Long gone are the days when whirlwind touring in cramped uncomfortable coaches were the only option, herding you like sheep from one tourist trap to another. There has been a much needed shift in the way tours are now designed and operated - ‘Flexibility and Customer Service’ is the new mantra and today more than ever, a New Zealand Coach Touring holiday makes an attractive proposition. But not all tours are created equally, understanding the differences is key to choosing the tour that best suits you. For an insight into New Zealand Coach Touring - please read on...
Over the last decade or so New Zealand coach tours have improved beyond recognition, they seem to have finally come of age. The industry faced fierce competition from others in the sector and to survive, touring companies have evolved to stay relevant in a very competitive industry. They have listened to customers and now ‘Flexibility and Service’ is the new mantra – the result is a higher standard of service and guest experience, this now seems to be the new norm with many operators moving into the luxury end of the market.
Today coach touring is all about the customer experience and those charged with designing these tours have worked hard to achieve the right balance between guided time and free time, combined with insider experiences and the must-see sights. Itineraries are now carefully designed to minimize traveling time and hotel changes, this has been achieved by increasing stays to two nights at each location meaning less packing and unpacking and more opportunity for serendipitous interaction with locals.
Long gone are the days operators purely focused on ‘Bums on Seats’, peddling tours often low on quality and equally low on price. Sure they still exist today but have been rightly relegated to the realm of the backpacker. Today exploring New Zealand by coach is an appealing option; both relaxing and comfortable they offer a real value option.
Touring Types
There are essentially three main types or styles of coach touring available in New Zealand. These are New Zealand Escorted Tours and New Zealand Small Group Tours with the third being Independent Coach Tours.
These kinds of tours are very popular and for many good reasons. You simply jump on board, hand over responsibilities along with your suitcases, settle down and that’s it - relax you are on holiday! You now have the luxury of someone else getting to do all of the organizing, driving and ensuring everything goes to plan. This type of 'turnkey convenience' can be a refreshing way to enjoy a holiday. Escorted tours are usually conducted by a tour director as well as a driver who take care of all services from beginning to the end of your tour. These ‘Tour Packages’ include transportation, hotels, flights, transfers to the airport/hotel, most meals, tour admissions, and sightseeing. With usually larger numbers of guests (up to 45) prices can be significantly reduced representing good value for money.
Take a look at our selection of top New Zealand Escorted Tours
This type of touring is fundamentally the same as New Zealand Escorted Tours, but with much smaller vehicles and usually, the maximum number of guests is only between 12 and 20 passengers, hence these tours are generally more expensive. Small group tours also tend to head a little more off the beaten path or may be designed for those with specific interests such as walking or cycling. Because of the smaller numbers quite often the tour can be accommodated at smaller boutique properties. These more intimate tours also have specific departure dates and set itineraries on all New Zealand coach tours.
Take a look at our selection of top New Zealand Small Group Luxury Tours
If you want the flexibility of travelling independently throughout New Zealand, but you are not up for a self-drive tour or a pre-determined coach tour - here is the perfect solution. Independent New Zealand coach touring give the flexibly of a self-drive tour, the only difference is you are not behind the wheel. All the stress of driving is taken away and you can still go where you want and when you want. Offering more flexible than a pre-determined coach tour because you decide where you want to go and how long for - move independently, not as part of a group.
Independent tours use a combination of coaches, trains, and ferries. A well-planned itinerary is personally customised for you with pre-booked accommodation, meals, and activities, this way you can be confident you will see everything you want to without the hassle of driving or the inconveniences of moving with a big group.
This is what you can look forward to:
This is what a typical independent tour would include:
First Light Travel's Independent Coach tours are perfect for travellers who value flexibility and independence without the hassle of planning and booking everything. Our Travel Specialists have your back every step of the way so that you can focus on the adventures ahead of you.
Take a look at our selection of top New Zealand Independent Coach Tours
Whatever you call them, these guys are a crucial part of any touring experience and make the difference between what is a good tour and what is a great tour. The good ones (and there are many) never cease to amaze, usually these folks have made a lifestyle choice to follow their passion to become a guide, they always seem overqualified and ooze life experience. For us, a great touring company is the one that puts time, effort and support into their guides – and it shows. Guides are a breed unto themselves, a passionate lot and guests can benefit immensely from their in-depth local knowledge, humorous anecdotes and highlighting lesser known places or areas on tour that might be otherwise missed. They bring a place to life and help gain a real understanding of a place, its people, history and culture - You can leave your
Firstly, coach travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation available and modern vehicles are usually pretty comfortable, modern, spacious and air conditioned. The ones we use are of an executive standard, this means that they will often have toilet facilities, drinks available (on our small group tours we make wine available for our picnic stops) and some form of entertainment on-board. Seat comfort is now a science and coachs are often fitted with ‘High Tec’ ergonomically designed seats that offer more leg-room than on a train or plane – let's not forget a dedicated crew looking after you and with a professional driver behind the wheel you will now be able to see the
The New Zealand Small Group 22 Day Kakapo Tour. With an average of 16 guests, this 22-day leisurely, 4 star journey incorporates a great mix of places to see and things to do in both the North and South Island. This is our signature tour and we also have options for 7, 10, 14 and 18 days - certainly worthwhile taking a look.
11 or 13 Day Small Group South Island World Heritage Hiking Tour. Perfectly designed for those wanting to have an easygoing walking experience in New Zealand’s great outdoors. We developed this 4 star luxury tour 2 years ago with outdoors hiking guru Andrew Wells and have been departing with full trips ever since - Get in Quick!
16 Day New Zealand Escorted Highlights Tour Representing great value for money this 4 Star Escorted Tour takes you throughout New Zealand in Style and comfort - Queenstown, Milford Sound, Fox Glacier, Christchurch, Rotorua, Auckland, Bay of Islands, Lakes. Mountains. Ocean. Wildlife. Trains. Boats. Maori culture and history. It’s one with the lot!
Updated on the 12th of March 2019 by Brent
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The price is based on current exchange rates but is only an approximation. Please contact us for a final price
