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
Cons
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
Cons
A few major options for campervan rentals include Apollo, Maui and Britz.
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
Cons
If you’re looking for bus travel around New Zealand, check out New Zealand Coach Tours or Kiwi Experience.
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
Cons
You can get around New Zealand via train with Great Journey New Zealand’s scenic rail experiences, including the TranzAlpine and the Northern Explorer.
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
Cons
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.
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
Cons
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.
Whether you're planning a trip within Australia, or heading overseas, our COVID-19 travel insurance benefits can help you relax and enjoy your much needed break.
Important things you should know: Limits, sub-limits, exclusions and conditions apply. This is general advice only. Medibank Private Limited, ABN 47 080 890 259, an Authorised Representative, AR 286089, of Travel Insurance Partners Pty Limited, ABN 73 144 049 230 AFSL 360138 arranges the insurance on behalf of the insurer. The insurer is Zurich Australian Insurance Limited ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507. Please consider your own needs and the Combined FSG/PDS to decide if this product is right for you. For information on the Target Market and Target Market Determinations, visit medibank.com.au/travel-insurance/help/
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