New Zealand Transportation

Things to know

TRAVEL TO THE COUNTRY

Airports
There are two main international airports in New Zealand: Auckland International Airport on the North Island; and Christchurch International Airport on the South Island.

Airlines
Air New Zealand: . (09) 3793510
Ansett Airlines (domestic): . (09) 3076950
British Airways: . (09) 3792523
Canadian Airlines: . (09) 3090735
Continental Airlines: . (09) 3795680
Mount Cook Line (domestic): . (09) 3095395
Qantas: . (09) 3790306
United Airlines: . (09) 3793800
UTA: . (09) 3031299

Ships and Ferries
Major cruise lines stop in New Zealand as part of their itinerary. Check with your travel agent for details.

TRAVEL WITHIN THE COUNTRY

Cars
Rental companies offer cars, vans, 4-wheel drives, RVs and motorcycles. Minimum car-hiring age is 21, and you must have a current New Zealand, Australian, International or approved overseas licence. The roadways throughout the country are good and well-marked. Remember to keep to the left. The driver and all passengers must wear seatbelts.

Trains
There are a number of rail services linking the major cities on both the North and South Islands (connecting with the InterIslander ferry services, as required). The main services are:

Overland Express: Auckland-Wellington-Auckland (daytime)
Northerner: Auckland-Wellington-Auckland (overnight)
The Bay Express: Wellington-Napier-Wellington
Kaimai Express: Auckland-Tauranga-Auckland
Geyserland Express: Auckland-Rotorua-Auckland
Coastal Pacific Express: Picton-Christchurch-Picton
Tranz-Alpine Express: Christchurch-Greymouth-Christchurch
Southerner: Christchurch-Invercargill-Christchurch.

For more information, contact:

New Zealand Rail Ltd.
Private Bag
Wellington
National Reservations
Toll free: . (0800) 802802
Fax: (04) 4983721

Buses
Intercity operates a bus service to just about every city, often linking up with services offered by Mount Cook Line and Newmans Tours. For reservations and information, call:
Intercity: . (09) 3584085
Newmans Office: . (04) 5688420
Mount Cook Landline: . (03) 790690.

Ships and Ferries
New Zealand has two main islands: the North and the South Islands. There is a regular ferry service between the two islands running from Wellington and Picton. The trip takes about three hours. These ferries transport passengers, cars (check with your car rental company about restrictions to transporting cars) and freight. The ferries are modern; on board are restaurants, cafes, bars, cinemas, game rooms and play areas for children. The InterIslander provides a free bus connection service between the Wellington InterIslander Terminal and the Wellington Railway Station. Buses leave from platform 9.
For inquiries and bookings, call: . (04) 4983999