On tour with like-minded backpackers
Being relatively long and skinny, the New Zealand coast is never far away, driving is easy and public transport efficient and extensive.
But if time's not on your side, then a semi-organised bus tour could be the best way to see the country. If you wish to travel with other travelers, then Kiwi Experience, Stray and Magic Travellers Network are for you and all operate tours of the North and South Islands. You can jump on and off as you like and phone ahead to book your seat on the next bus whenever you are ready to leave.
All tour operators organise optional activities and accommodation.
If you are a bit more intrepid and want to travel New Zealand with real kiwis, then check out InterCity's Coachlines TravelPass and FlexiPass products.
A lot of what you'll want to see and experience in New Zealand is off the main road and out of reach of public transport. If there are things that you specifically want to experience such Maori culture, wildlife or bush-walking then your only legitimate choices are self-drive or backpacker buses.
The benefit of a backpacker bus is guidance - while still enabling you to be flexible. Look at the routes and choose the company that best suits your requirements.
Kiwi Experience
Kiwi Experience is New Zealand's legendary hop-on, hop-off bus adventure offering the trip of a lifetime to independent travelers and backpackers from around the world!
Just how much culture, adventure, socialising, and scenery you take in is entirely up to you. When travelling or backpacking New Zealand with Kiwi Experience you'll get to see it exactly the way you want to, with extensive routes, awesome activities, fantastic value and discounts to boot.
Kiwi Experience has world-famous driver guides who are passionate and knowledgeable about New Zealand, and 100 per cent committed to making every traveller's trip as unforgettable as our great country.
Don't take our word for it, check out our awesome website and see what our passengers have to say about seeing New Zealand the Kiwi Experience way!
www.kiwiexperience.com
www.twitter.com/KiwiExperience
Stray
Stray hop-on hop-off bus network gets adventurous travellers (you) more access to things that you want. We link outstanding attractions on and off the beaten track. We guarantee frequent departures and make the passes totally flexible so that you can 'get-on' and 'get-off' anywhere that you want along the way for up to twelve months.
We employ characters to be your local guides and attract on-to-it travellers who want to down to earth experiences. We reserve budget beds in amazing locations and literally go out of our way to show you the real New Zealand!
InterCity Coachlines
InterCity Coachlines is New Zealand's largest and only national coach passenger network visiting over 700 towns and communities everyday. With its well-organised and extenstive network of routes you are sure to find low fares, nationwide everyday.
InterCity offers two backpacker passes - FlexiPass and TravelPass taking you from the popular Cape Reinga and sandboarding to the alpine scenery of Mount Cook and beyond and gives you the flexibility to hop-on and hop-off when you like. Or if you prefer, you can purchase individual sector fares to get you throughout the country. Make sure you keep an eye on their cheap non-refundable fares...making it even cheaper for backpackers to travel around our beautiful country, see some fantastic scenery and plenty of stops along the way for photos and refreshments.
Travelpass
TRAVELPASS offers a range of 20 "hop-on and hop-off" fixed itinerary passes, based on the most popular touring routes throughout New Zealand. Utilising the combined networks of InterCity and premier GreatSights, TRAVELPASS options include coach, ferry and activity options including cruise options in Milford Sounds and the Bay of Islands, all in the one pass. TRAVELPASS gives you the freedom to explore New Zealand like a local.
Flexi-Pass
Flexi-Pass gives you total freedom to explore New Zealand with an hours based pass that can be topped up just like a pre paid phone card. With freedom to explore the national network of InterCity Coachlines and premier GreatSights you can set your own itinerary and travel and stay, when and where you want. Lock in discounts on every seat, every service, nationwide, everyday. The more hours you buy, the cheaper each trip becomes and you can even use Flexi-Pass on the Interislander ferry and GreatSights tours and cruises in the Bay of Islands.
Don't worry about managing travel days or sectors, with Flexi-Pass a discounted hour is a discounted hour. Travel 2 hours today, none the next and 7 the day after. You don't have to try and pack everything into a confined time period, Flexi-Pass(r) lets you travel when you want to with no penalties.