Tourism New Zealand's Trade Website

New Zealand has a variety of transport options available - rental cars, motorhomes, motorcycles, train, air and coach services, as well as ferries and taxis. We also cover some of the rules and regulations to help your clients get around.

New Zealand’s Size and Shape

New Zealand is 1,600 kilometres / 995 miles long with 15,000 kilometres / 9,320 miles of coastline and is 450 kilometres / 279 miles wide at its widest part

Covering an area of approximately 270,500 square kilometres / 105,000 square miles New Zealand is roughly the size of Japan, Britain or Colorado

An extensive network of air, road and train services means most places are accessible by public transport

International Gateways

• Auckland and Christchurch
• Wellington, Queenstown, Hamilton, Rotorua and Dunedin have international services from Australia

Check out further information on New Zealand’s international and domestic airports here.

Driving in New Zealand

• Self-drive is a very good option for exploring New Zealand.
• Seeing New Zealand by car means enjoyable driving on good quality, non-congested, roads
• New Zealand roads are well signposted with clear directions. All road signs are measured in kilometres.
• Around Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch there are multi-lane motorways, but for the most part New Zealand roads are dual carriageways
• It is important not to underestimate driving times. Although the distance between places may seem short, New Zealand roads often traverse alpine terrain and more time should be allowed
• Non-English speaking visitors must have an English translation of their licence in order to hire rental vehicles and drive in New Zealand

The New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) can assist visitors with maps, travel times, general road information and advice about travelling around New Zealand.

For more information on travelling or transport options in New Zealand click here.

Driving Times and Distances

North Island

	Km	Miles	Approx Drive Time
Auckland - Paihia	219	136	3 hours 20 mins
Auckland - Whangarei	144	89	2 hours 10 mins
Auckland - Hamilton	126	78	1 hour 50 mins
Auckland - Rotorua	235	146	3 hours 25 mins
Auckland - Taupo	284	176	4 hours
Taupo - Wellington	375	233	5 hours 25 mins
Wellington - Napier	319	198	4 hours 35 mins
Wellington - New Plymouth	351	218	5 hour 10 mins

South Island

	Km	Miles	Approx Drive Time
Nelson - Picton	141	88	2 hours
Nelson - Christchurch	429	267	6 hours
Christchurch - Picton	344	214	5 hours
Christchurch - Kaikoura	336	208	5 hours
Christchurch - Mt Cook (via SH1)	332	206	4 hours 50 mins
Christchurch - Greymouth (via Arthur's Pass)	252	157	3 hours 20 mins
Christchurch - Dunedin	363	226	5 hours 15 mins
Christchurch - Queenstown	484	301	7 hours
Dunedin - Invercargill	210	130	3 hours 10 mins
Queenstown - Milford Sound	291	180	4 hours 15 mins

These times are based on driving at 80 to 100 km (50 to 60 miles) per hour on open stretches of road, with a small allowance for traffic delays, petrol stops and refreshments.

For further information on travel times and distances in New Zealand click here.

Licences and Permits

Visitors can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if they have either a current driver's license from their home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP). All drivers, including overseas visitors, must carry their license or permit when driving in New Zealand. Visitors can only drive the same types of vehicles they are licensed to drive in their home country.

A visitors' overseas driver's license must be current. If the license is not in English, an English translation is required, or an International Driving Permit (IDP) must be obtained.

For more information about driving in New Zealand click here.

New Zealand Road Rules

• New Zealanders drive on the left-hand side of the road - the same as in Australia, United Kingdom, India and Japan. This is the opposite to Europe, the Americas and GCC countries
• Drivers give way to all traffic crossing or approaching from the right. If turning, you must give way to all traffic not turning
• All distances are posted in kilometres (km)
• The speed limit is 100km / 65 miles per hour on the open road and 50 km / 30 miles per hour in built up areas
• Seatbelts must be worn at all times by both the driver and passengers. Approved child seats and/or booster seats are required to be used for all children and can be hired from rental car providers
• Motorcyclists and bicyclists must wear a helmet at all times
• Drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced
• Signposting follows standard international symbols and is of a high standard

For more information on the New Zealand Road Code visit www.ltsa.govt.nz and click on Visitors and New Residents.

Qualmark Visitor Transport Endorsement

Qualmark New Zealand Limited is New Zealand tourism's official quality assurance agency. Transport providers displaying the yellow and black Qualmark logo are visited annually and undergo rigorous assessments by business experts. They are checked out in everything they do, including how they look after the environment, which means it will be an experience that won’t disappoint.

Qualmark also provide recognition for top performing transport providers on their environmental performance. This is in the form of the Enviro logos. Look for properties displaying the green and black Enviro bronze, silver or gold logos.

When you see the Qualmark logo it means that you can book with confidence - whether it is a rental car company or a coach service, Qualmark identifies quality assured transport suitable for any traveller. You can find out more about Qualmark at www.qualmark.co.nz

Rental Vehicles

• One way rentals are available, although certain conditions may apply
• The minimum age for renting cars depends on the rental company, but is generally 21
• Most rental firms insist on accident insurance with a company chosen by them. Some companies may include the insurance charge in their daily rate. A bond is usually requested (often in the form of a credit card imprint) and is refundable if all terms and conditions are met
• If travelling across Cook Strait (between the North and South Islands), there are two options - take the vehicle on the ferry OR change vehicles (leave the rental vehicle on one side and pick up another on the other side - most rental car companies require this and will arrange immediate pick up of the new car on the other side). Check with the rental company which option is available when you book a rental vehicle - changing vehicles will save your client the cost of transporting the vehicle by ferry. Bookings to travel with a rental car on Cook Strait ferries between the North and South islands are essential in the peak summer season.

For more information on rental vehicles, visit
www.budget.co.nz
www.hertz.co.nz
www.avis.co.nz
www.maui.co.nz

• Minimum hire age 18 years for up to 600cc or 25 years plus for over 600cc
• The required bond will depend on bike size
• Motorcycle endorsement on licence is necessary

Motorhomes

• Minimum age for driving a motorhome varies from 21 - 25 years of age depending on the rental company
• There is an extensive network of camping grounds throughout New Zealand, many offering purpose built facilities for motorhomes
• Unless clients select a rental company with a depot in Wellington or Picton, they will have to take the motorhome on the interisland ferry
• New Zealand is ideally suited to touring by motorhome, although freedom or roadside camping is restricted in many built up or resort areas.
• Motorhomes (or campervans as they are known in New Zealand) come in several designs and cater for 2 - 6 people. There will be enough seatbelts for the number it is licensed to carry i.e.; 4 berth - 4 seatbelts
• Reservations are essential for motorhomes and any Cook Strait ferry crossings in the peak season between November and February.
• Motorhome hire companies will provide visitors with campground guides and maps to assist with an enjoyable holiday in New Zealand

Train Travel

Scenic rail journeys are available throughout many parts of New Zealand. Most services run both directions seven days per week and facilities include panoramic windows, comfortable seats and complimentary refreshments. Light meals and beverages can be purchased on board.

The main rail transport and sightseeing services, are:

• The Overlander: A service between Auckland and Wellington. It takes 11 hours to train from Auckland to Wellington in one day.
• The TranzCoastal: A morning service from Christchurch to Picton with an afternoon return. It takes just over 5 hours. This service connects with the inter-island ferry to Wellington.
• The TranzAlpine: One of the top rail journeys in the world. A daily service between Christchurch and Greymouth offering one of the top rail journeys in the world. This journey takes 4 hours and 30 minutes each way and can be taken as a day return.
• The Taieri Gorge Railway: Travellers enjoy the historic rail journey departing daily from Dunedin's historic Railway Station. Spectacular rugged scenery of the Taieri River Gorge as the train crosses breathtaking viaducts, through tunnels and hugs cliff faces

There are a number of other historic specialist short train journeys such as the Kingston Flyer steam train, and Driving Creek in The Coromandel that can be included in an itinerary.

For more information, visit

www.tranzscenic.co.nz
www.taieri.co.nz
www.kingstonflyer.co.nz

Air Services

The comprehensive domestic air services are a great way to get around the country. The main domestic airlines fly between all major cities and resort areas, with smaller towns serviced less frequently. Flight time estimates between domestic centres have been provided in each regional training module. Charter air services are also available to/from main centres.

Smaller airlines service the outer islands of the Hauraki Gulf in Auckland (www.aucklandnz.com) and Stewart Island (www.southernair.co.nz).

Shuttle buses and taxis are available from airports for city transfers.

For more information visit:

www.airnewzealand.co.nz
www.jetstar.co.nz

Coach Services

For visitors who want someone else to do the driving, there are many coach tours and coach transfer services available throughout New Zealand. Scheduled services are reliable and often connect with trains and ferries. Some services offer discounted passes covering multiple journeys.

For more information visit www.intercitycoach.co.nz and www.newmanscoach.co.nz

Daily scheduled coach passenger services are available throughout the country.

Intercity Coachlines operate the largest network and Newmans Coach Lines provide through both islands. There are also other operators that offer scheduled services between centres. See the Transport pages of www.newzealand.com for more information and individual operator listings.

Most destinations have several departures daily. Advance booking is not usually necessary, however reservations are recommended in more remote regions where there is only one service each day or at peak times.

Coach tours offer a relaxing way of seeing the country in comfort. A guide or the driver provides a commentary, pointing out significant sights or relating stories from history or Maori legend. All accommodation, meals and baggage are taken care of, leaving visitors with plenty of time to get to know fellow travellers and enjoy the sights.

New Zealand coaches are graded for quality. The top-of-the-range coaches are less than 5 years old and have the latest passenger comfort features.

These are popular with independent travellers and are a great way to meet other travellers. The companies offering services to backpackers sell passes lasting from several days to weeks. The passes offer a degree of flexibility, allowing passengers to get off the bus for independent travel.

The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plenty of sightseeing stops along the way, plus stops for walks, picnics, shopping and activities such as skydiving, bungy jumping and white-water rafting.

The main companies are Kiwi Experience www.kiwiexperience.com and Magic Bus www.magicbus.co.nz. Others run specialized routes with varying degrees of flexibility.

For information on other services, check the Transport section on www.newzealand.com.

Ferry Services

The span of water between the North and South Island is known as Cook Strait and it is 52 nautical miles from Wellington to Picton.

Passenger and vehicle ferries run between Wellington in the North Island and Picton, the gateway town to the South Island. You can relax and cruise on The Interislander ferry on a journey lasting 3 hours.

Club Class: For a small additional fee, passengers can travel in Club Class where your clients can relax in comfort seats, read magazines, enjoy complementary tea, coffee, juice and biscuits.

The Interislander links with Tranz Scenic train services in Wellington and Picton.

The Interisland ferry terminal is less than a five minute drive to Wellington City and Wellington Railway Station. Taxi’s and shuttle buses are available at the ferry terminal to transport people into the city for a small charge. If you are recommending the interislander ferry to your FIT clients please ask your inbound operator to check that the rental car you are using will allow your clients to take the car between islands. Not all rental car companies will allow this so check first!

There are two companies offering ferry travel between Islands, both take just over 3 hours:

• The Interislander. This also links with Tranz Scenic train services in Wellington and Picton. See www.interislander.co.nz for further information and timetables
• BlueBridge. See www.bluebridge.co.nz for further information and timetables.

Throughout New Zealand, local ferry services provide transport to islands - the Bay of Islands in Northland, Hauraki Gulf islands in Auckland and Stewart Island in the South. For more information on ferry services, visit

• Hauraki Gulf Islands, Auckland: www.fullers.co.nz or www.sealink.co.nz
• South Island/Stewart Island: www.stewartislandexperience.co.nz

Taxis

New Zealand has a deregulated taxi service industry and a taxi cab can be hailed from the street or at one of the many taxi stands located at airports and in the city or town centre. Prices are metered in New Zealand dollars and the fare may be able to be paid by credit card. A range of vehicles can be hired including cars, mini-vans, small coaches and limousines. Wheelchair assisted transport is also available on request.

A list of taxi services can be found here.

Airport Shuttles

All of New Zealand's international airports and most domestic ones have shuttle services running from the airport to central business districts via the main hotels. At Auckland there is also a shuttle that runs between the international and domestic terminals. www.airbus.co.nz

These services are cheaper than taking a taxi, but do take longer. Allow plenty of time when booking a shuttle to the airport, or make sure the shuttle company is aware of your check-in time. There are also regular direct bus services between airports and Central Business Districts (CBD) that are even cheaper, but these do not set down at hotels.

Auckland Airport is 25km from the CBD, Wellington 8km and Christchurch 12km. Journey times depend on traffic conditions.

Buses

Most cities in New Zealand have a local bus service. Some major city buses use a smart chip card for payment instead of cash. The local information centre will be able to advise your clients on this.

Travel Passes

These usually offer savings for those taking multiple flights, especially if buying a domestic flight in conjunction with an international ticket before departing the country of origin.

The Scenic Rail Pass is an easy to use, great value pass allowing you to travel around New Zealand on the Tranz Scenic Rail network at your own pace.

The pass is designed for independent travellers who want to experience a rail vacation or get the best out of their holidays to New Zealand and experience the true beauty and benefits of train travel.

You can choose your own route, stop when you like, and travel as many times as you wish within the validity of this flexible pass - hop on and off our tourist trains where and when you wish. While touring New Zealand, you can travel between islands with ease as your pass includes travel on the Interislander ferries between Wellington and Picton.

The Scenic Rail Pass provides you with genuine savings off the standard adult fare, so the more you travel the better the value.

For more information or to make a booking from outside New Zealand, visit www.tranzscenic.co.nz/services/ScenicPass.aspx

TravelPass brings together the most popular travelling routes so visitors can explore the best of New Zealand with Intercity Coachlines. Visit all the main centres of Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and all the 'off the beaten track' places in between. Flexipass has more options for the traveller.

How does it work? A range of Travel Pass and Flexi Pass options are available. These passes can all be purchased for 'days' of travel which you can use any time you wish over a 12 month period: 2-in-One Travelpass, 3-in-One Travelpass, 4-in-One Travel pass.

For further information contact: Travelpass or Flexipass