*** NEW ZEALAND without DRIVING ***

[year2013]

Hi guys,
M going to New Zealand in Feb during Chinese New Year, want to cover south of South Island in 10-12days, we are couple and none if us know driving
Anyone suggest what will be best means of transport and if there are any sample itinerary which I can follow, thanks.

TENTATIVE PLAN/ITINERARY:
Looking at the constraint, I have planned something like this:
Day0: Reach at night, will sleep
Day1: Christchurch to Greymouth via Tranzalpine train, then afternoon bus to Franz Joseph
Day2: Hang around/activities at Franz Joseph/Fox Glaciers
Day3: Hang around/activities at Franz Joseph/Fox Glaciers
Day4: Start/Reach Queenstown..relax
Day5: Tour to Milford Sound/Te Anao
Day6: Tour to Milford Sound/Te Anao
Day7: Bus to Tepako
Day8: Start/Reach Christchurch
Day9: Christchurch
Next Day early morning Return

 

[invigo79]

If not self drive then better take a guided tour.

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[year2013]

If not self drive then better take a guided tour.

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any recommendation?

 

[bin8lee]

check bus pass

www.intercity.co.nz/bus-pass/flexipass

nakedbus.com/nz/passport/cheap-bus-pass

 

[butterbarter]

This is not what you are asking, but have you considered postponing your trip till one of you can drive, or till you can find a kaki who drives?

It would be a terrible waste of time, money and opportunity if you are restricted by something as basic as transportation, esp when NZ is far and expensive. There are scores of places that can be enjoyed without driving. Try those instead, and come back to NZ at a later time.

Hi guys,
M going to New Zealand in Feb during Chinese New Year, want to cover south of South Island in 10-12days, we are couple and none if us know driving
Anyone suggest what will be best means of transport and if there are any sample itinerary which I can follow, thanks.

 

[justwalkpast]

New Zealand is one place that is terribly expensive to travel if you don't self-drive. The tours are extremely expensive (around $100 - $100+ for a half day tour!?) and for south island, public transport is not as developed as the north island (not that the north island is very well developed either). A lot of scenic places are not accessible by public transport.

 

[year2013]

New Zealand is one place that is terribly expensive to travel if you don't self-drive. The tours are extremely expensive (around $100 - $100+ for a half day tour!?) and for south island, public transport is not as developed as the north island (not that the north island is very well developed either). A lot of scenic places are not accessible by public transport.

Yeah, still trying to figure out how I can plan !!

 

[patryn33]

well if U have the $$ can always get a chauffeur...
or private tours!
http://www.arohatours.co.nz/
https://www.newzealandcustomtours.com/
http://www.blacksheeptouring.co.nz/datesrates/2016-2017season

 

[sellun]

Would suggest you to find another couple friend with driving licence to go together. 4pax is definitely cost saving.
Nevertheless without driving is definitely doable but you won't be able to cover Alot. You would have to take things very slow and follow the intercity bus. Cab is crazily ex. Do you have any budget constraints?

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[patryn33]

if 1 couple don't drive and the other only 1 driver..
cost wise if split evenly... maybe can end friendship..
don't abuse

 

[year2013]

Would suggest you to find another couple friend with driving licence to go together. 4pax is definitely cost saving.
Nevertheless without driving is definitely doable but you won't be able to cover Alot. You would have to take things very slow and follow the intercity bus. Cab is crazily ex. Do you have any budget constraints?

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No budget constraint but dont wanna spend 400-500 per day in cabs.
If I find someone to accompany us, I will pay 70% cost thats for sure

 

[sellun]

No budget constraint but dont wanna spend 400-500 per day in cabs.
If I find someone to accompany us, I will pay 70% cost thats for sure

If my friend were to jio me to nz and I'm free I would be glad to share the cost evenly. Anyway TS where are you intending to go and see? Some places are much easier to access than others. If you're staying at Queenstown you can take up tours with transportation provided easily. It really depends on where you want to visit

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[sellun]

http://www.newzealand.com/sg/feature/hop-on-hop-off-buses/

I'm sure you'll still have a great time in nz if you plan your itinerary swee swee. There are tours with transport inclusive definitely worth taking like visiting Milford. Just take things slower and don't pack too many things this time round, don't end up rushing for bus timing or plan for too many places that you just end up pack and go pack and go

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[year2013]

If my friend were to jio me to nz and I'm free I would be glad to share the cost evenly. Anyway TS where are you intending to go and see? Some places are much easier to access than others. If you're staying at Queenstown you can take up tours with transportation provided easily. It really depends on where you want to visit

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Looking at the constraint, I have planned something like this:
Day0: Reach at night, will sleep
Day1: Christchurch to Greymouth via Tranzalpine train, then afternoon bus to Franz Joseph
Day2: Hang around/activities at Franz Joseph/Fox Glaciers
Day3: Hang around/activities at Franz Joseph/Fox Glaciers
Day4: Start/Reach Queenstown..relax
Day5: Tour to Milford Sound/Te Anao
Day6: Tour to Milford Sound/Te Anao
Day7: Bus to Tepako
Day8: Start/Reach Christchurch
Day9: Christchurch
Next Day early morning Return

 

[sellun]

Looking at the constraint, I have planned something like this:
Day0: Reach at night, will sleep
Day1: Christchurch to Greymouth via Tranzalpine train, then afternoon bus to Franz Joseph
Day2: Hang around/activities at Franz Joseph/Fox Glaciers
Day3: Hang around/activities at Franz Joseph/Fox Glaciers
Day4: Start/Reach Queenstown..relax
Day5: Tour to Milford Sound/Te Anao
Day6: Tour to Milford Sound/Te Anao
Day7: Bus to Tepako
Day8: Start/Reach Christchurch
Day9: Christchurch
Next Day early morning Return

May I ask why are you interested in greymouth and Franz/fox?
Frankly speaking I feel that you're spending too little time in Queenstown, and you're not going wanaka, Mt cook?

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[year2013]

May I ask why are you interested in greymouth and Franz/fox?
Frankly speaking I feel that you're spending too little time in Queenstown, and you're not going wanaka, Mt cook?

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Greymouth m not staying, coz of tranzalpine m going, train journey not worth?
Can u suggest better option !! M totally lost

Anybody going NZD here on 14-15th Feb

 

[year2013]

May I ask why are you interested in greymouth and Franz/fox?
Frankly speaking I feel that you're spending too little time in Queenstown, and you're not going wanaka, Mt cook?

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OPTION 2:
Christchurch to Tekapo
Mount Cook
Wanaka/Queenstown
Queenstown/Milford Sound
Te Anau
Queenstown
Back to Christchurch

 

[sellun]

OPTION 2:
Christchurch to Tekapo
Mount Cook
Wanaka/Queenstown
Queenstown/Milford Sound
Te Anau
Queenstown
Back to Christchurch

Personally I prefer tekapo, Mt cook wanaka than Franz/fox. Plus the loop above is further than loop below.
I suggest you just choose one side you prefer this time round. Also you can always fly from chc to Queenstown via domestic then travel back or vice versa depending on available flight timing. Maybe loop for any night flight to Queenstown on your first day? Then you can start your holiday in a town full of activities with easier transportation around.

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[sellun]

Why are you going to anua? If you're going Milford just take up a day tour with transport from Queenstown.

Personally I will spend money/time on day tours with transport inclusive instead of transport to go another town and walk here walk there. Alot of the nice attractions are out in the wild

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[year2013]

Why are you going to anua? If you're going Milford just take up a day tour with transport from Queenstown.

Personally I will spend money/time on day tours with transport inclusive instead of transport to go another town and walk here walk there. Alot of the nice attractions are out in the wild

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Thanks bro
M working on OPTION2 only now.

Tell me one thing, it would be better to take bus from christchurch to tekapo and then:
1. I should go to queenstown and take tours for mt cook and wanaka
2. From tekapo itself i should take tour, distance wise wat will be closer