How to travel cheap in NZ
For the independent backpacker, travel on a tight budget is an every-day reality. Getting from A to B when you can’t afford even the cheapest bus ticket can sometimes be tough! Still, it’s important not to let money hold you back, especially when cheap travel can be one of the most exciting things you’ll do in New Zealand.
Hitchhiking with a sign is important
Hitchhiking
Hitch hiking in New Zealand is legal and comparatively safe. Kiwi’s are usually a friendly bunch and will regularly stop to pick up hitch-hikers in need. If you’re on a budget and not in a hurry, hitching is a great option for travel in NZ.
Increase your chances of getting picked up by being prepared. A tidy appearance is very important, for guys make sure you’ve shaved recently. If you are carrying a large backpack, keep it visible; people are more likely to stop for foreign travelers as they’re usually friendly and tell better stories. Finally, and most importantly, prepare a sign that says where you are going with “please” and “thank you” included; it really does pay to be polite. A sign is also good for use as an umbrella if the weather turns bad.
Stay safe when hitch hiking by using common sense. Stand a safe distance back from the road! If you’re ever in someone’s car and you feel unsafe, simply ask the driver to pull over. Finally if you have a phone, txt your whereabouts and the license-plate number of your ride to a friend just in-case anything goes wrong.
Internet Ridesharing
If hitchhiking makes you feel unsafe, or the thought of waiting by the road in the rain turns you off, then why not try Internet ridesharing? Carpool and rideshare websites are a great resource for backpacker travel in New Zealand.
Jayride is a New Zealand carpool and rideshare website perfectly designed to help travelers get around. Free to use, backpackers can register to contact other travelers and arrange to share rides. Jayride’s secure email makes meeting people safer, so it’s a great way to meet travel-mates with which to backpack the country.
For travelers thinking of renting a car, sharing rides online is a great way to save money on travel. For independent travelers, looking online first could save you hours by the roadside!
Save money, have more fun
New Zealand is best traveled by road, and for independent backpackers hitching is a great way to go. Hitching or online ride-sharing lets you see more on the road and meet more people, stop in more interesting places and see more sights. Even better, it does all of this while saving you money. Try it roadside, or online at www.jayride.co.nz
