Being a relatively small country makes New Zealand easy to get around – even for budget travellers – and even if you focus your attention on a portion of the country (such as the North or South Island) to save on transport costs, you’ll still encounter a myriad of different landscapes and activities.

Renting a car or campervan enables maximum flexibility. The expense of renting a vehicle is counterbalanced by increased choice when selecting accommodation, enabling you to stay in less expensive motels outside city centres. With a campervan, of course, accommodation is part of the package so you’ll only need to pay for a site at a camping ground.

For a group of people travelling together, renting a vehicle is a particularly cost-effective option. If you’re travelling independently or prefer using public transport, New Zealand offers a good network of coaches. If you’re looking for the ultimate convenience and maximum savings, bus travel passes are a good option.

Another option is to join a backpacker bus network. Great for independent travellers seeking a fun and social experience, operators such as Magic Travellers Network and Kiwi Experience offer bus transport that goes beyond the main routes to explore more remote or unusual regions. Purchasing a pass on these sorts of networks usually allows you to get on and off whenever you please and they often include discounts on backpacker accommodation and activities.