TranzAlpine or Rental Car
 

We are finalizing our trip to New Zealand and getting into the details. One decision left to make is whether to take the TranzAlpine train or drive from Christchurch to Arthurs Pass. Would love some feedback - pros/cons. I think we are leaning towards driving since it will be early in our trip and we may need some freedom after the long trip (on the other hand, we may still be exhausted and appreciate the chance to just sit).

Thanks in advance!

Just to be clear, you are going up to Arthur's Pass and returning to CChurch? The train and road take two very different routes - the road is a gradual climb mostly through rather open country, with sweeping vistas. The train climbs through some narrow gorges, with lots of trestles. In my opinion, the views from the train are superior to those from the car, but it is a very different experience.

It also depends on what you intend to do when you get there. If you want to lounge around and take it easy, the train would be a good option. If you want to go up backroads and go hiking, then a car would be a better choice.

Hi LBL,

as ALF said, we need some more info as to what your plans are -- are you planning on getting off the train in Arthur's Pass, spending the night, or a few nights at the Wilderness Lodge, by any chance?

You can always have the best of both worlds -- take the train to Arthur's Pass, spend a few days relaxing, get back on the train to Greymouth, rent a car at the station and continue onward.

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

Sorry...we are heading to Arthurs Pass and spending several nights at the Wilderness Lodge, then heading out from there to the Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge. From there we have another 10 days which we will be exploring the South Island and driving.

Melodie, I think you may have a good point...and ALF, I appreciate the feedback on the differing views.

All these decisions for our trip! The good news is that I think that no matter what we decide we will be just fine!

Hi LBL!

Ah Ha! I guessed correctly then that you're staying at Wilderness Lodge! You'll have a wonderful time enjoying the hospitality of Gerry & Anne!

And then you're continuing onto their other lodge @ Moeraki - hopefully, you're spending at least 2 days there as well?

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

Yes! Staying two nights at each lodge. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the standard room at either place. Staying in the Alpine room and the Riverview room - BIG splurge and can't wait.

LBL,

well, you say "unfortunately", you couldn't get the Standard room, but I bet when all is said and done, you'll feel happy about your Big Splurge!

Life is uncertain and you need to splurge every once in awhile - you deserve it, I'm sure!

Regards,

Melodie

Melodie,

Oh, I think we will love it! We never stay in the top of the line rooms, so I am really looking forward to it - just spending a few more dollars than we had hoped. At the end of the day, this trip is going to cost some money. We certainly aren't going the budget route, so what's another couple of hundred dollars? I don't think we are staying anywhere that's less than $400 NZ dollars, but the Wilderness Lodge at $980 is the most!

I am secretly glad that the standard rooms weren't available! Just don't tell my husband!

Can't believe that we have everything just about booked...now need to wish some of my life away so February will hurry up and get here!

LBL,

in one of my first ever "selling travel" seminars they stressed selling the "sizzle of the steak" rather than always going for the cheapest accommodation/tour, etc. It was also mentioned that most people will remember the EXPERIENCE more than how much it cost.

Over the years, I've found this to be true. Unlike many people believe, while travel agents DO get free hotels, or discounted rates, we can't always get that on every destination or tour, so we spend our money as well.

I've shelled out alot of money over the years to have a unique experience, like a helicopter ride, or staying in a special resort, etc, and I've never regretted it. OK, I CAN write it off as a business expense at tax time, but it's still coming out of my pocket during that timeframe.

I know Gerry personally, and I can tell you that you're in for one of those unique experiences you'll always remember!


Melodie

Dear LBL--

I have been watching your posts because we, too, are going to NZ in Feb. 2008 and have experienced some of the same difficulties in booking FF miles (ours, through Delta) and we, too, are staying at Wilderness Lodge. Just curious--where else have you booked? (I was intrigued by your earlier posts for recommendations for luxury lodging, for instance. We, too, save up for a big splurge once in awhile.)

Eve,

The Wilderness Lodges are without a doubt our splurge of the trip! We really strived to get a variety of different types of places to stay - lodges, bed & breakfasts and apartments.

Here is our itinerary - just about all booked! We arrive in Christchurch and will be spending one night there at the Hadleigh Bed and Breakfast. We leave the next day to head up to the Wilderness Lodge at Arthur's Pass for two nights and then to the Lake Moeraki Lodge for two nights.

From there we are heading to Queenstown for three nights at Pencarrow. We then head to the Fiorland Lodge wehre we are planning to stay two nights. We had originally planned to fit in an overnight on Doubtful Sound, but we just couldn't get the timing to work. We'll It's the one thing that I am sorry I couldn't arrange, since so many folks on this forum have indicated that this is a highlight - we'll settle for the day trip.

Next we are heading up to Nelson / Abel Tasman area (yes, we're flying). Here we are staying at the Costal Palms apartments for a couple nights. We'll then drive to Kaikoura for some whale watching and a night at teh Anchor Inn.

Then back to Hadleigh in Christchurch and back home. Whew. I am exhausted thinking about all the travel, but very excited!

You'll have to share your plans...

Dear LBL--
Thanks for replying. Your itinerary sounds wonderful, and we, too, considered staying at the Fiordland Lodge and Pencarrow! Although we haven't finalized all of our plans (although we have most of our bookings) we decided on some different things, as I don't think we are QUITE as outdoorsy as you. I will give you more details shortly so we can compare notes! (One big difference is we are spending time going through some wine regions and relaxing there.) We are also doing both islands, but we are going to be gone a total of 3 weeks and 5 days....

We did finally decide, like you, NOT to do the doubtful sound overnight(we were sorely tempted), but we did decide to get to Wilderness Lodge by the TranzAlpine, basically because my husband is a big train nut.

The bad part is our flying route to get FF business seats (Washington, Atlanta, Seoul, Aukland, and return!) Once I get over that part, I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time!

Eve,

We are very outdoorsy! We plan to spend a lot of time hiking, kayaking, rafting, etc. The last few years we have gone to St. John (USVI) primarily because it is 2/3 national forest and we can hike, snorkel and enjoy the outdoors.

I am very jealous of your extended trip. When I first booked the airfare, I thought two full weeks in NZ (not including travel time) would be a lot of time. But, in booking this, I find that we are not able to get to all the places we want to go, nor stay as long as we want to stay.

We are going to try to get to at least a couple of wineries during our visit - we are winos for sure! I have a feeling that more of our wine drinking will be at dinner or in our room (out on the deck perhaps) - since I am not sure how much time we will have for the wineries.

Just out of curiosity, what nights are you going to be at the Wilderness Lodge? We are going to be there Feb 10-12…

I think we have decided on the rental car and not the train, mostly because after our long journey to NZ, I am not sure I want to be cooped up on a train less than 24 hours later (plus, I may still be sleeping in the morning when it is scheduled to leave!).
Our flights aren't so bad...but still a long day...Chicago, Los Angeles, Sydney, Christchurch...but all in first or business (except the Sydney Christchurch leg).

Enjoy the planning...it is half the fun, isn't it?

LBL,

We LOVE snorkeling, but don't do much hiking. Alas, I had already figured out we wouldn't meet at Wilderness Lodge because we don't actually arrive in NZ until Feb. 13, and we're starting out in the North. We'll actually be there on our anniversary--Feb 27, 28.

Hey--wine is just as good in the room or on the deck as it will be in the wineries. That's a given :)

Hi, LBL:

As promised, here is our itinerary so far:
2/13--Arrive Aukland
2/14--Obtain rental car, drive to KeriKeri
2/17--Fly to Rotorua
2/19--Drive to Napier (stay in Havelock North)
2/21--Drive to Wellington
2/23--Ferry to Picton, pick up car and drive to Nelson (WOW Museum, Glass Blowing)
2/24--Drive to Blenheim (Old St. Mary's)
2/26--Fly to Christchurch
2/27--TranzAlpine to Arthur's Pass (Wilderness Lodge)
2/29--TranzAlpine to Christchurch
3/1--Fly to Queenstown
3/6--Fly to Auckland
3/7--Fly to Seoul (day tour of Seoul)
3/8--Fly to U.S.

Eve - Looks like a great itinerary. I love seeing what others are doing and getting ideas! I probably should stop looking though, because I keep thinking I should change something in mine!

LBL--
You are correct in that! I am half-way jealous of YOUR itinerary. As you can tell, we are "missing" the westcoast of the SI (plan to do Milford Sound, though). Even with three weeks, you can't fit it all in. We've done the glaciers in Alaska and Canada, so we thought we would make a cut there. But it's so hard.....