Written by Callum Taylor, Camille Laurent, Marika Maslanka
25/08/2025
Kalika Ward, Pexels
Rotorua is served by Rotorua Airport (ROT) for air travel and has a central bus station for intercity coach services. Local buses, taxis, and ride-sharing services are also available for getting around the city and to the airport.
Flights:
Direct flights to Rotorua Airport (ROT) are available from major New Zealand cities, primarily with Air New Zealand.
Flights from Auckland (AKL) to Rotorua typically cost from $64-$78 and take around 45 minutes.
From Wellington (WLG), flights start from approximately $90-$99, with a travel time of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Flights from Christchurch (CHC) are available from $90-$100 and take roughly 1 hour 50 minutes.
Buses:
InterCity operates multiple daily bus services to and from Rotorua from various North Island locations.
A bus journey from Auckland to Rotorua costs between $30-$60 and has an average duration of 4 hours 9 minutes to 4 hours 16 minutes.
Travel from Wellington to Rotorua by bus typically takes around 6 hours.
Other routes include Hamilton (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes) and Tauranga (approx. 1 hour 20 minutes).
Consider an InterCity FlexiPass for potentially more cost-effective travel if planning multiple bus journeys across New Zealand.
Car Rentals:
Car rental services are readily available at Rotorua Airport and in the city centre from companies such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and RaD Car Hire.
Daily rental prices can vary, starting from approximately $23-$42, but can reach up to $91 during peak seasons like December.
Trains:
Currently, there are no active passenger train services to or from Rotorua.
Getting to and from Rotorua Airport (ROT):
The airport is about a 10-minute drive from the city centre.
Bay Bus Route 10: provides public transport between the airport and downtown Rotorua, costing approximately $2.50 one way and taking about 20 minutes.
Shuttle services: are available, with an indicative cost of around $21 for one person and $26 for two, taking roughly 20 minutes.
Taxis and Uber: are also options, costing approximately $30 for a 10-minute ride to the city centre.
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Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
