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Cars 4 Rental Guide To Travel In  New Zealand

International Airports Auckland (AKL) (website: www.auckland-airport.co.nz) is 22.5km (14 miles) south of the city (travel time – 40 minutes). Airbus runs an efficient service between the international terminal to the city centre. These operate from 0600 until the last flight and cost NZ$13. Eastern Service Buses operate from 0700-1800 and cost NZ$4 (travel time – approximately 60 minutes). In addition to regular taxis there is a shuttle taxi service which operates 24 hours, the fare is NZ$20-30 depending on the number of passengers. Airport facilities include duty-free shopping, banks/bureaux de change, post office, restaurants and cafes, car hire and baggage facilities/left luggage. There is a wide selection of hotels near the airport. Christchurch (CHC) (website: www.christchurch-airport.co.nz) is 10km (6 miles) northwest of the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Prices vary from the standard buses which cost NZ$2.70 to the more luxurious limousines, which cost around NZ$20. There are good facilities at the airport and hotels within 10km (6 miles). Wellington (WLG) (website: www.wellington-airport.co.nz) is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 30 minutes). Stagecoach Flyer operates a bus service to the city centre every 30 minutes (fare NZ$4.50). The shuttle service operates on demand (maximum 10 persons) and costs NZ$10-12 accordingly. Departure tax: Up to NZ$25 (depending on airport); children aged under 2 are exempt. Children aged between 2 and 11 leaving from Wellington pay NZ$10. Transit passengers are exempt for 24 hours. Back to Top Air Travel New Zealand’s national airline is Air New Zealand (NZ) (website: www.airnz.co.nz). Approximate flight times: From Auckland to London is 25 hours, from Wellington is 27 hours and from Christchurch is 28 hours. From Auckland to Los Angeles is 12 hours, to New York is 20 hours, to Singapore is 10 hours 30 minutes, and to Sydney is 3 hours 30 minutes. Air New Zealand (NZ) and Qantas Airways operate domestic flights between the major airports (see Travel – International section). Several smaller airlines, including Air Nelson, Eagle Air and Mount Cook Airlines, are wholly owned by Air New Zealand and have been grouped together as Air New Zealand Link. They serve many of the 27 other airports throughout the two islands. Back to Top Travel By Water The principal ports are Auckland, Dunedin, Lyttelton, Opua, Picton and Wellington, which are served by international shipping lines sailing from the USA and from Europe. A few cruise ships visit New Zealand, but there are no regular passenger ship services. For further details, contact Tourism New Zealand (see Contact Addresses section). The North and South Islands are linked by modern ferries operating between Wellington and Picton, carrying passengers and vehicles across Cook Strait. The Interislander makes several daily crossings (travel time – 3 hours) with long-distance train connections from Wellington and Picton railway stations; the faster Lynx, a high-speed catamaran, takes 2 hours 15 minutes, and operates all year round. Reservations on all ferry services are highly recommended, particularly for visitors taking their vehicles. Information can be obtained from Tourism New Zealand (see Contact Addresses section) or via the Tranz Rail reservation line; see the Rail section for further details. Back to Top Rail Tranz Rail Ltd operates a reliable rail service on 4000km (2485 miles) of railway with many routes of great scenic attraction. Tranz Scenic operates eight scenic long-distance trains. The Overlander runs between Auckland and Wellington (daytime and overnight) with good views of forests, gorges and volcanic peaks. The Transcoastal runs between Christchurch and Picton along the east coast between the snow-capped Kaikoura Mountains and past the Kaikoura coast, which is famous for whale-watching. The TranzAlpine runs between Christchurch and Greymouth through spectacular landscapes of gorges and river valleys and across the snow-capped Southern Alps. There are buffet cars on all trains, but there are no sleeping cars on overnight services. All services are one-class travel only. For further information, contact Tranz Rail Reservations (tel: (4) 498 3000; fax: (4) 498 3259; e-mail: passengerservices@tranzrail.co.nz; website: www.tranzrail.co.nz); or Tranz Scenic (tel: (4) 495 0775 or (800) 872 467 (toll free in New Zealand); fax: (4) 472 8903; e-mail: bookings@tranzscenic.co.nz; website: www.tranzscenic.co.nz). Travel passes: ‘Travelpass New Zealand’ is a 3-in-1 travel pass which allows unlimited travel on InterCity coaches, Tranz Scenic trains and Interislander ferry services across Cook Strait. It is issued for periods between 5 days and over 8 weeks and can be bought outside New Zealand from any InterCity Coachlines office, Tranz Rail travel centre or accredited travel agency. The Best of New Zealand Pass incorporates all train and ferry services as well as selected coach services and the Taieri Gorge Railway for travel over 180 days. For further information, contact Tourism New Zealand (see Contact Addresses section). Back to Top Travel By Road There are 92,000km (57,200 miles) of roads. Traffic drives on the left. Coach: InterCity Coachlines (website: www.intercitycoach.co.nz) operates scheduled services throughout the country. Newmans Coach Lines (website: www.newmanscoach.co.nz) operates services in both islands. It is advisable to make reservations for seats. Contact an InterCity Travel Centre or Tourism New Zealand for details and information on travel passes (valid for rail, coach and ferries). Bus: There are regional bus networks which serve most parts of the country and are on the whole friendly and cheaper than the larger companies. Taxi: There are metered taxis throughout the country. Car hire: Major international firms and local firms have offices at airports and most major cities and towns. It is recommended to hire vehicles from members of the New Zealand Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association. The minimum age for driving a rented car is 21. The legal speed limit is 100kph (60mph) on the open road and 50kph (30mph) in built-up areas. Distances are indicated in kilometres. Both driver and passengers are legally required to wear seat belts at all times. For further information, contact The New Zealand Automobile Association (tel: (9) 377 4660 or (800) 500 444 (toll free in New Zealand); fax: (9) 309 4564; website: www.nzaa.co.nz). Documentation: National driving licences are valid for nationals of 52 countries, including EU countries, Australia, Canada, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland and the USA. For further information, contact Tourism New Zealand (see Contact Addresses section). URBAN: Good local bus services are provided in the main towns; there are also trolley buses in Wellington. Both Auckland and Wellington have zonal fares with pre-purchase tickets and day passes. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Wellington to other major cities/towns in New Zealand: Air Road Rail Auckland 1.00 9.00 10.00 Rotorua 1.15 5.45 - Napier 1.00 6.30 - N. Plymouth 1.00 8.30 - Palmerston N. 0.30 2.30 2.30 Picton 0.30 - - Christchurch 0.45 *7.20 *5.20 Dunedin 1.20 *12.20 - Queenstown 2.05 *15.40 - Bay of Islands 2.00 14.00 - Nelson 0.20 6.00 - Mt Cook 2.00 10.00 - Glaciers (west coast) **1.45 8.20 - Note: *Plus ferry crossing of 3 hours. **Plus 2.30 hours by road. 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Car Hire New Zealand

Cars 4 Rental can provide car hire vehicles in all the popular locations throughout New Zealand.

Whatever your requirements Cars 4 Rental will be able to provide a car to meet your needs. Our hire cars can be equipped with many optional extras including child seats so that your car rental is ideally suited to your needs.

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