Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Tranz Scenic question - discounts?

We are going to be in NZ in Feb and plan on taking both the Trans Alpine and Trans Coastal. I have seen the prices quoted on their website - but I wondered if it was possible to get discounted tickets anywhere. Does anyone have any info on this?

February is a busy time (lots of tourists) so I wouldn't expect much sales.

Does they still offer passes? If they do, that may work out cheaper than buying the individual trips.

Depending on how much time you have between the two trips and whether the transcoastal is a RT, I'd recommend you reconsider doing both .... I did them within a few days with a RT on the transcoastal, and would definitely change it the next time.

Think about maybe renting a car after the ferry and drive down to Christchurch and if you're doing a RT, then rent a car one-way instead of doing the rail in both directions.

Some elderly relatives took the TransScenic back to Christchurch just over a week ago and were a little disappointed (though they expected a vintage, Orient Express experience! :p), so do some research to know what you will be getting.

I really enjoyed the driving in the Mainland and would recommend a one-way rental, too.
Hertz had some good deals available for our stay, but there are also some indy agencies around. I couldn't say how they are, though.

Some allow cars to be rented and taken across on the Picton ferry to the north island which Hertz forbids in the rental agreement.

It seems that there is an excess of car rentals coming north-south island, so it's worth checking the deals on a south-north one-way; it might be a bargain. :cool:

Well, we are flying into Christchurch and flying out of Auckland so the one way rental may work...but I still like the idea of the train rides (my partner more than I to be honest....)

Well, we are flying into Christchurch and flying out of Auckland so the one way rental may work...but I still like the idea of the train rides (my partner more than I to be honest....)
You could try to return the car in Picton, Wellington or all the way in Auckland if you want to drive that far (I wouldn't). Trains do show nice scenery, but really - it is the same scenery going and coming, so driving gives you the chance to see a little something different or at least in a different way :)

Enjoy your trip - it is a beautiful country.

Most rental car companies do not allow there cars to travel on the ferries. They collect the cars at one end & give you another one at the other end of the straight.


Be aware the trains are very old, they are 1930 A Class carriages. Even though they are old they have be rebuilt with large windows. Just don't expect them to be flash.

Most rental car companies do not allow there cars to travel on the ferries. They collect the cars at one end & give you another one at the other end of the straight.

If you are considering car rentals, try an agency like vroomvroomvroom - excellent service! This way you can see what's available, especially 'deals' like the return one-way rental Sth Is.-> Nth Is., if possible. :)

www.vroomvroomvroom.co.nz

I've used them un AU but not NZ. Other people might have direct experience, but I can tell you I saw at Queenstown airport, some indy rental counters in the terminal, where they appeared to promote one-way rentals which cross the ferry... but check it out for yourself first.

Hertz will involve linking a one-way retnal to Picton, catch the ferry, and another one-way rental in the north island, from what I recall.