What is the best way to travel between islands in New Zealand?

If you're in a hurry, the best option is to go by air. However, if you have time, travelling on the inter-island ferry is highly recommended. It's considered to be one of the world's most scenic ferry journeys, spanning 92 kilometres over three hours.



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Ferry companies Bluebridge(opens in new window) and the Interislander(opens in new window) ferries travel regularly between the two islands and are able to transfer vehicles, motorcycles and pets. Comfortable seating, lounges with Wi-Fi and dining options are available onboard, so are private cabins.

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Taking the ferry as a walk-on passenger Taking the ferry without a vehicle is the cheapest - and also the most convenient - way of crossing the strait - and if you book with us you will leave your existing rental vehicle at one end, and pick up a new one at the other.

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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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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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Bus services connect New Zealand's cities and towns Although regional options exist, InterCity is the only national bus company – you can expect onboard WiFi and sometimes toilets. InterCity also offers flexible passes, which include ferry passage on the Interislander ferry.

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As a result, most New Zealanders tend to travel by car. Many visitors to the country do the same, although there are also public transportation options available. Whether you want to explore the cities or escape into nature, here are some of the best ways to get around New Zealand.

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I want to see which country is cheapest to fly to from New Zealand. It turns out that the most inexpensive flight from Auckland is to Tonga for $239. Other affordable starting destinations are Samoa ($255), Fiji ($273), the Cook Islands ($293), and Vanuatu ($321).

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New Zealand's most famous and beautiful ferry route is between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. The journey between the two islands is commonly referred to as 'crossing the Cook Strait'. The sailing time is around 3.5 hours (weather dependent).

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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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Condensing Your Trip Into Less Than Two Weeks You could easily spend longer than two weeks in New Zealand, but that's the minimum amount of time you'll need to explore the country properly. Divide your time evenly between the North and South Island and take into account the days that will be lost to travel.

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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.

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