Rental Cars & Buses
If you don't want a campervan, the best way to explore New Zealand is by rental car — or by Intercity bus as a budget alternative.
Rental Cars
- Providers: Hertz, Avis, Budget at all airports. Local providers like Apex, GO Rentals, and Snap Rentals are often 20–40% cheaper.
- Prices: From 35 NZD/day for small cars, from 70 NZD/day for SUVs. Much more expensive in high season.
- Age: Minimum age 21 years, often surcharge under 25.
- Insurance: Comprehensive insurance highly recommended. Gravel roads are common — check if your insurance covers them!
- One-way Rentals: Auckland → Christchurch or vice versa is standard, but with a one-way fee (50–200 NZD). The Interislander ferry takes rental cars.
Intercity Buses
- InterCity: New Zealand's largest bus network, connecting all major places. Auckland–Rotorua from 25 NZD, Christchurch–Queenstown from 35 NZD. FlexiPass: Buy hours (from 15 hours for 155 NZD) and book flexibly.
- GreatSights: Tourist bus tours with commentary, e.g., Milford Sound from Queenstown or Te Anau.
- Naked Bus: Budget alternative, tickets from 1 NZD (if booked early).
- Kiwi Experience / Stray: Hop-on/hop-off buses for backpackers. Fixed routes but flexible stops. Social travel with like-minded people. Whole-NZ pass from 1,200 NZD.
Ferry Between the Islands
The Interislander Ferry and Bluebridge connect Wellington (North Island) with Picton (South Island) in 3.5 hours through the spectacular Marlborough Sound — one of the most beautiful ferry crossings in the world. Foot passenger from 55 NZD, with car from 220 NZD. Early bird discounts up to 50%.
💡 Tipp
In New Zealand, there is LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC. Many accidents occur at intersections where foreign drivers turn onto the wrong side. Get used to it away from traffic and drive consciously slower for the first few days. On gravel roads, a maximum of 60 km/h.
Achtung
New Zealand's roads are often narrower and more winding than expected — there is no highway network like in Germany. Plan significantly more driving time than Google Maps indicates. The route Christchurch–Queenstown (480 km) takes at least 6 hours, not 4.5.
