Something you may see during your travels, worth putting into your vids if you see it: Around the "tourist areas" of rural NZ the local councils paint white directional arrows on the roads, to assist drivers to actually drive on the correct side of the road. The crash statistics show that a lot of tourist drivers from other countries (which go to the tourist areas like Queenstown, Tekapo and Pukaki) end up driving on the wrong side of the road. The arrows are there to remind you which way is which.
Should I buy my own snow chains or rent them from the car rental company? Where can I buy them in Queenstown? Or should I buy them before arriving NZ? I have never been to NZ and installed snow chains before I am coming to NZ in late June Thx!
Hi, we are traveling to South Island in winters (July 2018) for 25 days in a Non Self Containted Campervan, can we sleep in a carpark? or need to go to campsites or camper parks, and what should we expect to pay.. Thanks :)
Hello Robin & Laura, I'm planning road trip starting from Queenstown - Franz josef - wanaka - Lake tekapo - Mt cook. Just wondering if renting a normal car like swift or Corolla will do it or should i go for a SUV ? The price difference is quite a bit between the two so.. Thanks in advance.. 😊
Hi Rahul! A normal car like a Swift or Corolla will be just perfect for your road trip from Queenstown to Franz Josef, Wanaka, Lake Tekapo, and Mt Cook. The roads are well-maintained, and a smaller car will definitely save you money on both rental costs and fuel. No need to go for an SUV unless you have specific off-road plans. If you'd like more personalized tips or help planning your trip, feel free to join our Patreon community at patreon.com/nzpocketguide. We offer weekly group calls and access to a secret Facebook group where we can assist you even more. Enjoy your adventure and safe travels! 😊
Iam from india,I m getting married this year, and thinking of a roadtrip in Newzealand for my Honeymoon trip. And then I stumbled across your channel, this video is an eye opener! Thank you! I love Newzealand, and looking forward to hit the roads soon..And, Hey, you earned a subscriber😀.
Hello to both. Thanks for the great clips and website. I plan to cross the world from Europe to NZ via Singapore for my Honeymoon, and your channels are full with advice. I do still have a couple questions. 1. Is Thrifty a nice brand in NZ, I'm from Portugal and it's almost unknown here, and so far the reviews weren't that great (neither if I check for Avis or Hertz actually). Still you recommend on the family cars section, and it has great and convenient locations like Napier and Greymouth. On top of that they don't charge one way fees. 2. Did the prices raise a lot recently? Just asking because I'm now looking at around 1000NZD or more per week in June 2023..which is way different than you and other people speak, like around 400NZD per week.. Thanks and keep you the good work!!
Hey Pete! Thanks for the nice words, it means a lot to Laura and I. First up. I have used Thirfty myself so yeah it is not a bad company, it is budget for sure, but when looking at current prices, not bad at all. All the brands we list here we have tried them ourselves -> nzpocketguide.com/category/travel-tips/transportation/rental-car-campervan/ Usually BRC offers the best value for money. When it comes to price, it is a bit tricky to evaluate at the moment. Due to covid, fleets are small and therefore companies are often fully booked which leads to higher prices, but we expect the average price to lower in 2023, the million dollar question is: by how much? I would suggest to wait well later down the track to book, maybe looking at prices again in May 2023 would be a good idea. It's a question we get often (especially on Patreon) so we look at it regularely. Every week we host a live show where we answer the questions of people planning their trip to New Zealand, here is a link to the next one -> th-cam.com/video/pKeDlidEj4c/w-d-xo.html I think it may be worth it for you to pop in and start planning with us, it's kind of what we do all the time to be honest haha! Also if you want more tips, hand on help with planning your trip and many many more perks, you can join us on Patreon, it is quite cheap and gives you access to a secret Facebook group when you can ask us your question 7 days per week, and many other perks, it's super fun! Maybe check it out and see if it is your kind of thing -> www.patreon.com/nzpocketguide
Hi I coming to NZ during the summer season December to March for 2 -3 month, is it better to rent a car or to buy a one?? cause my friends told me that the public transportation is very bad. Thank you very much, you have very good and informative videos!
Hi Eyal! Glad you're finding our videos useful :D Buying a car for that length of time would probably be more cost-effective! You might want to consider buying from a rental company that has a buyback scheme so that you can buy/sell your car faster. More info on our website -> bpkg.nz/zlxgt Plus, there are more tips about travelling NZ by car in our other video -> th-cam.com/video/eTh4dG2VMM4/w-d-xo.html
Could you also pls suggest some good company names from which we can do online booking for car rental ? Also can you tell me is NewZealand roads one way mostly or two way
Certainly! Here are some great companies for you that have online car rental bookings: nzpocketguide.com/the-best-car-rental-companies-in-new-zealand/ Regarding New Zealand roads, they are typically two-way. However, in some remote or less-traveled areas, you may encounter narrower roads or gravel roads where you need to be cautious. New Zealand drives on the left side of the road, and it's essential to be aware of the road rules and conditions, especially if you are not familiar with driving on the left. Always check road conditions and plan your routes accordingly, especially if you are exploring more rural or scenic areas. Our next live show (this coming Sunday) will be dedicated to driving in NZ, so join us there!
Can you sleep in your car in a non selfcontained park? Or do you have to have tent. We are renting a normal car, not a camper car, but I'm worried that camping parks won't allow us if we sleep in the car.
Hey guys, I’m planning to visit NZ in July and planning to rent a van. Not sure is it necessary to buy premium insurance which cost me extra 800$!! I’m on a tight budget tbh. What do u reckon? Love ur review and recommendations, Aung.
Aung Phyo Lin Aung Phyo Lin that's exciting! If you're on a super tight budget then perhaps just stick to the basic insurance that should be included in your rental fee anyway. It goes without saying but just be careful when driving and wise up on the nz road rules before your trip. Here's some tips www.backpackerguide.nz/12-safe-driving-tips-for-new-zealand/ Hope that helps!
Why does the rental company says my credit card must show full name of my driving license or passport ? Typically credit card has a short name of my full name where I come from.
Usually the gas is always full when picking up a vehicle so you need to give it back full. (Is that what you were asking?) Sedan would be best, no need for a SUV in NZ. Best to have a real GPS rather than just a phone. If you want your phone spend $1.99 ad get a real GPS app that does not rely on internet connection (So not Google or Apple maps)
@@NZPocketGuide Most modern phones have GPS built in right.. ? Your phone downloads your route when you still have wifi/4g. You can also download a section of your choosing of Google maps so you don't need internet on your trip.
@@503appie yes they do, but GoogleMap is not super reliable in New Zealand and did send us multiple times the wrong way on dangerous farm roads. You are much better off with a real GPS app that have their own roads up to date.
Too much of the information is missed because of the heavy accent of this guy. Please have someone else read his lines, or learn to slow down and enunciate. Otherwise - great videos! Thank u
Have any questions about renting a car in New Zealand? Or do you have a suggestion of what we should cover in our next video? Let us know right here!
Something you may see during your travels, worth putting into your vids if you see it:
Around the "tourist areas" of rural NZ the local councils paint white directional arrows on the roads, to assist drivers to actually drive on the correct side of the road. The crash statistics show that a lot of tourist drivers from other countries (which go to the tourist areas like Queenstown, Tekapo and Pukaki) end up driving on the wrong side of the road. The arrows are there to remind you which way is which.
Super tips! Thanks for pointing it out!
Y2Jay Does Asia thanks for the tip! We have noticed a lot of these signs painted on the road ourselves.
Should I buy my own snow chains or rent them from the car rental company?
Where can I buy them in Queenstown?
Or should I buy them before arriving NZ?
I have never been to NZ and installed snow chains before
I am coming to NZ in late June
Thx!
Hi, we are traveling to South Island in winters (July 2018) for 25 days in a Non Self Containted Campervan, can we sleep in a carpark? or need to go to campsites or camper parks, and what should we expect to pay.. Thanks :)
Hello Robin & Laura,
I'm planning road trip starting from Queenstown - Franz josef - wanaka - Lake tekapo - Mt cook.
Just wondering if renting a normal car like swift or Corolla will do it or should i go for a SUV ?
The price difference is quite a bit between the two so..
Thanks in advance.. 😊
Hi Rahul! A normal car like a Swift or Corolla will be just perfect for your road trip from Queenstown to Franz Josef, Wanaka, Lake Tekapo, and Mt Cook. The roads are well-maintained, and a smaller car will definitely save you money on both rental costs and fuel. No need to go for an SUV unless you have specific off-road plans.
If you'd like more personalized tips or help planning your trip, feel free to join our Patreon community at patreon.com/nzpocketguide. We offer weekly group calls and access to a secret Facebook group where we can assist you even more. Enjoy your adventure and safe travels! 😊
Iam from india,I m getting married this year, and thinking of a roadtrip in Newzealand for my Honeymoon trip. And then I stumbled across your channel, this video is an eye opener! Thank you! I love Newzealand, and looking forward to hit the roads soon..And, Hey, you earned a subscriber😀.
Nice one! You will find a lot of itineraries ideas as well on the channel. Perfect for your honeymoon!
Hello to both.
Thanks for the great clips and website.
I plan to cross the world from Europe to NZ via Singapore for my Honeymoon, and your channels are full with advice.
I do still have a couple questions.
1. Is Thrifty a nice brand in NZ, I'm from Portugal and it's almost unknown here, and so far the reviews weren't that great (neither if I check for Avis or Hertz actually). Still you recommend on the family cars section, and it has great and convenient locations like Napier and Greymouth. On top of that they don't charge one way fees.
2. Did the prices raise a lot recently? Just asking because I'm now looking at around 1000NZD or more per week in June 2023..which is way different than you and other people speak, like around 400NZD per week..
Thanks and keep you the good work!!
Hey Pete! Thanks for the nice words, it means a lot to Laura and I. First up. I have used Thirfty myself so yeah it is not a bad company, it is budget for sure, but when looking at current prices, not bad at all. All the brands we list here we have tried them ourselves -> nzpocketguide.com/category/travel-tips/transportation/rental-car-campervan/ Usually BRC offers the best value for money.
When it comes to price, it is a bit tricky to evaluate at the moment. Due to covid, fleets are small and therefore companies are often fully booked which leads to higher prices, but we expect the average price to lower in 2023, the million dollar question is: by how much? I would suggest to wait well later down the track to book, maybe looking at prices again in May 2023 would be a good idea. It's a question we get often (especially on Patreon) so we look at it regularely.
Every week we host a live show where we answer the questions of people planning their trip to New Zealand, here is a link to the next one -> th-cam.com/video/pKeDlidEj4c/w-d-xo.html I think it may be worth it for you to pop in and start planning with us, it's kind of what we do all the time to be honest haha!
Also if you want more tips, hand on help with planning your trip and many many more perks, you can join us on Patreon, it is quite cheap and gives you access to a secret Facebook group when you can ask us your question 7 days per week, and many other perks, it's super fun! Maybe check it out and see if it is your kind of thing -> www.patreon.com/nzpocketguide
@@NZPocketGuide Thank you so much for your quick reply. I will join the lives for sure and check Patreon during the next weeks ;)
@@PeteBoxster No worries, you'll love it!
Great tips. Thank you for going into all the detail! :)
No worries always happy to help ;)
Hi I coming to NZ during the summer season December to March for 2 -3 month, is it better to rent a car or to buy a one?? cause my friends told me that the public transportation is very bad. Thank you very much, you have very good and informative videos!
Hi Eyal! Glad you're finding our videos useful :D Buying a car for that length of time would probably be more cost-effective! You might want to consider buying from a rental company that has a buyback scheme so that you can buy/sell your car faster. More info on our website -> bpkg.nz/zlxgt Plus, there are more tips about travelling NZ by car in our other video -> th-cam.com/video/eTh4dG2VMM4/w-d-xo.html
Could you also pls suggest some good company names from which we can do online booking for car rental ? Also can you tell me is NewZealand roads one way mostly or two way
Certainly! Here are some great companies for you that have online car rental bookings: nzpocketguide.com/the-best-car-rental-companies-in-new-zealand/
Regarding New Zealand roads, they are typically two-way. However, in some remote or less-traveled areas, you may encounter narrower roads or gravel roads where you need to be cautious. New Zealand drives on the left side of the road, and it's essential to be aware of the road rules and conditions, especially if you are not familiar with driving on the left. Always check road conditions and plan your routes accordingly, especially if you are exploring more rural or scenic areas. Our next live show (this coming Sunday) will be dedicated to driving in NZ, so join us there!
Thank you 🙏
Hi, we are travelling this winter season to South Island. Is the snow chain normally included in the hire fare or need to rent it separately ? Thanks
Hey Sugianto, it's usually rented separately :)
Nice channel 👍
Thank you 👍
Can you sleep in your car in a non selfcontained park? Or do you have to have tent. We are renting a normal car, not a camper car, but I'm worried that camping parks won't allow us if we sleep in the car.
That is a great question :) In non-self contained campsite you have the right to sleep in your car. When are you planning to travel around NZ?
@@NZPocketGuide Thank you! From 3rd of March to the 18th. So we'll be there soon haha
Oh wow! So soon! You must be in the last stages of planning your trip :)
Hey guys, I’m planning to visit NZ in July and planning to rent a van. Not sure is it necessary to buy premium insurance which cost me extra 800$!! I’m on a tight budget tbh. What do u reckon? Love ur review and recommendations, Aung.
Aung Phyo Lin Aung Phyo Lin that's exciting! If you're on a super tight budget then perhaps just stick to the basic insurance that should be included in your rental fee anyway. It goes without saying but just be careful when driving and wise up on the nz road rules before your trip. Here's some tips www.backpackerguide.nz/12-safe-driving-tips-for-new-zealand/ Hope that helps!
Why does the rental company says my credit card must show full name of my driving license or passport ? Typically credit card has a short name of my full name where I come from.
Each company has different policy, you could try a different one and see what their requirements are 🤩
Ha ha he's doing well Cheers for all the info
Haha thanks ;) Robin usually speaks a bit slower in our latest videos, check our newest content and give us your opinion at some point ;)
You Gallon conversion is wrong
Oh no! :(
gas is empty in vehicle? Which vehicle is best travel sedan or suv ? Good navigation for phone in New Zealand
Usually the gas is always full when picking up a vehicle so you need to give it back full. (Is that what you were asking?) Sedan would be best, no need for a SUV in NZ. Best to have a real GPS rather than just a phone. If you want your phone spend $1.99 ad get a real GPS app that does not rely on internet connection (So not Google or Apple maps)
@@NZPocketGuide Most modern phones have GPS built in right.. ?
Your phone downloads your route when you still have wifi/4g. You can also download a section of your choosing of Google maps so you don't need internet on your trip.
@@503appie yes they do, but GoogleMap is not super reliable in New Zealand and did send us multiple times the wrong way on dangerous farm roads. You are much better off with a real GPS app that have their own roads up to date.
@@NZPocketGuide Okay, thanks for the tip!
If the guy speaks slowly maybe we could understand him otherwise let the lady speak please
Thanks for the honest feedback. Robin always try to improve and to speak slower, it's an uphill battle haha!
Too much of the information is missed because of the heavy accent of this guy. Please have someone else read his lines, or learn to slow down and enunciate. Otherwise - great videos! Thank u
Sorry about that, in later videos Robin speaks a bit slower which helps :)