Rotorua is best reached from Auckland by car, bus or plane. By car, the drive from Auckland to Rotorua takes about 2.5 hours. The scenic route via Matamata and Hobbiton takes half an hour longer, but is worth the detour. Buses run regularly to and from Auckland. The trip takes about 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly from Auckland to Rotorua in 50 minutes, and the airport is only a 10-minute drive from the city center.