13 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Earlier this year we used Discount Taxi, the rate was $40 cash from airport to downtown, the CBD - Central Business District. (To airport-$45.). Each time we had a local driver in a new Toyota Camry. We contacted them once through Customs and in the Arrivals hall. Using the "Free phone" - payphone, we made a "Free call" - think 1-800 number to Discount. Operator tells you car number and ours was there in 3 minutes. You walk past a McDonalds and out the door and go to the LEFT to meet the car. I understand regular cabs are $75 and higher. We are in Auckland this December and will use them again. What a great suggestion. We will be there in February. I'll check them out. As long as they're not like Uber I'm happy to try them. I'm very anti-Uber as I see it as unfair to registered taxi companies/owners who pay a small fortune for their taxi plates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_ll Posted October 24, 2017 #14 Share Posted October 24, 2017 What a great suggestion. We will be there in February. I'll check them out. As long as they're not like Uber I'm happy to try them. I'm very anti-Uber as I see it as unfair to registered taxi companies/owners who pay a small fortune for their taxi plates. I have similar views on Uber and sentiments for the taxi drivers. They are taxis, not Uber or remotely Uber like. From what I have read, Uber and similar will be more expensive than Discount and similar taxis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beejay4016 Posted October 25, 2017 #15 Share Posted October 25, 2017 I have similar views on Uber and sentiments for the taxi drivers. They are taxis, not Uber or remotely Uber like. From what I have read, Uber and similar will be more expensive than Discount and similar taxis. Thanks so much for that, Ken. I've made a note of them and will use them when we fly into Auckland in February. Good to know there are alternatives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairknill Posted November 5, 2017 #16 Share Posted November 5, 2017 What a great suggestion. We will be there in February. I'll check them out. As long as they're not like Uber I'm happy to try them. I'm very anti-Uber as I see it as unfair to registered taxi companies/owners who pay a small fortune for their taxi plates. New Zealand has a deregulated taxi industry so no real costs for taxi licence. As a local and flying from AKL multiple times per week please be careful of discount cabs as it can be a lottery most of the time. Uber is best in AKL Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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