South Island freedom travel — no rental car needed. We handle the transport, you enjoy the journey.
By NZ Bus Trail
Dedicated Shuttle Service
On-time pick-up · English support
You Choose
Hotels · Meals · Tours
Your way, wherever you like
Result
True Freedom Travel
No rental car · explore freely by shuttle
Choose the itinerary that matches your plans.
Departs every Wednesday
Lake Tekapo · Mount Cook · Milford Sound · Queenstown
Milford Sound · Mount Cook · Lake Tekapo · Christchurch
Departs every Wednesday
Lake Tekapo · Mount Cook · Queenstown · Te Anau · Dunedin · Oamaru
Departs every Wednesday
Lake Tekapo · Mount Cook · Queenstown · Dunedin · Oamaru · Hanmer Springs
Kaikoura · Abel Tasman · Hanmer Springs · Akaroa
Franz Josef · Wanaka · Queenstown · Milford Sound · Lake Tekapo
Tekapo · Queenstown · Arrowtown · Wanaka · Franz Josef
Not sure a shuttle is right for you? Compare with a rental car
Rental car, guided tour or shuttle: what a South Island trip looks like for one traveller.
| Comparison | Rental Car | Guided Coach Tour |
BEST FOR SOLO
NZ Bus Trail
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost for One Traveller | You pay for the whole car Car hire, fuel and insurance, with nobody to split it | Higher package price Hotels and meals bundled in; solo travellers often pay a single supplement | From NZD 650 per seat Pay for your seat only. No single supplement |
| Who Drives | You do Left-hand traffic and long mountain roads | A driver-guide | A professional driver Sit back and watch the scenery |
| Hotels & Food | Your choice | Set hotels and group meals | Your choice Book any hotel, motel or hostel you like |
| Travelling Solo | Hours alone at the wheel | Group company | Travel with others on the same departure No need to find a travel buddy |
| Sightseeing Stops | Plan stops and find parking yourself | Fixed by the tour | Scenic stops built into every route Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook and more |
| Departure Days | Any day you like | Set tour dates | Fixed weekly departures Runs with 5+ travellers. Free date change or full refund if it doesn't |
No rental pickup, no route planning, no stress — booked in minutes.
Browse 8 routes — Christchurch→Queenstown, South Island loop and more. Pick the route and departure date that suits your trip.
Quick, secure checkout by Stripe — your seat is held the moment you pay.
Board at your designated pickup point on departure day. No driving — just sit back and soak in the stunning scenery of Tekapo, Milford Sound and Queenstown.
Planning a South Island trip solo felt overwhelming — now it's just a fixed schedule and a fixed price.
No route-planning, no driving unfamiliar mountain roads — just pick a date and a package, the itinerary is already done.
Book solo whenever you like — you'll travel with others on the same departure. No need to find a co-driver.
Plenty of photo time and rest at every major highlight.