Airport Express
The Airport Express (AX) runs 7 days a week, every 10-20 minutes, except for the first few morning services and evening services. Travel time from Wellington Station to the Wellington International Airport is approximately 25-35 minutes, depending on traffic. Free Wi-Fi, USB charging and luggage racks are available on board.
Wellington International Airport bus stop(external link) is on the ground floor carpark outside the terminal baggage area, less than 100m from Door G.
Wellington Station bus stop is in the Bus Interchange, departing from Stop B. This is less than 150m from main concourse of the train station.
Ways to pay
Airport Express doesn't currently offer prepaid paper tickets or digital tickets on mobile devices. All fares are currently paid on board the bus with Snapper, cash or contactless* payment.
SuperGold card holders travel for free during off-peak hours. More details below.
| Pay on board | Cash | Contactless payment | Snapper card | Explorer Day pass | Snapper 30 Day pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AX | Yes | Yes* - but paper receipts not available | Yes - up to 5 people on one card | Yes - from 9am | No |
- Off-peak discounts and free transfers do not apply to the Airport Express. Separate fares apply when transferring to another Metlink service, even when using Snapper.
- When using Snapper, any concessions loaded on your Snapper card will automatically apply. A carer accompanying a passenger on an Accessible Concession fare travels for free.
- You'll need enough credit on your Snapper card for at least one AX fare before boarding.
- Up to 5 people can be tagged on with one Snapper card - just tell the driver before tagging on how many adults and children are travelling together.
- If you forget to tag off at the end of your journey using Snapper, the default fare will be charged.
When using cash, concessions and discounts do not apply. Off-peak discounts and free transfers do not apply to cash fares, so you'll have to pay a separate fare when transferring to another Metlink service.
Airport Express is the only Metlink bus that accepts contactless payment. Paper receipts are not available for contactless payment. *The transaction will appear on your bank statement as AXBus039-344-939 The numbers in this code are Greater Wellington Regional Council's GST number.
Internationally, when using EMV (Euro Master Card Visa) for on-vehicle transport applications, it is rare to get a receipt unless from a vending machine or ticket office.
SuperGold cardholders ride free during off-peak.
Under the SuperGold programme, "off-peak hours" are between 9.00am and 3.00pm and after 6.30pm from Monday to Friday, and all day on weekends and public holidays.
SuperGold Card and Veteran SuperGold card holders travel for free during off-peak hours* by showing their card to the driver or on-board staff. SuperGold cardholders also travel for free on all after-midnight bus services. SuperGold cardholders may be asked to show another form of ID to confirm ownership of the card. Electronic SuperGold cards are not accepted at this stage.
Exclusions
- Free SuperGold travel does not apply during during peak hours (including when weekend timetables are operating on weekdays such as over the Christmas/New Year period), so you will need to pay the regular adult fare. We recommend Snapper when travelling during peak hours.
- If you have lost your card or do not have your SuperGold card with you, you will have to pay the regular adult fare, even if you are over the age of 65.
- GoldCard travel applies only to the cardholder. Travel companions, including children over 5 years old, require a paid fare.
- Overseas equivalents of SuperGold are not eligible for free off-peak fares.
AX fares from 1 July 2024
Off-peak discounts and free transfers do not apply to the Airport Express. Separate fares apply when transferring to another Metlink service.
- Children under 5 travel free.
- Child fare applies to anyone 5 to 18 years old, or still at secondary school.
- *Connect, Tertiary and Accessible Concessions must be loaded to a Snapper card.
Paying with |
Adult |
Child |
Connect* |
Tertiary* |
Accessible* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Snapper |
$8.76 |
$4.38 |
$4.38 |
$6.57 |
$4.38 |
|
Cash/contactless |
$11.00 |
$5.50 |
$11.00 |
$11.00 |
$11.00 |
**If you forget to tag off at the end of your journey using Snapper, a default fare will be charged.
About the service
The AX is an integral part of the Metlink network, connecting the airport with the wider Wellington Region. Nine new purpose-built electric buses run on this low-cost, environmentally conscious service for travellers, people working in and around the airport, and commuters into the city (when capacity allows). The timetable is designed around airport departure and arrival times and train services at Wellington Railway Station.
The AX fare is competitive with rideshare services, taxis and shuttles.
About the operator
This premium service is provided by Metlink and operated by our partner Mana Newlands Coaches by Transdev.
Last published: Thursday, 8 February 2024 at 1:34 am