Tongariro Park & Ride Shuttle Tongariro Park & Ride Shuttle

Tongariro Park & Ride Shuttle

Experience the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with our easy park and ride shuttle. Park at the designated Park & Ride car park (season dependent), catch the shuttle to the trail head at Mangatepopo and follow the track back to your car.

Our Park & Ride shuttle service for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be booked online, offering departure times of 6:30 am, 7:30 am and 8:30 am from October through to May/June weather depending. Select your preferred time and complete our simple booking process to reserve your place on this one-way shuttle.


Travel Time: 30mins

Where are the car parks for the Tongariro Crossing?

Tongariro Crossing Park & Ride


Parking period: November to April

  • Parking is free at the Tongariro Crossing Park & Ride
  • Park here, catch your booked morning shuttle to the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
  • You will finish the hike at the Ketetahi trail end
  • Walk only 20 minutes back to your car OR
  • Catch our free afternoon curtesy shuttle between 1pm–5pm back to your car at the Tongariro Park & Ride
  • GPS Coordinates: 39°03'53.5"S, 175°39'34.1"E
  • Google Map Link: here
  • Look out for the bright yellow signs

Ketetahi Park & Ride


Parking period: May to October

  • Parking is free at the Ketetahi Park & Ride
  • Park your vehicle here and catch your booked shuttle to the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
  • You will finish the hike at the Ketetahi trail end, where you parked your car
  • GPS Coordinates: 39°04'24.5"S, 175°39'49.7"E
  • Google Map Link: here




This map points out the location of the one way shuttle available from November to April
This map points out the location of the one way shuttle available from May to October

Be safe:

  • Please be fully prepared for the alpine environment
  • The weather can change, so be prepared for all weather conditions
  • Make sure you have told someone where you are going and when to expect you back. This is a one way shuttle so we do not check you in after your track
  • Please carry a fully charged phone that you are not using to take photos


Be organised:

  • It is important to use our Google maps link to the location on SH46 above. Some GPS devices send people to the wrong spot
  • Know where you are going before you head off. Coverage can be low in the Ketetahi area
  • Allow plenty of time to have a stress-free experience. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your designated departure time
  • Once you have parked your car, gathered your belongings and locked up, walk to our Tongariro Expeditions shuttle which will be parked in the car park or arriving soon
  • We leave on time. Be early so you do not miss the bus
  • You will receive a map and information sheet that offers great advice to keep you safe on the mountain
  • Respect the Tongariro National Park

Why Choose Tongariro Expeditions?

With over 25 years of experience, we’re the longest-running provider of Tongariro Alpine Crossing shuttles. We consistently offer:

  • Safe, reliable, and timely service trusted by thousands of hikers each season
  • Flexible booking options, including free date changes and refunds if cancelled due to bad weather
  • Four main shuttle pick up points, for a simple and seamless journey, no matter where you're staying
  • Multiple shuttle types: one-way, return, early or later morning departures
  • Ideal for solo hikers and groups


We make your hiking adventure simple, stress-free, and tailored to your hiking style.

Need to know

Bring your own vehicle

This service involves driving your car to the finishing point of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing at either the Tongariro Crossing car park or the Ketetahi car park (season-dependent), first thing in the morning. Travel in the comfort of your own vehicle, enjoying your coffee or breakfast on the way if you wish. Once you’ve arrived at the relevant Park & Ride car park, our bus will pick you up and take you to the track's starting point.

There is ample space for parking at either the Tongariro Crossing Park & Ride or Ketetahi Park & Ride car parks, located near Ketetahi at the end of the track. Vehicles can also park all day on the side of State Highway 46 for free - just avoid any areas with 'no parking' signs!



Please note that our shuttles only pick up from these designated Park & Ride car parks. The pickup location varies depending on the time of year - from May to October, this is the Ketetahi Park & Ride, and from November to April, this is the Tongariro Crossing Park & Ride. Check your booking confirmation to see which car park our shuttle will meet you at.

Our bus will drop you off at the start point at the Mangatepopo carpark. With Park & Ride, you have the flexibility to complete the trek at your own pace, with no need to work to a fixed schedule in order to meet return transport. Enjoy a more leisurely walk, soak up the scenery, take plenty of pictures and stop for refreshments!

Depart in comfort

After many hours of hiking, you’ll be pleased to find your own familiar and comfortable vehicle waiting for you at the other end. If you're hiking from May to October, your car will be right at the end point, with no need to wait for another bus or shuttle to collect you. 

If you're hiking from November to April, your car will be parked at the Tongariro Crossing Park & Ride, just 20-minutes walk away - if you finish up your hike between 1-5pm, we do run a free shuttle to take you back to the Park & Ride, if you don't want to walk.


We offer a family package for 2 adults and 2 children (under 14) - please see our Ketetahi Family Pass.

What our other guests have said

Excellent communication. The shuttle did not run on the scheduled day due to


weather conditions. We were well informed and rebooked for the following day.

- ingeb855, Trip Advisor

Good value and well organised.  Good value for your money. very well organised. clear instructions. friendly team. i can

only recommend.

- Filip_D, Trip Advisor

Excellent service all around

- Catherine, United States

Everything was very well organized and the shuttle left as soon as everyone was there. Great organization!

- Janne-Marie, Germany

Great way to get to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and know your car is parked safely and you will be picked up by the end of the hike.

- Brigitta, Australia

Amazing, I tell you! Thank goodness for this magnificent day, and thank you to TongariroExpedition for your service and your smiles! True professionals! Thank you all!

- sandrinemU1431ID, Viator

Excellent! Great with communication (please read what they send you!) and lovely

people. Made the day so easy.


- Molly_C, Viator

Easy to find and park, fun driver who drove us to the start. It was easy and affordable if you don't have your own pick up. The return bus went every 10mi.


- danielwS9898CS, Viator

Superb! They pick you up on time, both at the beginning and end of the trek, and they give you valuable information before starting your trek in Tongariro. The person who picked us up at the end of the trek was incredibly kind! I loved it! 100% recommend it


- Ivonne_A, Viator

Was a bit apprehensive about the gps coordinates for the meet up but google maps took us straight there, we were met by a friendly driver who talked us through the trip, and we were picked up and returned to our vehicle at the end of the hike. A fabulous day of great memories and aching muscles. We are both 60+, pretty fit but not massively so and did the walk in a relaxed manner in 7 1/2 hours. Definitely recommend taking poles if only for the scree field down from the top.

- Jo –, United Kingdom

The communications were excellent keeping as up to date on weather related conditions. The drivers were good and we didn't have to wait very long for our pick up at 

the finish. Tongariro Expeditions becomes highly recommended.

- Ian_R, Viator

Great Taupo Return shuttle option with a helpful map. Was cancelled and rescheduled smoothly when there was better weather forecasted.


- Folu_F, Viator

Everyone is super friendly- easy pick up from car park spot indicated. Lots of 

communication and easy pick up at the end.

- Sereena_C

Very nice tour. Breathtaking scenery. The transport was very well organised and the route was well maintained.


- GetYourGuide traveler, Austria

Perfect service. Lovely drivers and very smooth drive from Taupo to the National Park.


- Alessandra_P

Timely and comfortable!

- Claire, United States
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