Car or Bicycle: What’s the Best Way to Travel Around Niue?
Niue doesn’t present many options for getting around; see our 5 Types of Transport in Niue to get an idea. Aside from airport transfers through your accommodation or hoping you’ll meet some friendly fellow travellers who will give you a lift, your only options for seeing the stunning natural attractions around the island of Niue are renting a car or renting a bicycle or electric bike. But which one is better? Should you rent a car or a bicycle in Niue? We go through the pros and cons of both.
Why Rent a Car or Rent a Bicycle?
Niue’s attractions are spread throughout the island’s 64 km (40 mi) circular road, which would be a shame to miss because you don’t have your own transport. With that, you’ll probably want to hire either a bicycle or a car. In short…
Rent a Car if…
… You want to see as much of Niue as possible as quickly and conveniently as possible, including most of its sea tracks, swimming spots and try tours located around the island. And/or you might want to rent a car if you’re staying outside of Alofi and want to be able to make your way to town for the restaurants and tours departing there.
Rent a Bicycle or E-Bike if…
… You can’t drive or don’t want to drive, are on a tight budget and want to explore Niue in a more environmentally-conscious and fun way. Needless to say, cycling is better if you have the fitness for it, however, e-bikes make the journey a lot easier.
(c) niuepocketguide.comRenting a Car in Niue: The Pros and Cons
For a small island, Niue has plenty of choices when it comes to car rental. Not only does the island have around seven car rental companies, but some of the accommodations also offer the option for guests to rent a car.
Car rental is affordable, costing around NZ$50-$125 per day, while driving distances are short meaning that you won’t need to refuel too often – a good job as fuel at the island’s one gas station is more than NZ$3.50 per litre at the time of writing! Learn more about the expenses associated with renting a car in our guide, How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Niue.
Car rental is utterly convenient in Niue too, with most car rental companies offering pick-up/drop-off at the airport or at any accommodation. Accommodations offering car rental will have it ready for you right on your doorstep.
The one minor inconvenience of renting a car is having to get a Niue Driver’s License, which costs around NZ$22.50. Although you can drive on your overseas driving license when you first arrive in Niue, you are required to purchase a local driver’s license from the Police Station during its opening hours.
Information on all of the above can be read in detail in What You Need to Hire a Car in Niue.
The Pros of Renting a Car in Niue
- Travel where you want when you want
- The fastest and easiest way to get around Niue
- Affordable rental hire rates
- Free delivery to the airport or your accommodation
- Niue is small so you don’t have to fuel up too often.
The Cons of Renting a Car in Niue
- Fuel is expensive
- Not eco-friendly
- It is more expensive than hiring a bicycle.
© NiuePocketGuide.comRenting a Bicycle or E-Bike in Niue: The Pros and Cons
The alternative to renting a car in Niue is renting either a bicycle or an e-bike. The obvious benefit of riding on two wheels is that there are no fuel costs involved, while daily rates are also a little cheaper (around NZ$20 for bikes and NZ$50 for e-bikes), making this a much more appealing option for the budget-conscious. Learn more about where to rent bikes, as well as associated costs in Cycle Niue: Where to Rent Bikes in Niue.
Most of Niue is very flat with very little traffic, so cycling is easy for most; made even easier with the peddle assistance of electric bikes. However, the tropical heat and longer travel distances to some of Niue’s attractions can make some cycling days more of a mission – see The Cycling Times & Distances in Niue; which some may see as a fun adventure while others may find arduous work.
Information on all of the above can be found in The Guide to Cycling & Mountain Biking in Niue.
The Pros of Renting a Bicycle in Niue
- It is cheaper than renting a car
- It’s a way of getting around if you can’t drive
- Much less environmentally impactful
- A fun and adventurous way of getting around
- Take much more in as you travel at a more natural pace.
The Cons of Renting a Bicycle in Niue
- Slower to get around
- More energy spent to ride
- Some travel distances are long to cycle
- It can be scary if dogs chase you – see 10 Essential Tips for Cycling in Niue
- You are exposed to the elements; rain, sun, etc.
More About Renting a Car Vs. Renting a Bike in Niue
That’s it for our comparison of renting a car vs. renting a bicycle. If you’re still undecided, check out more guides about getting around Niue.
Finally, compare all of your transport options in our guide, Niue Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get Around Niue.
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