Make the journey work for you
Understand the three common arrangements
A private booking generally reserves transport for the booking party. A shared shuttle may combine passengers from separate bookings. A scheduled service follows published stops and departures. The operator's actual terms determine how each works; the word “shuttle” alone does not tell you.
Connect advertises tailored group and point-to-point transport. Ask whether the quoted vehicle is reserved for your party and whether other pickups form part of that journey. This page does not announce a shared-seat product or promise exclusivity for an unconfirmed booking.
Compare the details that affect your day
| Your priority | Question for the operator |
|---|---|
| Your group together | Will the vehicle carry only our booking party, and is the whole party in one vehicle? |
| A fixed commitment | What pickup arrangement is agreed and which other stops are part of it? |
| Budget | Is the amount per passenger, per vehicle or for the complete itinerary? |
| Different addresses | Can our requested pickups and drop-offs be included, and at what cost? |
| Luggage | What load is accepted with this passenger count and vehicle? |
Neither private nor shared automatically means a particular fare or journey duration. Compare the actual offers for the same date, group and route.
Look at the whole journey from your door
A scheduled bus or train may suit a traveller whose origin and destination are near its stops. A transfer enquiry may be more useful where the group needs a different pickup address or has a commitment that the timetable does not meet. Include the journey to a stop, changes between services and the final walk when comparing options.
For airport travel, use the airport's official transport information alongside your flight details. The existing Connect airport pages help with that specific journey. This comparison is about the booking arrangement, rather than a replacement for the departure checklist.
Turn a headline fare into a fair comparison
If one quote is per person and another covers the group, calculate the total for everyone travelling. Then check whether both include the same return, luggage and stops. A lower advertised starting amount may refer to a different journey, but a private vehicle is not automatically better value either.
Ask how the offer changes if a passenger drops out. A group quote and individual seat bookings can respond differently to a changed headcount. Get the relevant terms before collecting money from friends or colleagues.
Describe your priorities without assuming the product
If you also compare self-drive hire, that is another decision: who will drive, park and return the vehicle. Our minibus-with-driver guide covers those responsibilities.
Before you enquire
Does private transport mean no stops?
Your own requested stops may be part of the itinerary. Confirm the route and whether any other bookings share the journey.
Can I book one seat on a Connect departure?
No scheduled shared-seat departure is advertised here. Give Connect your individual journey details and ask what arrangement is available.
Planning information checked 1 October 2026. Recheck operator instructions before travelling.
Connect services and enquiry informationWellington Airport transport options