Getting Around, Wellington Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Wellington, North Island, New Zealand NZ)

Wellington has an extremely organised public travel and transportation system, which includes air travel at Wellington Airport (WLG), buses operated by Newmans Buses and InterCity Buses, the Train Station on Bunny Street, and regular boats and ferries, which connect Picton, on New Zealand's nearby South Island.

Renting a car in Wellington is one of the most inexpensive and preferred methods of transport when exploring the surrounding areas, such as Akatarawa and Hutt Valley. There are countless scenic locations areas natural beauty spots close by, most of which can be easily reached in less two hours when travelling by rental car.

Wellington Airport (WLG) / Arriving by Air

Wellington Airport (WLG) is situated just 8 km / 5 miles to the south-east of the city centre. This busy airport is one of New Zealand's largest and most important airports and Wellington Airport (WLG) features an enormous number of regular and scheduled flights.

Wellington Airports Guide

Car Rental

Wellington is served by several major roads and is situated at the junction of State Highways 1 and 2, which merge to become the Urban Motorway. This busy motorway allows fast travel to and from the city centre, connecting all towns and cities north of Wellington. Driving in the city is not always straightforward, with a number of narrow, one-way streets around the city centre. It is always sensible to avoid peak traffic hours if possible (07:30 to 09:30 and 16:00 to 18:30). Also, the nearby Kapiti Coastal Highway travels to Paraparaumu, Plimmerton, Pukerua Bay and Otaki.

There are numerous central parking lots with meters which usually operate between Monday to Thursday 08:00 to 18:00 and on Friday from 08:00 to 20:00, being free outside these hours. Downtown Wellington offers little free parking, although most car parks are generally inexpensive and often feature one-day maximum charges.

Book your Wellington Car Rental here.

Buses and Coaches

Tel: +64 (0)4 427 5111
Buses and trolley-buses in Wellington are efficient, inexpensive and operated by a number of different travel companies, including Newmans Buses and InterCity Buses. Departing from the main bus station on Platform 9 at the train station and from Courtenay Place, buses travel throughout the city and nearby coastal suburbs. The City Circular Bus runs every ten minutes on a circular loop, through the city centre and passing many of the city's main tourist attractions. STARpass tickets are a useful way to save money when travelling on the central bus network, allowing unlimited daily travel on all area buses. Bus timetables are readily available at most tourist information centres, including tourism outlets on Victoria Street, Wakefield Street and at the railway station on Bunny Street.

White Star City to City buses and coaches are located opposite the train station and travel further afield, providing regular travel to Gisborne, Hastings, Masterton, Tauranga, Napier and Auckland, via New Plymouth or Rotorua.

Trains

Tel: +64 (0)4 498 2058
Located on Bunny Street, within the Lambton Quay area, the Wellington Train Station features a large travel centre where you are able to make train, bus and ferry reservations. The Train Station is open daily, Monday to Friday from 07:15 to 17:30, Saturday and Sunday - 07:15 to 12:15. With regular Tranz Metro trains that travel to the numerous suburbs surrounding the city, such as the Kapiti Coast and Hutt Valley, other trains regularly travel throughout the centre of New Zealand's North Island, to many locations, and include twice daily trains Auckland.

Boats and Ferries

Boats and ferries connect Wellington with Picton on New Zealand's nearby South Island. Operated by the Interisland Line on Aotea Quay and the Lynx Terminal at Waterloo Quay, the crossing between the lower North Island and the scenic Marlborough Sounds lasts up to three hours, although 'Super Shuttles' are also available. Most ferries include bars, restaurants and entertainment for children.

By Foot

Wellington is extremely well pedestrianised and has a fairly compact, organised city centre. Travel around central Wellington by foot is an ideal way to do some serious sightseeing, with many of the city's most appealing tourist attractions and museums within easy reach of each other.

Taxis

Taxis in Wellington are plentiful and offer a highly convenient way to travel around the city and nearby areas of New Zealand's North Island. The many taxis operate from a number of central taxi ranks located at the train station on Bunny Street, on Dixon Street, along Courtenay Place and on Lambton Quay. Of course, taxis can also be ordered by using the telephone.

Bicycles

Cycling is a particularly pleasant way to travel around the many recreational areas and much of Wellington city centre is highly suitable for cycling. With quiet roads and a fairly flat terrain, cycling here is becoming increasingly popular and a number cycle-hire shops are situated in Courtenay Place and elsewhere.