Despite its diminutive size, New Zealand is deceptively big, and getting around New Zealand requires more time than you’d expect. As a travel advisor and a New Zealand Gold Specialist, I field a lot of questions from clients about how best to get around New Zealand. Amy is one such client. She plans to go to NZ for a few weeks next spring and wants to know if she should rent a car while there, or if the public transportation system is sufficient. *This post originally appeared on Point Me To The Plane, a points and miles blog I write for.*
Question: What Is Transportation Like In New Zealand?
Hi Sarah,
What is the best way to get around New Zealand? I want to spend about two weeks down there but I can’t decide if I should rent a car or rely on public transportation. I’ll be on both the North and South Islands.
Thanks! Amy
Answer: You Should Rent A Car If You Want To See A Lot
Hi Amy,
The short answer to this is, you really do need a car. New Zealand’s best gems are those that require a car and a bit of a trek to get to.
The long answer, though, is this: Public transportation in New Zealand is good, but it is time-consuming and can be expensive. If you want to visit any off-the-beaten-track locations, (of which there are MANY in NZ), you will definitely want a car to get around New Zealand. However, if you plan on sticking to the tried and true tourist tracks, you could get away without having a car.
The Best Way To Get Around New Zealand
One of the things I learned during my second trip to New Zealand is that the country is bigger than it looks. While it may only be 300 kilometres (186 miles) between two places, it will take about four to five hours, even if the speed limit is 100kph (60 miles per hour).
The main reason for this is that the roads are narrower, steeper, and windier than those us Americans are accustomed to. New Zealand also doesn’t have multi-lane highways, except on the outskirts of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Most roads are one lane in each direction with semi-frequent passing lanes. When stuck behind a logging truck, or a row of campers, you’re just not going to get anywhere very fast. The influx of tourists in New Zealand means that the roads are busy, especially in high season (December to February).
It can be faster to fly between two places, even if they don’t look all that far apart on the map. This super handy time and distance calculator from Tourism New Zealand helps determine how much time you will need to get around New Zealand.
Flying Around New Zealand
A quick note about flying around New Zealand: if you’re only planning to visit Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown, flying from point A to B is going to save you a ton of time and money. Domestic travel in NZ is very easy and inexpensive. When working on itineraries for clients, I often mix in rental cars with flights to maximise time.
However, that being said, the bus network across New Zealand is very good. InterCity is the lone national bus company*, and it can get passengers to almost anywhere. There are also regional buses that branch out into the smaller towns and areas that InterCity doesn’t go. Hikers can book with a private shuttle company to get to trailheads.
*Up until 15 July 2018, Naked Bus also provided bus transport across New Zealand. Some travel websites haven’t updated with the closure information. If you’re reading this and have plans to travel with Naked Bus, they announced plans to refund anyone with tickets or passes for later dates. Check your email for details on refunds.
How’s Public Transportation In New Zealand?
InterCity operates regular bus schedules between all major cities and towns. Holidays affect transport schedules so if you plan on traveling over a holiday, check in advance. These buses stop at various places along the way and often coordinate with other buses to ensure smooth connections.
Because the roads are small and winding, bus travel takes a long time. Travellers need to be aware that going between two places by bus can sometimes take an entire day or more.
Rail travel is another great way to get between New Zealand’s three largest cities. I touch on how you can get around New Zealand by train below.
Once at your stop, you’ll need to figure out how to get from there to your hotel. Bus stops tend to be near the information centre in town, but hostels and hotels aren’t necessarily near anything. If you have plans to hike, then you should coordinate your path getting to the trailhead. This can be easy, if you’re near a town (and so is the trailhead), but it can also be difficult.
In the past, I’ve hitched a ride with people I met or arranged a private shuttle. If you’re traveling on a budget, a Facebook group is a good way to connect with others who might be in your area.
InterCity offers single trip and return tickets as well as various passes. Some hop on/hop off passes include the ferry necessary to go between the North and South Islands. Since it depends a lot on your itinerary, you should do the math before buying a bus pass to see if its worth it.
Experience Public Transportation in New Zealand
Long-distance buses across New Zealand are comfortable, clean, and safe. The driver has a manifest, which they check at every stop, and there are cameras at the front and rear of the buses. Hot food, coffee, and alcoholic drinks are not permitted on InterCity buses; passengers can have small snacks and water bottles or soda that can be closed with a screw-top lid.
City Public Transportation
Each city has its own public transportation network. You do not need to purchase in advance, but it’s possible to purchase a travel passcard to scan on and off the bus. You can find each city bus system here: Auckland | Hamilton | Wellington | Nelson | Christchurch | Dunedin.
Booking InterCity Buses
If you plan on traversing New Zealand by bus, make sure to book your preferred time well in advance during the high season. In the winter and shoulder seasons, it’s safe to book just a few days out; in the summer though, I suggest as early as possible.
The easiest way to book is on InterCity’s website. This allows you to check the various times and dates as well as book your ticket. You will need to show your ticket to the driver too, so either print it out or keep a copy on your phone.
Rail Travel in New Zealand
While buses certainly get you to more places across the two islands, there are three major railroads in New Zealand. The Northern Explorer runs between Auckland and Wellington, stopping in Hamilton, National Park (Tongariro Alpine Crossing), and Palmerston North, among others. Travel from Wellington to Christchurch via the Coastal Pacific, which uses the Interislander ferry to cross the Cook Strait before picking up the train in Picton. And cross the South Island from Christchurch to Greymouth, on the West Coast, with the Tranz Alpine – one of the world’s greatest train journeys. Find all train schedules and purchase tickets at Great Journeys of NZ.
There are some regional trains in and around Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Some of these are scenic trains primarily used by tourists and not to get from place to place; others are commuter trains, especially in Wellington’s Hutt Valley and Kapiti Coast.
Driving in New Zealand
Driving in New Zealand is incredibly rewarding. Travellers can go at their leisure, stopping for picnic lunches or afternoon treks to hidden beaches. Its my favourite way to get around New Zealand as it allows me the flexibility of stopping any time something catches my fancy.
In order to be legal to drive around New Zealand, there are some things to consider. One, you must have a valid drivers license. It needs to be in English, and if its not you must have an English translation of your license. New Zealand also accepts the International Drivers Permit, but again, it must be in English. You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months on your home license.
Car hire companies are prevalent in the major cities and at both large and regional airports. You will find all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Europcar, as well as others, like Juicy, Ace Rentals, and Ezi Car Rental.
In some smaller places, there are also local companies. One way hires are very easy to arrange, but they’re often more expensive. Typically, the longer you have the car for, the cheaper the daily rate usually is.
Rental cars might have restrictions on them, as far as what types of roads you are permitted on. Some don’t permit drivers to take the car on unsealed roads. In New Zealand, this can be anything from a gravel road to a beach!
New Zealand Rules Of The Road
Most roads in New Zealand are well-maintained and signage is clear. However, in recent years there have been a spate of very serious accidents caused by visitors either not obeying the rules of the road or ignoring common sense.
Traffic Laws in New Zealand
New Zealanders drive on the left, as in Australia and the UK. It’s illegal to make a left on red, even if there’s no oncoming traffic, and you should always give way to all vehicles not turning.
Speed limit signs are round with a red border and have the speed listed in the middle as seen below. In rural areas, it’s usually a white sign with a black slash; this indicates that the speed is the maximum of 100kph.
Because roads are narrow, twisty, and steep, drivers absolutely must exercise caution. Do not stop in the middle of the road to take a picture. I cannot begin to tell you the number of times I have come around a corner on a main road only to find a camper van stopped mere metres away with people standing in the road taking pictures. I assure you, there’s often a scenic stop just ahead anytime there is an exceptional view.
If you must drive slowly, use your flashers to indicate your lower speed. Only overtake others when there is either a passing lane or a dashed line in the center of the road.
Other Dangers
On rural roads, beware of animals in the road. This can be anything from cattle and sheep drives to local pigs. The above picture was taken during a Gypsy Day (June 1) cattle drive.. we sat for about fifteen minutes as the cows milled around us on their way to the paddock.
Pay careful attention to weather while driving. In the mountains, rain can turn to ice quickly, making the road even more dangerous. Avoid unsealed roads, if possible, and be aware of slips or flash flood potential especially in remote areas. If you are traveling in the mountains over winter, make sure you have snow chains and know how to use them. Rental car companies ought to provide snow chains in the winter; if they don’t offer it, ask. Sometimes there are road checks at entrances to mountain passes, and those without chains aren’t allowed to continue.
Drunk driving laws are strict – and the penalty severe if you’re caught driving under the influence. If you are going wine tasting, err on the safe side and join an organised tour, hire a driver or Uber. I also always suggest not driving immediately following a long flight (i.e. after flying in from the States) and taking a break anytime you feel tired.
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Amy, I hope this answers your question on the best way to get around New Zealand. I’m sure you’ll have a great time exploring both the North and South Islands!