Do you need a car to explore New Zealand?

Do you need a car in New Zealand? There are definitely a few cons to going carless in New Zealand, but no, you don't NEED a car to travel the country. Ultimately, I'm happy with my choice to travel without one. I spent almost a year traveling New Zealand without a car and I found it to be quite simple—and fun!



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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.

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So how do New Zealand cities rate? Wellington is the most accessible, with 61% of residents living within 15 minutes' walk of the amenities we studied. But this pales next to New York (88%) and San Francisco (73%). Auckland has only 43% of residents within 15 minutes of core amenities.

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Car and campervan rental One of the best ways to solo travel New Zealand is in a rental car, campervan or motorhome.

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You can self-drive, join a guided tour, book flights, or take a train or bus. Passenger and vehicle ferries offer services between the North, South and other islands too.

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The best way to get around Queenstown is by car, since many of the city's activities are spread apart. Plus, there's limited public transportation to get you from point A to point B. That said, you can certainly walk around downtown Queenstown and get a feel for the city.

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The best way to travel to New Zealand is obviously by air (unless you want to spend a lot of time on a boat). Most major airlines offer direct flights to New Zealand. It's easy to get here on a non-stop flight from America, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

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Getting a rental car in New Zealand is simple. You must be at least 21 and have a valid credit card, just like most everywhere else. Generally, if you're a licensed driver in another country, you won't need to provide anything other than your valid home drivers' license or International Driving Permit (IDP).

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As the gateway to New Zealand, there is a huge amount to see and do in Auckland, but the country's largest city isn't that budget-friendly. Accommodation and eating out here are particularly expensive.

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On average, I would say that a 2-week vacation in New Zealand from the US would probably cost around $3,000 to $5,000 per person, including flights, accommodations, and activities. But again, it really depends on your specific preferences and budget.

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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.

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The cost of living in New Zealand, for one person in a major city, is between NZ$3,000-NZ$4,000 per month. A family of four can expect to need NZ$5,000-NZ$6,000 per month to live.

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Top tips for finding cheap flights to New Zealand. High season is considered to be January, November and December. The cheapest month to fly from the United States is August. Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest New Zealand flight deals.

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