Getting Around
Getting To and Around Parnell
Parnell is 2.5 kilometres from Auckland’s Queen Street – approximately 8 to 12 minutes by car, 10 minutes by bus from Waitematā/Britomart, five minutes by train to Parnell Station, or 30 minutes on foot via the waterfront path. Metered parking is available on Parnell Road and surrounding streets from 8am to 6pm/7pm Monday to Saturday; parking is unrestricted on Sundays. Check machines for exact days/times as they do vary. Parnell is well-connected to buses and trains. The Inner Link, Outer Link, and 755 buses all travel through Parnell at regular intervals. The South City train line on the City Rail Link runs through Parnell Station, and the Strand Station connects Auckland to inter-city trains.
Finding your way around Parnell
Parnell is perfectly located on the eastern side of the central city fringe. A 10-minute walk from the Auckland CBD, one-off views of the Sky Tower on one side and Auckland Hospital and Auckland Museum on either side of the adjacent Domain. The suburb stretches from The Domain to Judges Bay, and has easy public transport options connecting to neighbouring Newmarket and beyond. There are also many parking options for people wanting to drive. Parnell is the Auckland central suburb with it all.
Parnell Road and the town centre has some of the best art galleries in Auckland, and the most delectable Auckland restaurants and cafes. Parnell offers a unique Auckland shopping experience down several quaint laneways, whether it’s home décor, fine art, fresh flowers, a special gift or diamonds that you’re after.
In the area, you will also find some ‘must see attractions’ such as Auckland Museum and the Rose Gardens, but there are also several beautiful parks and heritage walks, schools and learning centres, places of worship and community facilities.
Driving to Parnell from Auckland CBD
Parnell is 2.5 kilometres from the Queen Street CBD. The most direct route is via Beach Road and up Parnell Rise, merging onto Parnell Road. This route takes 8 to 12 minutes in normal traffic. An alternative approach via Quay Street and Tāmaki Drive adds scenery along the waterfront but typically takes 12 to 15 minutes.
Peak hour congestion on Parnell Road runs from approximately 8am to 9am and 5pm to 6pm on weekdays. Outside peak hours, driving to Parnell from the CBD is straightforward and fast.
On-Street Parking, Parnell Road
Metered parking is available on both sides of Parnell Road along most of its length, as well as on Garfield Street, Faraday Street, and the upper section of St Georges Bay Road. Time restrictions apply from 8am to 6pm/7pm, Monday to Saturday. After 6pm/7pm on weekdays and all day Sunday, most Parnell Road parking is unrestricted and free with no time limit.
St John’s Car Park – 244 Parnell Road
This is probably the most centrally located pay by plate car park in Parnell. For easy access to the galleries, restaurants and cafes. From Monday to Friday, during the day you can park at $5 per hour, but be aware you can only park at street level as other bays are reserved. Evening and weekend parking available (on any level from 6pm – 6am).
Jubilee Building Car Park
The Jubilee Building car park off Titoki or George Street and provides free 2 hr parking for longer visits, such as visiting the Farmers Market on Saturdays. It is quite a walk from there to the shopping area, so not an ideal option.
Parking for Auckland Museum
The closest parking to Auckland Museum is the Domain Drive / Museum car park, which is paid. Alternatively, parking on Titoki Street or Maunsell Road (adjacent to the Domain) is free on weekends and provides a short walk through the Domain to the museum. From Parnell Road, the museum is a 10-minute walk from the intersection of Maunsell Street.
Parking for Parnell Rose Gardens
Street parking on Gladstone Road and the surrounding streets provides the closest access to the Rose Gardens. These spots are typically available outside peak weekend morning periods. The Rose Gardens are a 10-15 walk from the main Parnell Road parking strip.
For a full breakdown of all parking options including maps and current pricing, see the Parnell parking guide at parnell.net.nz/info/parking/.
If you are travelling by public transport, there are multiple bus routes available. The Inner and Outer Link buses travel along Parnell Rise and Parnell Road. Both routes stop at key locations along the way, including the Parnell Shops, Parnell Village, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and Auckland Museum.
The Outer Link bus is orange, and connects Parnell to St Lukes, Mt Albert, Pt Chevalier, Westmere, Herne Bay, Three Lamps, Victoria Park, Universities, and Newmarket. Buses are scheduled every 12–15 minutes.
The Inner Link bus is green, and connects Parnell to Britomart/Waitematā, Spark Arena, Newmarket, Auckland Hospital, Karangahape Road, Ponsonby, Three Lamps. Victoria Park, and Viaduct. Buses are scheduled every 10–15 minutes.
The 755 bus route services different areas of Parnell, and is the most convenient way to access The Strand Station (for the Te Huia Train), Parnell Rose Gardens, Auckland Rose Park Hotel and Parnell Baths. The 755 has stops along The Strand, Gladstone Road, and St Stephens Ave. This route connects Parnell to Remuera, Newmarket, and Britomart/Waitematā. Buses are scheduled every 20–30 minutes.
AT HOP card fares from the CBD to Parnell are approximately $1.50 to $3.00. Cash fares are higher. AT HOP cards are available from convenience stores, supermarkets, and AT Service Centres. You can also use paywave to tag on and off public transport.
Visit at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/ for live timetables.
Parnell Train Station is on the South City line of the City Rail Link. The South City line travels from Pukekohe in South Auckland through the city centre in a loop to Newmarket. This loop connects Parnell to Waitematā, Te Waihorotiu, Karanga-a-Hape, Grafton, and Newmarket Stations. The South City line also travels to Puhinui Station, where you can transfer for connecting services to Auckland Airport. Trains run every 15–30 minutes. Travel one stop to Waitematā Station for easy transfer to the East West Line, or to Newmarket for the Onehunga West line.
There are multiple access points to Parnell Train Station. If you wish to park at the train station, paid parking by Secure Park is available. Enter the carpark via 23 Cheshire Street.
You can walk to Auckland Museum from the Parnell Train Station through Auckland Domain. This walk takes 10-15 minutes.
There are two accessible paths to/from the Parnell Station. The Heather Street path connects to the intersection of Heather Street & Bedford Street, which is then a short walk to Parnell Rise and Parnell Road. This allows for easy transfer to the Inner and Outer Link Bus Routes. The second accessible path connects to ‘ Lovers Walk’ in Auckland Domain, as well as to Carlaw Park.
AT HOP card is required for best fares and is strongly recommended over cash. Cards are available from convenience stores and AT Service Centres across Auckland. You can also tag onto the train with your credit card or debit card using paywave.
Walking to Parnell from Auckland City
Route 1 – Waterfront Path (Most Scenic, 30–35 Minutes)
From Britomart, walk east along Quay Street and Tamaki Drive to the Point Resolution Footbridge, then past Parnell Baths into Judges Bay Road, then climb through Judges Bay Reserve to Gladstone Road, then St Stephens Avenue to Parnell Road. This is the most scenic approach: flat along the waterfront with harbour views, then a short climb through the scenic residential area. Total time approximately 30 to 35 minutes.
Route 2 – Direct via Beach Rd (15 Minutes)
From the CBD, take Beach Road, up Parnell Rise to Parnell Road. Approximately 15 minutes. This route is more direct but involves a hilly section up Parnell Rise. It is the fastest walking route between the CBD and Parnell Road.
Route 3 – Via Auckland Domain (35–40 Minutes, For Museum Visitors)
Enter the Domain from Grafton Road, walk through the park past the Wintergardens and duck ponds, up to the museum at the top of the hill, and then down the Domain Drive side to Parnell Road. Approximately 35 to 40 minutes but a genuinely pleasant walk with significant green space and harbour views from the museum terrace.
Walking from the Auckland CBD to Parnell is a genuine option – the distances are short and the routes are well-maintained. The waterfront route in particular is one of Auckland’s better urban walks.
Cycling to Parnell
Parnell is on Auckland’s Te Ara Miti cycling network. The waterfront cycle path from the CBD connects to Tāmaki Drive and continues east, providing a largely separated cycling route to the Judges Bay / Parnell area. Then you need to cycle up Gladstone Road and St Stephens Avenue to reach Parnel Road. Free bike parking is available at several points along Parnell Road. JUMP / Lime electric bike and scooter share schemes operate in central Auckland with docking zones near Parnell.
Note: the climb from Judges Bay up to Parnell Road is steep and sustained. On a conventional bicycle, most riders will need to walk this section. Electric bikes (e-bikes) handle the climb comfortably and are strongly recommended for cyclists approaching from the waterfront. The route from the CBD via Parnell Rise is also steep with a significant uphill section.
Getting Between Parnell and Nearby Destinations
Parnell to Newmarket: 10-minute walk from the southern end of Parnell Road. Newmarket is Auckland’s main fashion retail strip and the two precincts are frequently visited together in a single day. The Link Buses are an easy option if walking is not preferred.
Parnell to Auckland CBD: 8–12 minutes by car, 5-10 minutes with the Link buses or 25–35 minutes on foot.
Parnell to Takapuna / North Shore: Bus from Parnell Road to Britomart, then Fullers360 ferry from the Ferry Building to Devonport (12 minutes) or bus to Takapuna via the Northern Express Bus Route. Total approximately 45 minutes.
Parnell to Auckland Airport: No direct public transport from Parnell. Taxi or rideshare approximately 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. SkyBus operates from the CBD – take the bus or train from Parnell to Britomart and connect to SkyBus.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Parnell from Auckland city centre?
Parnell is 2.5 kilometres from Auckland’s Queen Street CBD. By car, this is an 5-10-minute drive via Beach Road in normal traffic. By bus (Green or Orange Link Buses) approximately 10-15 minutes. On foot, 25 to 35 minutes depending on route.
Is there free parking in Parnell Auckland?
Very Limited. Metered parking is available on Parnell Road and surrounding streets including Garfield Street, Faraday Street, and upper St Georges Bay Road, from 8am to 6pm/7pm Monday to Saturday. After 6pm/7pm on weekdays and all day Sunday, most Parnell Road parking is free with no time restriction.
What bus goes to Parnell from Auckland CBD?
By public transport, the most popular options are the Inner and Outer Link buses which are scheduled every ten to fifteen minutes and depart from several locations in the CBD. The 755 Bus departs from Fort St and runs every 20–30 minutes. AT HOP card fares are approximately $1.50 to $3.00 from the CBD.
Does Parnell have a train station?
Yes. Parnell Station is on the South City Line of the City Rail Link, an eight-minute train journey from Britomart. The station is adjacent to Auckland Domain—a 10-to-12-minute walk from Parnell Road shops, or a 10-to-15 minute walk to Auckland Museum through the Domain.
Can you walk from Auckland city to Parnell?
Yes. The most scenic route is along the waterfront via Tāmaki Drive and up through Judges Bay Reserve to Gladston Road – approximately 30 to 35 minutes. The most direct route is via Beach Road and Parnell Rise – approximately 15 minutes. Both are well-maintained and pleasant walks.
How do I get to Auckland Museum from Parnell?
Auckland Museum is a 10-minute walk from Parnell Road through Auckland Domain. Enter the Domain from Domain Drive.
Is there parking near Parnell Rose Gardens?
Street parking on Gladstone Road and the surrounding side streets provides the closest access to the Rose Gardens. These spaces are typically available outside peak weekend morning periods. The gardens are also a 10-15-minute walk from the main Parnell Road parking area.
How long does it take to get from the CBD to Parnell?
By car: 5-10 minutes via Beach Road in normal traffic. By Link buses 5-10 minutes, depending where in the city you climb on. On foot: 25 to 35 minutes depending on route chosen.
How do I get to Parnell Rose Gardens on public transport?
The 755 Bus travels between the CBD and Remuera, and runs every 20–30 minutes. This bus route stops directly outside the Parnell Rose Gardens.
How do I get to Parnell Baths on public transport?
The Tāmaki Link, 76, 774, and 775 bus routes all go along Tāmaki Drive, stopping at the Parnell Baths bus stop. From here, visitors can access the baths via the Point Resolution Footbridge.
Where can I purchase an AT HOP Card in Parnell?
You can purchase an AT HOP Card at Wyvern Dairy, The Parnell Hotel, White Heron Dairy, and Snackster Carlaw Park.
Where can I top up my AT HOP Card in Parnell?
You can top up your AT Hop Card at the self-service machines at Parnell Train Station, or at Wyvern Dairy on Parnell Road.