City public transport
Auckland uses AT; Wellington uses Metlink; Christchurch uses Metro; Dunedin and Queenstown use Orbus. Central areas are generally the easiest places to travel without a car.
Reviewed by FernRoute · Last reviewed: 8 September 2026
Transport guide
Getting around New Zealand without a car
You can explore major cities and connect popular destinations using local public transport, coaches, trains, ferries, flights, shuttles and organised tours.
Intercity coaches
InterCity connects many cities and towns. Book ahead on popular routes and during holidays.
InterCity ↗Trains and ferries
Scenic rail services connect selected routes. Interislander ferries connect Wellington and Picton.
Domestic flights
Flights can save time between the North and South Islands and reach regional airports.
Shuttles and tours
Useful for destinations such as Milford Sound, Hobbiton, geothermal parks and walking-track transfers.
When a car helps
Remote beaches, national parks and smaller settlements may have limited public transport. Check each destination guide before deciding.
Destination transport guides
Auckland
New Zealand’s largest city, built around two harbours and easy access to islands, beaches and west-coast rainforest.Rotorua
Geothermal parks, Māori culture, forest walks and adventure activities in the central North Island.Taupō
A lakeside base for waterfalls, geothermal sights and central North Island road trips.Wellington
A compact harbour capital known for culture, coffee and an easy-to-walk city centre.Bay of Islands
Subtropical bays, coastal towns, boating and important early New Zealand history.Christchurch
The South Island’s main gateway, with gardens, urban regeneration and easy access to alpine road trips.Queenstown
An alpine lakeside town famous for adventure, scenery, vineyards and day trips.Wānaka
A relaxed lakeside town with mountain walks, family attractions and access to ski fields.Dunedin
Scottish heritage architecture, student culture and exceptional wildlife on the Otago Peninsula.Nelson / Abel Tasman
Sunny coastal scenery, creative culture and access to Abel Tasman National Park.Hamilton
A central North Island city beside the Waikato River, useful for gardens and regional road trips.Tauranga / Mount Maunganui
A sunny coastal city with beaches, harbour walks and one of the North Island’s best-known seaside suburbs.Napier / Hawke’s Bay
Art Deco streets, vineyards and coastal scenery on the eastern North Island.Coromandel Peninsula
Coastal drives, beaches, forests and small towns within reach of Auckland.New Plymouth
Coastal walks, gardens and dramatic views of Mount Taranaki.Lake Tekapo
Turquoise lake scenery, dark-sky stargazing and alpine road-trip views.Kaikōura
Marine wildlife, mountain-backed coastline and fresh seafood north of Christchurch.Franz Josef Glacier
West Coast rainforest, glacier views and a remote alpine atmosphere.Picton / Marlborough Sounds
Ferry gateway, sheltered sounds and easy access to coastal walking and boating.Invercargill / Southland
A relaxed southern city with heritage, gardens and access to the Catlins and Stewart Island.Aoraki / Mount Cook
New Zealand’s highest mountain, alpine walks, glacier valleys and some of the country’s clearest night skies.Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
A dramatic Fiordland destination of sheer peaks, waterfalls, wildlife and iconic scenic cruises.
New Zealand’s largest city, built around two harbours and easy access to islands, beaches and west-coast rainforest.Rotorua
Geothermal parks, Māori culture, forest walks and adventure activities in the central North Island.Taupō
A lakeside base for waterfalls, geothermal sights and central North Island road trips.Wellington
A compact harbour capital known for culture, coffee and an easy-to-walk city centre.Bay of Islands
Subtropical bays, coastal towns, boating and important early New Zealand history.Christchurch
The South Island’s main gateway, with gardens, urban regeneration and easy access to alpine road trips.Queenstown
An alpine lakeside town famous for adventure, scenery, vineyards and day trips.Wānaka
A relaxed lakeside town with mountain walks, family attractions and access to ski fields.Dunedin
Scottish heritage architecture, student culture and exceptional wildlife on the Otago Peninsula.Nelson / Abel Tasman
Sunny coastal scenery, creative culture and access to Abel Tasman National Park.Hamilton
A central North Island city beside the Waikato River, useful for gardens and regional road trips.Tauranga / Mount Maunganui
A sunny coastal city with beaches, harbour walks and one of the North Island’s best-known seaside suburbs.Napier / Hawke’s Bay
Art Deco streets, vineyards and coastal scenery on the eastern North Island.Coromandel Peninsula
Coastal drives, beaches, forests and small towns within reach of Auckland.New Plymouth
Coastal walks, gardens and dramatic views of Mount Taranaki.Lake Tekapo
Turquoise lake scenery, dark-sky stargazing and alpine road-trip views.Kaikōura
Marine wildlife, mountain-backed coastline and fresh seafood north of Christchurch.Franz Josef Glacier
West Coast rainforest, glacier views and a remote alpine atmosphere.Picton / Marlborough Sounds
Ferry gateway, sheltered sounds and easy access to coastal walking and boating.Invercargill / Southland
A relaxed southern city with heritage, gardens and access to the Catlins and Stewart Island.Aoraki / Mount Cook
New Zealand’s highest mountain, alpine walks, glacier valleys and some of the country’s clearest night skies.Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
A dramatic Fiordland destination of sheer peaks, waterfalls, wildlife and iconic scenic cruises.