Hello, I'm planning a trip with my friend to see as much as NZ as possible in 2 months after which she will say her goodbyes to leave me to venture hopefully with friends and local knowledge at this point. I'm young, but not looking for a party bus, but a really breath taking and adventure filled trip. I'd like to be confident that the bus option I choose should ensure I make friends, but see the real New Zealand too and with a long distance relationship I'm not looking to mingle too much on the bus :o. I also don't have a huge budget, but things may change if I'm able to find a second job to save up further before I go. I don't want to go with naked bus because of the bad reviews plus I'd like the flexibility to change plans. I should be going between 3 and 6 months providing I find a job in February after my friend has returned to the UK.
Whats this with the "real New Zealand"? What makes you think any of it isnt real? Naked Bus is a bus company used by plenty of local without any complaints. I suggest you rethink using them. But I'm sure if you've read a few negative reviews you would have also read reviews for the other 2 you mention. On that basis, I'm sure you can make up your mind.
I've only posted on this site because I'm asking for help, if there's one out there willing to offer advise to an inexperienced traveller struggling to make up her mind. The phrase 'real New Zealand' and the thoughts on naked bus were gathered from a series of common threads which also happen to come from Lonely Planet, backpacker compare and trip advisor. Have you been to New Zealand? If so, did you use a tour bus or local bus and did you travel alone? Thank you. :)
Perhaps it is difficult for you to understand the phrase 'Real New Zealand' particularly if you live there. I guess I'd like to experience what it's like living there, go on a bus where they see a bigger picture of the place rather than just the tourist hit spots and heavy nights of drinking. So perhaps you could help recommend what you think is the best coach and if it would be difficult for a first time solo traveler to use a local bus rather than a tour bus.
'the real xxx' is standard I'm-a-traveller-not-a-tourist babble. I've seen a lot of NZ and assure you that having checked round the back, it isn't fake scenery. :-)
use a local bus. You speak English, these buses will take you everywhere the tour buses go at a lower cost. You'll have to think more, arranging your own hostels, food and timetables, but I'm sure you can do that. The small hostels without a bar are much friendlier.
Thanks for your comment neverwinter. Yes from what I can see it looks hard to miss the scenery :). Hmm well I am happy to plan, I guess I've got three factors to consider.
The first is the 'no fixed cost' with the local travel option, what appeals with the tours is that you pay so much and you wouldn't pay more, however what's the advantage of the tour buses is it mainly the assistance and being on a crew of travelers who will stick with you as well as some tours.
The second is being alone. I haven't traveled before however my friend will be with me for two months and then I will be alone. Hopefully at this point I will know the place a lot better and feel comfortable continuing to travel around on local buses if I did take that option.
And the third: considering I will be alone, if I were to have gone on a tour bus and would like to get a job and live there for a few months, do you think a local bus could be a better option as I would meet locals who could help out and also I noted that the tour buses only go one way round.
It's interesting what you say about hostels.
Do you know anything about flexibus - intertravel working off travel hours which can also be used for activities, would this be a better way for value for money, making friends with travelers and locals and also feeling less alone? I don't expect you to have all the answers... sorry a lot of things to consider.
correct on not having all the answers - that's a new one on me!
1st question job wise; are you allowed to work in NZ? But you don't need to meet locals to get jobs, you answer ads the same as anywhere else and go from there. Then you will meet locals.
I'm beginning to wonder if OP thinks they're coming to the Wild West where we go round shooting any strangers who hop on local buses.
Take any place in UK, plonk it anywhere in NZ and for most things, it'll have similarities.
Hi
In my (limited) experience of bus tours of NZ, I would recommend Stray if you want to make friends and see NZ. I can only speak from the viewpoint of only having travelled with Stray, not any of the others as yet, but my experience with this company has been good. The drivers are really knowledgeable and I made friends by the end of my first day, although mainly once we arrived at the hostel rather than on the bus, admittedly. Over the past few days though, with my Stray companions, I have had a wonderful time in Northlands etc.
Downside of these tours is that you can feel a little rushed - I was up in Cape Reinga and already want to go back with a camper to do it for longer. The scenery is breath-taking and definitely needs more time to be explored - walking, camping, kayaking etc. That's my main gripe with an organised bus tour in any location / country though, and I did expect it before I boarded the bus, but like yourself I am travelling alone and wanted the opportunity to make friends and socialise.
Like other posters have commented, everywhere you look is 'the real NZ'. Out the bus window, at the stops you make, at the hostels, on the trips you do etc, where you work (make sure you have a WHV), all the activities you will undoubtedly do... Talk to everyone - you'll find they're all friendly and most are willing to have a chat. Don't be frightened to start conversations and comment on things you see and do whilst alone - you will be surprised how many people are alone themselves doing things!
Enjoy, whatever choice you make. Only you can make it the experience you want - no bus tour or organised trip is going to help you make friends or socialise if you're not up for it yourself. So be confident and have fun!!
Bethen.
I went to New Zealand for three weeks and used Kiwi Experience and it was AMAZING. If you are going on your own its perfect as takes away the worry of having to plan too much and the bus is always full of people so you will meet plenty of people! Everyone is there for the same reason, to see New Zealand, have fun and make friends whether they are travelling as a couple, and individual or as a group. There are lots of routes you can choose from, I went for the Funky Chicken (not sure if they still do this) as it covers both Islands and you end up where you started. With the Kiwi Experience you have the designated stops but you decide how long you stay there for, you can stay for a night or three and catch a different bus out which means meeting more new people. This is ideal as you might want to change your plan depending on what your new friends are doing. You do visit touristy places especially for the big activites like sky diving and rafting however even there you will see past the 'commercial' side of it all. We visited some beautiful places and one night we stayed in a valley in a cabin, there was nothing around for miles and it was right by the river and was so secluded we had it all to ourselves. The places like this dont have any party areas however alot of the stops do depending on which one you go for. Lots of people go out but others dont so you wouldnt be the only one not going crazy every night!
Sorry for the rambling but I hope this is of some help :)
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