Seeing New Zealand without hiring a car
Plenty of visitors never touch a rental car. With private transfers between regions and a driver for the sightseeing days, a car-free trip reaches almost everything.
- Best for
- Non-drivers, nervous drivers, groups and older travellers
- Between regions
- Private door-to-door transfers, luggage included
- Sightseeing days
- A driver by the hour or for the day
- Airports
- Met at the terminal, taken to the door
Why people skip the rental
Driving on the left, unfamiliar rural roads, parking in busy towns and long transfer days are the usual reasons. Removing the car removes the part of the holiday most visitors enjoy least.
How a car-free trip is built
Anchor a few bases rather than moving every night. Use a private transfer for each move between bases, and a driver by the hour or day for the sightseeing in between. Between those two, you rarely need anything else.
Luggage, kids and gear
Vehicles are sized to the group, so suitcases, child seats, golf clubs and ski gear are planned in advance rather than squeezed in on the day.
Multi-day travel with one driver
For longer trips, the same driver can stay with you across several days, which keeps timing, luggage and local knowledge consistent from region to region.
Travelling with a private driver
Door-to-door travel anywhere in New Zealand with an NZTA licensed driver, an upfront price and no meter. Tell us where you are going and we will confirm the details.
Get a priceCommon questions
More visitor guides
- Driving in New Zealand as an overseas visitor
New Zealand roads are beautiful and often slower than the map suggests. Here is what visitors are usually surprised by, and how to plan around it.
- Distances and drive times in New Zealand
New Zealand measures everything in kilometres. Here is how that translates for visitors who think in miles, and why travel days take longer than expected.
- The best time to visit New Zealand
Seasons run opposite to the northern hemisphere, and the country is long enough that the north and south feel quite different on the same day.
Other services we offer
A private transfer is only part of what we do. The same NZTA-licensed drivers and vehicles cover tours, hourly hire, airport and cruise work, corporate travel and group bookings throughout New Zealand.
Private, luxury & multi-day travel
Private touring, chauffeur hire, honeymoon travel and a driver for your whole New Zealand trip.
Explore private travelArriving in New Zealand
First-time visitor guides to landing at Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington and Dunedin.
Read the arrival guidesIsland & region guides
What each part of New Zealand is known for, how long the drives really take, and how to travel it without a rental car.
Explore destinationsVisiting New Zealand
Driving on the left, kilometres to miles, money and tipping, the seasons, and travelling without a rental car.
Read visitor infoAirport shuttle alternative
Private airport transfers instead of a shared shuttle — your group alone, direct to the terminal, price agreed first.
Compare the optionsCity taxi, upgraded
A fixed-price private car instead of the taxi rank — city-by-city guides across New Zealand.
See your citySuburb airport transfers
Local detail on the run to Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington Airport from your own suburb.
Find your suburbPrivate day tours & sightseeing
Keep the same driver for the day and shape the route around what you'd like to see nationwide.
See private toursBy-the-hour driver hire
A driver and vehicle held for a block of time — best when your travel starts and finishes in the same town.
Book hourly hireAirport transfers
Flight-tracked pickups and drop-offs at every main New Zealand airport, door to door.
Airport transfersCruise port transfers & shore days
Met at the terminal in Auckland, Tauranga, Akaroa or Picton — back on board well before all-aboard time.
Cruise transfersSki field transfers
Winter-ready vehicles and alpine drivers for Queenstown, Wānaka, Mt Hutt and Ruapehu — gear included.
Ski transfersCorporate & executive travel
Business accounts, client and staff runs, event movements and consolidated invoicing.
Talk to usGroups, fleets & rental car alternative
Multiple vehicles on one booking for larger parties, or a driven alternative to hiring a car.
Rental car alternativeWhat transfers and taxis cost
Plain answers on what moves the price of an airport run in New Zealand, and how a fixed total compares with a meter.
Fares & costsWeddings, balls & big occasions
Private transport for weddings, school balls, corporate events, funerals, large groups and accessible travel.
Occasion transportConcerts & event transport
Ride there and ride home for the big nights — concerts, festivals and events across New Zealand.
Event transport
Please note: by-the-hour driver hire is only suitable when your travel starts and finishes in the same town. If you're finishing somewhere else, book a private transfer or a day trip so your fare covers the driver's travel.