Journey time
15–25 min
Frequency
Every 30–40 min (peak)
Adult (HOP)
$7.80
Paper ticket
$12.00
Child (5–15)
$4.69
Fare cap
$50 weekly (AT HOP) / $20 daily (contactless)
Full Timetable
| Birkenhead | Northcote Pt | Depart NP | Northcote Pt | Arrive City |
|---|
Times in bold are scheduled departures. All other times are approximate. See full pricing · Terminal facilities
About the Birkenhead ferry
Stopping in for the afternoon? See our local guide to Birkenhead for cafés, bush walks and waterfront spots.
The Birkenhead ferry connects Birkenhead and Northcote Point on the North Shore to downtown Auckland. Some sailings stop at Northcote Point in one or both directions. Check the timetable columns for your stop.
Terminals: Birkenhead Wharf ↔ Downtown Ferry Terminal
Operator: Auckland Transport (Belaire Ferries)
Operator timetable effective: 1 October 2023
Last verified by us: February 2026
Tips for this route
- Some weekday services skip Northcote Point. Look for the dash (-) in the timetable which means the ferry doesn't stop there on that sailing.
- The route reverses its Northcote Point stop pattern between morning and afternoon services.
- Weekend Birkenhead services travel via Bayswater on the way to and from the city.
- Weekend services are less frequent (roughly every 2 hours).
- Birkenhead village has shops and cafés within walking distance of the wharf.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Birkenhead ferry stop at Northcote Point?
Some sailings do and some don't. Check the timetable. A dash (-) means the ferry doesn't stop at Northcote Point on that particular sailing.
How much does the Birkenhead ferry cost?
The Birkenhead ferry costs $7.80 one way with AT HOP or contactless, or $12.00 for a paper ticket. This is an inner harbour fare that counts towards the $50 weekly fare cap.
How long is the Birkenhead ferry?
Direct sailings take about 15 minutes. Sailings that stop at Northcote Point take approximately 25 minutes.
What time is the last Birkenhead ferry?
The last weekday ferry from Birkenhead is 22:40 (arriving city 23:10). On Fridays, there's an additional 23:10 departure. Weekend last departure is 22:10 (Sat) or 20:10 (Sun).