new zealand tourist bus

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New Zealand's Best Bus Tour Experience

Award-winning guided  Hop-On Hop-Off bus passes and  Small Group Tours  that take you to the heart of New Zealand.

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Up to 20% off Hop-on Hop-off passes

Up to 20% off small group tours, up to 20% off hop-on hop-off passes, up to 20% off small group tours, explore our travel styles.

We've got you covered. Kiwi Experience offers a range of different travel styles to help you experience our New Zealand, your way.

Hop-on hop-off

The og. guided bus passes throughout new zealand., small group tours, guided new zealand tours, ranging from 8-24 days., snow experiences, multi-day, multi-destination ski trips to suit all abilities and budgets., private tours, tailor made tours customised for private groups, schools, colleges, sports teams and more., why choose us, authentic experiences.

We’re passionate about creating unforgettable trips that connect you with the real New Zealand.  Our travel network connects you with the best destinations and secret spots that can’t be Googled.

Creating connections

In an age where we’re stuck behind screens, we use adventure to fuel connection. When you travel with us, you’ll  meet kind, friendly and open-minded people from around the world, who will rock your world.

Our team of  New Zealand experts are dedicated to making your trip convenient and hassle-free by taking care of the details so you can focus on the unrivalled memory making.

Green, not mean

With an award-winning approach to sustainability, we encourage a little dash of self-awareness, and a slightly softer tread when you travel with us. We’re Green, not mean .

Unbeatable value

Allowing for all budgets and appetites; we ensure each passenger gets what they want out of their New Zealand adventure. Across all activity bookings, we offer our customers a  Best Price Guarantee .

Award winning

The original and the best. With 30 years in the New Zealand tourism industry,  we’ve scooped up more awards than you can shake a stick at for our adventure tourism experiences and sustainability initiatives.

Most popular routes

Wondering what’s good? Check out our most popular passes and tours below or view all passes . 

Start Auckland | Finish Christchurch

Start Wellington | Finish Auckland.

The Whole Kit & Caboodle

Start And Finish Anywhere. UNLIMITED TRAVEL

Northern Highlights

Start Auckland | Finish Wellington.

The Grand Kiwi Experience

Start Auckland | Finish Christchurch Accommodation, Selected Activities and Breakfast included.

Southern Crossing

Start and finish in Christchurch. Accommodation, Selected Activities and Breakfast included.

Southern Kiwi

The G.O.A.T.

The Greatest of All Tours! From May 2024. Accommodation, Selected Activities and Breakfast included.

New Zealand highlights

After 30 years on the road, we truly are the experts on all things New Zealand. Let us share and inspire you to experience our New Zealand with you.

Guide to Skiing New Zealand on a budget

Whether you’re a seasoned shredder, a bit of a snow bunny, or a complete punter, hitting the mountain is a perfect choice., adrenaline capital of the world, queenstown delivers all the goods you could ever want from one town., explore new zealand's great walks, we've compiled a list of new zealand’s 9 great walks that will take you through the country's most stunning and breathtaking places, for you to tick off your list while you're travelling throughout new zealand., bungy from the world’s 1st commercial bungy jump, the historic kawarau bridge., solo travel, so you want to explore new zealand but the problem is you’ve got no one to go with no worries, māori culture, experience the real new zealand with tamaki māori village., see what others have to say, hop-on hop-off review.

Amazing Way to Travel

Had the best month travelling New Zealand on the Kiwi bus. The drivers were really helpful and gave great advice when it came to activities and what there is to see at each location. The activities on offer were all really great and even better that we received a discount for being on the Kiwi bus. Its a really sociable way of travelling which really adds to the whole experience and I have made some amazing memories with great people. — Alicia (UK)

Good Fun, Different Experience!

I was really happy that I hadn't had to look up activities up by myself and Kiwi Experience always gave us good discounts. — Jelena (Germany)

Absolutely Amazing

I bought my kiwi tour tentatively as I was nervous about travelling on my own, it turns out it was the best thing I could do. The drivers are informative and fun, you meet people from all over the world and you see one of the most beautiful countries imaginable. — Joey (UK)

Fantastic Experience and Life-Long Friends

This was one the best experiences of my life. You'll meet so many people and make some friends for life... No one has a bad attitude and most are solo travellers. — Ronnie (USA)

Most Amazing Trip of My Life

The whole time in bus were just as fun as when we were visiting those attractions, we were so lucky to have Ben as our driver, we sing, laugh and joke all the time. Overall, I can’t explain it in details but you have to go on a trip with Kiwi Experience to truly understand how extraordinary it is. — Greyson (Singapore)

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We’ve hosted over 500,000 passengers in our 34 years. Check out their stories here.

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Want to learn more about NZ?

Here at New Zealand Coach Tours we believe great service and a great tour experience are the cornerstones of an exceptional holiday. And that's exactly what we focus on. But, we know that value is important to our customers — so as well as offering one of the largest and most comprehensive ranges of coach touring itineraries, we are confident our pricing gives outstanding value. This is why we're prepared to put our money where our mouth is ... If you get a price elsewhere, for the same itinerary, we promise to beat it. It's that simple. Just send us the alternative price quote or tell us where we can find it and we'll do you one better. By booking with us, you're guaranteed the best price, the best service, the best touring experience available, and the best range.

What more could anyone want? Contact us to secure the best price on your tour.

We can even add on self-drive tours if you wish. Many of our guests enjoy a North Island coach tour and then choose to self-drive the quieter South Island. It's a great way to experience everything NZ has to offer and with our sister company, New Zealand Self Drive Tours ( www.newzealandselfdrivetours.co.nz ) we have the expertise to do that too. So give us a call today and we can guide you to the best choice so that your New Zealand holiday will be unforgettable.

New Zealand Coach Tours & Packages

Nationwide bus and rail journeys.

Exploring on a New Zealand Coach Tour is a great option. We have a huge range of very flexible and highly customisable independent tours. These NZ coach tours can be modified in many ways to suit you perfectly and they all depart every single day. So if you want your own, perfectly planned, independent New Zealand coach tour then these are for you. Explore the length of the country from Cape Reinga and Bay of Islands to Hobbiton movie set and Waitomo to Rotorua, Kaikoura, Mt. Cook, Tekapo, Queenstown and the Fiordland National Park. You can even make the most of the many stunning rail journeys we have spread across New Zealand. Try the TranzAlpine Scenic Train from Arthurs pass to Greymouth, the Coastal Pacific Picton to Christchurch or the Northern Explorer Auckland to Wellington. These tours cover it all and much more. Too much to choose from, don't worry, trust the experts and get in touch for a bespoke itinerary built to your budget and specifications.

Middle Earth Discovered

Duration: 8 days Auckland to Christchurch

• Hotel 4 star
• Independent tour (bus & coach)

Embark on a journey of Middle Earth and New Zealand. Visit official sites used in the filming of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies, whilst visiting some of New Zealand's most stunning attractions including glowworm caves, active geysers, dramatic mountains and deep fiords.

• Viewed 816 times in the last 7 days

price pp from

twin share/double

Train, Fiord and Glacier

Duration: 6 days Christchurch to Christchurch

• Hotel 3 star

Spoil yourself with a New Zealand tour to a beautiful fiord, stunning glacier and finish with one of the best scenic rail routes of New Zealand's South Island. This vacation really is fantastic if you want to see some unique highlights in a short time frame. Contact us if you wish to alter this plan - we can design your holiday specifically for your needs!

• Viewed 771 times in the last 7 days

Highlights of the Deep South

Duration: 4 days Christchurch to Christchurch

Enjoy a 4 day adventure which starts and finishes in Christchurch. Staying in 4 star accommodation you can be assured after your days of sight seeing you can come back and relax in luxury! Highlights include: The world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train, The wild West Coast, Visit Franz Josef Glacier, Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, the Gibbston Valley, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Mt Cook National Park.

• Viewed 814 times in the last 7 days

Bay of Islands 3 Day Tour

Duration: 3 days Auckland to Auckland

This 3 day tour includes coach travel from Auckland to Paihia, a cruise to the famous Hole in the Rock, Cape Reinga & Ninety Mile Beach experience and a tour of the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

• Viewed 670 times in the last 7 days

Was NZD$1,005

North Island Waitomo, Rotorua and Napier Experience

Duration: 4 days Auckland to Auckland

This short sharp and super sweet tour of the middle of the North Island showcases our culture and beautiful scenery.

• Viewed 595 times in the last 7 days

6 day South Island Encounter

Duration: 6 days Queenstown to Queenstown

A 6 day introduction to the South Island including Mt Cook National Park, Christchurch, Milford Sound and the West Coast Glaciers.  Highlights are the renowned TranzAlpine Scenic Train journey and the Milford Sound Nature Cruise.

• Viewed 776 times in the last 7 days

Southern Highlights with Milford Sound

Duration: 5 days Christchurch to Christchurch

Enjoy 5 days exploring New Zealand's South Island with this excellent independent touring itinerary. Journey from Christchurch in a loop around the South Island. Cruise through Milford Sound, visit Mt. Cook National Park, explore the West Coast glaciers, and travel on the TranzAlpine scenic train.

• Viewed 1505 times in the last 7 days

Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Weekender

Duration: 2 days Auckland to Auckland

Visit Waitomo Caves, Te Puia, Tamaki Maori Village and Hobbiton Movie Set on this 2 day fun-filled tour.

• Viewed 992 times in the last 7 days

Land of the Rings

Duration: 9 days Auckland to Queenstown

A tour appealing to those Frodo and Gandalf fans, with visits to official sites used in the filming of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

• Viewed 541 times in the last 7 days

10 Day Southern Icons Adventure

Duration: 10 days Christchurch to Christchurch

This 10 day is one of our most popular, taking in the best of the South Island. With a great balance of included activities and free time, plus of course the must see locations you get to experience.

• Viewed 660 times in the last 7 days

West Coast Getaway with TranzAlpine

Duration: 2 days Christchurch to Queenstown

Highlights of this tour include, the TranzAlpine Train, Queenstown and Franz Josef.

• Viewed 1255 times in the last 7 days

4 day Glaciers, Queenstown and Milford Sound Highlights

The South Island of New Zealand is home to some of the world's most breathtaking scenery! This 4 day tour starting and finishing in Christchurch is from the comfort a coach, so you can sit back and take it all in.

• Viewed 639 times in the last 7 days

Was NZD$3,000

Nearly all our guests customise our tour ideas. That's what we do! Our expert team of New Zealand specialists can design a holiday itinerary to suit you perfectly. A tailor made package can be created for you in no time and doesn't cost you any more than one of our 'off the shelf' ideas. So get in touch with the team today to start your plans.

© Copyright 2024 Discover New Zealand | [email protected]

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Fully Guided Tours & Trips in New Zealand

Find the right fully guided tour for you in New Zealand. There are 317 trips to choose from, that range from 3 days in length, up to 28 days. The month with the most departures is January, making it the most popular time to visit New Zealand.

250+ Fully Guided tour packages in New Zealand with 2,637 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

New Zealand: Best of the North Island

Wonderful guide, wonderful group, I loved it!

Highlights of New Zealand

I had an amazing trip! The tour exceeded all my expectations. Absolutely no complaints. Dan, our guide and driver was wonderful. He was knowledgeable and made sure we got the most out of trip. He is perfect for his job, in that he kept us safe and got us everywhere we needed to go in a timely fashion. There was always something of interest for our group to do everyday. The Maori Village was a fantastic experience. Amazing to see Christchurch and their innovativeness since the earthquake. Modes of transportation were perfect, bus, train, and ferry. Accommodation was very good, as well. I definitely recommend this trip. New Zealand is absolutely, stunning beautiful. Thank you Dan for everything. You are one of the most genuinely kind people I’ve ever met.

• Sightseeing

Southern Voyager

This tour with Wild Kiwi went great. We had an awesome Tour Guide (Robbie),a very chill and organized guy, and all things went very smoothly. We did visit the best spots in the south island and had a huge amount of optional activities to choose from. It was a small group, and each person managed to choose their activities and still enjoy our time together in the visit and sightseeing beautiful New Zealand. Would definitely recommend.

New Zealand South Island Express

Callum was a fantastic tour guide he made our trip memorable beside the hickups he had to fix.

Northern Voyager

The tour was great. Loved the places we went to. It was well organised and timed. Very good group atmosphere. I had a blast ! Telli is awesome and you’ll definitely have a good laugh with him

New Zealand's North Island Adventure (Southbound)

loved this tour!!! great value for money and had the best time ever. did it over christmas and what a great way to spend christmas. would recommend to anyone

NZ Adventure South

Great value overall, might recommend only spending one night in Tekapo as there is very little night life (especially during the week). Perhaps one full day/night in Te Anau.

NZ Adventure North

James is great! 100% would recommend!

Premium New Zealand North Island (8 destinations)

Summer did an excellent job guiding us around and telling us all about her home country.

• Coach / Bus

Sun and Steam (6 Days)

It was f******** amazing

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Sweet As South (Westbound, 9 Days)

Great experience for this tour.. would rate this as 5stars.. made new friends along the way

Southern Spectacular (10 Days)

Overall an excellent tour. But it was surprising and disappointing that in some of the hotels, the shower was in the bath.

NEW ZEALAND – 10 Days Highlights of North and South Islands

Himanshu the representative was very Cooperative and answered all our queries. Though the group was maximum to 15 people there were some trips where we were around 50 people in the trip. We had paid for a private trip where maximum size was 15 people and hence that was disappointing. Overall the trip was good.

New Zealand Journey National Geographic Journeys

The trip fulfilled my expectations; a good introduction to New Zealand, including both North and South islands. The trip was very well organised; even an enforced change of itinerary was handled seamlessly.

Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island

• €75 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

What people love about Fully Guided Tours in New Zealand

My group was phenomenal, we all had a blast together. Our guide was very communicative, using WhatsApp and a photo circle to share information, resources and photos. I’m not used to hopping hostels, so that was a bit rough, definitively pack light and try to be organized. I should have done a better job researching temperature as well - as it got much colder than I was expecting. Overall the trip was incredible and I did everything I wanted to do.

The tour guide was exceptional! The accommodations could have been better.

One of the best experiences of my life, made possible by the incredibly talented and charismatic Daisy! This was well organized with all of the logistics taken care of for you while having the freedom to pick what activities interest you most. The group setting was fun and a nice bonding expensive of people from around the world. Some of the hostel stays were great, some were just ok, but all were clean and had the essentials.

Regions in New Zealand

• New Zealand South Island (129)
• New Zealand North Island (86)
• New Zealand Central North Island (38)
• Milford Sound (31)
• New Zealand Bay Of Islands (14)
• Te Araroa Trail (12)
• New Zealand Northland (11)
• Aoraki Mount Cook (10)
• Bay Of Plenty (7)
• Southern Alps (6)
• Marlborough (5)
• Southland New Zealand (5)

Travel Styles

• Fully Guided
• New Zealand Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 2 Week New Zealand Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• Best 3 Week New Zealand Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

See reviews Enquire now

Email: [email protected]

• New Zealand Group Coach & Bus Tours

Experience New Zealand with our exciting selection of hassle free, all-inclusive Group Tours that cover the entire country from North to the South. Our luxury coaches, experienced drivers and a balance between sightseeing, activities and free time, ensure that all you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the journey. Everything is catered for including accommodation, sightseeing activities & the services of your experienced tour guides.

AAT Kings - Contrasts of New Zealand - 2023/2024

AAT Kings NZ Tours

Take in the contrasts of two distinct islands. From Auckland to Rotorua’s geothermal wonderland, across to the rugged beauty and the untouched serenity of Milford Sound, another snapshot of New Zealand’s natural splendour reveals itself around every corner.

AAT Kings - New Zealand Vista - 2023/2024

A two week New Zealand comprehensive tour visiting the major city centre’s and experiencing those iconic kiwi classics like cruising Milford Sound, seeing the Waitomo Glow-Worms Caves, Maori cultural show and hangi, TranzAlpine train between Arthur's Pass and Christchurch and much much more.

AAT Kings - Southern Spotlight - 2023/2024

Enjoy a relaxing 9 day escorted tour around the South Islands hot spots. Explore the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train, cruise down wonderful Milford Sound, experience a high country farm and see the West Coast Glaciers with plenty of time in between to experience many great optional tours and activities on the way.

Journey through a Southern Land

First Light Travel

Experience the many New Zealand highlights during this splendid 31day journey covering the North, South and Stewart Island. You’ll experience an amazing diversity in scenery, landscape and geography. This tour includes a great range of activities such as wildlife tours to view seals, albatross, penguins, dolphins and bird life plus must see destinations such as Milford Sound.  

G Adventures - Highlights of Australia & New Zealand

G Adventures - Small Group Tours

Australia and New Zealand are waiting to be discovered on this in-depth 29-day tour. Follow an Indigenous guide through the Daintree Rainforest, Spend the day boating around the scenic Whitsundays, Hike and stay overnight in the Blue Mountains, Cruise around the fjords of Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park, Soak in the scenery of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, Hang with the Maori in a traditional village.

23 Day New Zealand Discovery Tour

Experience many of the must see and do highlights on our spectacular 23 day New Zealand journey while enjoying many multi-day stopovers. Enjoy an Island and dolphin cruise, visit the beautiful Hawkes Bay and visit their top vineyards, experience a Maori Cultural evening, be thrilled on the Queenstown’s Shotover Jet Boat, cruise and walk beautiful Abel Tasman National Park and explore Franz Josef Glacier. These are only a few of the many unforgettable experiences waiting for you on this independent coach tour. 

The National Geographic Iconic Australia & New Zealand

Embark on a 23-day odyssey, immersing in New Zealand and Australia's cultural and natural wonders. Begin with Maori traditions in Rotorua, then cruise fjords and conquer Queenstown's thrills. Fly to Melbourne for culinary delights, delve into Sydney's Opera House, and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Conclude in Queensland, connecting with Indigenous heritage.

G Adventure - Iconic Australia & New Zealand

Discover the lands down under on this 23-day tour through Australia and New Zealand's greatest hits. 

AAT Kings - Highlights of Australia & New Zealand - 2023/2024

A perfect mix of modern cities and vast ancient landscapes characterizes this epic journey across two southern countries. The Milford Sound and  The Great Barrier Reef complement a world of ancient Aboriginal tradition in Australia’s Red Centre and vivid Māori culture in Rotorua. From tropical Cairns to the towering mountain peaks of the land of The Long White Cloud, you’ll be amazed at every turn.

AAT Kings - Highlights of Australia & New Zealand - 2024/2025

Want the best coach tour with the best price guaranteed, pricing terms.

The price is based on current exchange rates but is only an approximation. Please contact us for a final price

New Zealand Uncovered

Premium New Zealand Coach Tours

Created for travellers in their mid-thirties and upwards, on this New Zealand tour you will discover New Zealand’s unmissable highlights in just under three weeks: geothermal wonders, other-wordly glaciers, sublime beaches, lush forests, lofty mountains, secluded swimming spots, UNESCO World Heritage Areas, flora, fauna, heritage and culture.

This 20 day New Zealand Tour includes special activities such as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, boat cruise on Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve, a fully guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, a traditional Māori meal, a tour of Zealandia Nature Reserve in Wellington and a walk amidst towering – and magically lit – treetops. You can also choose to select some tour add-ons such as hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, kayaking to a natural hot pool, climbing a glacier, visiting an off-shore eco-sanctuary, or flying over snow-capped mountains!

You’ll have the chance to swim, kayak, hike a glacier, skydive, see kiwis, relax in hot pools, roll down a hill in a giant ball, eat and drink like a local, and more! This is your trip, and it’s designed to be flexible. The choice is yours – pick the activities that appeal to you.

We'll fill your days with the best things to see and do in the North Island and the South Island and also give you a great insight into New Zealand life and culture. At the end of the day, you can relax in comfortable 3–4 star accommodation to ensure you have a great night’s sleep ready for the following day’s activities.

On this tour you’ll encounter an array of landscapes: lush, green rolling hills; beautiful golden sand beaches, tumbling waterfalls, geothermal valleys filled with bubbling mud and sulphuric lakes, magnificent mountains, icy glaciers, jurassic rainforests, cosy laid-back surf towns and vibrant cities. Prepare your camera and get ready to make some magical memories!

As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch are the hubs where the group may change).

Tour highlights

Explore rare bird species at zealandia.

Zealandia is a groundbreaking conservation project and the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary. It has successfully reintroduced over 20 species of native wildlife into this area, some of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years.

Discover Hobbiton

Discover one of NZ’s most iconic experiences - Hobbiton Movie Set. On a fully guided tour of the 12- acre Middle-earth set you will see Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and even enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn!

An Unmissable Māori Cultural Experience and Hāngi

You’ll visit a living Māori village within a geothermal area for an evening of performances featuring the breathtaking haka.

Tour itinerary

Kia ora! Welcome to your best ever vacation! Settle into your accommodation, meet your guide and new tour friends and get a tour briefing.

Auckland to Coromandel

As we drive to the picture-perfect Coromandel, you’ll get a great introduction to New Zealand’s famed natural beauty. You can explore by kayak or enjoy a hot pool soak.

Coromandel to Raglan

We head west to relaxed Raglan where beginners and experienced surfers can sample the surf breaks before we enjoy a meal of fish & chips on a sunset harbour cruise.

Raglan to Rotorua (via Waitomo and Matamata)

Explore the fascinating Waitomo Caves – world famous for its millions of glowworm inhabitants. We’ll take an evening stroll through a magically lit forest.

Opt to hike a volcanic crater, brave white water rapids or explore Rotorua. Tonight we visit a Māori village for an unforgettable cultural performance and hangi meal.

Rotorua to Taupō

Today’s your chance to skydiving! We’ll leave the sulphur smells behind as we head south, visiting bubbling mud pools. We’ll stop at Taupō, a giant lake, where we’ll spend the next 2 nights.

Spend today relaxing around the lake, try adrenaline pumping activities or you have the option to hike the Tongariro Crossing – considered one of the world’s top 10 best one-day walks.

Taupō to Wellington

We’ll leave the lake and mountains through landscapes familiar to Lord of the Rings fans and head south towards vibrant Wellington where craft beer lovers will be very happy.

Explore Wellington’s picturesque waterfront and, visit a nature reserve and wildlife sanctuary. You can also choose to visit Te Papa Museum, spend some time with Weta Workshop’s imaginative artisans o

Wellington to Kaikōura

We travel to the South Island via one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world and we’ll toast our arrival in Marlborough by sampling some world-class wines – Cheers!

Kaikōura to Christchurch

Dolphins! Seals! Whales! They all like to play around Kaikōura’s waters. There are many ways to have a marine wildlife encounter: swim, kayak or keep your camera dry and fly!

Christchurch to Ohau (via Lake Tekapo)

We’ll visit some Christchurch city highlights before heading inland for panoramic views of Lake Tekapo. Tonight we stay on the outskirts of an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Ohau to Queenstown

Soak up the dramatic Southern Alps scenery as we make our way to Queenstown. We’ll pause at Kawarau Gorge – the world home of bungy – will you take the leap?

This is your chance to cross off some NZ must-do items: 4-wheel driving through Lord of the Rings film locations or visit iconically beautiful Milford Sound.

Queenstown to Wanaka

More bucket list activities in the morning, set off to Queenstown’s slightly quieter little sister, Wanaka, in the afternoon.

Breathe in the alpine air, admire the surrounding beauty and take a boat cruise on Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve before a group dinner, which is included.

Wanaka to Franz Josef

Today’s drive is packed with mountains, lakes, and rainforests before we arrive into the World Heritage area famous for its glaciers. A rainforest retreat is our home for the next two nights.

Franz Josef

There are so many ways to discover Franz Josef: skydive, heli-hike, take an ice climb or kayak glacial lakes. Today you’ll also carve your own pounamu (jade) pendant.

Franz Josef to Christchurch

Enjoy our last spectacular road trip that will end at the start of one the world’s top rail journeys: the TranzAlpine Express will take us through Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch.

Christchurch

You’ve seen and experienced so much of New Zealand! Share highlights, photos, email addresses and memories with your new friends over breakfast before parting ways.

What’s included?

What's included on every Haka Plus tour:

• Passionate and knowledgeable local Kiwi guide
• Comfortable and air-conditioned bus transport
• Orientation tour of each and every location
• Small groups of maximum 16 people
• Experiences to teach you about our unique Māori culture
• Stay each night in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation: a mix of hotels, motels, lodges, and rainforest retreats.

What's also included on this tour:

• 19 nights in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation: a mix of hotels, lodges and rainforest retreats.
• Feast on daily hearty breakfasts and 4 dinners, including a traditional Māori hāngī cooked in an underground oven.
• Walk a stunning coastal track to Cathedral Cove (as seen in the Chronicles of Narnia movies).
• A fully guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set.
• Ride one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world, over the Cook Strait.
• Take in the stunning Southern Alps and the vast Canterbury Plains aboard the TranzAlpine, New Zealand’s finest inland rail journey.
• Watch a Māori cultural performance and check out a geothermal valley of bubbling mud pools including the famous Pōhutu Geyser in Rotorua.
• See endangered kiwi birds up close and personal.
• Soak up a sunset boat cruise in the West Coast surf town of Raglan – the fish and chips are on us!
• Brave the Redwoods Treewalk, crossing 23 raised suspension bridges.
• Hike through the forested gorge of Ruakuri (45 minutes) – bring your camera for this one.
• Discover rare animal species tour of Zealandia Nature Reserve in Wellington.
• Taste some of the world’s best sauvignon blanc at a Marlborough wine tasting.
• Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve.
• Carve your own pounamu (jade) pendant in Franz Josef.
• Plus, many more surprise stops along the way!

ENHANCE YOUR TRIP WITH ADD-ON ACTIVITIES AND UPGRADES

Your tour includes all the essentials but you can add extra wow-factor to your tour by adding on the activities and accommodation upgrades that suit you best.

Optional activities you can add to this trip at checkout:

Shotover Canyon Swing

Aj hackett nevis activities, cathedral cove kayaking, dolphin encounter, doubtful sound wilderness cruise, forest ziplining canopy tour, glacier country kayaking, glacier heli hike, grand traverse scenic flight, happy hour on the lake, heli experience with snow landing, kaikoura ziplining, kapiti island eco experience, kawarau bridge bungy, lake taupo sailing, lord of the rings 4wd tour, milford sound nature cruise, mt tarawera crater hike, oxbow adventures, shotover jet boat, skyline gondola, te papa museum tour, the tongariro alpine crossing, the tongariro crossing, time tripper - underwater experience, waitomo glowworm cave tour, walter peak gourmet dinner & boat cruise, wanaka & hawea bike trails (e-bike option available), water touch bungy, weta workshop cave tour, whale watching, whale watching flight, white water rafting, wildlife kayaking.

Optional accommodation upgrades and add-ons for this trip:

Private Room Upgrade

Adventure or haka plus.

Discover which is best for your ->

GUEST REVIEWS

Available dates.

Only $99 to secure your seat unless you book within 60 days of departure. Once your spot is booked, you can log in and customise your tour with any extra experiences or activities up to 60 days before departure.

FAQ - New Zealand Uncovered

Similar tours, enchanting northland.

Travel north of Auckland to the winterless Northland. Discover highlights & hidden gems, and relax in beautiful coastal towns that are rich in Māori history & natural wonders.

Northern Trail

An unrushed exploration of the North Island’s top attractions including the Coromandel, Tongariro National Park, Rotorua & Wellington.

Southern Pioneer

Take in significant Southern highlights & must-do activities: mountains, lakes, glaciers, pristine rainforest & the world famous TranzAlpine rail journey.

LIFE ON THE PLUS SIDE

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New Zealand Bus & Coach Tours

Check out New Zealand's best selling tours below or get a Tailor-Made itinerary just for you

South Island Tours

Bay of Islands 3 Day Tour

5 day Dunedin, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Mt. Cook

New Zealand Vista

2 day Christchurch to Queenstown Journey including TranzAlpine Train

Middle Earth Discovered

10 Day Southern Icons Adventure

10 Day Southern National Parks

Middle Earth and Southern Explorer

Thousands of visitors to New Zealand choose to take a Thrifty Tour each year. Why? Because Thrifty Tours offer the flexibility of starting your itinerary on any date, choosing to stay in accommodation that suits your tastes and budget and enjoy activities that you are most interested in. And of course you relax in the knowledge that a team of New Zealand based experts have created and booked your NZ experience and also provide superb in-country support.

Dedicated to designing fantastic Self Drive, Fly-drive and Coach Touring holidays across Australia

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland

2. Hobbiton & Waitomo Small Group Tour - EX Auckland

3. Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown

4. Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri

5. Pilot's Choice - 2 Glaciers with Snow Landing - 35mins

6. Wine on Waiheke PREMIUM WINE full days scenic and wine tasting

7. Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau

8. Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua

9. Half Day in Middle Earth - Lord of the Rings Tour

10. Full-Day Milford Sound Extraordinaire Tour from Te Anau

11. Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour

12. Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau

13. Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise and Lunch from Te Anau

14. Waitomo Caves & Rotorua Small Group Tour including Te Puia from Auckland

15. TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip

16. Milford Sound Cruise from Queenstown or Te Anau

17. Milford Sound Coach and Cruise from Queenstown with Buffet Lunch

18. Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland

19. Mt Cook Small Group Day Tour via Lake Tekapo From Christchurch

20. Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch

21. Premium Milford Sound Tour Including Cruise, Flight and Lunch

22. 2-Hour City Tour in Auckland

23. Wellington's Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour including Lunch

24. Half Day Tour of Wellington

25. Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

26. Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour from Auckland

27. The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour

28. Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland

29. Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch

30. Tauranga Shore Excursion: Rotorua Highlights

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The 10 Best Coach Tours in New Zealand 🚌 [2024]

NZ Pocket Guide is 10 years old. Thank you for trusting us with your trip for over a decade!

Which national new zealand coach tour should you choose.

Want to see as much of New Zealand as possible without the hassle of driving? With the best connection to get around the country by road, taking a New Zealand coach tour is an action-packed good value-for-money way to see the best of New Zealand! However, with so many coach tours in New Zealand to choose from it can be pretty overwhelming to make a choice! We’ll compare all the top New Zealand coach tours right here in this guide.

There are coach tours suited to young backpackers, families, adventure-seekers and the older crowd. We compare as wide a range of New Zealand coach tours as possible to help you find the right coach tour for you.

If you want to learn more about how the coaches work in New Zealand, take a look at our guide to the Bus Networks in New Zealand . Plus, don’t forget to bookmark Travel by Bus in New Zealand: The Ultimate Guide for even more tips.

5 Things to Compare Between the New Zealand Coach Tours

We believe that there is no best coach company, as we are all looking for different travel experiences. However, it’s almost impossible to not have a blast on every single one of these coach tours. To help you make the best decision for yourself, here are a few tips!

1. Compare the Type of Coach Tour

Are you a fully independent traveller that wants a cheap way to travel ? Choose a coach network. Do you want some flexibility to leave the tour to make the most of an extended trip in New Zealand or a working holiday ? Choose a hop-on hop-off bus. Or do you want an experience with the least organising to do as possible and just want to make the most of your limited time in New Zealand? Choose an all-inclusive coach tour!

2. Compare the Activities and Accommodation

You’ll get the best value for money if the tour includes activities that you want to do or at least gives you the option. If accommodation is important to you, then compare accommodation, as some will be in tents, hostels, 3-star hotels, 4-star hotels, cabins or something else. Is there a chance to upgrade to a private room if you want to and at what price?

3. Compare What the Passengers are Like

Taking a New Zealand coach tour is a social experience and you’re bound to meet some amazing people! People often make (or break) the experience. Some coach tours are catered to 18-35-year-olds, while others are more suitable for the 50+, others cater to families and mature couples… Take a look at the comparison below where we compare coach passengers as much as possible.

4. Compare the Destinations Visited

Does the coach company visit the New Zealand locations on your bucket list? Remember, even if they don’t stay the night in every destination around New Zealand, it’s likely that they will pass through giving you enough time to at least quickly visit the place. All the destinations in the comparison below are where the coaches stay overnight.

5. Compare Prices

Budgeting is an important part of the holiday process! With all the inclusions taken into consideration, is the price worth it? A trick we like to do is to divide the price by the number of minimum travel days on a bus pass the result will give you a better idea of how much you are paying for the bus pass and its inclusions per day.

Before we begin, make sure that you understand the different types of coach tours in New Zealand by checking out our guide, What is the Difference Between the Buses in New Zealand?

This all-inclusive coach tour caters to a wide range of travellers, from family holidaymakers to retired couples from all over the world. There’s a good mix of activities included in AAT Kings national New Zealand coach tour, as well as giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy some free time along the set national route. Because AAT Kings also appeals to the older crowd, we also list them in The 5 Best New Zealand Tours for Seniors .

Inclusions with AAT Kings

In this all-inclusive coach tour, accommodation is provided in a wide range of hotel brands, such as ibis and Copthorne. 20 breakfasts, one lunch and eight dinners are included in the 21-day national tour, as an example. Airport transfers are available. Selected paid activities are included such as an overnight Milford Sound overnight cruise, a Maori cultural experience with Te Pa Tu (formerly Tamaki Maori Village), Waitangi Treaty Grounds and short walks to free attractions. There are options to add activities to your itinerary at an added cost. The North Island-South Island ferry is also included.

Typical Passengers on AAT Kings

AAT Kings has a diverse range of passengers from North America, the UK, Europe and Asia. You’ll find a mix of families with young children (minimum 5 years old), as well as older couples and solo travellers typically around the 40-60 age range. Group sizes tend to be 20-50 passengers per coach.

Destinations Visited with AAT Kings

There are multiple passes to suit travellers’ different travel times. AAT Kings’ full national coach tour has a travel time of 21 days taking you to the following locations:

• Christchurch
• Invercargill
• Franz Josef
• Bay of Islands

For more tours from Christchurch, check out  The 5 Best New Zealand Tours Starting from Christchurch .

Typical AAT Kings Tours Prices

A full national tour with AAT Kings is around NZ$9,800 if staying in a twin/double room, but the pass is very often on sale. Note that staying in a private single room adds around NZ$3,000 to the prices stated. Child prices are also available, usually around NZ$1,000 cheaper than the adult price. You can compare AAT Kings tours on TourRadar to get the best deal.

Contiki is an all-inclusive New Zealand coach tour for travellers aged 18-35 following a set route around the country. At least one meal a day is included, as well as accommodation and some activities. For more information on how Contiki works, see Contiki Vs. G Adventures: Comparison for New Zealand .

Inclusions on Contiki

Accommodation is included in Contiki coach tours in the form of hotels and lodges. You may share a room with 1-4 other passengers or upgrade to get a private room. Some activities are included in your bus pass, such as a Hobbiton Movie Set Tour , a Maori hangi meal and more. For other paid activities you can either add them to your tour when booking your pass or book with the driver as you travel. Food is also included in Contiki tours, usually breakfast and occasionally lunch or dinner.

Typical Passengers on Contiki

Contiki tours are aimed at 18-35-year-olds with the majority of passengers usually being 18-25 years old. There is usually a ratio of more females to males. There can be a mix of nationalities, however, most passengers are from the Americas and Australia. Group sizes are usually a full large coach in the peak season and about half a large coach in the shoulder seasons. For more tours for younger travellers, check out   The 10 Best Backpacker Bus Tours in New Zealand .

Destinations Visited with Contiki

There are multiple passes to suit travellers’ different travel times. Contiki’s full national bus pass has a minimum travel time of 21 days hitting the following locations:

Typical Contiki Tour Prices

A full national pass with Contiki is around NZ$5,000 but the pass is very often on sale. You can usually pick up a national pass for around NZ$4,200.

Kiwi Experience

The hop-on hop-off bus company, Kiwi Experience , follows a set route in one direction around the country. Passengers have the opportunity to “hop off” the bus anywhere along the route and “hop on” another bus at a prearranged time and date. Certain passes allow “unlimited travel” meaning you can do the route multiple times while your pass is valid (usually 12 months from your start date) as long as you travel in order and when there is availability. For a complete review of Kiwi Experience’s hop-on hop-off bus tour, head to What is it Really Like to Travel with Kiwi Experience?

Kiwi Experience also operates a number of all-inclusive coach tours called “ Small Group Tours “. They follow a set route around the country in a predetermined number of days. Accommodations and some meals are included (mostly breakfast). Some activities are included in the pass with options to add on paid activities.

Inclusions with Kiwi Experience

Paid activities are on an optional pay-as-you-go scheme where the bus driver will book activities and accommodation (mainly hostels) for you as you travel, but note that accommodation is not included in the price of the bus pass. However, you can choose to arrange your own activities and accommodation as you wish. There are opportunities to do free activities as you go, as your driver will stop at free walks and attractions along the route. Discover more about what it’s like to travel with Kiwi Experience in  A Day in the Life of a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Passenger .

On Kiwi Experience’s Small Group Tours, accommodation is included in hostels, usually on a shared basis but there are opportunities to upgrade to a private room at an extra cost. Activities included are a guided tour of Te Puia geothermal park, a stargazing tour with Dark Sky Project , the Waitomo Glowworm Caves , wine tasting in Marlborough , a return shuttle to Roy’s Peak , greenstone carving and more. The tour also stops for plenty of free walks and hikes. Most breakfasts are also included, as well as a couple of dinners.

Typical Passengers on Kiwi Experience

Kiwi Experience boasts a coach tour experience for 20-something adventurous backpackers. 18-25-year-old passengers from the UK and Europe are often the majority with a larger ratio of females to males. Nevertheless, you will still find a diverse range of people outside of the “typical” age range and nationality. Expect group sizes to fill two large coaches in the peak season and almost fill one large coach in the low season.

On the Small Group tours, the maximum group size is 16. While the age limit is between 18 and 49 years old, the tours attract those in their early 20s to early 30s.

For more tours appealing to 18 to 30-somethings, check out   The 10 Best Backpacker Bus Tours in New Zealand .

Destinations Visited with Kiwi Experience

There are multiple passes to suit travellers’ different travel times. Kiwi Experience’s full national bus pass has a minimum travel time of 27 days hitting the following locations:

• Bay of Islands & Cape Reinga
• Ruahine Ranges (River Valley)
• Kaiteriteri ( Abel Tasman )
• Lake Mahinapua ( Hokitika )
• Lake Tekapo

Typical Kiwi Experience Tour Prices

The full price for a national pass is around NZ$1,800 but you will never pay the full retail price for a Kiwi Experience bus pass. Sales on bus passes happen year-round, usually bringing you around NZ$1,500 for a full national bus pass. Small Group Tours cost approximately NZ$3,900 for their most complete tour.

For budget tips for hop-on hop-off bus travel, check out  How to Budget for a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Trip Around New Zealand .

InterCity is a coach network used by locals and travellers alike in New Zealand mostly for an affordable way to get between towns and cities across the country. InterCity offers a couple of different bus passes to travellers: the FlexiPass and the TravelPass . FlexiPass gives travellers a set amount of hours to travel anywhere in the country, while the TravelPass is a set route around the country typical of other coach tours in New Zealand. Find out more about how they work in What’s the Difference Between InterCity Backpacker Bus Passes?

Inclusions with InterCity

Travelling with InterCity is a much more independent travel option in comparison to other coach tours, so accommodation and activities are not typically included in your coach ticket. However, some TravelPass bus passes have activities included, such as a Milford Sound day trip and cruise, Hobbiton Movie Set and a Bay of Islands cruise. The ferry between the North Island and the South Island, as well as the TranzAlpine train journey, is also included in the national TravelPass. You will need to book other activities and accommodations and buy food independently.

Typical Passengers on InterCity

InterCity has the broadest range of passengers out of all the New Zealand coach tours on this list due to the fact that it is the largest (and only) national coach network in New Zealand. There will be a mix of travellers from all over the world and New Zealanders.

Destinations Visited with InterCity

With InterCity, you can travel almost anywhere in New Zealand with more than 140 daily departures . With the FlexiPass, you decide the destinations. With the TravelPass, you choose one of the set routes on offer. It’s best to browse the InterCity website to see the vastness of their network.

Typical InterCity Prices

A full national TravelPass with activities included is NZ$550, while a 60-hour FlexiPass costs around NZ$520 (which will get you to around 13 destinations from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island and back again).

Travelmarvel

Travelmarvel ‘s national tour packs plenty of fun yet easy-going activities in a 15-day national tour, perfect for those aged 50+ years old. Passengers get to enjoy all the major highlights that most travellers have on their New Zealand bucket list. Plus, the price is not too hard on the wallet.

Inclusions with Travelmarvel

In this all-inclusive coach tour, accommodation is provided in the form of hotels with brands such as Rydges and Copthorne. 14 breakfasts, one lunch and seven dinners are included in the 15-day national tour. Airport transfers are available on your first and last day of the tour, as is the North Island-South Island ferry. There is a great deal of paid activities included in the price of the tour, such as a Milford Sound cruise, a Maori hangi feast and show in Rotorua and a ride on the TranzAlpine train. There are options to add activities to your itinerary at an added cost.

Typical Passengers on Travelmarvel

Travelmarvel passengers are typically 55+ years old, travelling either solo, as couples or as a couple of friends. Group sizes tend to be 20-48 passengers per coach. Again, more tours for mature crowds can be found in The 5 Best New Zealand Tours for Seniors (Over 40s, 50s & 60s) .

Destinations Visited with Travelmarvel

There are multiple passes to suit travellers’ different travel times. Travelmarvels full national coach tour has a travel time of 15 days taking you to the following locations:

Typical Travelmarvel Tour Prices

A full national tour with Travelmarvel is around NZ$6,900 if staying in a twin/double room, but the pass is very often on sale. You can usually pick up a national pass for around NZ$6,500. Note that staying in a private single room adds around NZ$2,000 to the prices stated.

Flying Kiwi

Flying Kiwi  is an all-inclusive hop-on-hop-off bus tour , mainly travelled as a set coach tour taking one set route around the country. Food (mainly breakfast and dinner) is included as well as camping accommodation. However, there is the option to hop off the bus anywhere along the route and then hop on another bus at an arranged time and date. For more information on how Flying Kiwi works, see this guide to Flying Kiwi .

Inclusions with Flying Kiwi

Paid activities are on an optional pay-as-you-go scheme where the coach driver will book activities and transport you to those activities. There are a few paid activities included in the tour, such as Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park , Queenstown Gondola and Marlborough wine tasting. There are always free options such as hikes and stopping at free attractions along the way. Hiring a bike is a popular option with Flying Kiwi, where the team will have your hired bike on board and stop at plenty of bike trails along the way. Accommodation and food are already arranged, with the accommodation being in two-man tents, with upgrades available in some campsites.

Typical Passengers on Flying Kiwi

Although Flying Kiwi claims to have passengers of 16-60 years old, they mostly have passengers aged between 20 years old to 40 years old with an average being the mid-20s. The trips are popular with UK and European travellers, however, you will still find the odd mix of travellers from the Americas. Group sizes are around 10-20 people per coach.

Destinations Visited with Flying Kiwi

There are multiple passes to suit travellers’ different travel times. Flying Kiwi’s full national bus pass has a minimum travel time of 23 days hitting the following locations:

• Kapiti Coast
• Geraldine (Rangitata)
• Milford Sound
• Fox Glacier
• New Plymouth

For more tours from Auckland, check out   The 5 Best New Zealand Tours Starting from Auckland .

Typical Flying Kiwi Tour Prices

The full price for a national pass with Flying Kiwi is approximately NZ$5,500.

For a 17-day experience touring New Zealand, Trafalgar offers a national coach tour for those who have a little less time in the country. Their tours are open to everyone, from families to seniors, and hit the main destinations across New Zealand. Tours include accommodation in hotels and resorts, all breakfasts, one lunch, most dinners and some paid activities.

Inclusions with Trafalgar

There are paid and free activities included in Trafalgar’s tour, many of which are optional and can be booked as you go. There are a few paid activities included, such as city tours of Auckland , Wellington , Dunedin and Christchurch , the TranzAlpine train through Arthur’s Pass, Te Puia geothermal and cultural centre in Rotorua, a Milford Sound cruise and much more. There are some free attractions along the way. Accommodations and most meals are already arranged, with accommodations being in three to five-star hotels. Other inclusions are airport transfers, a driver guide, free WiFi on the coach and VIP entry into some attractions.

Typical Passengers on Trafalgar

While Trafalgar is open to all types of travellers, including families with children, the most typical passengers are seniors. Travellers are from Australia, the US, Canada and Europe. There is a maximum of 50 passengers per coach.

Destinations Visited with Trafalgar

There are several tours with Trafalgar to suit a range of travel times and preferred islands. Tours only operate in summer and range from three to 17 days long. Destinations on the full national tour include:

Typical Trafalgar Tour Prices

The full price for a complete national tour with Trafalgar is around NZ$9,000 but is easily found on sale for around NZ$8,200. Note that upgrading to private rooms in accommodations adds an additional NZ$2,000 to the tour price.

Topdeck offers an all-inclusive coach tour for 18-39-year-olds following a set route around the country. Breakfasts and some dinners are included, as well as accommodation in shared hotel rooms, lodges and more. Some activities are included but there are plenty of opportunities to add your own optional paid activity to cater your itinerary to you. The ferry between the North Island and South Island is also included.

Inclusions with Topdeck

Accommodation is included in Topdeck coach tours in the form of hotels, lodges, cabins, hostels and a Maori marae. You may share a room with 1-4 other passengers or upgrade to get a private room. Some activities are included in your bus pass, such as a wine tasting, Maori cultural performance and more. Other optional paid activities are booked with the driver as you travel. Food is also included in Topdeck tours; all breakfasts and a couple of dinners if you are taking the full national pass.

Typical Passengers on Topdeck

Topdeck tours are aimed at 18-39-year-olds with the majority of passengers usually 18-25 years old. There is usually an even ratio of males and females. There can be a mix of nationalities, however, most passengers are from the Americas and Australia. Group sizes are usually a full large coach (36 people) in the peak season and about half a large coach in the shoulder seasons.

Destinations Visited with Topdeck

There are a limited number of passes with Topdeck: a North Island tour, a South Island tour and a national tour. Topdeck’s full national bus pass has a minimum travel time of 17 days hitting the following locations:

Typical Topdeck Tour Prices

A full national pass with Topdeck is around NZ$3,800, but the pass is very often on sale. You can usually pick up a national pass for around NZ$3,000.

Kirra Tours

This all-inclusive coach tour does all the planning and activity choices for you so you can relax and enjoy the holiday. Kirra Tours takes passengers to the main highlights of New Zealand with a jam-packed itinerary and high-quality meals and accommodation. This is a real “treat yourself” tour.

Inclusions with Kirra Tours

On their all-inclusive coach tours, accommodation is provided in the form of 3.5-4-star hotel and lodge accommodation. 15 breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners are included in the 16-day national tour. Airport transfers are available at the beginning and end of the tour. Paid activities are included, including (but not limited to) a Maori cultural experience and hangi, a rainforest tour, the Pacific Coast train, an Abel Tasman cruise, a Doubtful Sound cruise, entry to Larnach Castle and short walks to free attractions. There are options to add activities to your itinerary at an added cost. Other transport options included are the North Island-South Island ferry.

Typical Passengers on Kirra Tours

Kirra Tours passengers are typically 50+ years old, travelling either solo, as couples or as a couple of friends. Group sizes tend to be 10-24 passengers per coach. For more tours for mature travellers, check out The 5 Best New Zealand Tours for Seniors (Over 40s, 50s & 60s) .

Destinations Visited with Kirra Tours

There are multiple passes to suit travellers’ different travel times. Kirra Tours’ full national New Zealand coach tour has a travel time of 16 days taking you to the following locations:

• Lake Aniwhenua
• Abel Tasman

Typical Kirra Tours Prices

A full national tour with Kirra Tours is around NZ$8,300 if staying in a twin/double room. Note that staying in a private single room adds around NZ$1,700 to the prices stated.

Grand Pacific Tours

With an impressive number of activity inclusions, 3.5-star accommodations and included meals, Grand Pacific Tours provides a great value-for-money national coach tour for older solo travellers, couples or groups of friends. Everything is organised for you in this all-inclusive coach tour, so just enjoy! The tours can be compared to The 5 Best New Zealand Tours for Seniors (Over 40s, 50s & 60s) .

Inclusions with Grand Pacific Tours

In their all-inclusive coach tours, accommodation is provided in the form of 3.5-star hotels and lodges. 18 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 16 dinners are included in the 19-day national tour. Airport transfers are available at the beginning and end of the tour. Paid activities are included, including (but certainly not limited to) the Lake District Museum , Skyline Rotorua & Luge , Agrodome , Milford Sound cruise, the Christchurch Tram , Larnach Castle high tea, Bay of Islands cruise, short walks to free attractions and much more.

There are options to add activities to your itinerary at an added cost. Other transport options included are the North Island-South Island ferry and the TranzAlpine railway journey. If travelling from Australia, there is also the option for Grand Pacific Tours to organise your flight and add it to your tour price.

Typical Passengers on Grand Pacific Tours

Grand Pacific Tours passengers are typically 50+ years old, travelling either solo, as couples or as a couple of friends. Group sizes tend to be 10-48 passengers per coach. Nationalities range from New Zealander and Australian to British, European and North American. Note that they also have tours especially catered to solo travellers.

Destinations Visited with Grand Pacific Tours

There are multiple passes to suit travellers’ different travel times. Grand Pacific Tours’ full national coach tour has a travel time of 19 days taking you to the following locations:

Note that many of their tours depart from Christchurch on the South Island, along with  The 5 Best New Zealand Tours Starting from Christchurch .

Typical Grand Pacific Tour Prices

A full national tour with Grand Pacific Tours is around NZ$10,100 if staying in a twin/double room. Note that staying in a private single room adds around NZ$2,000 to the prices stated.

[SUSPENDED] Skip Bus

Skip Bus have yet to announce its reopening dates post the COVID pandemic. We will update this page once their trips become available again. 

If your main focus is budget, then your best bet for coach travel around the North Island is Skip Bus. Covering the most popular cities, Skip Bus is a low-cost service that brands itself as Cheaper, Faster, Funner. Skip Bus is cheaper because they stick to the basics and only take direct bookings, they are faster because they cut on pit stops and go from point A to point B as efficiently as possible and they are Funner because their drivers are super friendly and the crowd onboard is often jovial.

Skip Bus is a low-cost experience, meaning that to keep prices as low as possible they only offer the basics. However they have decent free WiFi onboard which let’s be honest, can be a lifesaver on a long journey. The Skip Bus luggage policy allows you to bring a 20kg (44lbs) bag with you as well as your regular daypack/handbag up to 5kg (11lbs).

Typical Passengers

Skip Bus has quite a wide range of passengers on board. You will find Savvy backpackers that found out about this new company on our site, but also locals that are used to do the same route and are keen to save along the way. Overall it is quite a nice atmosphere onboard without being too social or an all-out party bus.

Destinations Visited

Skip Bus covers most of the North Island’s popular destinations. The main stops are:

But that’s not all, the bus stops at an extra 10 stops along the way from several pick-up points in Auckland to Te Puke the kiwi fruit capital of New Zealand and pit stops in Taupo, Turangi, Taihape, etc.

Typical Prices

Prices are per ticket with Skip. Expect its longest route (Auckland to Wellington) to be under NZ$30 and most prices to be around NZ$20 for other destinations which makes it the cheapest bus company to go from A to B on this list.

More About Coach Tours in New Zealand

That’s it for the best coach tours in New Zealand. For alternative coach tours, perhaps for a shorter duration, take a look at the following comparisons:

• The 10 Best 5-Day Tours of New Zealand
• The 10 Best 7-Day Tours of New Zealand
• The 10 Best 10-12-Day Tours of New Zealand
• The Best 20+ Days (3-4 Weeks) Tours of New Zealand

Finally, don’t miss a thing about planning the perfect New Zealand coach trip by checking out our Travel by Bus in New Zealand: The Ultimate Guide .

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

• Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
• Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
• Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
• Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
• Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
• DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
• Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
• AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])

Our editorial standards : At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

This article has been reviewed and approved by Robin, who is the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. With more than 15 years of experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Robin has co-founded three influential tourism businesses and five additional travel guides for South Pacific nations. He is an expert in New Zealand travel and has tested over 600 activities and 300+ accommodations across the country.

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Kate Abroad

How to travel New Zealand by bus 2024: Guide

Wondering if it’s possible to get around New Zealand by bus? This guide has everything you need to know to travel the country by buses.

Travelling New Zealand by bus is easy, convenient and cheap ! I’ve taken the bus around the country a fair few times when I was a broke university student trying to travel as much as possible and later on between destinations without flights. Here is my guide to getting around New Zealand by bus.

If you’re planning your New Zealand trip and aren’t sure whether bus travel is the way to go then scroll down for my pros and cons list.

If you’re interested in reading more about other transport options, check out my  New Zealand by train  guide.

Note – I have paid for all my InterCity trips myself and all opinions are my own. Nothing in this post is an affiliate link, it’s all just here to help you to understand the New Zealand bus travel options.

The intercity bus network in New Zealand

InterCity is currently the only company running a national bus service in New Zealand. There are regional bus networks that are good for getting to smaller places within an area and off the main trunk bus lines. 

New Zealand used to have more national buses, there was Naked Bus, Mana Bus and Skip Bus. The first two have shut down permanently, Skip Bus might be restarting so watch this space .

WARNING: If you Google Naked Bus, there’s a spammy website, which looks to be a tourist scam. Naked Bus does not still operate.

Where can you get by bus in New Zealand?

You can get nearly anywhere in New Zealand by bus, but you may have to combine an Intercity bus and a regional bus. Intercity does have a comprehensive network that covers most of the country. The availability on the North Island is a bit better than on the South Island, mostly because there is more demand and fewer mountains in the way.

This is the route map:

The main trunk line in the North Island is the Auckland to Wellington route stopping in Hamilton, Taupo and Palmerston North. Given this connects the two biggest cities these buses are usually the busiest. It’s rare for a service to sell out but you’ll want to show up early if you want a front seat.

On the South Island, the West Coast route is more touristy while the Christchurch – Dunedin route is the main local transporter.

Booking New Zealand bus tickets

You can buy bus tickets at the InterCity website. You do need to buy online in advance as you can’t just show up with cash on the day. Tickets are released a year in advance and can be bought up to the day of departure.

You can buy tickets in person at the information centres in bigger towns ( list here ) which sometimes but not always are the same place the bus stops. I would not recommend trying to book a same-day bus.

There are standard and flex fares available. I usually just go with standard as you can still get a credit or change your trip, there just might be a small charge.

How much does it cost to get around New Zealand by bus?

Prices vary by route (shorter + cheaper) and time of booking (further in advance = cheaper), and travel time (weekdays are cheaper). Below are the current prices at the time of writing.

Backpacker and student discounts are available, booking fees also apply.

Should I buy a New Zealand bus pass?

As well as standard one way and return there are TravelPass and FlexiPass options. These are for holidays rather than local transport.

Getting value from a pass requires a fair bit of planning so you should know where you want to visit on your New Zealand bus trip before you decide to buy.

Flexi Pass vs Travel Pass

TravelPass is a ticket for a set route and you can take stop off at as many places as you want along that route over as many days as you want.

The TravelPass routes are mostly in the South Island, and some include a trip on the TranzAlpine train which is really cool but adds to the cost.

This suits travellers who want to see a particular region/island and are travelling at least 2+ days in that area (the minimum days on the smallest TravelPass).

The FlexiPass is more similar to a rail pass in that you pay for a set amount of time, in this case, a number of hours of bus travel.

This is a good option if you are planning to travel the whole country with a reasonable number of stops as it’s great value for money but the minimum hours is 10.

What to expect when travelling New Zealand by bus

Bus departures.

Every InterCity bus stop I’ve been to has been in the centre of whatever town I’m in so it’s super convenient. The InterCity will often stop at a bus depot (if the town has one) so you can connect to local buses.

That said, many bus stops don’t have an indoor waiting area so just be aware of that if the weather is bad.

Buses tend to run on time/very close to time. The exception is where you’re getting on partway through a bigger route and the weather is bad. InterCity now has a bus tracker on the website to help you know when that’s happened. 

I recommend showing up 15-30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

The bus drivers can be pretty pedantic about timing so they like to have every booked passenger ticked off before departure time, but they also never leave early and usually won’t let you on board until they are just about to depart so if you’re super early you’ll probably just end up standing around outside at a bus stop for ages.

Breaks and eating on New Zealand bus trips

Longer trips (I think it’s over 3 hours) will have a planned stop. Depending on the length of the trip this could be a 15-minute stretch/bathroom break or it could be the drivers’ scheduled 30+ minute lunch break (lunch breaks are on trips over 5 hours I believe.

If there is a long break you’ll be able to see it in the route description when you buy your ticket.

The bus will usually stop in the central part of a town near public toilets and some cafes. Be prepared to deal with occasionally gross public toilets or pay for a drink at a cafe/Mcdonald’s so you can use their toilet.

There have been a few trips where the break is in the middle of nowhere so you end up at some overpriced truck stop with no other options. So, bring your own snacks!

On that note, you can eat and drink on the bus, but hot food is not allowed. You can usually bring on hot drinks but it’s at the driver’s discretion so be subtle about it.

Luggage on New Zealand buses

InterCity tickets allow you to bring one ‘carry-on’ and one ‘checked’ bag. The checked bag goes in the baggage part underneath the bus and the carry-on stays with you. 

Your carry-on needs to be small (as in handbag size, not a wheelie airline carry-on) because otherwise, the driver will try to put it underneath the bus and get grumpy at you for having two bags.

Most buses have an overhead area you can put your carry-on bag but it’s not very big and some buses don’t have it at all.

Wifi on buses in New Zealand

Technically InterCity buses have wifi but in my experience, it’s pretty terrible so if you desperately need internet on your trip you’re better off buying a local SIM.

Only Gold Class seats have charging ports (USB A only).

Types of buses around New Zealand

InterCity buses some in standard, double-decker and sleeper varieties. The sleeper varieties are available on long-haul trips (ie Auckland to Wellington) departing at night.

These buses have a bunk/camp stretcher type setup that has the enormous benefit of letting you lie flat. You can see below what these look like.

Some InterCity buses have the Gold Class offering which includes free wifi, bigger leather seats and USB charging ports.

The Gold seats are also usually at the front so a good option if you get carsick. Gold is not usually much more (I’ve paid only $5 extra in the past) so it’s worth it. You can see which buses have Gold Class here .

Pros of travelling New Zealand by bus

• It’s usually much cheaper than flying. 
• There are routes covering the whole country with way more destinations than you can get to by plane or train.
• Bus stops are central so you don’t have the hassle of getting to/from an airport.

Cons of travelling New Zealand by bus

• It can be the slowest way of getting from a to b (but not always when you consider airport waiting times and getting to/from an airport)
• Sometimes the bus is full and you have to sit next to a gross stranger with no shoes on (that was a one-off, I think!).

Local tips for bus travel in New Zealand

• Pay for the gold class. It’s usually only $5 and it’s worth it for the extra space, front seats and (sometimes) USB chargers. There’s no option to upgrade on the day so you need to select and pay for gold when you make your booking.
• Book as far in advance as possible – The earlier you book the cheaper is the general rule. InterCity occasionally does $1 fares, they’re almost impossible to get but if you book way in advance, you might be in luck.
• Join the email list – sometimes they give you loyalty discounts.
• Take snacks – the food selection at the stops is often terrible so just grab some snacks from the supermarket before you head off. Avoid hot food, sometimes the drivers get grumpy about smells.
• Don’t go too far at the stops – I’ve never seen a driver check numbers getting back on the bus so you could easily be left behind.

I hope this guide helps you with planning any New Zealand bus trips or deciding if this is the transport you want to use.

Happy travelling!

New Zealand Travel Resources

• Find the best prices on hotels with flexible cancellation at Booking.com
• Pre-book your tickets to attractions on Get Your Guide
• Find awesome day tours on Viator
• Compare prices on cars and campervans at RentalCars.com
• Sort your New Zealand dollars with a Wise currency card

Kate is the founder of Kate Abroad. She has travelled to nearly 40 countries from Austria to Vanuatu, and lived in 3. She's on a mission to empower other Gen Zs and Millenials travel affordably by sharing helpful travel guides, stories and tips to over 200,000 readers.

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