Mount Ruapehu Transportation

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On the Western side of Mt Ruapehu, you can drive quite a long way up the mountain from Whakapapa. It's a good road, but of course depends on weather for safety conditions. If there is a lot of snow, you will need chains on your wheels and won't be allowed up without.

There is limited parking up the mountain, and various carparks along the way. If the traffic guys point you into a park you MUST go as they count the cars, and know there is nowhere for you further up. I was amazed at how many people argued and wanted to drive up. If you find yourself in a small carpark half way up, don't worry, because the bus will soon arrive to take you on up to the top of the road. And the buses run regularly so you can return to your car easily through the day.

On days when either the carparks are all full, or if the road conditions are icey and dangerous, there is a point where they stop all cars and only let those with chains thru, or turn all vehicles away. This is just beyond the Chateau, on Hwy 48 at Whakapapa Village.
There are carparks here too, and buses run to shuttle you up the mountain.