New Zealand Without a Car: Practical Tips for Stress-Free Travel

When I first moved to New Zealand, I spent a year travelling the country without a car. At the time I couldn’t drive, yet I still managed to explore from the northern tip of the North Island to the dramatic landscapes of the South Island. Flights made the long distances quicker, coaches linked the bigger towns, and I often joined tours to reach the harder-to-get-to places.

Even when I returned later, still without a licence, I found getting around wasn’t as daunting as many people assume. Scenic trains offered a slow but unforgettable way to see the country, while short domestic flights kept me moving when time was tight.

These days I do have a licence and I’ve hired a car in New Zealand. I can’t deny it’s easier and more flexible, especially for smaller towns and hidden spots.

But if you don’t drive, or simply prefer not to, it’s still absolutely possible to travel the country – and in some ways, you might enjoy the journey more. From affordable coach networks to scenic train rides and short flights, here’s how you can see New Zealand without ever needing to get behind the wheel.

A green Kiwi Experience tour bus crosses a narrow bridge in a lush, mountainous area of New Zealand, with bold yellow branding on the side.

Is It Possible To Enjoy New Zealand Without A Car?

Absolutely. I lived in New Zealand and travelled back again later without a licence, so I know first-hand it can be done. At the time, epilepsy prevented me from driving – but that never stopped me exploring the country.

Now that my health is more stable and I’ve finally got my licence, I’ve also hired a car when visiting. Driving is definitely the most flexible way to get around, but if it isn’t an option for you, don’t worry. With a bit of forward planning and some advance bookings, you can still see the very best of New Zealand.

🌄 Skip the rental car—book unforgettable day trips and adventures in New Zealand

Options for getting around New Zealand

Coach/Bus

For most visitors, the coach network is going to be the best option if you can’t drive.

Intercity

The InterCity network is one of the most reliable ways to explore New Zealand by bus. If you’re planning car-free travel, it’s arguably the best bus pass in New Zealand.

You can either book a straightforward ticket between two places, or you can buy a Flexipass. With a Flexipass, you buy hours of travel that you can use across multiple routes, topping up if you run out. It works well if you’re moving around a lot on a set trip, and the cost per hour is cheaper if you buy a larger block of hours.

I would recommend mapping out your itinerary to work out roughly how many hours you will need before you book anything. The cost per hour is significantly cheaper if you buy a larger block of hours. If you need 50 hours of coach travel to do your route, it’s about 35% cheaper to buy the 50-hour pass than five 10-hour passes.

But, don’t overdo it. You can top up your pass, but you can’t get a refund if you’ve bought more hours than you use.

A winding highway cuts through the golden tussock-covered hills of Lindis Pass under a dramatic cloudy sky, with a few cars and campervans visible along the scenic route. — Lindis Pass – part of the Intercity route between Tekapo and Queenstown

When I was living in New Zealand, I mostly booked individual tickets because I only used coaches for the odd trip rather than following a full itinerary. For me, a pass wasn’t practical. But if you’re travelling around the country steadily, the Flexipass can be a good way to save money.

The routes I remember most clearly were Auckland to Paihia and Christchurch to Oamaru. Flying wasn’t an option for either, so the bus was the easiest choice. It wasn’t the quickest way to get there, but it was straightforward and dropped me right in the centre of town, which made life easier without a car.

(P.S. Your InterCity Flexipass can also be used to book a ferry crossing between the North and South Islands.)

Kiwi Experience

Kiwi Experience is a popular choice for New Zealand backpacker transport—offering both group tours and flexible hop-on hop-off options.

It also has two types of ticket. You can book a small-group tour which includes your accommodation, breakfast and some activities.

Alternatively, you can book a hop-on hop-off pass. That might initially sound exactly like Intercity’s Flexipass, but there is one key difference. The Kiwi Experience ticket follows set routes.

You pay for your pass, and then although you have flexibility in how long you stay somewhere before you get on the next bus, you can’t change your route.

Wellington city centre and harbour from Mount Victoria — Wellington

There are lots of different route options. If you only have a couple of weeks you might want to pick a shorter route just around the North Island.

If you have more than a month, maybe you would pick the ‘Fat Kiwi’ ticket, which covers both islands in detail. But you can’t make changes to the route you pick, and there are some places that Kiwi Experience just doesn’t go to, like Dunedin, Invercargill, and Napier.

It’s very popular with backpackers, and if you don’t want to spend hours planning your itinerary, then it’s an easy way to see lots of places without poring over a map.

So, which should I pick?

For complete flexibility, you would be best to book a big block of hours with Intercity. If you had a strange urge to go back and forth between Auckland and Rotorua five times, it wouldn’t be an efficient use of your hours but you could do it. That wouldn’t be possible with Kiwi Experience.

If, on the other hand, you are happy to follow a set route and like the idea of a more social travel experience, Kiwi Experience might be a better fit.

A view from an Air New Zealand airplane window shows the aircraft wing over Queenstown, with golden hills, deep blue water, and mist-covered mountains under a clear sky.

Flights

It’s not the most eco-friendly choice, but domestic flights in New Zealand are one of the easiest ways to get around quickly. It’s also one of the most common ways that New Zealanders themselves travel between cities, since the train network is limited.

When I lived in New Zealand, flights were my main way of getting around. The long distances meant it often saved me days of travel. For example, I usually chose to fly between cities and then relied on tours or local buses once I arrived. It was quicker and often far less stressful than trying to connect multiple coaches.

Air New Zealand and Jetstar are the two main operators. Flights are frequent between the big cities, but the schedules are limited compared to Europe or North America. It’s worth booking in advance – seats do sell out, and last-minute tickets can be expensive.

Flights will get you to the cities and bigger towns, but you’ll still need to add coach trips for smaller destinations or join day tours for places like Milford Sound. For me, this mix worked well: flights for long distances, and then a tour or bus for the final leg.

Flying is always going to be pricier than the coach network, but if you value time over money, it’s the most straightforward option.

A scenic view from a train winding through the New Zealand countryside, with grassy fields, pine trees, and misty mountains in the background.

Trains

Train travel between cities and towns isn’t much of an option in New Zealand. There are some regional trains for commuting, but in terms of exploring the country, you have limited choices.

The primary train journeys are sightseeing experiences rather than an efficient transport route. The Northern Explorer runs between Auckland and Wellington, the TranzAlpine between Christchurch and Greymouth, and the Coastal Pacific operates between Picton and Christchurch.

They are beautiful journeys, but they’re full-day trips, expensive, and have a very limited schedule. On the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington, I remember the train stopping briefly mid-journey because of track works.

With only one train in each direction per day, it was a bit of a surprise that they hadn’t planned around it – a reminder that this isn’t a commuter service designed to run like clockwork.

If you enjoy train travel, then I highly recommend them, particularly the TranzAlpine, which as the name suggests, runs through the Southern Alps with some stunning mountain views. However, train travel isn’t a typical option for public transport in New Zealand.

A sweeping elevated view of Doubtful Sound winding between layers of forested mountain ranges, with bright green foliage in the foreground and a vivid blue sky above. — Doubtful Sound from a guided tour bus!

Tours

Whether it’s a day tour or a two-week all-inclusive trip, tours are a very popular way of seeing New Zealand. Personally, I’ve taken a lot of day trip tours, but as I like to plan my own route I haven’t gone on any multi-day group tours.

If you don’t have a car, then the best (and sometimes only) way to get to places like Doubtful Sound, Waitomo, or Hobbiton is on a guided tour from a nearby town or city.

I use Viator to book almost all tours I go on, and I recommend it to you as well. They have thousands of options in New Zealand.

I use Viator to book almost every tour I take and I recommend it to you as well

Check out
Viator here!

Most tours are good value for money, well-organised and have the benefit of local guides who will tell you more about the area you are visiting. I’ve taken lots of excellent guided tours in New Zealand, and they have been some of my favourite days.

If you don’t have a car, then you should definitely be taking some day tours from places like Auckland, Queenstown and Wellington to make the most of your trip.

Ferry

Ok, New Zealand has 3 islands, but unless you are visiting for several months, you probably won’t get down to Stewart Island. You do, however, need to consider getting across the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands.

So, you have two options – flying and ferrying. I’ve done both and I have a full guide to getting between the North and South Islands, so I’ll just go over the basics here.

If you are on a Kiwi Experience tour or Intercity Flexipass, your ferry journey is probably already sorted. But you can book this separately as well.

You’ll be using either the Interislander or the Bluebridge ferry. They are fairly similar so the main point of difference will be the timetable and cost for the days you want to travel. Like all other forms of transport, the further ahead you book, the cheaper it will be.

The ferries are more dependent on the weather than flying, and my own experience of these ferries did involve a bit of seasickness, as it can be a very bumpy crossing. If you do get seasick, then skip the ferry.

Cost vs Time

This is going to be one of the biggest factors in how you plan your trip. Coaches are generally very value for money.

Flights are going to be more expensive but will save you time, although you’ll see less scenery on your journey.

Unless you are in a rush with a limited amount of time, I would recommend coaches and day tours to get around New Zealand.

A bright red Wellington Cable Car travels uphill through lush greenery, with panoramic views of Wellington city, the harbor, and distant hills under a clear blue sky.

New Zealand Itineraries Without A Car

There are almost endless variations of a trip you could do in New Zealand without a rental car. Have a look at some of the options on the Kiwi Experience website if you don’t want to do any planning yourself.

To help you plan a New Zealand itinerary without a car, I’ve included two sample routes – one for each island – that prove car-free travel in New Zealand is totally doable.

You could connect the two either by taking the ferry from Wellington to Picton and then the Coastal Pacific Train down to Christchurch, or simply fly from Wellington to Christchurch.

Sample Itinerary North Island

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland

Activity: Arrive and settle in. Walk along the waterfront, check out Britomart and Commercial Bay. Visit Auckland War Memorial Museum (don’t be put off by the name – it’s not all war related).
Optional: Sky Tower if you’re up for it after a flight.
Overnight: Auckland

Overlooking a vineyard garden with manicured hedges and trees, the image reveals panoramic ocean views and distant hills, showcasing the picturesque setting of Waiheke Island wine tasting experiences.

Day 2: Day trip to Waiheke Island

Take the ferry from Auckland to Waiheke.
Activity: either book a guided tour of the wineries, or buy a hop-on hop off bus ticket to create your own tour

For more information, check out my guide to wine tasting on Waiheke Island.

A woman in black top and jeans standing by a red circular door at Hobbiton

Day 3: Auckland to Rotorua (via Hobbiton)

If you aren’t interested in Hobbiton, then just book your Intercity ticket using your Flexipass or a standard booking.

I highly recommend including Hobbiton, and this Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton trip is one of the most efficient ways to include it.

Tour: Book a transfer tour that stops at Hobbiton on the way to Rotorua. Hobbiton is amazing to visit, and even if you aren’t a fan of the movies its still a fun day.
Activity: Explore the Rotorua lakefront or Government Gardens in the evening.
Overnight: Rotorua

For more information, have a look at my guide to Hobbiton tours from Auckland.

Book your Hobbiton tour from Auckland to Rotorua here!

A geothermal hot spring in Rotorua with a striking orange mineral-rich edge meets a steaming turquoise pool. Thick mist rises from the water, partially obscuring the view of distant green trees and a mountain in the background.

Day 4: Rotorua geothermal and Māori culture

Tour: Half- or full-day guided experience – options include Te Puia (geysers and kiwi birds), Whakarewarewa, or Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park.
Optional: Evening Māori cultural experience with dinner.
Overnight: Rotorua

Day 5: Rotorua to Taupō

Spend the morning in Rotoura – visit the Skyline with a trip on the gondola, with some luge rides. Visit the Redwoods Walk, or go Zorbing. You would need a taxi or Uber to get to some of these things, but that is easy to arrange with the right apps on your phone.

In the afternoon, take the coach from Rotorua to Taupo.

Transport: InterCity coach (approx. 1.5 hours)
Overnight: Taupō

Day 6: Taupō – Day trip or chill day

Option 1: Join an adventure tour – you can take jet boat rides or even do a skydive in Taupō
Option 2: Scenic lake cruise or kayak to the Māori rock carvings.
Overnight: Taupō

Art deco style buildings in Napier — Napier City Centre

Day 7: Taupō to Napier

Transport: InterCity coach (approx. 3.5 hours)
Activity: Explore Napier’s Art Deco architecture, walk the Marine Parade, or visit the National Aquarium (especially to see the Little Blue Penguins that I’m obsessed with).
Overnight: Napier

An inviting winery interior with exposed wooden beams, rows of stacked wine barrels, and several tasting tables; a few visitors sample wines near a long bar, — Church Road Winery in Napier

Day 8: Napier wine tour

Tour: Winery tour by coach or e-bike (Hawke’s Bay is known for Syrah and Chardonnay). The tour I went on was excellent and included a stop at the stunning Church Road winery, as well as 3 others!
Optional: Walk up Te Mata Peak or visit local galleries.
Overnight: Napier

Book your Napier wine tasting tour here!

Day 9: Napier to Wellington

Transport: InterCity coach (approx. 5–5.5 hours)
Evening: Relax along Wellington’s waterfront, or grab dinner at a Cuba Street spot.
Overnight: Wellington

The exterior of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, featuring its modern architectural design with curved tan and gray walls, and a glass entrance canopy — Te Papa Museum

Day 10: Explore Wellington

Activity: Te Papa Museum, the Cable Car and Botanic Gardens, Parliament tour or a visit to Weta Workshop.
Optional: Mount Victoria lookout for city views.
Overnight: Wellington or depart

Sample Itinerary South Island

A peaceful stretch of the Avon River winds through central Christchurch, bordered by landscaped greenery on one side and a modern riverside promenade with benches and tall trees on the other.

Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch

Activity: Explore the city centre, Riverside Market, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, and the arts precinct.
Optional: Punting on the Avon River if you want something relaxed.
Overnight: Christchurch

Day 2: Day trip to Akaroa

Tour: Full-day guided tour to Akaroa, a French-influenced town on the Banks Peninsula. Options to add a harbour cruise for dolphin spotting.
Transport: Most tours include hotel pickup from Christchurch.
Overnight: Christchurch

A small, rustic stone chapel known as the Church of the Good Shepherd sits by the edge of Lake Tekapo, framed by tussock grasses and backed by hills and a partly cloudy sky.

Day 3: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

Transport: InterCity coach (approx. 3.5–4 hours)
Activity: Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, relax by the lake, or soak in Tekapo Springs.
Optional: Evening stargazing tour – Tekapo is part of a Dark Sky Reserve.
Overnight: Lake Tekapo

A paraglider gliding above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

Day 4: Lake Tekapo to Queenstown

Transport: InterCity coach (approx. 4.5–5 hours)
Scenic: Pass through the Lindis Pass and along the Kawarau River.
Evening: Wander around Queenstown’s lakefront or ride the Skyline Gondola.
Overnight: Queenstown

Day 5: Queenstown – Local activities

Most tours from Queenstown will either pick you up, or have a meeting point in the town centre.

A black NZONE Skydive shuttle bus with red and white branding and a visible URL and phone number, drives through an urban area on a sunny day.

Options:
- Jet boating, skydiving or ziplining for something active.
- Lake cruise on the TSS Earnslaw if you’d rather keep it relaxed.
Optional: Short hikes like Queenstown Hill or Bob’s Cove Track.
Overnight: Queenstown

For more ideas, I have a dedicate post to the best things to do in Queenstown, and the best Queenstown day tours to take.

Jagged mountain peaks partially obscured by low-hanging mist, with lush green slopes descending into teal blue water—an ethereal scene from Milford Sound.

Day 6: Milford Sound day trip

Tour: Full-day coach and cruise combo (12–13 hours return). Includes stops in Fiordland National Park and a scenic boat cruise through Milford Sound.
Note: It’s a long day, but tours are well-paced and the scenery is worth it. If the 12 hour day sounds like too much, you could amend your trip to take a coach to Te Anau or an overnight stay, and then visit Milford Sound on a tour from there. A Te Anau-based tour would be 8-9 hours.
Overnight: Queenstown

Another option is a tour to Doubtful Sound. To help you choose I have an article comparing Milford and Doubtful Sounds (both of which are actually fiords rather than sounds).

A lively street scene in Arrowtown, New Zealand, featuring the popular Wolf Coffee Roasters café with people sitting and chatting outside. The historic-style buildings and shopfronts line the street under a cloudy sky, with a backdrop of green trees and a rugged hill rising in the distance. — Arrowtown

Day 7: Day trip to Glenorchy or Arrowtown

Option 1: Half-day Glenorchy tour (scenic trip along Lake Wakatipu)
Option 2: Visit Arrowtown for an easy half-day outing (local bus or short shuttle)
Option 3: Take a wine tasting tour from Queenstown.
Overnight: Queenstown

Day 8: Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

Transport: InterCity West Coast coach via Wanaka and Haast Pass (approx. 9 hrs — one of the most scenic drives in NZ)
Evening: Arrive and relax in the Franz Josef Glacier village.
Overnight: Franz Josef

An aerial view of a rugged, snow-covered mountain range, featuring sharp peaks and deep crevasses, with glistening ice fields under a bright blue sky; soft clouds linger just above the slopes.

Day 9: Glacier activities

Options:
- Guided heli-hike on the glacier (weather dependent)
- Short walks to viewpoints like the Glacier View Track
- West Coast Wildlife Centre (kiwi viewing)
Optional: Soak in the Glacier Hot Pools
Overnight: Franz Josef

Day 10: Franz Josef to Christchurch (via Greymouth & TranzAlpine Train)

Morning: Coach to Greymouth (approx. 3 hrs)
Afternoon: Board the TranzAlpine scenic train to Christchurch (approx. 4.5 hrs). This crosses the Southern Alps and is often rated one of the world’s best train rides.
Evening: Arrive in Christchurch

Final Thoughts – Visiting New Zealand Without A Car

Travelling around New Zealand without a car is absolutely doable, so don’t be put off if you can’t drive. Between flights, coaches and tours there are plenty of options that will give you almost as much flexibility as if you were in a car.

For your next steps, you might want to know more about how the North Island compares to the South Island if you aren’t sure which to choose.

You might also want to look at the best places to visit on the North Island, and beautiful places on the South Island to consider.

And after all of that, if you can and would prefer to explore using a car after all, I have a Queenstown to Auckland driving guide to help with your itinerary plans!

🗺️ Exploring more of Aotearoa? You’ll find all my New Zealand travel posts in one place.

I’ve collected my best New Zealand itineraries in this Itinerary Hub.

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