About Independent Coach Touring in NZ

An independent coach tour makes use of the national coach network whilst still providing door-to-door service. They allow you to take in the views without having to worry about driving. We build the itineraries around your wishes, allowing you to spend as much or as little time in the locations you want to visit. Independent coach tours fit around your flights and any other commitments you might have while you are in New Zealand.

A major point of difference between these and escorted coach tours is that you do not travel with the same group of individuals for the duration of your tour, nor do you have a tour leader who stays with you.

By contacting our vastly experienced team by phone, email or chat to talk about your plans and interests they'll create a coach travel and holiday itinerary that is perfect for your needs. They'll know your coach travel options every step along your dream route as well as some you probably won't have dreamed of or come across in your own research.

Contact our team to find out more about independent coach tours and whether they are the right choice for you on your New Zealand Vacation. 

Touring New Zealand by coach is a great way to see New Zealand's beauty. You get to relax and experience the best the country has to offer while leaving the job of planning, organising and driving to experienced travel operators and agents. 

There are three main types or styles of coach touring available in New Zealand.  These are independent touring, escorted touring and small group touring.

At Thrifty Tours New Zealand, we offer Independent Touring, which gives you the greatest flexibility to plan your New Zealand Tour around what you want to do. Independent Tours depart daily, and you and choose where you go and when you go.

If you prefer to travel on an escorted or small group tours, we also offer these through our sister site New Zealand Coach Tours.

Unsure which type of tour is right for you? Contact our team to discuss your travel plans and they can set you on the right path.

The coaches used for our Independent coach tours are operated by Great Sights, Intercity, Real Journeys and other top-quality operators.

The coaches comply with the most stringent safety tests. Great Sights and Real Journeys coaches are purposely designed for tours, offering great seating, air conditioning, panoramic windows and commentary. Some coaches have free wi-fi onboard. Intercity coaches are used on some shorter routes and these offer air conditioning and very comfortable seating.

Independent coach tours departure times vary from location to location. Ask one of our consultants to give you a daily breakdown for the tour you are interested in by contacting them here. You can't beat first hand advice from a Travel Specialist on the ground, right here in New Zealand!

The coaches used on independent tours may have toilets on some of the routes. However, the coaches on all tours will usually stop on average every 2 hours for comfort stops.

 Independent tour coaches can hold around 48 passengers maximum if full.

If you are looking to include a scenic train journey in your New Zealand Itinerary, you're in luck. All Thrifty Tours can include one or more of these wonderful journeys. If you are on a South Island tour, you can travel on the Tranz Alpine Train between Christchurch and Greymouth or the Coastal Pacific between Picton and Christchurch. In the North Island you can include the Northern Explorer.