You can indeed use the autopilot for the en-route section from the moment it is legal to do so up to and including localiser intercept. Both approaches are hand flown.
Remember that if you do decide to use the autopilot you get tested on its use as well. Make sure you do your pre-flight checks according to check lists etc, otherwise you might well have a case to answer.
However, when it comes to it most candidates elect to hand fly the whole thing. Taking control to hand fly an ILS to minima after having monitored the autopilot for 30 minutes is not all that easy.
Cheers