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