Independent New Zealand Coach Touring With Thrifty Tours
Travelling via New Zealand's excellent network of coach services, our independent holidays offer the peace of mind and freedom to simply enjoy your holiday that comes with being on well-planned, pre-booked tour.
Forget the limitations of traditional guided coach tour holidays. This is a very different type of experience where you travel independently using scheduled coach services. No group travel. Daily departures. The option to choose one of our fabulous set itineraries or have a itinerary specially prepared to suit your needs... We have a tour to delight any traveller!
How Do You Get Around NZ on One of Our Tours?
You'll travel on coaches from: Great Sights, Newmans and Intercity who all offer driver commentary that will help you get the most out of your travel from destination to destination.
You could travel on trains from: KiwiRail Scenic Journeys (offering the TranzAlpine & Northern Explorer scenic trains), Taieri Gorge Railway and a multitude of scenic rail experiences.
You could enjoy ferry and boat trips from: The Interislander along with small local sightseeing tours, as and when these are included in your chosen itinerary.
These services depart every day, meaning you can:
- Plan your holiday to start on any day of the year
- Choose or change any part of tour itineraries on this site to create your dream holiday itinerary.
- Enjoy more day to day independence, as you will not be travelling with a set group of people or with a tour leader – hence, 'independent coach tours'.
Where Will I Stay on My Thrifty Tours Holiday?
We offer a full range of accommodation types, from basic motel style, to hotels with full facilities. With many different tours covering both the North and South Islands, Thrifty Tours offers something for everyone.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
We offer an extensive selection of hotel accommodation ranging from clean, comfortable, value-for-money 3 star options right through to exclusive, special-treat 5 star options.
All hotels have ensuite bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities and in room TV access. Hotels are generally centrally located, offer facilities such as restaurants and gyms, and have staff available to assist you 24 hours a day. Most hotels have in room internet access but at some properties this may only be available in public areas. (In general the internet is NOT free in New Zealand hotels.)
Hotels are less likely to have kitchen facilities for your use. If you would like to cook your own meals, we highly recommend you choose a tour experience including motel accommodation.
Note: If you would like 5 star accommodation this is possible in some, but not all towns in our itineraries, but please do ask and we can give you a tailored quote using the best properties available in each overnight location.
MOTEL ACCOMMODATION
Motels offer a reliable clean place to sleep and are your best choice, if you are looking for self catering accommodation. But they do not necessarily have the facilities or central location you would expect from a hotel.
Motels have tea and coffee facilities in your room and other cooking facility from microwave to full kitchen depending on the location. Motels are generally owner operated smaller properties than hotels. Motel prices are based on studio units but if there are more than 3 of you please ask for a price. In the larger cities you may be upgraded to a hotel so that you are in a more central location than offered by a motel.
What Else Might My Thrifty Tour Experience Include?
PRE & POST TOUR PACKAGES
ADDED EXTRAS
- We encourage you to try out our local eateries so have not included meals unless specified. If you would like to arrange meals with your tour we will be happy to help.
- All tours start at the beginning of a transport service at the coach or train. However if you need help getting there we can arrange this.
- Every tour can be tailor-made to suit your requirements. Just ask at the time of booking.
- Multi-lingual headset commentaries are available in Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish on Bay of Islands, Rotorua Citysights, Mt Cook, Milford Sound, Waitomo Caves and Waitomo and Rotorua day tours, plus Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton tours. Please request at time of booking.
Please contact us with any questions you might have about your touring experience.