getting around in new zealand

Hi guys

I've posted on here before about driving around nz, but it's quite a bit more expensive (as we're only 19) than the bus and train. So, I'd like some advice.

for example, car hire with the highest insurance option, and petrol is working out to be about NZ$1450, so about $725 per person, as opposed to $585 for a bus pass (with intercity).

there are 2 of us, we're flying into christchurch and out of auckland, and we have 30 days to do it in. our options are

1. hire a car for the whole journey
2. hire a car for the south island, then train/bus from christchurch to picton, wellington through to auckland
3. train/bus the whole journey

i'd prefer to drive the whole journey because of the flexibility, and the budget does allow it however, does it just make sense to use the bus and train service?

i'd appreciate your thoughts, and what you'd do in my position!

thanks

Like you say driving gives you the most amount of flexibility and freedom to stop where you want when you want. letting someone else do the driving is ie bus will work out cheaper but if the bus stops at all the scenic spots along with all the others your photos are going to look just like everyone elses.
The price difference isnt that great anyway so if I was you Id hire the car. The road between CHch and Picton is very scenic with lots of places to stop and take it all in.
What rental company have you found that hires to under 21s by the way? I know Ace and Juicy do but would be good to know of others.

Don't know whether they hire to under 21s but have personally used lots of the companies that hire out older model cars - some from say NZ$25 a day - not as flash as something new but still have roadside assistance etc and have never had any problems. Try Backpacker Rentals www.rentalz.co.nz/

Go with the hire car. You can go where you like, stop where and when you want to and you can pick up cheaper accommodation by not booking, just turn up and ask what is the standby rate.
We rented a car in May, only $15nz a day, it was an older model, but went well, no problems, had roadside assistance etc, (btw we didnt need it)! We didnt bother taking out any insurance, just drove carefully, but wouldnt recommend that as it could be risky.

ps have you considered hiring a campervan? You can free camp in lots of places and that would save heaps in accommodation

If you can't decide to either hire a car or go on bus, why not consider taking both optins instead?

Under 19, it's quite hard to find companies that hire cars to under 19, the only one I can think of is Juicy rental, where you can hire it from Queenstown and return in Christchurch.

Driving in South Island is definitely better, because there are heaps of scenic spots you could pull over and get a good leg stretch, good scenery and bit of challenge going through the mountain passes.

You can take the train from Christchurch to Picton, via Pacific Ocean, which Tranzscenic can offer throughfare , that also connects to the ferry to Wellington as well, but travel must be complete in 1 day.

In North Island, you can join what they call 'backpacker' buses, where you buy a pass and hop on and hop off along the route. Although they only leave once a day, but your driver, which is also your guide, can organise your accommodations (hostels only) and activities for you along the way, and they also stop for grocery shopping, and stop for photo spots too. I know they have passes from Wellington back up to Auckland, and it will be very fun, because you meet people who has a similar travel mind as yourself. There are 3 big companies, they are Kiwi Experience, Magic Travellers and Stray.

Hope it helps, from a local's advice.

Sereanity ^.^

thanks for all the replies. i found this company as well as jucy and ace, New Zealand rental cars which looks slightly better because they offer comprehensive insurance, rather than just third party.

have thought about hiring a campervan but there more expensive, and i thought you had to pay for campsites still?

We found car hire to be pretty cheap - you don't need anything flashy and there are some good offers. Petrol is much cheaper than here of course! It gives you a lot of flexibility. There are a lot of places that are cheap to stay, don't be put off by the sound of "holiday park" it's not what we have here. In most of them you can pick your accommodation, anything from camping (if you are thinking of taking a tent of course) to chalets. Camping usually starts at a few pound per night, another option on them are bunks - basic cabins with 2, 4 or more beds and that's pretty much it, gives you somewhere to sleep and put your bag. There are usually some sort of facility on site as well - laundry, cafe, small shop. The NZ AA does a good accommodation guide which covers pretty much everything. The AA shops are also very helpful and have loads of guides and free area road maps.

An after thought - we got a very good deal because we hired from Christchurch and dropped off in Auckland, most people do it the other way around and so the cars stack up in Christchurch and need returning north.

I'd definately hire a car. It gives you so much more flexibility and your time is your own. I did the South Island about a month ago in a hire car and it was awesome. I highly recommend catching the train from Christchurch to Picton - it is a beautiful trip.
If you are planning on driving the whole trip, don't take the car across on the ferry - it costs a mint. Much better to return car and hire again on the other side. MOst of the hire car organisers can do this.
Also if you are staying in youth hostels, you will probably meet people who are travelling in your direction that you could drive and save on petrol etc.
The website www.newzealand.com/travel was invaluble to me in planning my trip