Auckland → Northland
Reliable transfers north on SH1 to Whangārei, Paihia, and the Bay of Islands. Perfect for cruise passengers, weekend escapes, and visitors heading to Cape Reinga tours.
Heading north from Auckland takes you into one of New Zealand's most beautiful subtropical regions — Northland and the Bay of Islands. Our private door-to-door transfer service covers Whangārei (around 165 km), Paihia and the Bay of Islands (around 230 km), Kerikeri, Russell, and as far north as Cape Reinga on request.
The Bay of Islands is a paradise of 144 subtropical islands, secluded bays, and crystal-clear water. It's a top destination for cruise ship passengers, holidaymakers, and international visitors looking to experience swimming with dolphins, sailing, big-game fishing, and Māori cultural sites at Waitangi — the birthplace of modern New Zealand.
Travel north in a quiet hybrid SUV with no shared seats and no fixed schedule. We can build custom multi-day Northland tourist itineraries — for example, Auckland → Waitangi Treaty Grounds → Hole in the Rock cruise → Cape Reinga → Auckland — just contact our team and we'll put a plan together.
Best way to get from Auckland to Northland
Here's a quick overview of what to expect on a private door-to-door cab from Auckland to Northland with NZ Intercity Cabs — fixed pricing, no surge, no shared seats.
Estimated pricing
Fixed fares per vehicle class. No hidden fees, no surge pricing.
Standard (Hybrid/EV) — up to 4 pax
up to 4Modern hybrid or EV (such as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid) — up to 4 passengers + luggage.
People-mover Van — up to 7 pax
up to 7People-mover van for families and groups — up to 7 passengers with extra luggage space.
Premium
up to 4Executive ride with bottled water and premium service.
Estimates based on a 165 km trip. Final fare confirmed at booking with your exact pickup and drop-off.
What's included
- Bay of Islands & Paihia drop-offs
- Cruise transfers from Auckland port
- Multi-stop pickups available
- Fixed fare regardless of traffic
- Custom Northland tourist itineraries available
- Up to 6 passengers in our XL hybrid SUV
Popular pickup points
- Auckland Airport (AKL)
- Auckland CBD
- Albany
- Silverdale
- Auckland cruise terminal
- North Shore hotels
Popular drop-off points
- Whangārei
- Paihia
- Kerikeri
- Russell
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Mangawhai
Things to see and do in Northland
Whether you're visiting for the day or staying longer, here are the must-see attractions in and around Northland — all reachable from our drop-off points.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
The birthplace of modern New Zealand — Māori cultural performances, museum, and historic meeting house.
Hole in the Rock cruise
Boat tour through the Bay of Islands with dolphin watching and a pass through the famous Hole in the Rock.
Russell
Historic seaside town once known as the 'Hellhole of the Pacific' — now a charming heritage village.
Cape Reinga
The spiritual northernmost tip of New Zealand where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.
Ninety Mile Beach
Vast wild beach perfect for sandboarding the Te Paki sand dunes.
Popular day-trip ideas from Auckland
Many of our tourist customers combine Northland with other North Island highlights for a full day of sightseeing. Here are some of our most-requested itineraries — and we're happy to design something completely custom for your group.
- Auckland → Waitangi → Paihia → Auckland (full Bay of Islands day)
- Bay of Islands → Cape Reinga → Ninety Mile Beach → return (epic far-north day)
- Auckland → Whangārei Falls → Tutukaka coast → return
Speak to us about a custom day trip
Tell us what you'd like to see — we'll design a private door-to-door itinerary for your group with a single fixed price. Perfect for international tourists, cruise passengers, and families exploring New Zealand.
Plan my day tripTravel tips for tourists
- Northland is subtropical — perfect year-round, but summer (December–March) is peak season, so book early.
- Sailing and dolphin tours leave from Paihia and Russell — combine with a Bay of Islands transfer.
- Cape Reinga is a long day trip from the Bay of Islands — we can arrange the full route.
Auckland to Northland — Frequently asked questions
How far is the Bay of Islands from Auckland?
About 230 km to Paihia, or roughly 3 hours' drive depending on traffic.
Can you take us all the way to Cape Reinga?
Yes — Cape Reinga transfers are available on request. It's a long day, so most visitors stay overnight in the Bay of Islands first.
Is the road north hilly or winding?
Mostly motorway as far as Wellsford, then a mix of SH1 highway through hills and valleys — comfortable in our hybrid SUVs.
