Tongariro Crossing Accommodation & Transport 🗻 [2024] Guide

How to Book the Tongariro Crossing

Starting from October 2023, a valid booking is mandatory for anyone planning to hike the Tongariro Crossing. Additionally, it’s essential to have a valid Tongariro Crossing booking to book most shuttle companies and car parks in advance before embarking on the Tongariro Crossing hike.

The Tongariro Crossing booking system is available on the Department of Conservation (DOC) website. More information on how to book the Tongariro Crossing can be found on this DOC Page or check out The Guide to the Tongariro Crossing: Track, Cost, Gear & More for ways to prepare for the hike.

Where to Park Your Car for the Tongariro Crossing (Tongariro Crossing Park and Ride)

The cheapest transport option for the Tongariro Crossing is to park your car at one end of the track and take a one-way shuttle either to or from the other end of the track.

There are two ends of the Tongariro Crossing track: the “Mangatepopo Car Park” and “Ketetahi Car Park”. However, there is a 4-hour parking restriction on using the Mangatepopo Car Park between Labour Day in October (last week of October) and April 30. Therefore, the Mangatepopo Car Park is not a viable parking option for those wishing to hike the entire Tongariro Crossing.

On the other end, the free Ketetahi Car Park fills up quickly and is not secure, while the shuttles that offer one-way transport from the free Ketetahi car park usually charge more than the total cost of the park-and-ride car parks. Needless to say, we recommend using alternative car parks. Here are your options…

Tongariro Transport Hub at Ketetahi

Location: Just off State Highway 46 (Lake Rotoaira Road), opposite Ketetahi Road.

The closest all-day secure car park for the Tongariro Crossing, the Tongariro Transport Hub (or as many know it, the Ketetahi Car Park, as it’s so close to the official one) is located at the end of the trail so you can walk straight back to your car. There’s no need to be at the end of the trail at a certain time to catch your return shuttle! Once you’re parked up at the Tongariro Transport Hub, the team will organise one of their shuttles to transport you to the start of the Tongariro Crossing. Easy! Book your parking spot and shuttle at tongarirocrossing.com.

The Alpine Centre Park and Ride

Location: 1 Ward Street, National Park Village.

The Alpine Centre (also known as Ski Biz and Snowzone) in National Park Village offers return shuttle transport to the Tongariro Crossing from their car park. Bookings must be made at least one hour before departure time to use the car park. Shuttle departures are 5:45 am, 7:15 am, 8:30 am and 9:45 am and returns are at 1:30 pm, 3 pm, 4:15 pm and 5:30 pm.

Where to Stay: The Best Towns and Accommodations for the Tongariro Crossing

There are six main towns and villages either in or on the edge of the Tongariro National Park. All the towns listed below have accommodation providers that work closely with Tongariro Crossing transport services, so shuttles can pick you up from your accommodation. Plus, your accommodation provider can give you updated weather reports indicating whether it is safe to tackle the crossing or not.

Turangi

39 minutes (43km/27 mi) from the Mangatepapa Car Park
20 minutes (25km/15.5 mi) from the Ketetahi Car Park

The closest “larger” town with all the essential shops and services to the Tongariro Crossing is Turangi. Turangi is a great base to stay if you want to do some white water rafting, mountain biking, fishing and some other short hikes in the area, as well as stock up on supplies before moving on with your travels.

We list the best cheap accommodation for the Tongariro Crossing in the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Turangi. Otherwise, there are plenty of alternative accommodations to compare on Booking.com.

National Park Village

21 minutes (19km/12 mi) from the Mangatepopo Car Park
25 minutes (33km/20.5 mi) from the Ketetahi Car Park

Right on the edge of the Tongariro National Park, the small village of National Park is an ideal stay for primarily doing the Tongariro Crossing, accessing the Mt Ruapehu ski fields in winter, as well as other walks in the national park. National Park Village has a convenience store, a couple of cafes, a couple of bars/restaurants and a gas station.

For a list of affordable accommodations, check out the 10 Best Hostels in National Park Village & Whakapapa. Otherwise, find alternative accommodations listed on Booking.com.

Whakapapa Village

20 minutes (16km/10 mi) from the Mangatepopo Car Park
24 minutes (30km/19 mi) from the Ketetahi Car Park

At the base of Mt Ruapehu (the largest volcano in New Zealand), Whakapapa Village is the closest settlement to the Tongariro Crossing. You can start the Tongariro Circuit (Great Walk) right from the village itself, which connects to the Crossing or use one of the many shuttle services. The village has an information centre, public toilets, a small convenience store at the holiday park, one cafe and a couple of restaurants.

We list our favourite cheap accommodations in the 10 Best Backpacker Hostels in National Park Village & Whakapapa. Alternatively, compare a variety of accommodations in Whakapapa on Booking.com.

Cross X Roads: Overnight Camping and Shuttle Only 6 Mins Away from the Ketetahi Car Park

Stay as close as it gets to the Tongariro Crossing at the safe overnight campsite provided by Cross X Roads. Located only 6 minutes away from the Ketetahi car park (the end of the Tongariro Crossing), the local operator not only offers a place to stay but shuttle transport from the secure car park of the Tongariro Transport Hub. As local “hapū”, the team are happy to share stories, their culture and history. You can also grab one of their awesome “Conquered the Crossing” tees at the end of the hike for just NZ$25. Book your camping spot and/or shuttle over on the Cross X Roads Facebook page.

Ohakune

45 minutes (54km/33.5 mi) from the Mangatepopo Car Park
49 minutes (68km/42 mi) from the Ketetahi Car Park

South of the Tongariro Crossing and Mt Ruapehu, Ohakune is another fantastic option to base yourself for the Crossing. In winter, the town is the closest to the Turoa Ski Field, while in summer it’s popular for bike trails and the Whanganui Journey Great Walk. The town is well-serviced with a wealth of eateries, bars, accommodations, gas stations and a supermarket.

Take a look at the 20 Best Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Ohakune for the best places to stay across a variety of accommodation types. Again, any accommodation here will be able to help organise a shuttle to the Tongariro Crossing.

Taupo

1h20mins (92km/57 mi) from the Mangatepopo Car Park
1 hour (74km/46 mi) from the Ketetahi Car Park

The main tourist centre of the region, Taupo is a popular base for the Tongariro Crossing especially if you have other Taupo activities on your bucket list. It’s also the furthest of the “Tongariro Crossing” towns from the Crossing so be prepared for an early morning shuttle or drive to the start of the track.

Any one of the accommodations we list in the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Taupo makes a great base for hiking the crossing, while also being able to organise shuttles if you haven’t organised your own. Take a look!

Door-to-Door Transport for the Tongariro Crossing: Round Trips for Your Accommodation to the Tongariro Crossing

There are a number of shuttle services that can pick you up at your accommodation doorstep (or close) and transport you to the Mangatepopo end of the hike, pick you up at the Ketetahi Car Park at the end of the walk, and then transport you back to your accommodation. Below is a list of which shuttle companies offer transport in each town with proximity to the Tongariro Crossing.

Turangi: Tongariro Crossing Shuttles

• Active Outdoor Adventures
• Backyard Tours
• Tongariro Panda Shuttles
• Tongariro Adventures
• Tongariro Expeditions

National Park Village: Tongariro Crossing Shuttles

• National Park Shuttles
• Active Outdoor Adventures
• Tongariro Panda Shuttles
• Tongariro Crossing Shuttles
• National Park Backpackers/Tongariro Volcanic Adventures
• Dempsey Buses
• Summit Shuttles
• Adventure Lodge & Tongariro Crossing Track Transport

National Park Shuttles: Ride with the Locals to the Tongariro Crossing

Ride with National Park Shuttles and hear about the magical tales of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing straight from the people of the homeland. Providing shuttles from National Park Village and the Tongariro Transport Hub car park, National Park Shuttles will keep you entertained the whole way. They’ll also make sure you’re safe from drop-off until the end of your trip, so you never get the feeling that you’re just another number on the bus. Book your trip to the Tongariro Crossing at nationalparkshuttles.com.

Whakapapa Village: Tongariro Crossing Shuttles

• Tongariro Panda Shuttles
• Tongariro Crossing Shuttles
• Dempsey Buses

Ohakune: Tongariro Crossing Shuttles

• Tongariro Panda Shuttles
• Dempsey Buses

Taupo: Tongariro Crossing Shuttles

• Tongariro Panda Shuttles
• Tongariro Expeditions
• Adventure Shuttles

Winter Transport and Guides for the Tongariro Crossing

To hike the Tongariro Crossing in winter, winter hiking gear like crampons and ice axes are essential, as is a knowledge of winter alpine environments. For this reason, it is recommended that you do a guided hike of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in winter. A guide will supply you with the gear you need, as well as the transport to and from your accommodation. Winter guiding is available with:

• Adrift
• Tongariro Guided Walks
• Tongariro Expeditions
• Adventure Outdoors
• National Park Backpackers/Tongariro Volcanic Adventures