Transportation in New Zealand
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
The airlines Air New Zealand (NZ) and Qantas New Zealand (ZQ) fly to all major airports (see Travel – International) as well as Palmerston North, Dunedin, Napier, Queenstown and Rotorua.
Several smaller airlines, including Eagle Air (EY), Mount Cook Airline (NM), and Air Nelson (NZ), are subsidiaries of Air New Zealand and are collectively known as Air New Zealand Link. They fly to many of the 27 other domestic airports on both islands.
Ua Origin Pacific Airways (QO) and Sounds Air (website:www.soundsair.com) also offer domestic flights.
On the way by car / bus
Bus: coaches and regular buses complement the rail network. They travel on similar routes as the trains and connect the stations of the different cities. The largest bus company, InterCity Coachlines (Internet: www.intercitycoach.co.nz), operates regular bus connections across the country. Buses Newmans Coach Lines (tel: www.newmanscoach.co.nz) run on the northern island and the main routes of the southern island. Regional bus routes connect almost all parts of the country. Reservation is recommended.
Taxis Metered available everywhere.
Rental cars are available from international and regional car rental companies in almost all localities (minimum age: 21-25 years). Documentation: International driver’s license and English translation of the national driver’s license. Contact the New Zealand Automobile Association for more information. Tel: (09) 377 46 60. Fax: (09) 309 45 63. (Internet: www.aa.co.nz).
Traffic regulations:
left-hand traffic.
Seatbelt compulsory.
Strict alcohol ban on the wheel.
Cell phones prohibited. Telephoning only with a hands-free system.
Speed limits:
within built-up areas: 50 km / h;
outside built-up areas: 100 km / h
Traveling in the city
Excellent bus networks in almost all cities. There are trolleybuses and a tram in Wellington (Internet: www.tranzmetro.co.nz). In Wellington and Auckland, prices are calculated by zone, and day and single tickets can be purchased in advance.
On the go by train
Tranz Rail Ltd. operate the reliable New Zealand rail transport in modern and fast trains.
Eight TranzScenic trains (Internet: www.tranzscenic.co.nz or www.railnewzealand.com) travel the following scenic routes:
The Overlander runs between Auckland and Wellington (day and night trains),
the TranzCoastal connects Christchurch and Picton,
the TranzAlpine runs between Christchurch – Greymouth,
there are also the routes Auckland – Rotorua, Christchurch – Invercargill, Auckland – Tauranga and Wellington – Napier.
Some trains have dining cars. No sleeping cars. The range of different Travel Passes includes combined train, bus and ferry connections.
Further information from Tranz Rail Reservations (Tel: (04) 498 30 00. Fax: (04) 498 32 59. E-Mail: [email protected] ; Trans Scenic (Tel: (0800) 80 28 02) or New Zealand Tourism Board (see addresses).
Note on rail travel
Special tariffs:
According to youremailverifier, with the Travelpass New Zealand (Internet: http://www.travelpass.co.nz) you can travel unlimited InterCity and Newmans buses, InterCity trains, TranzScenic trains, Interislander ferries via the Cook – Use the strait and also a flight connection (Qantas Airways). It is valid for a self-determined number of days or 1, 2 or 3 months and can be purchased outside New Zealand from InterCity Coachlines headquarters, Tranz Rail travel centers or other travel agencies.
With the Scenic Rail Pass (Internet:www.railnewzealand.com/railpass) you can explore New Zealand on a self-created travel route with the Tranz Scenic Rail. Trips on the Interislander ferries are included. The Scenic Rail Pass is valid for 7 days or 1 month.
On the way by ship
The North and South Islands are connected by modern passenger and car ferries that run between Wellington and Picton across the Cook Strait.
Interislander ferries (Internet: www.interislander.co.nz) run several times a day and connect to long-distance trains to Wellington and Picton. The Interislander ferries Arahura, Aratere and Kaitaki take 3 hours for the crossing and operate all year round. Reservations are recommended, especially for the car ferries.
Bluebridge (Internet: www.bluebridge.co.nz) connects Wellington and Picton twice daily. Further information is available from Tourism New Zealand(see addresses) or the Tranz Rail reservation service (see below).
