Getting Around
Getting To and Around Parnell
Parnell is 2.5 kilometres from Auckland’s Queen Street – approximately 8 to 12 minutes by car via Grafton Bridge, 15 minutes by bus from 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. By public transport, the most popular options are the Green and Orange Link busses which are scheduled very fifteen minutes and depart from several locations in the CBD. Parnell Station on the Southern and Western Line is a five-minute rail journey from Britomart, with a 10-to-12-minute walk from the station to the main shopping strip. Parnell is also within comfortable walking distance of Newmarket (10 minutes), the Auckland Domain and museum (10 minutes through the park), and Judges Bay (15 minutes down the gully).
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 Tamaki 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/.
The InnerLink is the easiest way to get around Auckland’s inner city. It operates from the Britomart train station, out to Parnell, through Newmarket, along Karangahape Rd, Ponsonby Road, past Victoria Park and then back to Britomart via SkyCity. The buses are bright green.
The OuterLink bus route it is the easiest way to get back and forth between the inner suburbs of Auckland city. It operates a service from St Lukes to Newmarket (and return) via Mt Albert Station, Pt Chevalier, Westmere, Herne Bay, Wellesley Street City Universities and Parnell. The buses are bright amber.
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. During business hours on weekdays, The Inner and Outer Link buses to Parnell run every 8 to 15 minutes. Weekend frequency is lower – check at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/ for live timetables.
Parnell Station opened in 2017 and is on the Southern and Western Line. The journey from Britomart to Parnell Station takes five minutes; from Newmarket it is three minutes. Trains run every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 20 to 30 minutes off-peak.
An important note for visitors: Parnell Station is located in the gulley adjacent to The Domain, which is a 10-to-12-minute walk from Parnell Road’s main shopping strip. The station is not directly adjacent to the suburb’s commercial centre. It is an eight-minute walk from the station through the Domain to Auckland Museum, but the walk is steep and through a lot of vegetation, making the train an excellent option for museum visitors who enjoy a hike. For shopping on Parnell Road, the Link Buses are more convenient than the train.
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.
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 Tamaki 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 Green and Orange Link busses which are scheduled very fifteen minutes and depart from several locations in the CBD. 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 Southern and Western Line, a five-minute train journey from Britomart. The station is adjacent to Auckland Domain – a 10-to-12-minute walk from Parnell Road shops, or an eight-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 Tamaki 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.