Most people think you need a car or campervan to travel around New Zealand.
It’s true that having your own vehicle has some benefits. You can access remote regions and tiny towns, uncovering all the hidden gems along the way, with frequent stops to admire the scenery we’re so famous for.
But if you can’t drive, or don’t want to, there are some options for you. They might cost you more in time or money, but it is possible to get around without driving.
Here are some things to consider.
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New Zealand has four main international airports: Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown. But there are also regional airports dotted all over the country.
Air New Zealand offers frequent flights between all the main cities, and regular flights from the main cities to most of the regions – a total of 20 domestic destinations.
Low-cost airline Jetstar also offers flights from Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Wellington.
There are also smaller airlines that serve more remote routes, like Sounds Air, Originair and Sunair.
Flying is by far the quickest way to get between centres – and certainly islands. A flight from Auckland to Wellington, for example, takes about an hour, while the drive would take you eight hours.
But domestic flights can be expensive. One-way flights start around the $50 mark, but you have to book months in advance to get the best deals. If you’re booking for a weekend, or if an event is on, flights can quickly shoot up to hundreds of dollars.
Getting from the airport to town, and vice versa, can be a hidden expense. The airport buses at Auckland and Wellington are not currently operating, which means travellers will need to take a taxi, Uber, or shuttle.
You can also get around the country by bus. InterCity is the largest bus network, and used by locals, too, with stops all over the country, from Kaitaia to Invercargill – though some routes are currently not operating or have very limited schedules due to Covid.
You can purchase tickets for specific routes, or travellers can purchase a FlexiPass which allows you to purchase a number of hours on the road, and then book in your routes. The price ranges from $98 for 10 hours, or $561 for 80 hours.
InterCity also offers a TravelPass where you can choose from a range of pre-planned itineraries. Many of these also include tourist activities.
Kiwi Experience is another national bus network, though more aimed at backpackers. They are set to resume their hop-on, hop-off bus service in November 2022, but they also offer group tours.
There are only a handful of long-distance passenger rail services in New Zealand.
There are three major train trips known as “Great Journeys”, which are considered more scenic rail journeys than commuter trains – but there’s no reason why you can’t use them to get from A to B.
These are the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth, the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington, and the Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch (the latter two routes are set to resume in September 2022).
A one-way TranzAlpine ticket starts from $109, for the Northern Explorer it’s $219, and for the Coastal Pacific it’s $159. So it’s almost certainly going to be more expensive than flying – but it is a pleasant way to travel.
It’s possible to stop at select stations along the routes, and reboard the train at a later date. You just have to let them know in advance of your travel.
Auckland and Hamilton are connected by the new Te Huia train, with return services twice a day during the week and once on Saturdays.
You can take the Capital Connection train between Wellington and Palmerston North. There are also regular trains from Wellington to the Wairarapa and the Kāpiti Coast.
There are two ferry companies that connect the North and South Islands via the Cook Strait – the Interislander and Bluebridge.
The crossing time is around 3.5 hours. Prices vary, but you’ll pay around $60 for a walk-on fare.
If you’ve got an InterCity FlexiPass or TravelPass, the ferry is included, so you can continue your bus journey on the other island.
It’s also possible to travel from Auckland to the West Coast of the South Island using a combination of all three of the Great Journeys scenic trains and the Interislander ferry.
Even if you decide to stay based in the main centres, plenty of operators offer transfers or guided tours to major attractions that would otherwise be difficult to access without a car.
There are several options if you’re wanting to get to Hobbiton, with transfers available from Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton. Milford Sound is also well served, with day tours from Queenstown and Te Anau.
If you’re exploring New Zealand’s wine regions, you’ll find an abundance of wine tours – which are also ideal for those who can drive, but are wanting to indulge in some tastings. There are different options, ranging from guided tours, hop-on, hop-off buses that do circuits of the wineries, and bike rentals so you can cycle around the vineyards.
If you don’t fancy the idea of taking public transport, and you have the budget for it, you could instead consider hiring a private driver.
There are a number of companies offering this service around the country. You can either come up with your own itinerary and send it through for a quote, or they will prepare one for you.
Because it’s such a personalised service, prices will vary dramatically – but be prepared to pay around $1000 a day. Keep in mind the price will also include your driver’s accommodation and meals.
One of the best ways to see some of the most spectacular parts of the country is by going off-road.
New Zealand has an excellent network of walking tracks and cycle trails. There are 10 Great Walks and 23 Great Rides, dotted all over the country.
You may need to do a bit of advance planning – some tracks and trails are only open at certain times of year – and you’ll need to make sure you have the right gear. There are also operators who can help organise your trip, and arrange transfers at the start and end of your journey.
It’s even possible to walk the entire length of the country, following Te Araroa, which in Māori means “The Long Path”. The 3000km trail stretches from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the south. This is for those with some serious time on their hands – it takes four to six months to do the whole thing.
While hitchhiking is legal in New Zealand, and it’s not uncommon to see travellers waiting to be picked up on the side of the main highways, Tourism New Zealand strongly advises against it.
“Although New Zealand is a safe country to travel in, hitchhiking carries certain risks,” its website says.
“Unfortunately, as in every country, there are untrustworthy people who may take advantage of hitchhikers if given the opportunity. Take responsibility for your personal safety by seeking out reliable forms of transport.”
Carbon footprint: Flying generates carbon emissions. To reduce your impact, consider other ways of travelling, amalgamate your trips, and when you need to fly, consider offsetting emissions. To offset your carbon emissions, head to airnewzealand.co.nz/sustainability-customer-carbon-offset.
What are your tips for getting around New Zealand as a non-driver? Share them in the comments.
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