The nearest towns are:

• Whakapapa (10.4 km)
• National Park (13.5 km)
• Tūrangi (36.7 km)
• Raetihi (47.6 km)
• Ohakune (48 km)
• Taumarunui (61.5 km)
• Taupō (86.5 km)

During the summer there is no parking for visitors doing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing at Mangatepopo car park. There is a private carpark near the end of the hike at Ketetahi. The best way to get to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is by shuttle.  

Shuttle services run from all local towns – arrange through the following isites and information centres:

• Ohakune isite 0800 647 483, 54 Clyde Street, Ohakune
• Taumarunui isite +64 7 895 7494, Railway Station, Taumarunui
• Tūrangi Customer and Visitor Information Centre 0800 288 726, Ngawaka Place, Tūrangi
• Taupō Customer and Visitor Information Centre 0800 525 382, 30 Tongariro Street, Taupō