Rent a Car vs. Public Transport

- your guide to getting around -

 

We get asked this question quite a bit, and our answer is generally the same - it entirely depends on your personal circumstances, budget, and travel desires. 

But we can do better than that!  So let's get into some of the differences and why you might choose either.

What are the differences between renting a car and taking public transport?

Generally speaking, using public transport will:

👉  be cheaper (however that is dependant on a few variables)

👉  be a more relaxed experience

👉  remove parking costs & driving fines from the equation

👉  be more limited in terms of where you can get to

👉  might be a little slower

 

Renting a car on the other hand will:

👉  give you the best flexibility for where/when you travel

👉  possible be more effective if travelling in a group

👉  cost more - renting, fuel, insurance, parking and potential fines can all add up

👉  likely be quicker (depending on traffic)

👉  likely be less relaxing for the driver

 

So the questions for you will be - how much do you value flexibility, how many people are you travelling with, where do you want to go, and what's your budget?

 

public transport options for getting around Queenstown

 

🚗 Taxi's & Uber's:  they are an expensive option, but if you need direct transport immediately for a single trip, then they might be your best option.

ℹ️ TIP - only use Green Cabs or Queenstown Taxi's for taxi's

Our taxi system is deregulated, so to avoid any unscrupulous operators we would suggest these 2 operators.  Prefer pre-determined charges?  Then use UBER, just be aware that options might be limited.  All options will pick you up from our front door 😎

 

🚌 Public buses:  the Orbus is a great cheap way to experience a really good amount of the Whakatipu basin.  The Orbus:

• • runs from around 6am - 11pm (depending on route)
  • can get you all the way around town - including Arrowtown, Arthur's Point, Frankton, Kelvin Heights and Sunshine Bay
  • runs pretty regularly - every 15min from most stops

ℹ️ TIP - Get the BEE card when you arrive and load it up with some credit

That way your trips will only be approximately $3, and you will look like a local as you get on and off with ease without having to ask the driver how to pay!

• • find where to purchase the BEE Card right here
  • find their timetable right here
  • we are located only 50-100m away from 2 Orbus stops 🥳

 

🚐 Tour buses:  tour buses are only for those experiencing a tour, but including them as you may not be aware.  Most tour operators offer transport of some description to help you get to & from their experience, so take advantage!

ℹ️ TIP - chat to our friendly team at reception if you want to find out transport options on your preferred experience ahead of time → contact us today!

ℹ️ TIP - we can also help you make your booking too!  Otherwise check out all the experiences you can do in the region - or the country - right here.

 

🚲 Biking:  Queenstown is lucky to have one of the most prolific trail networks in the country!  And we're not just talking the extreme stuff on the side of a mountain.

ℹ️ TIP - use the Queenstown Trails Trust website to help you navigate, and if you're a guest with us then store your bike securely for free!

Riding is a great way to get around, and if you happen to be travelling with your bike then you're in luck - it's basically free transfer once you're here!

If you need to hire a bike, then you're also in luck!  We've got no shortage of rental options available in town - from basic & cheap to electric & expensive - so slow down, get fit, and enjoy the *almost* free travel!

 

👟 Walking or Hiking:  Most of that riding trail network mentioned above are dual access, so that means walkers can also enjoy the same trail network.  Most of our hiking trails are hiking only - and there's so many to experience - so get your step-count up, slow it down a little, and drink in the fresh air.

ℹ️ TIP - Good shoes are worth their weight in gold, so don't just bring your trusty jandals* with you

*flip flops, thongs, slops or plakkies depending on where you're from.

Also as always - dress & prepare for the conditions.  Weather is changeable here, and there's no better way to ruin a day than by being ill-prepared!

 

What about Winter and getting to the mountains?

Excellent question - let's break things down for you to help you understand what might suit your needs best.

If you're aiming to hit the 4 primary resorts in the region, each of these resorts provide return transport from downtown Queenstown, and we're only 50-100m from the pick-up locations 😎

 

🏔  Cardrona Alpine Resort - $45 per adult

🏔  Coronet Peak - $36 per adult

🏔  The Remarkables - $36 per adult

🏔  Treble Cone - $45 per adult

...That can sound expensive, but it might not be so simple.  Some of the things to consider:

 

1️⃣  How many people are your travelling with?  Buses are the cheaper option if you're by yourself, but if you've got 2+ people it might be more cost effective to rent a car (just remember to consider all the other costs associated too).

2️⃣  How many days are you intending on going up the mountains?  It's rare that you'll hit the slopes every day of your trip, so if you rent you'll be paying for that car even on the down-days.  You only pay for buses when you use them.

3️⃣  Are you confident driving in snow/ice (and putting on snow chains)?  Our roads to get up to the resorts can be 'exciting', conditions can be very slippery, and you WILL need to carry snow-chains.  Not your thing?  The bus might be in that case.

4️⃣  Are you happy to deal with parking?  Parking can be a little difficult on the busy days up the mountain (and in town), so be prepared to leave early and possible endure a bit of a walk after you've parked.  Take the bus if you'd prefer that door-to-door service.

5️⃣  How much flexibility do you need, and are you using the car for other things?  If you want flexibility to hit any resort on any day + you can justify a vehicle for other things, then favour would likely be to renting a car.

6️⃣  Are you happy to make friends and sharing the ride?  Some resorts - such as The Remarkables - have introduced priority parking, meaning you can only get to the top carparks if you have 3 or more people in your car.  Consider making friends at the hostel or picking up hitchhikers along your way.

 

Everyone's needs are different - and Winter has its own variables - so it's important to ask yourself some of these questions to help narrow things down to give you your best experience! 

A few more questions to ask yourself

 

1. What are you trying to accomplish whilst you're in Central Otago?

Are you aiming to take in the odd Bungy Jump, Jet Boat, Wine Tour or Milford Sound Experience?  Maybe your just looking to enjoy Queenstown itself for its famous Food & Beverage scene, a bit of frisbee golf, and a sit by the lake?

👉  If that's the case, we'd recommend using the tranport options provided and alternative travel options.

Are you looking to explore Central Otago in general?  Grab a beer at the Cardrona hotel, go-karting at Highlands motorsport park, hiking Paradise in Glenorchy and/or Roy's Peak in Wanaka, Mountainbiking in Alexandra?  The list can go on and on.

👉  If you're more looking to explore a wider variety of options in the general area and you need greater flexibility, you'll likely benefit from your own set of wheels.

2. Is it just yourself, or do you have a group of people/family?

Generally speaking - if you have a couple of people to split the cost with, a car is a great option for groups and families.  It gives you more flexibility, and will probably prove cheaper than buying 4 x bus tickets from Queenstown to Dunedin for instance.  If you're travelling by yourself, you could go either way here - refer back to question 1 and make your decision from there!  

Also pro-tip - if you're travelling by yourself and still thinking of renting a car, try making friends at the hostel to help split the costs and/or provide some chat 😉

 

3. Are you coming to experience just Queenstown, or are you aiming to see more of the South Island?

We find between October-May that people tend to come for longer periods of time to experience the whole South Island (or the country). 

Alternatively, in June-September most people are coming to Queenstown or Wanaka to hit the skifields, and aren't looking to explore the rest of the region so much.

Your travel plans are going to dictate which is your best option, but much like question 1 - if you're looking to experience a little more, particularly places/experiences that aren't on the usual 'beaten paths', you'll probably benefit greatly from your own set of wheels.

 

4. What about getting around the rest of the South Island or country?

The Intercity bus system is great, but it can be prohibitive in terms of timing, cost, and scope of where they travel to.  So ask yourself - what exactly are you looking to take in? 

A little bit of research of bus timetables can go a long way, and you may find the places you HAVE to visit have been taken care of.  Otherwise it may show you your intended route is called 'the road less travelled' for a reason, so maybe you need to look at other ways to get where you want go!

5. I think I'm going to rent a car, but what about parking and access?

Whilst we might be the best located hostel in Queenstown, it can make parking a little tricky.  But don't worry!  You can access our front door to load/unload for 5min, and then you can utilise our free parking guide in the FAQ's section to find both paid and free parking options in town.

Parking in Queenstown is like parking in any busy city/town - timing is everything, and be prepared to pay! 

 

We hope that helps!  Our aim is not to force you down a particular path, but help you figure out what might best suit your experience.  Our team are always here to help guide you further, so if you have any more questions then please contact us today - we look forward to helping you maximise your experience!  🙌