How to Get to Piha Beach without a Car
David Sims
| Last Updated: October 2023 Is Piha Beach calling to you? Well, luckily for you, it’s fairly easy to get to the beach, making answering that call a simple matter. In fact, you don’t even need a car to get to the area!
We’re speaking from experience, as we’ve made the trip to Piha Beach without a car successfully many times. So, how can you get to Piha beach without a car?
The main ways to get to Piha beach without a car is by using public transportation, shuttle services, and cycling.
How to get to Piha Beach using public transportation
If you’re planning on taking public transportation, we’ve put together some simple directions to follow to help you get to Piha Beach from three major cities in New Zealand.
But before you begin your journey, remember that the bus/train departure times might change, so double-check beforehand!
From Auckland (At least an hour):
Step 1: Start your journey at Britomart Transport Centre, Auckland’s central public transport hub. Buy your train ticket using cash or card at any of the ticketing machines like we did.
Step 2: Take the ‘Western Line’ train towards Swanson. Make sure you double check you’re at the right platform before the train arrives.
Step 3: Disembark at Henderson Train Station. Don’t forget to gather all your belongings with you before hopping off the train.
Step 4: Exit the train station. Once you exit, you have two choices of transportation to get the rest of the way to Piha Beach: by using an Uber or a taxi.
Step 5: If you decide to use an Uber, download the app on your phone and make a booking. If not, stand close to the edge of the road and hail down an available taxi.
Step 6: Get into the Uber or the taxi and pay the fare. This will vary depending on traffic and time of day.
Step 7: Kick back and relax because you’re on your way to Piha Beach.
From Wellington (At least 12 hours):
Step 1: Purchase your train ticket online in advance like we did at Great Journeys NZ. The train that you want to choose is the Northern Explorer leaving from Wellington and going to Auckland Strand.
Step 2: On the day of your train ride, head to Wellington Railway Station.
Step 2: Take the Northern Explorer train towards Auckland.
Step 3: Disembark at Auckland Strand Station.
Step 4: From Auckland Strand Station, catch a cab to Britomart Transport Centre.
Step 5: From there, follow the directions above given for Auckland to reach Piha Beach.
From Christchurch:
Step 1: Start from Christchurch Railway Station.
Step 2: Take the TranzAlpine train towards Greymouth. Purchase your tickets online in advance to save time.
Step 3: From Greymouth, take the Northern Explorer train towards Auckland.
Step 4: Disembark at Auckland Strand Station.
Step 5: From Auckland Strand Station, catch a cab to Britomart Transport Centre.
Step 6: From there, follow the directions given for Auckland to reach Piha Beach.
How to get to Piha Beach using shuttle services
So if you don’t want to take the train, you’ll still be able to get to Piha Beach using shuttle services. We’ll walk you through it!
Step 1: Go to Trippy West Auckland Adventures.
Step 2: On their website, choose the shuttle departure time that you want.
Step 3: After you choose the time of your tour, you can proceed to book it. We chose the 11:30 AM shuttle.
Step 4: On the day of your shuttle trip to Piha Beach, go to the front of Base Backpackers.
Step 5: Get on the shuttle and relax. The shuttle takes you through a tour of the valley before stopping at Piha Beach.
Step 6: Get off the shuttle at Piha Beach.
How to get to Piha Beach by cycling
Step 1: Start at the Sky Tower, a landmark in Auckland’s Central Business District.
Step 2: Cycle west on Victoria St W towards Federal St.
Step 3: Continue onto Karangahape Road and take a right on Ponsonby Road.
Step 4: Follow Ponsonby Road and take a left on Richmond Road.
Step 5: Continue onto West End Road, which becomes Garnet Road.
Step 6: Follow the road as it turns into Meola Road and then becomes Rata Street.
Step 7: Turn right onto Great North Road and continue onto Henderson Valley Road.
Step 8: Continue onto West Coast Road, turn left onto Shaw Road, and then right onto Te Atatu Road.
Step 9: Continue onto Central Park Drive, Lincoln Road, and Universal Drive.
Step 10: Turn left onto Swanson Road and continue onto Scenic Drive.
Step 11: Turn left onto Piha Road, follow all the way to the end which marks the entrance to Piha Beach.
