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

Inner-city buses

Many of the major cities have daily scheduled passenger services and dedicated bus lanes on key roads to bypass peak traffic. For more information visit the following region-specific websites:

Inter-city buses

Travelling by bus between cities and islands is popular and often cheaper than flying. For more information view the following websites:

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 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 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 travels from Auckland to Wellington, passing 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 travelling 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, TranzScenic and TranzAlpine visit www.tranzscenic.co.nz

Travelling by ferry

Travelling to work on a ferry can be a great way to start your day as it enables you to avoid traffic and enjoy marine 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 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. Tourism New Zealand provides a comprehensive list of taxi transport in New Zealand, by region.

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. Its own national airline, Air New Zealand, offers a daily 'reduced ticket price' service which can be booked in advance with its popular 'grabaseat’ site.

Airport shuttles

Shuttle buses operate to and from all New Zealand international airports. Most domestic airports also offer shuttle services.