Getting Around
HubFerries, flights, buses, scenic trains, rental cars and the road rules for visitors. Long drives take longer than the map suggests, so read the driving guide before your first day on the road.
Quick facts
- Overseas licence
- 12 months if you last arrived on or after 1 November 2026 (NZTA)
- From our Driving in NZ as a visitor guide
- TranzAlpine
- Christchurch to Greymouth, daily, adult from $239 one way
- From our Scenic trains in NZ guide
Drive times are routing estimates without stops. Prices and rules were checked for each guide; follow the link for the official sources.
Official links: transport
All useful linksNZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (opens in a new tab)
The official source for road rules, licences, vehicle licensing and state highways.
NZTA Journey Planner (opens in a new tab)
Live road conditions, closures, webcams and a journey planner for state highways.
Traffic and travel information (opens in a new tab)
Official updates on highway conditions, delays and planned roadworks.
Visiting drivers (opens in a new tab)
Road rules aimed at visitors, including keep left, one-lane bridges and giving way.
Driving on an overseas licence (opens in a new tab)
How long you can drive on an overseas licence and when you need an English translation.
AA maps and road conditions (opens in a new tab)
AA maps plus road condition information, useful as a second check beside NZTA.
Interislander (opens in a new tab)
Book the Cook Strait ferry between Wellington and Picton, including vehicles and campervans.
Bluebridge (opens in a new tab)
The other Cook Strait ferry. Compare times and vehicle fares with Interislander.
More Getting Around guides
WellingtonInterislander vs Bluebridge: which Cook Strait ferry should you book?
AucklandAuckland Airport to the city: buses, trains, taxis and rideshare compared
NationwideFerries in NZ beyond Cook Strait: Waiheke, Stewart Island and more
NationwideGetting around NZ by bus: InterCity, passes and backpacker buses
NationwideScenic trains in NZ: TranzAlpine, Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific
Queenstown