Where to stay in Hamilton

Hamilton, also known colloquially as The Tron, is an inland city in the North Island of New Zealand. Located on the banks of the Waikato River, it is the seat and most populous city of the Waikato region.

The area now covered by the city was originally the site of several Māori villages, including Kirikiriroa, from which the city takes its Māori name. By the time English settlers arrived, most of these villages, which sat beside the Waikato River, were abandoned as a result of the Invasion of Waikato and land confiscation (Raupatu) by the Crown. The settlers developed the city as an agricultural service centre, but it now has a diverse economy and is the third fastest growing urban area in New Zealand, behind Pukekohe and Auckland. In 2023, it was home to 185,000 people.

Getting in

Long-distance buses can be sometimes full, and sometimes empty, so it can pay to book a few days in advance. Booking in advance (particularly on the internet) can also save money - up to half the fare in some cases. In any case, travelling by bus is generally a cheap option, albeit a bit slow at times.

Getting around

A bus service is provided by Environment Waikato. Routes and times are available online, and cover the whole city. If you intend to use the bus service frequently, it may be worth getting a Bee Card, an electronic card that can be used in most small NZ towns. The card costs $5, but will possibly save you money due to the discounts it provides on fares – a single way ticket with a Bee Card inside the city costs just $2 per trip, capped at a maximum of $18 per week or 10 trips. All travel after this cap is free.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.