New Zealand Travel Passes

The Tranz Scenic Rail Pass offers unlimited travel on Tranz Scenic trains for a week. An adult ticket costs $309 while a child ticket costs $205. The pass includes one Interislander ferry passage between the North and South islands.

Telephone – 0800/872 467. Tranzscenic Pass.

InterCity offer a 12 month Flexi-Pass that lets you buy bus travel by the hour. So, when you need more hours to keep travelling, just top-up your pass like a pre-paid mobile phone.  This can be done on the company’s website or by calling their free phone number. The pass also enables you to visit many attractions on a variety of day tours including Bay of Islands, Milford Sound, Rotorua, Waitomo and Mount Cook. The pass covers your travel costs not any attraction entrance costs!

For planning purposes, it will usually take 45 hours ($454) to cover either one of the main islands and probably 60 or more hours ($585) for a full tour. An added bonus is that if you have hours left you can sell on your pass with no penalties.

Telephone – 0800 222 146 (freephone). Flexipass Intercity.

Intercity also offers travellers a number of tour packages that allow you to take in some sites in a one day return trip, a travel route that takes you throughout either island or full national packages that all you to visit the both of both Islands at your own pace. All national passes include the Interislander ferry that travels between Wellington and Picton.

With over 120 services nationwide to more than 600 towns, cities and communities you’ve plenty of choice. The passes are valid for 12 months, and allow you to hop and hop off when and where you like.

Telephone – 0800 339 966. Travelpass Intercity.

The backpacker tour buses sees lower prices in exchange for travelling on older buses which can lead to a more lively time on the bus with fellow backpackers.