Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, is a vibrant and exciting place to explore with your children. From the waterfront to the hills, there’s plenty of options that your family will enjoy. However, getting around the city with children can be challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with the transportation options available. In this article, we’ll explore the best ways to get around Wellington with children, so you can make the most of your family holiday and enjoy all that the city has to offer.
Wellington’s compact city centre makes it incredibly easy to get around – on foot or on a bike, by public transport, ride share or private car. Choose to follow your nose or book a guided tour from a local company to see Wellington’s hidden local gems.
Walking in Wellington
One of the best ways to explore Wellington is on foot. The central city is only two kilometres in diameter, meaning you can walk from one side to the other in under 30 minutes.
Public Transport
Wellington’s excellent public transport system is well used by locals. Metlink has an easy to use journey planner to help you get anywhere within the Wellington region using buses, trains or ferries. Remember to pick up a Snapper card from the Wellington isite Visitor Information Centre, it’s the cheaper and faster way to pay. Ride the Wellington Cable Car from downtown Wellington up to the leafy, village-like suburb of Kelburn. At the top, you’ll find some of the best views of Wellington along with the award-winning Cable Car Museum, and the Wellington Botanic Garden.
Cycling
Since Wellington is so compact, getting around on a bike is also a great way to see the city. Hire bikes from Fergs Kayaks on the waterfront, My Ride Wellington on Vivian Street, or Switched On Bikes who offer electric bike hire and guided tours. Park your bike at one of the many bike racks around the central city.
Tour Companies
Whether you like nature, film, coffee, or cute animals, Wellington has got you covered. Tour companies in Wellington are experts at showing you the city from a local’s perspective. Plus they’ll share their knowledge and stories with you along the way. Zozo Travel, Capital Personalised Tours, and Kaewa Tours are just some of the many local businesses operating small, personalised group tours across the region.
Taxis, Shuttles, and Ride Sharing
There are plenty of taxi companies in Wellington to get you where you need to go. You’ll also find that the drivers at Wellington Combined Taxis can be hired out by the hour, to show you around the city. Shuttles are available through the city, such as Super Shuttle. Uber and Zoomy are popular ride sharing services in Wellington, and you’ll also be glad to note that Wellington Airport is a ride sharing friendly airport.
Mevo
Whether you’re a local, visiting Wellington, or simply new to the city, Mevo has you covered for all your vehicles needs. Mevo is Australasia’s first and only free-floating, climate positive car-share – which means Mevos’s hybrid electric vehicles are available to you on-demand, for all of your needs.
Cityhop
Cityhop allows you to rent cars and vans across Wellington for as little as an hour or as long as you like. Whether you’re zipping across town, road-tripping on the weekend, or moving house, there’s a vehicle to suit every need. Create an account online for free to access the Cityhop fleet. Daily and hourly hire rates include fuel and insurance.
Wellington is a fantastic city to explore with your children, and with the right transportation, it’s easy to get around and see all the sights. Whether you prefer walking, biking, or taking public transport, there are plenty of options to choose from. With a bit of planning and preparation, you can make sure that your family holiday in Wellington is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable for everyone.
Find out more about visiting Wellington with children in our free guide.
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