Before you fly
Phones, SIM cards and data in New Zealand
The four ways to get connected here, which suits which traveller, and the coverage gaps to plan around.
5 min read · updated 2026-09
You will want a working phone here — for maps, for weather, for calling an accommodation host or your driver. There are four ways to do it, and the right one depends on whether you need to keep your own number.
Your four options
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Local prepaid SIM or eSIM | Trips of a week or more; cheap data and free local calls | You get a New Zealand number, so tell people before you go |
| Visitor 'travel pack' | People who must call overseas by voice | Costs more than a standard local plan; top-ups are dear |
| Data-only international eSIM | Setting up before you leave home | No calls or texts unless you also roam |
| Roaming on your home SIM | Very short trips, or a locked handset | Usually the most expensive, and local businesses rarely ring an overseas number |
Check before you fly that your handset is not locked to your home network. If it is and cannot be unlocked, roaming is your only option.
Coverage: the part nobody warns you about
Towns and main highways are well covered. The gaps are in the places you have come to see — sections of the Milford road, Arthur's Pass, the Catlins, parts of Fiordland and the deep West Coast. Download offline maps and your booking confirmations before you set out, and do not rely on being reachable mid-journey.
Messaging apps over data or hotel wi-fi cover almost all calls home, so paid international minutes are rarely worth buying. Give us a number you will actually answer on the day and your driver will use it for pickup messages.
Common questions
- Can I buy a SIM at the airport?
- Yes, the main arrival airports have kiosks and vending machines for local prepaid SIMs, and most accommodation and supermarkets sell top-ups.
- Will my driver be able to reach me?
- We contact you on the number and email you give at booking, and we message before pickup. A local number or a messaging app is ideal.
- Is wi-fi widely available?
- Cafés, libraries, holiday parks and most accommodation offer wi-fi, though rural speeds can be modest.
Land, meet your driver, go
We run private airport transfers and intercity trips across both islands with a fixed price quoted before you book — no meters, no surge, and your driver tracks the flight.
Get a transfer price