ferry | Transfercar Blog

How can I get across the Cook Strait by Ferry this summer?

As many already know, one of The Interislander’s largest passenger ferries, The Aratere, is expected to be out of service for at least 6 months after losing one of its propellers last month. This has, and will likely have a reasonably large impact on how vacationers in New Zealand manage to travel between the north and south islands this summer. Especially when renting a vehicle with no prior booking secured.

At this stage existing Interislander passenger and vehicle bookings will be honored, with many being rescheduled to alternative services, however no new vehicle bookings will be taken – with only foot passengers accepted.

Interislander general manager Thomas Davis is quoted by the NZ Herald as saying “We originally forecast to carry approximately 200,000 passengers and 55,000 cars during December and January. We now expect to carry only 140,000 passengers and 33,000 vehicles without an additional ship.” Continue reading How can I get across the Cook Strait by Ferry this summer?

To and from Hobart, Australia on the Spirit of Tasmania: Ferry times, booking and prices

Transfercar have a number of Australian companies needing their vehicles relocated across the Bass Strait between Hobart, Melbourne and then further on to other cities such as Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. As we often get questions as to prices and ferry times etc, we thought it would be a good subject to write about. Continue reading To and from Hobart, Australia on the Spirit of Tasmania: Ferry times, booking and prices

Crossing the Cook Strait, New Zealand by ferry: Travel times, booking, prices & other interesting information

Travelling between the North and South Islands of New Zealand means crossing the Cook Strait. The only way to do this with a vehicle is by taking a ferry with either the Interislander or Bluebridge which both arrive and depart from Picton and Wellington.

The Cook Strait crossing (Raukawa Moana in Māori) is the connection between the Tasman Sea on the West, the South Pacific Ocean on the East and the North and South Islands of Aotearoa.

Considered one of New Zealand’s most iconic tourist experiences, and one of the most spectacular ferry crossings in the world, crossing the Cook Strait is a top to-do on many travellers bucket list. As with many stunning vistas though, the Cook Strait is also considered one of the most dangerous and unpredictable pieces of aquatic paradise around. Continue reading Crossing the Cook Strait, New Zealand by ferry: Travel times, booking, prices & other interesting information

What are rental car relocations?

My name is Brian and I am one of the founders of Transfercar. I have written this article series to help people who are thinking of relocating a car, camper van or motorhome for the first time via Transfercar.

What are rental car relocations?

To relocate is to drive a rental car or rental campervan from one branch to another within a short time frame. Because the rental car companies can’t find enough paying customers to drive their cars and campers in the opposite direction of the tourists, they need alternative ways to move them. Traditionally the rental car companies have mainly been using truck and train transport, but after the launch of Transfercar it has become more popular amongst to use ordinary travellers to drive the vehicles.

Relocations are very seasonal in New Zealand and the rental car companies often need to relocate their fleet from south to north before and during the summer season to match the flow of tourists moving the other direction. During winter the situation is opposite with rental car companies relocating cars and camper vans south to meet demand from ski and snowboard enthusiasts.

I have been relocating cars via the Transfercar website several times myself. I wanted to test the service that we at Transfercar are offering our customers but I also find it to be a fantastic way to travel and see the country with a limited budget.

In August 2009 my partner and I relocated a 3-berth, diesel motorhome from Christchurch to Auckland Airport. The motorhome was fully equipped with shower, toilet, kitchen facilities, beddings and covers, towels and a TV with DVD-player. I was given 5 days to relocate the camper van and it included free ferry and free standard insurance.

The next part in the series explains how to find and book a relocation car or relocation camper, and the last article is about the experience from picking up the relocation camper Christchurch, the trip back and dropping the camper off in Auckland.