Car, Bus, On Foot or Hitchhiking: Which Travel Method Suits You?
What's the quickest way to get from A to B, see the most of the country, and have the greatest adventure?
Overview
- Intro
- 1. Travel Method: Buying a Car
- 2. Travel Method: Renting a Car
- 3. Travel Method: Hitchhiking
- 4. Travel Method: Stray, Kiwi Experience & Co.
- 5. Travel Method: Hiking
- 6. Travel Method: Bus Rides
- 7. Travel Method: Fixed Travel Group
- 8. Travel Method: Train Rides
- Mix it up!
- Frequently Asked Questions
Nils (Team KiwiQuest)
Whether by bus, car, organized tour group, hitchhiking, or hiking. The options for getting around in New Zealand seem endless, and finding the right travel method can be challenging given the wide range of options, raising many questions.
How much time do you have, what type of person are you, what’s your budget, what are you looking for and what excites you?
To make the decision a bit easier for you, we’ve noted all your options.
Are you ready to embark on the biggest adventure of your life?
Yes?
Awesome.
Then let’s get started.
Intro
Sooo many possibilities...
Before I flew to New Zealand, I had no idea how I would get around there. I also didn’t know what countless possibilities would come my way. I made all my decisions very spontaneously – and rather thoughtlessly. But see for yourself and be a little wiser than I was back then.
1. Travel Method: Buying a Car
Your own car! Bought from another backpacker or a dealer.
You pay the price of an absolute sense of freedom with certain risks: repairs, MOT, accidents, theft, and the like. You should also be aware that ongoing costs such as fuel and parking fees will be waiting for you, and that you should sell your car at the right time of year to avoid unnecessarily large losses.
If you accept all of that, you will create an incredible travel experience for yourself.
You can even get your car through us.
Perfect for you if you...
- Want to feel absolute freedom
- Have a lot of time
- Aren't traveling alone (traveling alone by car can be lonely)
- Possess a driver's license
- Have the necessary budget
Here's how it was for me!
My friend bought a car at that time, and I traveled with her for the first few weeks. Looking back, I can say those were some of the best times of the entire year. Since there’s hardly any radio reception outside of cities in New Zealand, we listened to “Queen” from morning till night (we thankfully discovered the Best-Of album in the glove box after purchase) and after a few days, we could sing every song at the top of our lungs. We were free, could stop wherever we wanted, camp where we felt like and didn’t have to spend time in smelly hostels for a while. We experienced quite a few adventures. However, when my friend wanted to sell the campervan again in the middle of winter, she found no buyer and had to return it to the dealer from whom she bought it months ago. She only got half her money back.
2. Travel Method: Renting a Car
Compared to buying a car, renting a car can avoid certain risks such as loss on sale, MOT, and repairs. However, you must also be ready to deal with additional costs.
If you are under 25, the necessary insurance can be quite expensive, and prices fluctuate considerably between high and low season. It is worth planning such a trip in advance and avoiding the peak season. But if you choose a campervan, you can sleep in it and save a lot on accommodation costs, especially since you can park overnight in free spots.
You can rent your van through us.
Perfect for you if you...
- Want to avoid the risk of loss when selling the car
- Have a set timeframe for traveling
- Have a larger budget or are over 25 years old
- Want to travel flexibly and occasionally fly or take the train
Here's how it was for me!
Personally, I never rented a car, but my cousin from Germany visited me for a few weeks using a rental car. Her trip was rather spontaneous, and she didn’t want to bother searching for a suitable car to buy and didn’t want issues with selling it either. She quickly found a suitable car, paid a bit more but was insured in return. She says it was the perfect option for her.
3. Travel Method: Hitchhiking
Standing by the roadside with your thumb out. Are you thinking about getting from A to B by hitchhiking? No travel method is cheaper. It’s completely free. Nothing needs to be booked in advance, you can travel completely spontaneously.
However, you should consider some things: hitchhiking is not a travel method per se but a means to get from A to B. Essentially your transport method. Flexibility is entirely forfeited as you must go along with your driver. You must be aware that you are taking a risk – as silly as it sounds – everyone who picks you up will start a conversation with you and wants to be entertained. You will probably have the same small talk initially.
But: the whole thing is also an adventure. Cool stories and unique opportunities can arise from new acquaintances. Although your mother would certainly advise against it, if you still don’t want to miss it – best be equipped with pepper spray or something similar and inform someone where you are. It also helps to photograph the license plate in advance.
You can find all the hitchhiking details here.
Perfect for you if you...
- Are open and communicative (or want to become so)
- Are brave
- Want to travel as cheaply as possible
- Know how to defend yourself when needed or preferably don't travel alone
- Are patient
- Have to get from A to B on a whim
Here's how it was for me!
At first, I was pretty nervous. The nervousness quickly gave way to boredom. It often happened that I stood by the roadside for up to half an hour without anyone stopping to pick me up. However, when someone did stop, I had some really nice encounters. It was a great opportunity to get to know New Zealanders a little better or to connect with other backpackers. Once, I sat with a Maori family who invited me to their home and let me spend the night. A unique experience!
Hitchhiking does not only lead to rosy experiences: once a very strange man stopped for me. Due to his heavy accent, I couldn’t understand a word he said; he avoided eye contact and was in a rush to load my bags into his trunk. I almost had to snatch my backpack from him and politely but firmly told him that I would only travel with women – and would prefer to wait a little longer. Saying no is totally okay.
Another time, I was in a truck with an older gentleman. We had a nice conversation until suddenly he left the main road and veered off into a small, rundown neighborhood. I had no clue where we were and only knew we were off track. But before panic set in, we reached my desired destination: he had just taken a shortcut.
Eventually, the small-talk conversations started to annoy me, especially on short distances where there wasn’t enough time to delve into more interesting topics. So, I started asking deeper questions like “What was the biggest mistake of your life?”, “What advice would you give to your past self?” or “What makes you happy?”, just to name a few.
4. Travel Method: Stray, Kiwi Experience & Co.
They advertise with “Hop on-hop off,” flexible travel dates, and set travel groups. There’s a bus pass where you can see the entire country if you have more than four weeks, and another where you can explore the South Island in under two weeks.
You stay in a fixed group – unless you decide to spend more than 1-2 nights in one place. Then you just stay and take another Stray bus with a different travel group a few days (or weeks, even months!) later.
Perfect for you if you...
- Want to see a lot quickly
- Are looking for the steadiness of a fixed group
- Want minimal organizing
- Are searching for flexible travel dates
Here's how it was for me!
I came to New Zealand back then and purchased the MaxPass from Stray after two days for a ton of money (about $900). With it, I could travel all over the country for a year. In the end, everything came out differently than planned, and I couldn’t really make much use of it. Toward the end of my time, I eventually toured the South Island for two weeks. The time was very nice, I made new friends, had a great guide, we always had dinner together and sat around the campfire, and saw beautiful places. Nonetheless, I missed the independence and autonomy: everyone caters to the group’s needs, stops when the guide wants, and remains at waterfalls, rivers, and other spectacular places only for a limited time. You just have a bit less freedom and flexibility. However, for solo travelers, I can highly recommend it.
5. Travel Method: Hiking
“I once walked through all of New Zealand. From Cape Reinga to Slope Point.”
How cool would it be to claim that on your deathbed? That may sound crazy, but it is a travel method you should consider. There are official hiking trails that lead across the entire country. You will never be closer to New Zealand’s nature than when exploring the country on foot.
A real adventure!
Perfect for you if you...
- Love hiking (Obviously)
- Aren't alone (Don’t get lost!)
- Want to feel the nature
- Want to travel as environmentally friendly as possible
- Are looking for the greatest adventure
- Prepare really well! (Map reading, survival skills, light luggage, good hiking boots, etc.)
Here's how it was for me!
In the summer, I met a nice Austrian at my hostel in Blenheim on the South Island. When he told me about his adventure, more and more amazed travelers gathered around us to listen to his story. He and his friends had started walking from the northernmost point of the country. They were on the move for weeks. One day, he needed a break in the middle of the rainforest and told his friends to go on without him. It wasn’t far to where they wanted to set up their tents, and dusk was already falling. When he had recovered and started walking again, he suddenly couldn’t find his friends. He was lost. He remained in the forest for three days in pouring rain without food. The helicopter could only find him because he spread the entire contents of his backpack over the treetops. He was already declared dead in his hometown, and his mother couldn’t believe her luck when her son was finally found.
After his short stay in Blenheim, he continued his way south. For him, hiking was the only travel method that came into question. Despite these unpleasant experiences, he seemed super happy (and physically fit)!
6. Travel Method: Bus Rides
New Zealand’s version of Flixbus. With Intercity, you can reach every big and small town in the country for little money.
It’s just about getting from A to B here. Your flexibility is entirely forfeited during the bus journey, but you have a clear mind to enjoy the passing landscapes. Spontaneous trips are also possible! Just check the Intercity app to see if there’s a ride to Napier the same day.
Similar to Stray and Kiwi Experience & Co., there are also bus passes available here, allowing you to travel the whole country. However, there are no fixed travel groups, no guide, and no one to manage your accommodation bookings.
Perfect for you if you...
- Want to stay flexible
- Travel more slowly
- Are ready to meet new people at every new place and have no fixed group
- Are budget-conscious
- Want to stay thrifty
Here's how it was for me!
Some destinations are only reachable with transfers and subsequent long waiting times. Sometimes, your destination isn’t reachable at all. When I wanted to visit my friend for surfing in Raglan, the Intercity only went as far as Hamilton. That’s at least a 45-minute drive away. I had no other choice but to hitchhike the rest.
To bridge the distance between larger cities, a bus ride is clearly my favorite. Booking is uncomplicated, relatively cheap, and if the bus goes straight through, you can just relax and enjoy the view.
7. Travel Method: Fixed Travel Group
Exploring the country for weeks with the same people in a tour bus. It can either be a curse – or a blessing.
With a nice group, it can be the time of your life. Campfires, adventures, friendships, parties, hikes, and an intense sense of community.
But what if the mood in the group isn’t right and you don’t feel comfortable with the people?
Well, you don’t always have to expect the worst.
Perfect for you if you...
- Seek the steadiness of a truly fixed group
- Have a bit more budget available
- Want minimal organizing
- Want to be shown the country's highlights
Here's how it was for me!
Unlike Stray or KiwiExperience, everyone really stays together here, creating a tighter bond.
My cousin was with international people of all ages and still raves about this time. There, she met her best friend today, discovered her college major through her after the trip, moved, and built a wonderful life.
8. Travel Method: Train Rides
Although train travel ranks among New Zealand’s less popular modes of transportation, my grandfather once flew to the other side of the world just for the sake of the beautiful railway routes.
The routes pass through remote locations in the middle of nowhere, which can only be admired from the window of your compartment. No roads or cars meet you on these secluded paths.
You combine the classic “getting from A to B” with a unique and spectacular experience. However, for which you will also pay a heap of money.
Perfect for you if you...
- Want to experience the country's landscape in a special way
- Have a bit more budget available
Here's how it was for me!
As mentioned earlier, my grandparents visited me during my stay abroad for three weeks. For my grandfather, it was primarily about train travel. So, we traveled across the country together. The routes were described everywhere as “the world’s most beautiful train rides,” though according to my seasoned grandfather, they didn’t quite live up to the title. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the time on the train.
We hardly encountered other backpackers during the train trip, which was likely due to the somewhat exorbitant price.
Mix it up!
Why just travel in one way? Depending on how much time you have, many of the travel methods listed can be combined.
You can also just let things come your way spontaneously (and not hastily buy a $900 bus pass like I did, which ends up being hardly used!).
Feel free to share your own experiences and plans in the comments, we look forward to it.
Now it’s up to you:
How will you travel?
Frequently Asked Questions
What other KiwiQuesters wanted to know...
User question:
Is it worth booking something before arrival?
What else is there?
We wish you an amazing adventure!
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Team KiwiQuest
