Kia Ora. Thanks heaps for checking out my blog. After you read this post, please head on over to my latest project – Planit NZ. PlanitNZ.com is a New Zealand travel guide and booking website I’m working on full time at the moment. You can research all things travel in New Zealand on the website, and you can also book hop on, hop off backpacker bus passes, small group tours or activities. I’m essentially a web based New Zealand travel agent, and I’d appreciate you letting me help you plan and book your trip. Thanks!
So you’re considering a trip to New Zealand? Why wouldn’t you? It’s a country known for dramatic landscapes, friendly people, succulent lamb, and stunning vistas. There is something here on each island to please the thrill seeking backpacker, the wine sipping connoisseur, or lovers of the outdoors. It’s an excellent place to come to as a backpacker (so long as you’re not on a strict budget). Yet you’re wondering the best way to travel around the country.
Check out the list below for five of the best ways to travel around the land of the long white cloud as a backpacker or budget traveler:
1) Campervans
New Zealand is a prime spot for backpackers who want to travel around the country in their own vehicle. There are many joys of traveling in your own campervan. You can determine your own schedule, stop when and where you want, and you’ll inevitably see more of both islands if you have your own transportation. While a van will cost you more than a car, you’ll save money on accommodation costs by either staying in campervan parks or freedom camping where it’s allowed. Does spending the night in your van listening to the sound of the surf sound appealing? If so, consider seeing New Zealand from behind the wheel of your campervan.
If you’ll be here for a month or more, consider buying your own campervan. Assuming your van doesn’t blow up (as mine did) this will potentially be a cheaper option than renting. Whether you rent or buy, beware that gas prices in New Zealand are quite expensive.
2) Bus Passes
There are a number of companies in New Zealand that run terrific, budget friendly services around the country. Seeing New Zealand by bus is a budget friendly option and still affords you plenty of flexibility. Intercity or Naked Bus both run frequent services between most towns and cities in New Zealand. As long as you’re willing to put up with longer bus rides, there aren’t many places that you can’t get to in New Zealand with one of these companies.
If you’re considering this option, don’t book your journeys individually. Instead, consider buying one of the backpacker passes each company sells. These will give you a certain number of journeys around New Zealand and will often include a ferry crossing from the North to South Island.
3) Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is a very realistic way to travel around New Zealand for the dedicated backpacker or budget traveler. I spent three months touring New Zealand in my campervan and saw very few hitchhikers. Not because they’re not here, rather because they get picked up so quickly. Clearly common sense should be utilized when hitchhiking – you’re better off as a pair, and solo travelers (especially women) may want to think twice before considering the option.
If you think it is right for you, it’s a cheap (free) way to get around the country. You’ll have to be flexible and willing to to wait when getting to out of the way places, yet you stand a chance of meeting friendly locals and fellow travelers. Here are some tips for hitchhiking around New Zealand:
- Stand on the side of the road with traffic gong in the direction you want to go
- Position yourself on the outskirts of town so the traffic that passes is definitely going the direction you want to go
- Use more than a thumb – make a sign which says the town you’re hoping to get to
- Make sure there is room for your potential ride to pull over allowing you to get in safely
4) Backpacker Buses
One popular way for backpackers to get across New Zealand is by a backpacker bus. This option allows you to hop on and hop off throughout New Zealand. You’ll be guaranteed flexibility, convenience, and have the added bonus of meeting other travelers. If this is your first major trip abroad, one benefit is your travel activities and accommodation can be booked for you – often with a significant discount. There are two major backpacker bus operators in New Zealand: Kiwi Experience and Stray.
Kiwi Experience has a younger demographic that’s most keen on partying their way around New Zealand; Stray has a much more diverse group of travellers and does a better job getting you, ‘off the beaten track.’
Through my Planit NZ Travel Guide, I can organize your New Zealand backpacker bus pass on your behalf – often doing a better deal than what you find advertised online. Contact me to find out more.
5) Train Travel
Traveling by train isn’t a common way to get around New Zealand. You can’t get to smaller, out of the way destinations. Yet considering the breathtaking scenery which New Zealand is known for, you can imagine there are a couple epic train journeys you might want to fit into your schedule while traveling here.
The Tranz Alpine journey takes you from the West Coast of the South Island in Greymouth to Christchurch over the rugged Southern Alps. It’s ranked as being one of the world’s greatest train journeys and is worth your time. Also, consider leaving Christchurch on the Tranz Coastal route which heads north along the Pacific Coast. You’ll pass beautiful Kaikoura where you can stop to go whale watching. The journey ends in the ferry town of Picton where you can head to the North Island.
New Zealand is a small country by all practical standards and is quite easy to get around. Consider all or some of the above options on your backpacking trip to New Zealand.
Have you been to New Zealand? How did you choose to travel around the country? Leave your comments below.
Found this post useful? Awesome! Don’t leave, check out the posts below:
- 7 Awesome Places in New Zealand You’ve Never Heard of
- Climbing New Zealand’s Iconic Mitre Peak
- 20 of New Zealand’s Best Views
- New Zealand’s Top 5 Backpacking Destinations
- Planit NZ – Your Centralized Resource for Planning Trips to or Within New Zealand
Backpacking Matt 
Hi Matt,
I have never done the buses or hitchhiking, but totally agree with your post. Love driving in NZ, it’s super safe and the camping sites are great!
Another good tip for the budget traveller is that flying in New Zealand can also be extremely cheap. It’s not difficult to find tickets as cheap as NZD 29 or 39. I have bought Wgtn-Auck for $19 once! And even when they’re not THAT cheap, flying is still cheaper than the trains.
Even though I normally prefer driving – I have done both islands with a campervan twice, and with my car twice as well -, for those who are here for a short period, flying to strategic points and then renting a car for a few days can be a great option too.
Wow, some of those pics are great! I have to say, the campervan is top of our list – we are planning to do this when we go to New Zealand (which will prob be the last stop on our overland trip from London). I daresay we’ll have had enough of buses and trains by then, and judging by the first photo in your post – the campervan is the most awesome option!
A few years ago I traveled solo and took a backpacker bus. If someone is considering it they should know they aren’t all created equal. While I don’t think the Kiwi Experience would be good for me (I’m in my 30s) I did take the Magic Bus and loved it.
Now that you’ve mentioned, trying out the hitchhiking option in about 3 weeks (yup, that’s when I come down to Queenstown from Auckland)…wish me luck!
When I was in NZ, my friends and I tried out all sorts of transportation options. We flew, took buses and trains, and even rented a car here and there. You’re right when you say that New Zealand is generally an easy country to get around.
I have to agree with Cris, though — sometimes the best option ended up being booking a cheap short flight to a jumping off point, and then renting a car from there. The flights were never all that expensive, and they certainly saved a lot of time. But buses are great, too, especially if you want to see a little of the countryside along the way.
We went to new Zealand for our honeymoon and hired a car for a few days before getting the campervan. We had a campervan from a company called Escape. All of their vans are individually painted by artists which makes them a great conversation starter – especially ours as it had a cartoon bird on it that was played before the shutdown on NZ TV for years!
P.S. Thanks for using my shot of the campervan overlooking Lake Wakatipu!
@Cris & @Amanda Flying can certainly be a cheap way to get around New Zealand. Air New Zealand often runs $1 fares on their Grab A Seat website. My only concern with flying in New Zealand is you miss everything between the two places you’re trying to get two. So much of New Zealand is best experienced by just taking in the views of the countryside you pass.
@Aisleen Campervans are a pretty epic way to get around. It’s shocking the number of backpackers in vans you see here!
@Ayngelina I’m sure that is true. Thanks for your feedback.
@Dylan Hitchhiking in the off season could prove to be more of a challenge, yet should still be doable.
@DarrenKW Thanks for the comment! Your photo was excellent. Far better than most featuring my campervan, Max.
I rented a car for the vast majority of my 2.5 months in NZ. With all the nooks and crannies that NZ has, I couldn’t imagine any other way besides having your own car/campervan to see it all.
@Dustin – Exactly.
@Stephen – Really great place to hitch.
Cool. I guess we can add New Zealand to the “good countries for hitching” list. Thanks for the post.
SOOO refreshing to see someone actually talking about hitch-hiking realistically instead of just saying, “If you hitch-hike, you’ll be chopped into itty-bitty pieces by an axe murderer.” Hopefully my parents don’t read this, but I’ve hitched a couple of times in NZ and been perfectly fine, and when I got my car, some of my best experiences have come from picking up strangers…. that came out wrong. You’re right, of course, about being careful, but with small distances and friendy people, I think it’s worth trying. (Though maybe not telling your parents about.)
@Skiffer Glad you agree! How are things up North? Certainly warmer than Queenstown!
This website has a million good ideas, and leaves me with a million questions. I recently went to Italy, and having to schedule everything with busses and trains can get hard. I’m going to New Zealand soon and buying a van seems like a really good idea, but it seems hard to do, especially if you are travelling alone. I’m meeting up with a friend who lives in Christchurch, and traveling the southern island with her for a few weeks. But the rest of the time im in New Zealand i’ll be alone, so I wonder if there are any backpacking websites where one could look for people to share a van with, or just to look up some cool people who will be travelling the same area around the same time?
@Daniele Thanks fr the comment! I’m really glad you’re finding Backpackingmatt resourceful. That is my goal! Buying a van is extremely easy in New Zealand (see How to Buy a Campervan in New Zealand). Depending on when you’re coming to NZ, you stand a decent chance of finding one cheap before summer comes around and selling it in the high season – ultimately making a bit of money. Just be sure whatever you buy you have checked out by a independent mechanic so you don’t end up with a lemon!
Check out BackpackerBoard.co.nz for finding a travel buddy. Also there are often notes in hostels for people looking for rides / travel mates.
Happy to help you plan your trip here I’d just need to know some more specifics about how much time you had!
Do you have a blog about good travel routes to take in New Zealand? Or does anyone have any preferences? I know we all have to do it our own way, but I’m trying to decide if i should travel the south island and then fly from Christchurch to Auckland, or take a ferry to Wellington. If anyone has any advice let me know!
Thanks!
Nice post! I’ve heard of many travelers hitch hiking & they told me how easy it was. Next time that’s my way as well!
What about buying & selling your own car? That’s what we did & it was quite easy & would recommend it to others as well! Best is to buy it in the south & sell it on a big car market in Auckland.
The paper work is also much easier compared to Australia, where travelers do it all the time.
@Melvin It is very, very easy to buy a car in NZ. Too easy! I think it’s a great option so long as you’ve had the car/van checked out by an independent mechanic to make sure you’re not getting a lemon.
Thanks for the information! I really want to plan a trip to New Zealand. I am going to look up more information on the Tranz Alpine journey.
@Melissa Glad you enjoyed the post – hopefully it helps you plan your trip.
Lots of good tips, nice work! Fond memories and an unexpected surprise to stumble across my photo of the Kiwi Experience bus at Haast!! 🙂
@Velvet – Glad to use your photo! Thanks for stopping by.
I think #1(campervan) is the only way you should travel around New Zealand. Tranz Alpine railway is exception 🙂
Hey Matt,
What site is a good resource for campervan parks? I’ve read somewhere that average cost is $30-$50/night during high season. Seems a little pricey? We’re traveling during the month of January. We’re also considering doing a rental car w/ couchsurfing/hosteling as a more cost-effective option. But we’re considered about hostel availability during high season.
Hello
A quality article which has kind of answered some questions i’ve recently been having. I might be in NZ in November 2012 but travelling alone, so Im thinking of flying into Auckland spend max 2 days there then get the train to Wellington then ferry across to SI.
Im thinking of then getting a bus pass that will allow me to see Abel Tasman Park, the west coast, maybe Dunedin than back to Christchurch and fly home.
I know it may take ages, but it looks soo pretty the south island and im willing to suffer butt ache to see the country!
As ive never been to this part of world, does anyone else have other tips for me?
Thanks!
@Frye Cheers for the comment – in short, that itinerary sounds pretty choice. I’ll email you with more!
Hi Matt,
So happy to have rediscovered your blog! After, somewhat impulsively, purchasing tickets to NZ the other night – I’ve been researching non stop trying to sort out how we’ll spend our 10 days in South Island. We definitely want to go the campervan route. Is there a company that you recommend? We aren’t going till December, but want to start booking things ASAP!
Appreciate it any advice you might have.
Cheers,
Esther
@Esther Fantastic – you’ll love it here! I’d recommend JUCY Rentals — I’ll write you an email now.
Thanks Matt! Got your tweet – sent you a DM back with my email address. There are 6 of us…for 10 days – Dec. 1 – 11. We’ll definitely check out JUCY for the rental. Scouring your posts for advice on an itinerary and what we shouldn’t miss. So many beautiful places to pack into 10 days…Really appreciate any tips you have!
Hi Matt, same question as Esther except I will be traveling with a partner around the end of August. So many choices and destination i would love to explore but so little time. I would appreciate any help or advice you can give! Thank you!
Hi Valentina! Glad to speak with you on the Planit NZ LiveChat yesterday — hopefully I helped to clear things up, and please let me know if you have any more questions about planning/booking your trip!
Hey Matt,
I’ve been researching this over and over again. I want to travel and explore NZ but most site I’ve visited and looking at the package deal will cost me $3,500 or $7,000 (especially Hobbiton)..
What is the best site for booking tickets, hotels, and transportation?
Hi Apple – I flipped you an email too, but will comment here. $3500-$7k seems pretty expensive, but perhaps you’re including flights? Planit NZ is the place to research / book your trip! Let me know if I can help.
Hey Matt,
Great post! Am planning on solo travel to nz south island for 10 days, would you recommend a campervan? Or car hire? Just wondering if it’ll be safe to travel alone in a campervan especially at night.
Hey Aby, I’d be more inclined to get a hop on hop off bus pass if you were travelling solo as it’ll be a better chance to meet other travellers! Check them out on Planit NZ — http://www.planitnz.com/new-zealand-tours/
Hi, for a group of 4 (3 adults, 1 4yo girl), is it cheaper to use bus passes or to rent a car to do a 12 day trip from Queenstown to Auckland? Going late October…
Hey Victor, with a 4 year old you’d need to rent a car. We can help plan an itinerary / get a good deal for you on a car rental with Planit NZ. Go ahead and put through a rental request here!
http://www.planitnz.com/new-zealand-car-rental-quotes/
Hey Matt,
I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts, certainly inspirational!
I’m heading to NZ on a year long working visa in May. I’ve booked a ticket to go with Stray all around the country and planned to find somewhere I like and settle down – rent a place and work for several months. I thought this would be the most cost effective way for me to travel. Hop on hop off bus then perhaps rent a car for a few days here and there in different places.
The closer I get to leaving the more I feel like it would be better for me to buy a car for my trip. A year is a long time to be dependent on public transport, I feel. I will miss not having the freedom to go where I went when I want. I think I would be much happier with a car.
However, with Stray obviously I would meet other travelers and have the peace of mind of accommodation in a new place for the night.
If I chose to get a car, I would have to refund my ticket with Stray so I would lose a bit of money.
I’m also thinking running a car isn’t going to be as cheap as I first thought (crossing the ferry from North to South Island with a car is apparently $250) and I worry about it breaking down, I am, a typical girl who knows nothing when it comes to cars!
Sorry for the long post, but what would you recommend?
Firstly you should have booked your Stray pass through Planit NZ!
Keep the Stray pass to travel around for a month or so as you explore the country / meet other travellers. Once you settle down to work, you can look into buying a car to travel during your free time!
Instead of buying a campervan, we ended up buying a car and tent camping through New Zealand. It was an awesome experience, but man were we jealous of others in campervans when it was pouring down rain. I think a station wagon is a good option too since you can still sleep in the car.
Do you have to tip after hitchhike? :S
No!
Everyone has been saying to buy a pass for naked bus, but i have worked out its probably cheaper to buy individual trips than a pass. Do you reckon it would be better to buy pass then individual book each trips?
I don’t suggest Naked Bus. Naked just goes from point A to B, so no chances for stops to explore or take photos along the way. You’re better off with a Stray bus pass. We can book for you through Planit NZ!
Hello. I am planninh to visit new zealand in december. Planning to book a campervan. This is my first international trip so had a few questions:
1. We are 3 people on budget. So is booking a campervan good option? What about the parking? Is AC required at night while sleeping in campervan?
2. Also what to do with campervan if i need to take trazalpine train as well?
3. Do I need to book all tourist entry places in advance?
hey Nidhi, drop us an email on hello@planitnz.com and we can help you there!
I’m planning a trip around the world next year and would like to spend a significant amount of time in NZ. Is there a realistic option of meeting people and splitting a campervan? Or hitching a ride with someone and splitting the cost? Do people advertise that?
HI Matt,
Awsome post! Would like to get some advise from you. I’m planning to visit NZ in Dec with a friend on a budget visit. We are planning to visit both islands(north and south). Roughly how long do you think we need? 3weeks?
Three weeks would be perfect. Drop me a message on Planit NZ if you want help planning your trip!