Getting around in NZ -- what are my best options?

Question

I've been hearing that everyone drives in NZ. I was planning on just getting a bike because it'd obviously be cheaper. But is that an unrealistic way of transportation? Would I not be able to actually get anywhere on the roads with a bike? Should I rent a car instead? I'll be there for half a year. Thanks, everyone.

Answer 1

I don't suggest you bike alone male or female, for safety reasons...if you can find a biking partner, then it is a fantastic way to see New Zealand!  You can always choose which parts you want to bike through and then catch a NZ Bus Service throughout NZ for the hilly parts which will help time your trip better....I suggest the website below.  I feel that if you hire a car and are driving you don't always take in the scenery so well, as your focusing on the road - which can be a bit tricky in NZ.  To plan your whole trip, you can book through www.houseoftravel.co.nz, which is throughout NZ and is the travel agent which I use...fantastic service!

Have a wonderful trip!

Answer 2

Get a car! If you are there for six months, it will work out in your favor. There is a huge car mart in Auckland...lots of travelers leaving the country that are trying to get rid of their car...you can find some pretty great deals. Pick a maximum you can spend and expect to break even(or, with bad luck, lose a bit) when you sell the car. To offset the cost of gas, pick up fellow travelers along the way and split the cost.

I lived in NZ for a year. I spent the first several months getting around by bus(occasionally renting bikes-which was fun for some towns, but, not as a main means of transportation). While this was pretty cheap and an ok means of travel. Having a car changed our entire experience. New Zeland is an incredibly scenic country and there are stunning roadsa and places that you will discover that you can't get to by bus or just wouldn't know about. You wil see much more of the country this way and have the freedom to both be spontaneous and independent. You also meet a lot of people this way as you are the "tguy who has a car". Other people will want to hitch a ride!

Have a great trip!

-Kango T raveler

Answer 3

if ur travelling around town then bikes are a really good idea, going from town to town on a bike is not the best idea though.

try www.intercity.co.nz they have passes which u can use over a reasonable period which are based on travelling times between places, this gives u flexibility and they are not badly priced.

enjoy nz, its beautiful :)

Answer 4

Hi Kei, Well I'm a little unsure about where you intend to ride your bike but if it is around the cities or towns you should not have a problem. It is obvious you should not ride a bike on a freeway/motorway anywhere in the world even if you were allowed to. Interstate/province highways are also a dangerous place to be on a bike even if the drivers are very considerate of you ....... there could always be one who is not ! Rent or as someone said try to buy a good cheap car ( kiwi's are helpful and it should not be hard to find a genuine person ready to assist you to sort one out ) and drive yourself around ( you can always sleep in it if you're stuck for accom on occasions.... if it's not winter :P ) ....and you could sell the thing when you're done ...... probably your cheapest option of seeing NZ ( just don't buy a lemon ! :) .

Answer 5

The others have answered your question so well the only thing I want to add is, no matter how tempted you are

DON'T HITCH HIKE

Answer 6

NZ is a hilly country. Even the flat land has hills.

The roads from Sanson to Foxton and Christchurch to Temuka are really the only flat roads.

The roads are in general only just wide enough for two trucks going in opposite directions to pass.

As far as cycling goes, it is said that :

No matter what corner you turn, the wind will be in your face, and

all roads are uphill all the way, both ways.

However, many people do it.

Get a quality bike (probably cheaper to buy one here than to bring one with you.)

By law you must always wear a helmet.

Take your time.

If you want to take a segment of your trip by bus, book 24 hours prior with the explicit instruction that you will be travelling with a cycle.

The advantages of touring with a cycle are that you can actually smell the countryside as you pass through, and that, of necessity, you travel at your own comfortable pace.

Happy Trails!

Answer 7

Ok, I'm a New Zealander, and travelled over most of the country. If you want to bike you 'll have to pretty fit, cos travelling distances a pretty huge. Also forget about cycling through the winter months unless you're in the far north, unless you come from the north pole. Trains go through a lot of the country, and you can get cheap flights on www.airnz.co.nz or http://www.flypacificblue.com/ for the major centres. Hitch hiking is also a great option, just have to be smart about which rides to accept. And best to go with another person. Backpacking networks are also pretty good in this country and you could join fellow travelers on the road, check out www.bbh.co.nz for cheap accommodation, you'll meet heaps of friendly travellers here. Especially hostels wit high ratings.

Answer 8

Definately a campervan or a car.

Answer 9

A bike might not be the best idea for NZ.  I'm not sure about the North Island (only spent a week there), but the south island has tons of narrow windy roads through mountains.  There are parts where they have 25 km/hr speed limits for tight turns.  You will also need something that has enough power to go uphill.  

When I was there for half a year, I ended up buying a car at an auction.  There are plenty of cheap used cars in NZ, as a lot of cars old cars are actually from Japan.  I got a 1991 Honda concerto (basically an accord) and that worked fairly well for NZ$1400.  The only issue I had was that going uphill was a challenge.... I would be flooring the gas and would only go 20 km/hr.  The solution was to go into first gear (but if you do it too long, it can kill the engine)

Diesel cars are pretty popular in NZ.  They actually aren't that bad for the environment as most people think in the US.  Plus you get more miles(kms) per gallon for diesel cars compared to gas.

There are a fair amount of buses that run from city to city (or towns). The tickets are fairly cheap, so if you don't want to buy a car, that can be an option.  If I remember correctly, you asked a question recently and stated you'll be in Aukland.  It probably has decent public transportation for buses within the city (but you'll have to check).

To rent a car in NZ, you need to be 21 (not sure how old you are).  It might not be worth the money to rent a car if it is only you (much better if you're traveling with friends).  

If you have a license in US, you don't have to apply for a license in NZ (unless you're staying for more than half a year).  There are a few differences in how people drive in NZ.  The obvious is that people drive on the left.  You can't turn left on red (unlike being able to turn right on red).  Also, if there is a car across from you who is trying to turn right at the same time as you turning left, the other car has right of way.  Oh yeah, pedestrians DONT have right of way in NZ, so it's common for drivers to speed up when they see people walking across the street.

If you have any other questions, feel free to email me