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Backpacker Transport in New Zealand

The first thing to say is that you won't have any problems getting around New Zealand as a backpacker. Within the country there are a variety of backpacker transport options for varying budgets and itineraries, many of them based specifically for the backpacker market. Here are the different choices:-

NZ TOURS | CARS | COACH AND BUS | CAMPERVANS | EVERYTHING ELSE

New Zealand Tours

Coach Tours offer set itinerary tours around New Zealand and allow you to take in a lot in a short space of time. They are a great way to meet other travellers and give you a taste of New Zealand. Some companies get you off the beaten track and show you things that you would otherwise miss on your own.

Pros

Guaranteed travel - unlike hop on/off your transport is assured
Tours designed so you see loads in a short space of time -great if your time is limited
Some get you off the beaten track and tourist trails the other services stick to
Great to get overview of New Zealand then you can go back and do your favourite place in detail with new friends

Cons

Can be an expensive option if here for a year
Set routes so no off the cuff flexibility

Check out these companies:

Coach & Bus Passes

Within the coach or bus category there are basically four main options -'A to B' type transport, 'hop on hop off', 'flexipass' and 'coach tours'.

1) A TO B

A to B type coach transport is the basic transport method which just takes you straight from one place to the next with minimum stops and diversions along the way. This is the main service the locals use and is both an efficient and economical way of getting around New Zealand.

Pros Cheap and efficient way of getting round Can travel in sections rather than invest in a whole country pass More chance of meeting the locals! More flexibility if you change your plans half way around Can be combined with train travel, hitching, free lifts etc	Cons Lack of sightseeing; no tourist stops or diversions Less travellers on coaches compared to other coach services
Check out Intercity Coachlines for more information and pricing

2) HOP ON AND HOP OFF

This is the Backpacker Transport you will probably have heard most about due to the marketing that exists for it! Basically these are coach companies that have set routes around New Zealand.
You buy a six month or one year pass allowing you to hop on and off their buses as they travel around these set routes. You can buy passes that allow you to travel around certain sections or the whole lot. They are also tourist based, stopping at sites of interest and taking in scenic routes and activities along the way.

Pros

Flexible transport option if here for a year
Meet like minded travellers
Jump on and off along your trip
Flexibility and freedom
Buy a route that suits your chosen itinerary
Includes sightseeing stops and activities along the way
Hostels and activities booked ahead sometimes with discounts

Cons

You must book your place ahead so they are not just exactly 'hop on'
Coaches can be booked up in peak season (Magic Bus actually have a 24 hour seat guarantee to combat this)
This can cause big problems if your time is limited
Some coaches can end up as a drunken college tour
Stops and activities are subject to majority decision -may not get to do exactly what you want to do
No refunds if you change your plans during travel (although some passes can be echanged or sold to other travellers)

Check out these companies:

3) FLEXIPASS

A new type of bus pass Flexi-Pass is sold in blocks of time which allows you to travel on InterCity and Newmans coaches anywhere and in any direction around NZ. Similar to Greyhound buses in OZ but operates on hours rather than miles. This is the most flexible of all the bus passes (hence the name) and is a good option if you are unsure of where you want to head as you can change your mind as much as you want!!!

Pros

Flexible bus pass with possibility of travel on any Intercity or Newmans Coach all over NZ
Can top up pass with more hours like a pay as you go phone either online or by freephone
See the whole of NZ for approximately $600
Passes valid for 12 months
Good option if you don't know your plans or change your mind a lot!!!

Cons

Passes are non refundable once purchased (however you are allowed to pass or sell on to other travellers)

Check out these companies:

Car Travel

Of all the transport options car gives you the most freedom and flexibility for travel around New Zealand and will allow you to get off the beaten track and regular tourist trail

Hitching

As always many backpackers choose the option of hitching for lifts in New Zealand. Even though it is a safe country there is still a relative risk to this activity, which you must take into account -be careful and trust your spider sense! Have a look in our noticeboard section for lifts being offered.

Car Rentals

Renting a car in New Zealand for travel can be more economical than you would first think, especially with many companies catering for the backpacker and budget market. Compared to a full coach 'hop on hop off' pass for a month and renting a car the difference in price can be minimal, especially if the cost are shared between a few of you. By renting you also get benefits of AA cover and tourist maps. See our article on 'Car Rental in New Zealand' for more information.

Buying a Car

Buying a car to travel New Zealand is yet another economical option. The amount of cheap bangers crawling NZ loaded with packs and travellers shows how popular it is! Both insurance and petrol is relatively cheap and most hostels will have notice boards loaded with adverts for cheap cars as well as the adverts section on this site. You can save a few $$ in accommodation kipping in the back as well! See our 'Buying a car' article for more information.

Check out these companies:

Campervan Travel

Renting or buying a campervan is another great way to travel around New Zealand. You will have the freedom of a car to travel your own way around NZ and the advantage of being able to stop of the night where ever you choose! Due to the amount of competition within campervan rentals you should be able to get a good deal including roadside assistance and other benefits. Places to sleep range from roadside picnic areas to holiday parks with full facilities. There are also now car/campervan hybrids called Spaceships.

Read our Campervan rental article for more details.

Check out these companies:

Flights, Railway and Ferry

FLYING

In Dec 2002 Air New Zealand, the main internal carrier, dropped it's prices making flying around New Zealand a viable option. If you book ahead you can get some great deals and if you're short of time you can do bus one way and then fly back to save time. Check out www.airnewzealand.co.nz

RAILWAY & TRAIN

The main thing to say about train travel in New Zealand is that it's limited. There are just direct trips between Auckland and Wellington, Christchurch and Picton and Christchurch and Greymouth with limited stops. If you have time the Tranz alpine is recommended for its scenic value. Intercity do have a travelpass which combines rail and coach travel -www.travelpass.co.nz. Check out www.tranzscenic.co.nz for more information on railway travel.

FERRY

Obviously New Zealand consists of two islands so at some point you'll be need to get between them. One option is to fly the other is ferry. For more information on the ferries available see: www.interislandline.co.nz or www.straitshipping.co.nz

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