Bus Travel Packages
There are several bus networks catering to Backpackers, who offer deals on flexible bus tours. Some like Magic Bus operate a fixed itinerary, and others like allow you to buy credit in the form of hours, leaving you flexible to go wherever on the bus network.
Fixed tours allow you to buy a ticket and travel along the bus route, getting off wherever you like. All you need to do then is book a seat on the next bus past your location – either over the phone or on the internet. The buses stop overnight in the main towns, usually outside one of the popular hostels. Theres often stops during the journet for variaous activties – like snorkelling or just relaxing on the beach. Depending on the activity and the company, there may be extra costs involved. Tickets are usually valid for 12 months, expaect to pay ~$1200 (nzd) for the whole of New Zealand. The main advantages are the tour guides, orgainised activity and the fact you will be with fellow travellers – making meeting people easy.
The vibe of these tours varies with the company as well – some people complain of bus loads full of students who are on a drinking tour of NZ – so pick your tour company carefully. Theres some more advice on this at the end of the article.
The Operators:
Magic Bus
Top Whack: $923, doesn’t make it to the far south of the South Island (Invercargill etc), and misses the East of the North Island (East Cape).
See the full list of tours.
Kiwi Experience
Top whack: $1850, pretty much everywhere on both islands, Including places like Cape Reinga, Invercargill and the East Cape. (A tour comparable to magics offering above is $1049)
See the full list of tours.
Stray
Stray claim to get further off the beaten track than the first 2 companies, and offer smaller buses as well.
Top Whack: $1130, Most of both islands, less the east cape and the Bay of Islands / Cape Reinga. Add $105 for the Bay of Islands, $195 for the bay of Islands and Cape Reinga.
See the full list of tours
Flying Kiwi
Flying Kiwi is a bit different – they offer fixed itinerary tours, with many activites built in – such as cycling, tramping and more, along with extra cost options like diving. Accomodation is usually camping – with the option of cabins at many sites.
Top Whack: $1795, Pretty much the whole of the country bar the East coast of the North Island.
See the full list of tours.
Flexi Pass
The Flexi pass allows you to buy hours of credit which are cashed in on buses. This gives you the freedom of the whole national bus network.
Top Whack: $595 for 60 hours, which should be roughly eqivalent to the top whack example of Magic Bus – but remember these are just normal buses and will not provide activities etc.
Learn more about Flexi Pass
