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.

Tourists in New Zealand primarily get around by renting a car or campervan, which is widely considered the best way to explore the country's diverse and often remote landscapes at a personal pace. For those who prefer not to drive on the left, an extensive network of intercity buses (such as InterCity) connects major towns and tourist hubs. On the South Island, scenic trains like the TranzAlpine offer world-class rail journeys through the Southern Alps. To travel between the North and South Islands, most tourists take the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry across the Cook Strait, a stunning three-hour voyage. For longer distances, domestic flights between cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Queenstown are frequent and relatively affordable. In the major cities, public transport and ride-sharing apps are common, while more adventurous travelers often utilize "hop-on, hop-off" backpacker buses or even cycling tours along the nation's many dedicated Great Rides.