Whether you’re visiting the North Island, South Island, or tackling both in one trip, the best way to travel around New Zealand is by car. Hands down, no debate. From the winding roads lined by cascading waterfalls that lead to Milford Sound, to the Forgotten World Highway that passes through a handful of ghost towns, Aotearoa/New Zealand has some drop-dead gorgeous routes to drive. If you’re someone who prefers to take public transport or just wants to fly between the country’s major cities, I’m here to convince you otherwise.
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Why a car is the best way to travel around New Zealand
Yes, New Zealand is a small country, but it’s not well-connected by public transport. You can get around by train and bus, but your options are much more limited, and the best sights around Aotearoa are far from the main roadways. Hidden beaches, hiking trails, waterfalls, glow worm caves, and hot springs all require a car to reach.
I’m not exaggerating when I say this country has some of the most breathtaking road trip routes in the world — so the best way to travel around New Zealand is by car. I’ve lived here for 7 years and driving — whether we’re just doing a day trip, weekend away, or covering more ground — never gets old.
If you’re visiting during the peak summer season, make sure you book a rental car as soon as possible to get the best rates and a good range of options. I highly recommend an SUV, even if it’s a little more expensive, because some roads to off-the-beaten-track activities can be bumpy or unsealed. DiscoverCars is the best way to compare rentals with different companies for the best deal.
What you need to rent a car in New Zealand
Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 20 years old, and may even charge a “young driver fee” if you’re under 25. (Usually $25/day — which adds up!) You can adjust your settings when searching on DiscoverCars to include your age so it only shows you rental companies that accept younger drivers.
Some rental companies don’t charge this extra fee as they want to appeal to backpackers. JUCY is the perfect example of this, and offers both cars and a range of campervans / RVs. This is likely the best way to travel around New Zealand if you’re a young backpacker. (Brutal name for a business though — like, why?)
Your driver’s license needs to be in English or accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP) with an official translation. You can use your home country’s license for up to a year in New Zealand. If you’re staying any longer (like if you’re on a 2-year Working Holiday Visa) you’ll need to get a New Zealand driver’s license.
Always make sure you have insurance!
I know it feels like a waste when nothing goes wrong, but when it does go wrong, full coverage insurance is a lifesaver.
VisitorsCoverage helps you find travel and medical insurance for your trip.
I had a multi-month battle with SIXT because someone hit us while we were parked and left a note with their contact details. It was just a small dent, and clearly not our fault. SIXT didn’t care. They refused to manage any communication with the other person’s insurance and charged us the full $1,000 deductible. And we had paid for the highest possible insurance! (It was still 1k because we’d rented a “luxury” vehicle.)
I did get that money back eventually because I was pushy, but it was beyond annoying and I will never use SIXT for a rental ever again.
Popular car types when choosing the best way to travel around New Zealand
Campervans / RVs
Aotearoa is a great place for an extended campervan trip. It’s not a particularly affordable destination, so camping can help you reduce costs and lets you sleep surrounded by the sound of our beautiful native birds.
However, as campervans are such a popular option, you may be surprised by how expensive the rentals can be. And even if you have a self-contained camper, you’ll find many signs around the country that prohibit freedom camping. Get the CamperMate app to see what free options are out there!
4WD rooftop tent campers
These aren’t as widely available and are a bit better suited to short road trips, in my humble opinion. But they’re such a blast! I rented one for 3 nights on Great Barrier Island (short flight from Auckland) with Stay High Island Camping Co. and had a great time. This is definitely the best way to travel around New Zealand’s most underrated island.
Off Track Rentals has a presence in Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown, and there’s a company that specifically rents out Jimnys with rooftop campers from Christchurch. This would be a really fun way to explore the South Island! All of these companies provide essential cooking gear, sleeping bags, etc.
SUVs and compact SUVs
This is by far the best way to travel around New Zealand. If your itinerary takes you down any gravel roads, they’ll be easy to navigate. There’s plenty of space in the boot. They have good visiblity. An SUV just makes sense! You could easily toss a tent and camping gear in the back if you want to do a mix of camping and hotels/vacation rentals. It’s the best of both worlds.
They’re often a little more expensive than a small city car, but they’re called city cars for a reason. And Aotearoa is so much more than its cities.
Sedans
These are often the cheapest option. And to the small car’s credit, I did do a 3-month South Island trip in a tiny old Nissan Tida with 280 kms on it and we survived.
Do I recommend this, though? No. Not the best way to travel around New Zealand. Driving out to the Omarama Clay Cliffs was very touch and go lol.
Hot tip
Check BookMe for discounts on amazing activities around New Zealand. I use this site all the time and have gotten to do some amazing stuff for half the regular price.
Less common ways to drive around New Zealand
Transfercar
Transfercar can be a pretty epic budget travel hack if you’ve got a flexible schedule. Basically how it works is you act as a one-way rental relocator, driving the car for free from predetermined pick up/drop off locations. The catch? You usually have 1-5 days to make the journey and they only post the relocations a month or so in advance.
You also still have to pay for gas, insurance, accommodation, etc., but it’s still cheaper than paying for a daily rental! This is the best way to travel around New Zealand if you’re on a shoestring budget, or live here and just want a fun weekend getaway.
Mevo
Mevo is a great option if you’re staying in the city and just want to whip out for a day or weekend trip. Our friends live in Auckland CBD and don’t own a car but use Mevo regularly. It charges by the minute, hour, or day. They’re usually really nice cars — including electric cars and hybrids — and you don’t have to go to a specific rental office or parking lot. You can pick up whichever one is closest to you and drop it anywhere within the city limits when you’re done with it.
Mevo is currently available in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Nelson.
Tips for driving in New Zealand
- Drive on the left: This is a pretty major adjustment if you’re used to driving on the right. Don’t get off a 24-hour flight journey then hop in a left-driving rental car. You’ll get used to it, but you need to be well-rested and alert while you adapt.
- Follow speed and distance in kilometers: If you’re American or British, this might discombobulate you at first.
- Stick to the speed limit: New Zealand takes speeding pretty seriously! In Canada I feel I can safely go 100 kms in an 80 without getting in trouble, but you could be pulled over for going 10 over the limit here.
- Get a rental with unlimited mileage: Make sure you get a rental with unlimited mileage (kilometerage?) so you don’t have to worry about taking the scenic route.
- Stay connected: Consider getting an eSIM so you can access data and use maps. Even with an eSIM or local data package, you will definitely hit some areas without reception, so it’s also smart to download your maps to use offline.
FAQs about traveling around New Zealand by car
Here are some helpful answers to frequently asked questions you might have before deciding on the best way to travel around New Zealand.
Is it worth buying a car for my trip?
Buying a car to travel around New Zealand and then reselling it when you leave can be more affordable than renting. However, it comes with some significant risks — primarily what to do if you can’t sell it again. I see a lot of people on NZ Facebook groups desperately trying to get rid of campervans before their visa is up, and they often don’t get the price they’re after. You’ll also be on the hook for repairs and maintenance.
That said, there is a huge buy and sell market for cars here, so it’s definitely possible. If you’re ready to take the risk and be a bit patient, it can save you a lot of money.
Is it better to travel by car or campervan?
That depends on the type of experience you’re after! I think this is one of the best places in the world for a campervan trip. There are no snakes (at all) and no bugs that can kill you.
But campervans are usually more expensive than cars, gas will definitely be more expensive, and you’ll usually still have to pay for a campsite ($15-50/night at best, many more like $80). They can also be a little more dangerous when navigating narrow winding streets, unsealed roads, or slick terrain.
If you’re working remotely, traveling in the winter, or prefer the comfort of a warm bed, you may prefer to just rent a car for a bit more flexibility.
What if I can't drive?
If you can’t travel around New Zealand by car, here are your other options:
- Intercity Bus: The bus network isn’t awful, but you’ll miss all the off-the-beaten-track stuff in between. But if you just need to get from point A to point B, Intercity runs to all the major cities and some smaller towns, too.
- Kiwi Rail: The train can’t get you that far, but if you’re interested in going between Auckland and Hamilton, or Palmerston North and Wellington, you can catch the Kiwi Rail.
- Flights: You can catch flights between major destinations like Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Dunedin. Check Grabaseat for Air New Zealand sales. Jetstar is kind of the worst, but always cheaper.
- Hitchiking: I don’t really recommend this. I’ve picked up a couple hitchhikers, but it’s not really “done” here. There are some New Zealand Ride Share groups on Facebook where you can organize to hitch a ride with someone in advance.
- Tour bus: If you’re young and fun, you may enjoy a KiwiExperience bus. It’s a great way to meet other travelers if you’re solo, and you won’t have to do any driving.
- Day tours: Staying in one main hub and joining day trips is a pretty decent way to travel around New Zealand without a car. For example, Get Your Guide has full-day or overnight trips from Auckland that take you to the Waitomo glow worm caves, Hobbiton, and to Rotorua to explore its geothermal magic. That’s a great way to see a lot without getting behind the wheel.
How much does it cost to rent a car in New Zealand?
Tough question! The best way to travel around New Zealand may be by car, but it doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Here are some examples of what you can expect to pay in 2025/26. Prices are in NZD and the total for the date period, not per day.
April 2025 (Shoulder season, searching 1 month out, 7-day rental.)
- Sedan: $260
- SUV: $520
- Campervan: $1,900
January 2026 (Peak season, searching 10 months out, 7-day rental.)
- Sedan: $290
- SUV: $330
- Campervan: $2,800
For a great deal, you can get a rental for $30/day, but when prices go up, they go up. So my advice is to check regularly and snag a good price when you see one! Most rentals on DiscoverCars have small deposits and a free cancellation period. It helps if you travel with friends to split the cost!
