By bus
Auckland Transport buses connect the main North Shore suburbs, though the network is designed primarily for commuter runs into the city rather than lateral movement between suburbs. Getting from Takapuna to the East Coast Bays by public transport takes patience. The Northern Busway stations (Smales Farm, Constellation, Albany) are useful hubs for connecting to other routes.
By ferry
Fullers360 ferries connect Devonport and Birkenhead to the city centre, and are genuinely useful for anyone based in those areas. Devonport is the most frequent service. The ferry from Birkenhead takes around 20 minutes to Downtown.
By car
A car gives you full flexibility, especially for reaching the East Coast Bays from Long Bay down to Murrays Bay and Browns Bay. Most North Shore suburbs have free street parking away from the Takapuna town centre. The main road along the East Coast Bays is Beach Road / East Coast Road (SH17), which runs the length of the coastline.
By bike
The Coastal Walkway runs along sections of the North Shore coastline and connects several beaches. Parts of it are cycleable and it is a popular route for recreational riders. The terrain between suburbs is hillier than it looks on a map — the North Shore has a good number of steep gullies — but the coastal flat sections are straightforward.