Bus and coachIf you would prefer that someone else does the driving, there are guided coach tours ranging from day trips to multi-day itineraries. Or you can use the nationwide bus network to travel between regions.
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Bus and coachIf you would prefer that someone else does the driving, there are guided coach tours ranging from day trips to multi-day itineraries. Or you can use the nationwide bus network to travel between regions.
So if you're planning on traveling New Zealand without a car, don't worry! I know most people recommend renting/buying a car, but it is definitely not necessary. I enjoyed traveling New Zealand by bus and I don't feel like it made it any more difficult to see the country the way I wanted to.
Backpackers might spend 1-2 months in the country but anyone that wants the best of New Zealand in a shorter time frame should aim for 2-3 weeks. That will give you enough time to experience everything you've ever heard about New Zealand.
5-10 days will mean you can take a tour with more time to explore and more 2 nights stops on one island 10-14 days will allow you to visit both the North and South Island starting on one and finishing on the other.
Driving in New ZealandIf you're from overseas, New Zealand roads are probably different to what you're used to. Distances may seem short on paper, but our roads can be narrower than you're used to, cover hilly terrain, and vary from motorways to unsealed gravel roads.
For a 10-day trip, we recommend visiting up to four or five different destinations. Our 10-day itinerary locations are some of the most popular: Auckland the City of Sails, Wellington the cultural, art and food capital, and Queenstown the home of world-class adrenaline activities.
Flights: The cost of a round-trip ticket to New Zealand can vary depending on your location in the US. On average, you can expect to pay between $800 to $1200 for a round-trip ticket. Accommodation: For budget hotels or hostels, you can expect to pay between $20 to $50 per night.
While Australia and New Zealand are on the higher end of costs when it comes to international destinations, they're still relatively comparable to North American and Western European prices, and can be cheaper in the lower seasons. In terms of accommodations, Australia is generally more expensive than New Zealand.
Most travellers need either an NZeTA or a visa to travel to New Zealand. This depends on the passport you are travelling on, and if you will be a visitor or a transit passenger.
Generally speaking, if you want to engage with city culture or explore Maori history, the North Island is for you. If you want to deep-dive into nature, the South Island has plenty of lakes, mountains, fjords, and glaciers to discover.