Wellington moves on wind and wheels. When you leave the car at home, metlink is how you get around quickly—whether you’re commuting from the Hutt, ducking into town from Khandallah, or ferrying over from Days Bay. This guide walks you through what Metlink is, how it works, the services on offer, the trade-offs, and exactly how to use it without fuss.
What is
Metlink is the public transport network for the Greater Wellington region, managed by Greater Wellington Regional Council. It runs a coordinated system of buses, suburban trains, and the harbour ferry, covering Wellington City, the Hutt Valley, Porirua, the Kāpiti Coast, and the Wairarapa.
With metlink you’ll find zone-based fares, the Snapper smart card for easy payment, real-time information across stops and stations, and a journey planner that ties it all together. Services are operated by contracted companies, but you’ll see the unified green Metlink brand on vehicles, stops, and timetables.
How it works
Fares are based on zones. Your price depends on how many zones you travel through, not the exact kilometres. The system is simpler than it looks: tag on when you start, tag off when you finish, and Snapper calculates the fare for your trip.
Snapper is the recommended way to pay on Metlink buses and trains. It’s a reloadable card you top up at retailers, online, or via the Snapper mobile app (Android with NFC). The card can carry concessions (child, tertiary, accessibility, SuperGold, and other eligible discounts), which are applied automatically at tag-on. Cash is accepted on buses (higher fare, driver discretion) and limited paper tickets are available on some rail services, but you’ll save time and money with Snapper.
Off-peak fares are cheaper than peak. Off-peak generally means outside the busiest weekday commuting times and all day on weekends and public holidays. The Metlink journey planner and fare finder show what you’ll pay at different times.
Real-time information is available in the Metlink app and on the website. You can see live departures, track disruptions, and set alerts for your usual routes and lines. Platform screens and stop displays show live updates where fitted.
Accessibility is baked in: most buses are low-floor with ramps, trains have level boarding at many stations and on-board ramps, there’s priority seating, audio-visual stop announcements, and driver training. Bikes are welcome within rules—buses with front racks carry two bikes, and trains have designated bike areas with limited capacity (more room off-peak).
Types / examples
Buses
Metlink buses reach almost everywhere people live in the region and connect the suburbs to key hubs like Wellington Station, Courtenay Place, Porirua Station, Paraparaumu, and Upper Hutt. Core routes run often—sometimes every few minutes at peak—and local routes link into them. Notable high-frequency examples include Route 1 (Island Bay–Tawa via the CBD) and Route 2 (Seatoun–Karori). Most buses accept Snapper only; cash is possible on many services but costs more and is slower.
Trains
Wellington’s rail network is the region’s fast commuter spine into the capital. Lines include:
- Kapiti Line: Wellington–Waikanae
- Hutt Valley Line: Wellington–Upper Hutt
- Johnsonville Line: Wellington–Johnsonville
- Wairarapa Line: Wellington–Masterton (diesel-hauled carriages)
Electric Matangi trains serve the suburban electric lines with frequent peak services and steady off-peak timetables. The Wairarapa line offers fewer, longer-distance services—perfect for commuting a couple of days a week or heading over the hill. Some lines can face planned closures for maintenance or major upgrade works with rail-replacement buses; check alerts before you travel.
Harbour ferry
The East by West Ferry operates under the Metlink umbrella between Queens Wharf and Days Bay, with additional stops like Matiu/Somes Island at certain times. It’s both a commuter link and one of the city’s best short scenic trips. Services are weather dependent; strong northerlies and southerlies can affect the timetable, so check live updates.
Park & Ride and bikes
Train stations across the region offer Park & Ride car parks and bike storage. Many buses have two-bike racks on the front; if the rack’s full or the bus isn’t fitted, you’ll need to wait for the next one. On trains, standard bikes are allowed in designated areas (space first-come, first-served) and foldable bikes are usually permitted at all times if they’re folded.
Metlink transport options at a glance
| Mode | Where it runs | Typical frequency | Payment | Bikes | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | Across Wellington, Hutt, Porirua, Kāpiti, Wairarapa towns | Every 5–15 min on core routes at peak; 15–60 min elsewhere | Snapper preferred; cash often available | Front racks (2 bikes) on most routes | Local trips, first/last mile, late-night travel |
| Train | Kapiti, Hutt Valley, Johnsonville, Wairarapa lines | Frequent peaks; regular off-peak; fewer long-distance services | Snapper on suburban lines; paper tickets limited on some services | Designated areas on trains; best off-peak | Fast CBD access from suburbs and regional towns |
| Ferry | Queens Wharf ↔ Days Bay (plus selected stops) | Regular weekday and weekend timetables | Tickets and concessions per operator; check Metlink info | Varies by sailing; check crew guidance | Scenic commute, weekend outings across the harbour |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Coverage: buses reach most neighbourhoods; trains connect major corridors quickly.
- Cost control: off-peak discounts and concessions help keep fares down with Snapper.
- Speed at peak: rail avoids motorway bottlenecks into the CBD.
- Real-time tools: live departures, disruption alerts, and a reliable journey planner.
- Accessible and bike-friendly: low-floor buses, ramps, and space for cycles.
- Environment: lower emissions than driving, with electric trains and modern bus fleets.
Cons
- Weather and terrain: wind, slips, or sea conditions can disrupt some services.
- Capacity pinch points: peak-hour trains and key bus routes can be crowded.
- Maintenance closures: planned rail works mean occasional bus replacements.
- Transfers and zones: some trips may involve a connection or paying across multiple zones.
How to use or choose
Step-by-step: from planning to riding
- Plan your trip. Open the Metlink app or website and enter your origin and destination. Compare depart-now vs arrive-by options.
- Check the fare. Note the zones you’ll cross and the off-peak vs peak price. If you’re eligible for a concession, make sure it’s loaded on your Snapper.
- Get a Snapper card. Buy one from a Snapper retailer or order online. Top it up via the app (Android NFC), online auto top-up, or in-store.
- Head to your stop or station. Aim to arrive a few minutes early; trains close doors before departure.
- Tag on. Hold your Snapper to the reader when you board a bus, or at the validator on the station platform for trains.
- Ride and prepare to tag off. For buses, exit through any door with a reader and tag off. For trains, tag off at the station validator.
- Transfer if needed. Follow the planner’s transfer instructions; allow a buffer in bad weather.
- Mind the extras. With a bike, check capacity and off-peak rules. With pets, follow carriage requirements. Priority seats are for those who need them.
Choosing between bus, train, and ferry
- Pick trains for speed on the Kapiti, Hutt Valley, and Johnsonville corridors, or for long trips like Masterton–Wellington.
- Choose buses for short hops across suburbs, hills, and cross-town links the train doesn’t cover.
- Take the ferry when travelling to/from Eastbourne area—or when you want sea breezes over tunnel traffic.
Smart tips to save time and money
- Travel off-peak when you can; it’s calmer and cheaper.
- Load your concession once and let Snapper apply it automatically.
- Set disruption alerts in the Metlink app for your usual lines.
- Use real-time boards rather than printed timetables in bad weather.
- Know your station exit and last-stop options to reduce walking time.
FAQ
What is Metlink in Wellington?
Metlink is the public transport brand for the Greater Wellington region, covering buses, suburban trains, and the harbour ferry under one coordinated network, with zone-based fares and Snapper payment on most services.
How do Metlink zones and fares work?
The region is split into fare zones. Your cost depends on the number of zones you pass through from your start to your end. Snapper calculates the correct fare when you tag on and tag off. The fare finder in the app shows prices for peak and off-peak times.
Do I need a Snapper card to use Metlink?
Snapper gives the best experience on metlink—faster boarding and access to concessions and off-peak pricing. Many buses still accept cash (usually at a higher fare). On trains, Snapper is widely used; limited paper ticket options may exist on some services. Get Snapper if you’ll ride more than occasionally.
What are off-peak hours on Metlink?
Off-peak covers quieter times outside the weekday peak commute, and all day on weekends and public holidays. Exact times are listed in the Metlink fare information. Off-peak trips are discounted.
What if I forget to tag off?
If you don’t tag off, the system may charge up to a default maximum for that service. You can query or request a correction via Snapper or Metlink customer support. Tag off every time—on buses at the door, on trains at the station validator.
Can I take a bike on Metlink?
Yes, with limits. Many buses have front racks for two bikes; if they’re full, wait for the next bus. Trains have designated bike spaces and are most bike-friendly off-peak. Foldable bikes, when folded, are usually allowed at any time. Follow staff instructions and signage.
Are pets allowed on Metlink?
Certified assistance dogs are welcome. Small domestic pets may be allowed if fully enclosed in an appropriate carrier and at driver or crew discretion. Ferry rules differ—check the operator’s guidance before you travel.
How do I get live updates and disruption alerts?
Use the Metlink app or website for real-time departures, line status, and push alerts. You can also follow Metlink on social media for major updates, and check station and stop displays where available.
Where can I park at stations?
Many train stations offer Park & Ride spaces that fill fast at peak. Some sites have bike lockers or covered stands. Check station pages on the Metlink site for facilities and maps before you go.
Is the ferry part of Metlink fares?
The East by West Ferry operates within the Metlink network and appears in the journey planner. Ticketing and concessions align with regional settings where possible, but specific fare products may be managed by the ferry operator—confirm before boarding.
Who runs the buses and trains?
Metlink sets routes, timetables, and standards. Day-to-day operations are provided by contracted companies under the Metlink brand. This keeps the network unified while tapping specialist operators.
How can I give feedback or find lost property?
Use the Metlink website or app to submit feedback, report issues, or lodge a lost property enquiry. For items left on a service, include the route or line, time, and a clear description to speed things up.
Final pointers before you go
Keep your Snapper topped up, build a few minutes of buffer into transfers, and lean on real-time info when the weather turns. Metlink is at its best when you travel off-peak and plan ahead. With a little practice, you’ll thread the region faster than the wind across the harbour.
