Public Transport in Gisborne

Last Updated: 15 November, 2025

Getting Around Gisborne

As a relatively small city in New Zealand, getting around Gisborne is easy thanks to public bus services and taxis. Nevertheless, because of the low demand for public transport in Gisborne, there are some limitations to the bus and taxi services in Gisborne. We’ll go through them all in this guide to public transport in Gisborne.

City bus services are a great way to get from one end of the city to the other or to some of its surrounding suburbs. What’s more, the bus service is extremely affordable.

However, if you need to get somewhere specific, fast and off the bus route, then you can rely on the taxis in Gisborne to get you there. Although Gisborne doesn’t have a commuter train service, it is famous for its steam engine tourist trips going right through Gisborne Airport!

Finally, Gisborne Airport does flights to Auckland, Wellington and some smaller cities in the North Island. More on that below!

What You Need to Know About the Bus Services in Gisborne

The main mode of public transport in Gisborne is by bus. The local bus service, Gizzy Bus, operates Mondays to Fridays. Yep, that’s no weekends and no public holidays. Here are a few more things you need to know about the Gisborne bus service:

There are six bus routes using two buses on a 45-minute rotation. Timetables are on display in bus stops, flyers can be found in the i-SITE and most accommodations, and on the Gisborne District Council’s website.
An adult fare on the Gizzy bus is NZ$5 and one-way fares cover transfers and connecting services.
10-trip bus tickets can be purchased by with no discounts.
Although there are 133 bus stops around Gisborne, we will include the main stops in the route descriptions below.
Bus stops are either in shelters, beside a white and red sign on a long pole, and/or where there are obvious yellow markings on the road.
Make sure you signal the driver as the bus approaches the bus stop.

Public Buses in Gisborne

Gisborne City Bus Routes

City 01: Elgin – Kaiti South
Gladstone Rd., Rectory – Chalmers Rd./Oates – Elgin Shops – Gladstone Rd., GGHS – Bright St., Library – Kaiti Mall – Murdoch Rd. Shelter – 547 Wainui Rd. – Bright St., Library.

City 02: Hospital – Kaiti North
Hospital – Stanley Rd. – Bright St, Library – 156 Rutene Rd., De Lautour Rd. Shops – 157 Rutene Rd. – Bright St., Library – 19 Stanley Rd.

City 03: Kiwa Pools – Hospital
Kiwa Pools – Bright St., Library – 118 Ormond Rd. – Hospital – 125a Ormond Rd. – Bright St., Library –

Gisborne Suburb Bus Routes

2A: City – Kaiti – Tamarau – City
Bright Street Terminal – Kaiti Mall – Heath Johnston Park – De Lautour Shopping Centre – Bright Street TerminalThis route does a few extra stops compared to Bus 3B, such as the Pakn’Save of Gladstone Road and again near the Waikirikiri Reserve.

3B: City – Kaiti – Tamarau – City
Bright Street Terminal – Kaiti Mall – Heath Johnston Park – De Lautour Shopping Centre – Bright Street Terminal

Taxis in Gisborne

Taxis are a good option in Gisborne when the buses are not running or your destination is far from the bus routes. Otherwise, using a taxi service tends to not be as cost-effective as taking the bus or driving yourself.

Taxi meters starts at NZ$5 and around NZ$4.20-5.60 per kilometre, or NZ$1.40 per minute if stationary. Eastland Taxis/Eastland Private Hire also do a set fare which is agreed on over the phone when you book.

The taxi companies servicing Gisborne are:

Gisborne Taxis – 0800 468 294 (freephone)
Eastland Taxis/Eastland Private Hire – 0800 282 947
Ekocabs Gisborne – 021 892 147
Iwi Taxis – 022 108 2260

Gisborne Airport

Gisborne Airport is located on the western side of the city at the end of Aerodrome Road. Air New Zealand operates four daily flights to Auckland and one to Wellington. Sunair also operates a daily flight to smaller airport destinations like Rotorua, Hamilton, Tauranga, Palmerston North and Napier.

Find out more about taking a domestic flight in Domestic Flights in New Zealand.

Getting to Gisborne Airport

Taxi companies (see above) provide airport transfers. Bus services are within walking distance of Gisborne Airport at the southern end of Chalmers Road. Just ask your driver and they are usually happy enough to tell you when you have arrived at the right stop.

Parking is just outside the terminal. Parking is free for the first 20 minutes then NZ$10 for 10-24 hours then NZ$50 maximum charge for a single stay period.

Car Rentals from the Airport

Avis
Budget
Ezi Car Rental
Thrifty Car Rentals
Hertz
RaD Car Hire

Learn more about renting vehicles in Guide to Renting a Car/Campervan in New Zealand.

Trains in Gisborne

It’s not exactly a mode of transport for getting from A to B, but the Gisborne City Vintage Railway is worth mentioning for all those train enthusiasts out there.

Take a vintage steam train to Muriwai and back, going over numerous bridges and the infamous airport landing strip crossing.

The Gisborne City Vintage Railway usually does trips once a month or more during school holidays. Ask at the local i-SITE for more updated timetables.

For more things to do in Gisborne, check out 10 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Gisborne.

More About Gisborne

That’s it for our guide to public transport in Gisborne; for more information about this sunny region, check out the following articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Gisborne.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2025])
New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2025])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2025])
Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2025])
DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2025])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Robin C.

This article has been reviewed and approved by Robin, who is the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. With more than 15 years of experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Robin has co-founded three influential tourism businesses and five additional travel guides for South Pacific nations. He is an expert in New Zealand travel and has tested over 600 activities and 300+ accommodations across the country.

About Robin About Our Team