Rugby World Cup transport survival guide

Here's your essential travel guide to navigating around Auckland during the Rugby World Cup.

TRAVELLING TO AND FROM EDEN PARK

Road closures

All of Bond St, and Sandringham Rd south to Paice Ave, from 4.30pm until 2 hours after the match. New North Rd, northern end of Morningside Drive, from halftime to 2 hours after match. Public drop-off point Dominion Rd between Onslow Rd and George St. Disabled drop-off point and mobility parking (from where shuttles will operate) at Dominion Rd end of Bellwood Ave.

Taxis

Pre-bookings recommended.

Prematch drop-off point corner of Bond and New North Rd.

Other drop-off and pick-up points are Dominion Rd and Kingsland shops.

Taxis cleared by police have an orange Rugby World Cup accreditation stickers.

Trains

Free to match ticket holders from 4.30pm until the end of scheduled services. Buses will replace some regular trains on the western line from about 5pm to midnight.

From Central Auckland:

Leaving Britomart every 5-10 minutes, stopping only at Grafton Station en route to Kingsland.

After the match: Every 5 minutes back to Britomart, stopping only at Grafton.

From West Auckland:

Every 15 minutes, stopping at all stations before terminating at Morningside, where a mobility shuttle will be available for disabled fans.

After the match: Every 10 to 15 minutes from Morningside.

From South Auckland:

Three direct services from Papakura to Kingsland at 5.09pm, 5.40pm and 6.10pm, stopping at all stations until Newmarket.

After the match: No direct services. Transfer at Britomart for trains to the south and east. Last trains leave Britomart at 1.17am for Onehunga, 1.36am for the western line, 2.15am for the eastern line and 2.30am for the southern line to Papakura.

Buses

Free to ticket holders from 4.30pm before match and afterwards until crowds have cleared.

From Albany: Leaving every 10 minutes until 6pm, stopping at all Northern Express stations.

From Takapuna: Leaving 142-146 Hurstmere Rd every 15 minutes until 6pm.

From CBD: Leaving Queen St from outside the Civic Theatre every 5 minutes until 7pm.

From Newmarket via Mt Eden: Leaving from outside rail station every 10 minutes until 6.40pm, with stops at Mt Eden rail station, Mt Eden Village

South and East Auckland: Leaving Manukau Central (Leyton Way) every 30 mins for Eden Park via Botany Town Centre (Town Centre Drive) and Pakuranga Plaza (Brampton Court) until just before 6pm.

More buses on capacity routes from 10.30pm until 1am. Inner and Outer Link services,

Northern Express; services to Botany, Swanson, Henderson, Blockhouse Bay, Lynfield, Waikowhai, Beachhaven, Glenfield, Long Bay, Devonport to Takapuna.

Walking

A partly up-hill route just over 4km long.

Start at Queens Wharf, traverse Queen St, Myers Park, Karangahape Rd, Great North Rd, Bond St, Sandringham Rd, Wairepo Swamp Way.

TRAVELLING TO AND FROM THE WATERFRONT

Gates to Queens Wharf open at 3pm. Those wanting to enjoy the festivities should reach the waterfront well before 4pm start.

Road closures

From 10pm tonight to 4am Saturday. Quay St west from Britomart Place, plus feeder streets back to Customs St, including the lower parts of Hobson, Albert and Queen Sts.

For those unable to find suitable positions on the waterfront, the light display and

fireworks at 8pm will be visible from Devonport, Bastion Pt and Parnell Rose Gardens.

Taxis

Drop-off at corners of Hobson St and Albert St with Customs St.

Trains

Normal timetables apply for inbound services, but commuters wanting to leave the CBD should use Britomart's eastern entry point in Takutai Square from 4pm. Non-rugby trains will be reduced from 3.30pm to about every 20 minutes. Some will terminate at Otahuhu.

Buses

Normal inbound timetables. Passengers leaving the CBD can use temporary bus stops outside the waterfront closure zone. Directions from Auckland Transport 'ambassadors'.

Ferries

Some ferries have been cancelled due to the fireworks display, while some sail later

than normal timetables.

A 1am ferry has been organised to Waiheke, and requires booking. See fullers.co.nz for timetables.