Public Transport
Most regions throughout New Zealand have invested heavily in public transport in the past 10 years to improve the network and reduce traffic congestion.
It’s worth getting discount concession rates if you plan on using public transport regularly, and most large cities have daily or monthly passes – one ticket price for all your travel on most forms of public transport including buses, trains and ferries.
Travelling By Bus
Many of the major cities have daily scheduled passenger services and dedicated bus lanes on key roads to bypass peak traffic.
City Bus Websites
For more information visit:
Auckland www.stagecoach.co.nz and www.maxx.co.nz
Wellington www.metlink.org.nz
Christchurch www.metroinfo.org.nz
Dunedin www.orc.govt.nz and www.jasons.com
Travelling by Coach
Travelling by coach is popular between cities and islands and often cheaper than flying. For more information view the following websites:
Night service bus (Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch) www.knightrider.co.nz
Intercity Coach information www.intercity.co.nz www.flexipass.co.nz
Travelling by Train
Train travel is becoming a more common form of travel for commuters in the North Island near the major cities, especially Auckland and Wellington.
Timetables have been extended to accommodate early and later travel times and express services have been added to school and commuter peak hours.
In Auckland www.maxx.co.nz the Britomart Transport Centre now brings trains from the east, west and south directly into downtown Auckland, opposite the ferry terminal. Link buses and temporary parks are also available.
In Wellington www.metlink.org.nz there is a network of trains between the city and the Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kapiti Coast and the northern Wellington suburbs.
Scenic Long-Distance Train Journeys
The Overlander from Auckland to Wellington passes through the central North Island including Tongariro National Park, Ohakune and Mount Ruapehu.
Tranz Scenic runs a scenic trip between Picton and Christchurch on the TranzCoastal which runs between the Kaikoura mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean coastline.
The TranzAlpine links Christchurch and Greymouth traveling past the Canterbury Plains, Waimakariri River and the Southern Alps. It has been called one of the world's top six train journeys.
For more information including prices for the Overlander, Tranz Scenic and Tranz Alpine visit www.tranzscenic.co.nz
Travelling by Ferry
Travelling to work on a ferry can be a great way to start your day because you get to avoid traffic and enjoy the sights.
This mode of transport is popular in Auckland, where work commuters can catch a ferry from the Downtown Ferry Terminal to the North Shore – including Bayswater, Birkenhead, Northcote and Devonport.
Affordable services run regularly from early in the morning to late in the evening and connect buses are available during peak times. You can buy one-way, return, 10-trip or monthly passes. Rates start at about $5 one way.
The ferries also travel to nearby islands in Auckland including Great Barrier Island, Rangitoto Island and Waiheke Island.
In Wellington there are also regular ferries between the waterfront, Matiu/Somes Island, Petone and Days Bay near Eastbourne.
New Zealand's most famous ferry route is Cook Strait – between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. As well as transporting you and your vehicle, this journey showcases the extraordinary beauty of the Marlborough Sounds and offers frequent sightings of dolphins, whales and fur seals.
Taking a Taxi
New Zealand offers a very good taxi service that should suit most requirements. For a comprehensive list of taxi transport in New Zealand, by region, visit www.tourism.net.nz.
Travelling by plane
You can fly between all New Zealand cities and most major towns using domestic air services, regional airlines, charter companies and scenic flight operators.
While Auckland and Christchurch airports serve the largest number of international arrivals and departures, airports in Wellington, Dunedin, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Queenstown also receive international flights.
Domestic airports make every part of the country accessible, from Kaitaia Airport in the far north to Ryan's Creek Aerodrome on Stewart Island. Airport facilities vary according to the size of the local population.
New Zealand welcomes a large range of international airlines to its airport. It's own national airline, Air New Zealand offers a daily 'reduced ticket price' service which can be booked in advance with its popular 'grabaseat’ site. For more information view www.grabaseat.co.nz.
Airport shuttles
Shuttle buses operate to and from all New Zealand international airports. Most domestic airports also offer shuttle services. An airport shuttle is generally cheaper than taking a taxi, however you can expect a longer journey because the shuttle may make a number of stops along the way.