Best ways to travel around New Zealand

Getting around New Zealand in a rental car

A self-driving tour is one of the most popular and best ways to travel around New Zealand. You can drive yourself in a rental car and stop at the ubiquitous motels and B&Bs or rent a larger van and take advantage of ‘freedom camping’, where you can park and stay for the night on public conservation land.¹ Be aware that although New Zealand is quite narrow, it’s very long – so be prepared for some big days in the driver’s seat!

Key companies offering car rental options include Avis, Budget and Hertz. In traditional car rental scenarios, you can either return the vehicle to the place you picked it up or another branch of the rental provider.

Alternatively, if you’re willing to be a little flexible with your plans, places like TransferCar specialise in relocating cars for hire companies. They’ll let you drive it to where they need it to go, and you won’t have to pay a rental fee. Sweet as!

Pros

• Convenient and cost-effective
• Plan your whole trip around exactly where you want to go

Cons

• Need to factor in the cost of fuel on top of rental fees
• For traditional car rentals, you usually have to return the car to the same place you hired it

Renting a campervan for more convenience

For an immersive way to travel around NZ – especially on a budget – renting a campervan should be top of your list.

With a campervan at your disposal, you’ll have a comfortable place to stop, sleep, eat and head off again – plus you can park-and-stay overnight in a variety of locations. Many campsites also have facilities like showers and outdoor kitchens to make your trip that little bit more comfortable.

Pros

• Cheap compared to other forms of travel
• Total control over where you go and when
• Accommodation and transport – all in one!

Cons

• No diversity in your accommodation
• Can get tricky if free rest stops are busy or closed

A few major options for campervan rentals include Apollo, Maui and Britz.

Bus or coach travel guided tours

For more of a guided tour when getting around New Zealand, you can explore the stunning landscapes in a bus tour. If you can find a bus or coach tour that covers the places you’d like to sightsee, this could be an ideal option – leave the driving to someone else! With options to suit most budgets, you can leave the itinerary to the locals and enjoy the NZ sights in total comfort, with expert guides on hand to share their knowledge at every turn.

Pros

• Avoid the stress of driving
• Travel in safe hands with expert tour guides
• Options to suit all budgets

Cons

• Some options are pricier depending on the length of your trip
• Lack of flexibility, if this is important to you

If you’re looking for bus travel around New Zealand, check out New Zealand Coach Tours or Kiwi Experience.

Scenic train trips in New Zealand

Getting around New Zealand without a car is easier than you might think. If you love the flexibility and comfort of travelling by train, you’ll be happy to know New Zealand is home to two of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world.

The TranzAlpine railway runs from east to west across the South Island, connecting Christchurch to Greymouth. It’s a 223-kilometre, 4.5-hour journey that takes in amazing scenery across the New Zealand alps. It’s spectacular year-round, but wait until the colder months if you want to travel through a winter wonderland.

The Northern Explorer train runs from Auckland near the top of the North Island all the way to Wellington at the bottom. The track runs through volcanic plateaus and over deep river gorges, winding through snow-capped peaks and three volcanic mountains.

Pros

• A majestic way to get from point A to point B
• Comfortable, convenient and refined way to travel

Cons

• A slower mode of transportation
• No way to customise your journey

You can get around New Zealand via train with Great Journey New Zealand’s scenic rail experiences, including the TranzAlpine and the Northern Explorer.

Cruises, ferries and water taxis

New Zealand has plenty of water to explore – oceans, rivers, fjords, sounds and glacial lakes. So getting around New Zealand by boat is an excellent choice.

One of the most popular options is a cruise through Milford Sound on the South Island. Carved out of the landscape by an iceberg, Milford Sound was formed millions of years ago and has been described as the Eighth Wonder of the World. For the more adventurous, several tourism operators offer kayak journeys into the sound.

You can also jump on cruises, ferries and water taxis to get exactly where you want to be – without worrying about getting behind the wheel of a car.

Pros

• See the best parts of New Zealand from a unique perspective
• Visit hard-to-access places

Cons

• Can get expensive
• Not ideal if you are prone to sea sickness!

There are plenty of cruise, ferry and water taxi providers that can help you with getting around New Zealand. Try Bluebridge, Interislander and Milford Sound Cruises as a starting point.

Getting around New Zealand on domestic flights

If you're short on time, domestic flights are a convenient way to get around New Zealand. Major cities and popular tourist spots are usually a short drive from an airport, and while it might be more expensive than other transport options, you’ll get spectacular bird’s-eye views of the landscape.

Pros

• Quickest way to travel from place to place
• You can pack lots of sights into a short trip

Cons

• Can be expensive, compared to other options
• Much of your holiday will be spent in and around airports

Air New Zealand, Jetstar and Air Chathams all offer domestic air travel around New Zealand.

The best way to travel around New Zealand is to do it your way! So no matter how you plan on getting around NZ, make sure you do plenty of research and planning, and help protect yourself with international travel insurance to make your upcoming trip one to remember.