New Zealand-flights and time

6ix

I'm just looking around at places to go in September, and I'm considering New Zealand.

1) Could anyone recommend an airline/website for flights? I've been looking at BA/Quantas etc.

2) I was thinking of going for 3 weeks, hiring a camper van to tour around the country. Would that be long enough considering the journey to get there/jet lag involved?

Thanks in advance.

BuffyBot

Air New Zealand generally get a good rep - service is ok, seats fairly well spaced, good entertainment. They sometimes have offers on which include connections from Dublin.

www.airnz.co.uk

helimachoptor

I went with Singapore airlines which was very very good. I would give them the thumbs up also if i'm not mistake they are now using the A380 on the London-Singapore route...

robinph

I just booked flights with Air New Zealand for 3 weeks around the end of August beggining of September time, worked out at just over €1300. Air New Zealand fly via either Hong Kong or LA to get to Auckland, takes the same amount of time either way but there is a big difference between the baggage allowance depending on which route you take. I'm actually flying into Auckland and then back out of Christchurch with a connecting flight and that didn't appear to actually add anything much to the price.

I'm also looking into hiring a camper for the trip and although there will be a lot of driving involved I think there will be enough flexibility in my plans to allow for working round any jet lag and weather that may be encountered en-route. Certainly won't be able to see everything in three weeks, but as long as your a bit selective on what your must see/ do's are then I think it is plenty of time.

6ix

Thanks for the replies. Air NZ flights look pretty good.

I've been looking at these guys for campers, they look reasonable enough.

robinph

There seems to be loads of campervan companies to choose from but I've not actually got as far as booking one just yet. From what I've been able to figure out so far I think that Britz are one of three companies that are effecively the same thing, just different price brackets.

Maui get the vans from new, then after a couple of years use they get rebranded as Britz who then rent them out for another couple of years before they get rebranded again as Backpacker. There are then probably other companies that then take them after that again as well. But depending on the company you pick you'll get a van with more milage already done on them for cheaper. Skiwi seem to rent out all of those companies vans, but with free snow chains and ski racks for the winter market, and you can also buy cheaper ski passes through them as well.

Another interesting looking company is Escape who have only small vans but they are all painted differently. Not sure if I'd manage with that little space though, and nowhere to put my ski's.

fbradyirl

6ix wrote: »

2) I was thinking of going for 3 weeks, hiring a camper van to tour around the country. Would that be long enough considering the journey to get there/jet lag involved?

3 weeks is kinda rushing it. Myself and my girlfriend traveled around NZ by car for 6 weeks. I did all the driving. I was surprised at how big the country is (we just came from Oz so were expecting NZ to be an easy spin around). To see the place comfortably you really need 5 weeks. The south island has a lot of long drives in very bendy roads (all mountainous down there). Ideally it's better to have more than 1 driver. We're living in Auckland now so give me a shout if you need any more info or have questions....

6ix

fbradyirl wrote: »

3 weeks is kinda rushing it. Myself and my girlfriend traveled around NZ by car for 6 weeks. I did all the driving. I was surprised at how big the country is (we just came from Oz so were expecting NZ to be an easy spin around). To see the place comfortably you really need 5 weeks. The south island has a lot of long drives in very bendy roads (all mountainous down there). Ideally it's better to have more than 1 driver. We're living in Auckland now so give me a shout if you need any more info or have questions....

Cheers. It's about time we got around to booking something, so before we decide on New Zealand, I might send you a PM!

therecklessone

6ix wrote: »

2) I was thinking of going for 3 weeks, hiring a camper van to tour around the country. Would that be long enough considering the journey to get there/jet lag involved?

I'd try to make it four weeks minimum.

The two islands combined are a bit bigger than the UK, and there's a lot of driving involved.

Here's a basic map:



For example, Queenstown to Milford Sound will take you 4hrs+ because you have to go via Te Anau to avoid the bloody great mountain in the way!

I managed the following in three weeks:

Dunedin-Queenstown-Milford Sound-Lake Tekapo-the Glaciers-Greymouth-Christchurch-Rotarua-Gisborne-Taupo-Ragalan-Auckland.

Two train journeys in there, and a good chuck of the North Island missed.

Excellent thread on NZ

ibh

I did about 3 weeks in NZ on the Magic bus and it was really good. Got to all the places that i wanted to go and met lots of people. Also means you can go boozing and not worry about driving the next day. You can make your own schedule and hop on and off the bus pretty much anytime. Not too dear either considering your bus driver will be an excellent tour guide as well.

BraziliaNZ

You're going at the worst time of year by the way. If I were you I'd hang on till at least November. The winter in NZ is as bad as or worse than Ireland, especially in the South. It's an absolutely paradise up north in the summer though.

Edit: Unless you're trying to catch the end of the Ski Season?

robinph

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

Edit: Unless you're trying to catch the end of the Ski Season?

Thats what I'm going for.