Public transport

How to get to and between our campuses on foot, by bike, or on public transport.

Walk

It’s a 10–15-minute walk from the city centre to Kelburn campus.

Shortcuts to the Kelburn campus

Download these maps to see the pedestrian shortcuts from downtown Wellington to the Kelburn campus.

Bike

There are cycle racks and showers at all campuses.

Locate all bike parking facilities on Google Maps.

Bicycle stands

Bicycle parking stands on the Kelburn campus are situated in the following locations:

  • Alan MacDiarmid—basement
  • Cotton Plaza
  • Easterfield—west (in front of Pharmacy)
  • Hunter Courtyard
  • Kirk—north/east (Hunter Courtyard)
  • Laby—under south end
  • Murphy Building—east
  • Malaghan Institute
  • New Zealand School of Music
  • Rec Centre—west
  • Tim Beaglehole Courtyard
  • 83 Fairlie Terrace—west
  • 85 Fairlie Terrace—basement.

If you are a staff member and would like to access the secure cage in the basements of the Alan MacDiarmid Building and 85 Fairlie Terrace, contact Campus Security at campus-care@vuw.ac.nz to get your staff card loaded to access the cage.

Bicycle stands on the Pipitea campus are situated in the following locations:

  • Government Building—east
  • Rutherford House—west and basement.

Bike stands are also available at Te Aro campus (at the Dunlop Tce entrance).

For the safety of building occupants in an emergency and to prevent damage to paintwork and flooring, bicycles must not be kept in offices, corridors and access ways.

Cable car

The cable car runs from the city to Kelburn every 10 minutes, and stops near the Kelburn Campus.

Bus or train

Wellington has a good public transport network of buses and trains with frequent services to and from our campuses.

Buses and trains in Wellington are operated by Metlink. Visit their website for information on timetables and fares, or phone 0800 801 700.

The Pipitea campus is located at the Wellington Railway Station—also home to the central bus terminus.

All campuses are close to bus stops. There are timetables at two locations on the Kelburn campus:

  • Level 2, Student Union Building.
  • Ground floor, Easterfield Building.

You can pay bus fares in cash, but if you regularly use the bus, it is cheaper to buy a Snapper card and load it up with credit. You can buy and top up Snapper cards at these locations on or near University campuses:

  • VUWSA Reception, Level 4, Student Union Building, Kelburn campus.
  • Freemans Lotto, Rutherford House, Pipitea campus.
  • Convenience stores and other retailers around Wellington—look for the Snapper logo.

You can check your balance and top up your Snapper card at Snapper kiosks located on campus and around Wellington. You can find Snapper kiosks on the three main campuses:

  • Ground floor, Easterfield Building, Kelburn campus.
  • Ground floor, Rutherford House, Pipitea campus.
  • Te Aro campus, 139 Vivian Street.