New Zealand Passes

Kiwi Experience is developed for travellers by travellers, so forget the boring, old tourist routes. Passes include extensive travel network throughout New Zealand. You are free to hop and off the bus along the way while having the unforgettable, adrenaline packed, exciting experiences on the planet. There's almost too much to choose from. We're talking whale-watching, surf beaches, boiling mud lakes and plenty of bungy madness... in other words, the experience of a lifetime. Like the sound of it? See our NZ trips below...

The Bus Passes

All of passes are valid for 12 months, so you have the freedom to explore on a gap year in New Zealand at your leisure. Travelling with Kiwi Experience is an excellent way to meet like-minded travellers. Adventure seeking travellers are generally in their 20s and 30s. But it’s generally about your attitude and not your age. Awesome drivers make the difference between a regular tour and a true experience. They are passionate about their country and will give full commentary along the way. They will give you lot of advice, reserve beds for you at hostels and make regular supermarket shops and the lead the way for those keen to party!

What’s Included in the Programme

Bus pass valid for 12 months between set routes
Excursions and extras as detailed in itinerary of chosen package
24 hour emergency assistance
Detailed pre-departure information and guidance
Extensive tour information provided by bus staff

Why book with roundtheworldflights.com?

Our bus pass rates are cheaper than those available locally and you can pre-pay at a guaranteed price so there are no nasty exchange rate surprises on your card. We will also knock 10% of our great RTW Travel insurance and buying your bus pass in advance enables you to budget more easily when you are travelling…and you never know, it is the perfect leaving present and just the sort of thing that a relative might buy for you..…

Full Monty from NZ$2091	Whole Kit & Caboodle from NZ$1233	Funky Chicken from NZ$1085

Rangi from NZ$832	Dog Leg from NZ$649	Gumboot from NZ$979

Kea from NZ$586	Top Dog from NZ$924	Zephyr from NZ$681

Kitchen Sink from NZ$1532	Sheep Dog from NZ$586	Joint Mullets from NZ$1205

Circular Routes

The Full Monty

Minimum Travel Time: 33 days
Start: Anywhere Finish: Where you started

Looping all the way around both islands, this is the biggest and best Kiwi Experience pass going. New Zealand is absolutely packed with jaw-dropping natural wonders and adventurous activities. With this bus pass, you won't miss out on a single thing, from island-hopping in the far north, to Rangitukia (one of the most easterly points on Earth), to penguin-, sea lion- and dolphin-spotting in the far south.

The Whole Kit & Caboodle

Minimum Travel Time: 27 days
Start: Anywhere Finish: Where you started

This is another full-on pass, that takes you in two big circles around the North and South Islands so you can make the most of your time in New Zealand. The number 62 it ain't. The views from the bus windows will include awesome mountain peaks, lush forests, deserted yellow beaches, boiling mud lakes, glittering glaciers and the twinkling lights of Queenstown set amongst the Southern Alps...

The Funky Chicken

Minimum Travel Time: 20 days
Start: Anywhere Finish: Where you started

The Funky Chicken is another circular pass, better suited to those who have slightly less time to spend in the Land of the Long White Cloud.
It travels around the North and South Islands, but misses the most northerly and southerly points. You'll still get plenty of beaches and bungy jumps and whales and white-water rafting though, as well as more breathtaking views than you might otherwise see in a lifetime, so don't worry about missing out...

Rangi

Minimum Travel Time: 22 days
Start: Anywhere Finish: Where you started

Circular passes like these are an easy-peasy way to see New Zealand, especially if you're flying out from the same city that you flew into. The Rangi is a fab choice, travelling a bit further north than the Funky Chicken, so you'll get to explore the truly scrumptious islands at Paihia. We're talking hot springs, huge kauri forests and traditional Maori settlements spread across 144 islands. Don't miss 'em!

Christchurch to Auckland

Dog Leg

Minimum Travel Time: 13 days
Start: Christchurch Finish: Auckland

The Dog Leg is a one-way pass, starting in Christchurch and finishing in Auckland. You can fly into one city and out from the other, so you'll really use your time in New Zealand efficiently.

Along the way you can go skydiving at Taupo, seal-spotting at Westport, glacier-hiking at Franz Josef, snowboarding at Queenstown, whale-watching at Christchurch and so much more. Sounds a bit like the trip of a lifetime, doesn't it?

Gumboot

Minimum Travel Time: 15 days
Start: Christchurch Finish: Auckland

This pass picks you up in Christchurch on the South Island and takes you on an incredible adventure lasting up to six months, before dropping you in Auckland in the North. By the end, you'll have new friends from all over the World, thousands of photos that'll make your mates green with envy, and memories to last a lifetime. This is a fantastic one-way pass as it includes a trip up to the Bay of Islands, 144 heavenly islands that really shouldn't be missed.

Kea

Minimum Travel Time: 15 days
Start: Christchurch Finish: Auckland

The Kea pass starts in Christchurch and circles the South Island, before crossing by ferry to the North Island. Once back on dry land it takes you up to Auckland. You can hop on and off the fleet of buses as you like, exploring this awesome country at your own pace. Whether you take a month or a year, though, we reckon you'll spend each leg of the journey with your nose pressed to the bus window, as you pass all those snow-capped mountains, ice-blue lakes and miles of empty beaches...

Top Dog

Minimum Travel Time: 13 days
Start: Christchurch Finish: Auckland

This is the most comprehensive of the Christchurch-to-Auckland passes, so it's great if you want to see all the amazing scenery, take part in all the wild adventure sports, party 'til dawn and not miss a thing... You'll travel in a big circle from Christchurch, through Kaikoura, Franz Josef and Queenstown. Next you'll cross to the North Island where you'll take in the jaw-dropping scenery of Tongariro, Rotorua and the Bay of Islands. This trip has a bit of everything - you'll never forget it!

Auckland to Christchurch

Zephyr

Minimum Travel Time: 18 days
Start: Auckland Finish:Christchurch

The Zephyr pass works well with many round the world tickets, which fly you into Auckland and out again from Christchurch. From Auckland, you'll head up north to the gorgeous Bay of Islands, where you can bathe in hot springs and swim with dolphins. Next you'll travel south through this jewel of a country, stopping at Rotorua with its boiling lakes of mud, visiting Tongariro National Park where Lord of the Rings was filmed, and checking out Franz Josef Glacier and Queenstown before reaching the end of your action-packed journey in Christchurch.

Kitchen Sink

Minimum Travel Time: 23 days
Start: Auckland Finish:Christchurch

The Kitchen Sink is the most comprehensive of the north-to-south passes. This makes it the perfect choice if you plan to fly into Auckland and out again from Christchurch, and want to experience all of New Zealand's most famous sights and off-the-beaten-track wonders along the way. From dolphins to penguins, zorbing to bungy jumping, lakes to mountains to islands to rainforest, with the Kitchen Sink pass you won't miss a thing!

Sheep Dog

Minimum Travel Time: 16 days
Start: Auckland Finish:Christchurch

The Sheep Dog is the cheapest and simplest of the Auckland-to-Christchurch passes, so it's perfect for anyone who doesn't have long to spend in this treasure-trove of a country. In just 16 days you can travel by raft through underground caves full of glow-worms, throw yourself off a massive bungy jump at Queenstown, adventure capital of the World, explore the awesome scenery of River Valley on horseback and much more. And of course, you can take much longer if you like.

Joint Mullets

Minimum Travel Time: 20 days
Start: Auckland Finish:Christchurch

The Joint Mullets is basically the Sheep Dog pass plus the East As pass. Just don't ask us why it's called the Joint Mullets... So what does it include that the Sheep Dog pass doesn't? Well, there's the chance to stay in a beautiful lodge on the beach and watch the sunset from a hot tub, the chance to ride a horse across the golden sands at Rangitukia, and amazing surfing near Gisbourne, the World's most easterly city. In other words, if you're a beach bum, this one's for you!

Regional passes: North Island

Northern Roundup from NZ$529

The Northern Roundup is a whistlestop tour of New Zealand's North Island. It's a fantastic introduction to this beautiful country: as well as seeing the sights, you'll meet loads of friendly people and take part in some once-in-a-lifetime activities.

You can start anywhere along the route, travel in a circle and finish where you started. Along the way you can spend as long as you like in Auckland, Mercury Bay, Rotorua, Wellington, Taupo and Waitomo.

Awesome & Top Bit from NZ$205

This little trip takes you from Auckland up to the northern tip of New Zealand. You can buy it on its own, or add it on to another pass.

The 'winterless north' is one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand - and that's saying something. You'll explore the heavenly Bay of Islands (144 islands scattered in the crystal-clear sea) and visit Cape Reinga at the top of the country, a spot sacred to the Maori. Along the way, swim with dolphins, go sand boarding and more.

Geyserland & Lake from NZ$329

This short trip takes you around some of the North Island's most awesome - and downright weird - natural wonders.

Hold your nose as you wander around Rotorua, where there are boiling lakes of sulphorous mud and steam escapes from cracks in the pavement. Go rafting through Waitomo's underground caves, lit by thousands of glow-worms. And get your boots on for the best day hike in NZ, through the jaw-dropping Tongariro National Park.

East As from NZ$395

The East As pass is one for beach lovers. You'll be picked up from Taupo and taken to some of the best seaside spots along the east coast of the North Island, before being dropped back at Taupo.

Along the way you will learn loads about Maori culture, catch some waves on the fantastic surf beach at Gisbourne, explore the area where Whale Rider was based, ride a horse along the beach, be amongst the first people on Earth to watch the sunrise, and stay in a seaside lodge with an outdoor hot tub. Bliss!

Regional passes: South Island

Southern Roundup from NZ$579

This is a neat little circular tour of New Zealand's wild and wonderful South Island.

It will give you a taste for all that NZ has to offer, from whale watching at Kaikoura to bungy jumping at Queenstown. There are less famous spots on the route too, such as the 'Poo Pub' at Lake Mahinapua where you'll try a 'wild food feast'. This could include goats' testicles and squashed possum: vegetarians might want an early night...

Back Paddock from NZ$549

Shorter and cheaper than the Southern Roundup, the Back Paddock pass is nonetheless a great introduction to the South Island. As well as seeing the sights and taking part in adventurous activities such as skydiving and glacier climbing, you'll meet loads of like-minded backpackers.

At each stop you can leave the bus and stay as long as you like: when you want to leave, just get on the next Kiwi Experience bus.

Bottoms Up from NZ$1010

This pass has very little to do with bottoms, and lots to do with seeing everything the South Island has to offer.

It's the most comprehensive of the South Island passes, so it's the one to go for if you don't want to miss a thing. Want wildlife? How about whales, dolphins, kiwi birds and sea lions. Want scenery? You'll love Abel Tasman National Park and Milford Sound. Want adventurous activities? try skydiving, bungy jumping, snowboarding and much, much more...

Southlander-Bottom Bus from NZ$425

How low can you go? The Southlander-Bottom Bus takes you around the bottom of the South Island - probably as far south as you'll ever go...

Visit the student town of Dunedin, spot dolphins, yellow-eyed penguins and sea lions, catch the ferry to Stewart Island to watch kiwi birds and check out New Zealand's most amazing scenery at Milford Sound (fjords, vast waterfalls and loads more wildlife).

Milford Explorer from NZ$159

This little trip will open your eyes to New Zealand's most amazing scenery.

Explore Milford Sound by boat, gazing up at enormous waterfalls, lush forest and towering peaks. Watch out for dolphins, seals and penguins! You'll end the trip with enough gorgeous photos to make your mates green with envy. This really is an area not to be missed...

FAQs New Zealand

What’s included in my New Zealand bus pass?
Bus transport, free day stop activities, huge discounts on other activities, plus the services of our awesome Driver Guides: commentary, accommodation and activity bookings, trusted travel advice, and of course – the experience of a lifetime!
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What accommodation do you recommend?
We usually stay in backpacker hostels in the main overnight stops, but we also stay in an old west coast pub, on an outback farm and at an adventure lodge in the middle of nowhere! Most rooms are quad share and most places have the option of a twin or double room for a bit of extra privacy. Your driver guide can book this for you as you drive into each destination. As a Kiwi Experience passenger, if you choose to stay in our recommended overnight accommodation then you’ll be guaranteed a bed on your first nights stay. Your New Zealand bus pass doesn’t include accommodation but in many places there’ll be accommodation discounts or a cheap meal deal. Most passengers want to stay together but if you wish to stay somewhere else our driver can help you with this too.
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How do overnight stops work?
We stop at all the overnight stops shown by a green circle on the maps, and it’s for the night. You pick a bed and you fight for it tooth and nail… Seriously though, each green circle shows you where the bus – with you and all your mates – will stop for the night. You can’t skip ahead, so if you are short on time, contact us about how to get the most out of your time here. At every overnight stop, we have guaranteed accommodation for you, so there’s no fighting about who has to sleep on the floor, and you don’t need to worry about booking ahead, we can do that for you.
Some of our stops are so awesome we suggest two nights here – that’s Taupo, Franz Josef, and Queenstown.
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How do I book optional activities?
As part of your bus pass price we’ll take you directly to New Zealand’s top tourism and adventure activities i.e. Skydiving, bungy jumping, kayaking, great walks. Like accommodation this can all be booked through your driver guide and your bus pass entitles you to some fantastic activity discounts along the way. Due to our size we’re also looked after by heaps of great activity providers, who make sure there are always spots for Kiwi Experience passengers, even when it’s busy. For these reasons it’s better to book with your Driver Guide on the bus, rather than in advance. It also helps to talk to those on the bus to work out the top activities and where your hard earned money is best spent.
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How do I get between the North and South Islands?
If you haven’t yet noticed, New Zealand’s two main islands are split by a mass of water known as the Cook Strait. To get between each island you can either take the Interisland Ferry or a short flight. Again, like accommodation and activities, your Driver Guide can book all this for you and even hook you up with a discount.
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How do I begin my travel?
When you buy your New Zealand bus pass you’re given the option of selecting a start date, or leaving the pass open dated. If you have an open date pass then you’ll need to contact us once you know what day you want to start your Kiwi Experience. The more notice you can give us the better so that we can confirm there’s a seat for you when you want it. Some passes have fixed starting points whereas others allow you to start from anywhere along the route. See the passes page for these full details and to compare pass options.
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Can I change my departure dates?
Absolutely! If you could give us as much notice as possible that would be great. Just contact us and let us know your plans. Give us 24 hours notice and it should be sweet. In summer, everyone wants to travel with Kiwi Experience, so chat to your Driver Guide about booking your departure dates along the way to make sure you have the trip of a lifetime!
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What is “hop-on, hop-off” and where can I get off the bus?
Our hop-on, hop-off system allows you to get off our route wherever you like for as long as you like. We encourage you to jump off the bus and explore New Zealand in more detail. Each overnight top on the map means you need to spend at least one night there, and in some places we recommend two because they’re that good! Each route can be used once. Follow the arrows and the itinerary to see where you are headed. If you’ve found somewhere you like the look of, or landed a job for a few weeks, make the most of it. If you’re not sure where to get off talk to your Driver Guide, other passengers, and take a look through our helpful Kiwi Exposed guide book. If you’re getting off at a stop that is not a scheduled overnight stop, it’s always a good idea to give us a contact number so we can let you know of any changes.
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How do I get back on the bus again?
When you’re ready to get back on, whether it’s the next day or next month, just give us a call and we’ll arrange a seat for you. Try to give us at least 24 hours notice, although again the more notice you can give us the better as everyone wants to travel with Kiwi Experience, especially in summer! Check out our bus timetable to see what dates and times we depart each location.
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How long can I travel for?
Once you’ve purchased your New Zealand bus pass you have 12 months to begin your travel, and then once you start you have 12 months to complete it. If you’ve got the time you should definitely take it. Each section of a pass can only be travelled once although there are 2 exceptions to the rule 1) the Kea and Top Dog passes travel Christchurch to Kaikoura twice and 2) our four New Zealand – start anywhere passes now offer Unlimited Travel which means you can travel sectors more than once! See our terms and conditions for more information on Unlimited Travel.
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What does minimum travel time mean?
We’ve come up with these travel times to help you plan your trip around New Zealand. If you are a little short on time, or who just want to be sure they can make their flight out at the other end, this is a good guideline to work to. Our recommended travel times include spending an extra night (so 2 nights total) in Taupo, Franz Josef and Queenstown because they’re such amazing places with lots to do. If you’re on a deadline then you can easily skip these extra nights as timetables allow. Whether you are travelling in summer or winter can make a difference too so check out our bus timetable for more information, and get in touch with our Reservations team if you have any questions – we are here to help and make your trip amazing no matter how much time you have!
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What if I’m travelling on my own?
Most people who start Kiwi Experience are doing it on their own, but you wouldn’t know it by the end of the trip. You’ll meet all sorts of people from all over the world and quite a few locals too. We’ve had people start off as strangers and become lifelong friends forever. The great people you meet is one of the best things about Kiwi Experience.
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Are there any age limits?
Kiwi Experience recommends a minimum age of 18 years. If you are younger than this and travelling with a guardian, please contact us and we will do our best to get you on board. As for maximum age there is absolutely no limit – we’ve had a 72 year old man and a 92 year old woman do Kiwi Experience and they both absolutely loved it!
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