Plan how you would like to get around New Zealand
There are lots of choices when it comes to travelling around New Zealand. Make the most of your time here and plan how you want to get from A to B and everywhere in between with our guide to transport options.
Flights in New Zealand are easy to book and cover the entire country. There are airports in all the main centres and in many towns – from Kaitaia in the Far North, down to Stewart Island in the south. Several major airlines offer domestic flights, such as Air New Zealand, and there are smaller regional airlines like Air Chathams(opens in new window), Barrier Air(opens in new window), Sounds Air(opens in new window), etc.
If you want to drive in New Zealand you could hire a car or a motorhome. The major international rental companies have bases at the main airports and in the cities, and there are many local rental options too. Take a look at our self-drive itineraries to help you plan your trip.
New Zealand’s national bus network is InterCity(opens in new window), which operates regular daily services throughout the country and offers flexible passes and tour options too.
There is a wide range of guided coach tours ranging from day trips to multi-day itineraries with accommodation included. You can choose from backpacker-style tours to luxury coaches with five-star accommodation stops.
There are three scenic rail journeys in New Zealand that each offer spectacular sights. In the North Island, the Northern Explorer(opens in new window) is a day-long trip between Auckland and Wellington. In the South Island, the Coastal Pacific(opens in new window) travels the east coast from Picton to Christchurch, while the internationally-renowned TranzAlpine(opens in new window) crosses the Southern Alps on its journey between Christchurch and Greymouth.
You can travel between the North and South Islands on a ferry that will also take cars, motorhomes and motorcycles. The Interislander (opens in new window)and Bluebridge (opens in new window)ferries run several scheduled sailings each day between Wellington and Picton across the Cook Strait, which divides New Zealand’s two main islands. There is also a daily passenger ferry(opens in new window) across Foveaux Strait at the bottom of the South Island, between Bluff and Stewart Island(opens in new window).
