Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Transport
GETTING THERE & AWAY
New Zealand is a long way from almost everywhere - most travellers jet in from afar.
Flights, cars and tours can be booked online at lonelyplanet.com/bookings.
Entering the Country
Disembarkation in New Zealand is generally a straightforward affair, with only the usual
customs declarations and the luggage carousel scramble to endure. Under the Orwellian
title of 'Advance Passenger Screening', documents that used to be checked after you
touched down in NZ (passport, visa etc) are now checked before you board your flight −
make sure all your documentation is in order so that your check-in is stress-free.
Passport
There are no restrictions when it comes to foreign citizens entering NZ. If you have a cur-
rent passport and visa (or don't require one;
Click here
)
, you should be fine.
CLIMATE CHANGE & TRAVEL
Every form of transport that relies on carbon-based fuel generates CO2, the main
cause of human-induced climate change. Modern travel is dependent on aero-
planes, which might use less fuel per kilometre per person than most cars but travel
much greater distances. The altitude at which aircraft emit gases (including CO2)
and particles also contributes to their climate change impact. Many websites offer
'carbon calculators' that allow people to estimate the carbon emissions generated
by their journey and, for those who wish to do so, to off set the impact of the green-
house gases emitted with contributions to portfolios of climate-friendly initiatives
throughout the world. Lonely Planet off sets the carbon footprint of all staff and au-
thor travel.
Air
There are a number of competing airlines that service NZ if you're flying in from Asia,
Europe or North America, though ultimately you'll still pay a lot for a flight unless you jet in
from Australia. NZ's abundance of year-round activities means that airports are busy most
