Important travel update regarding the Northern Explorer train

We wish to inform our valued passengers of an important update for those planning to travel on the Northern Explorer train during the upcoming scheduled network upgrade periods.

Affected Dates:

15 January 2025 to 27 January 2025

12 April 2025 to 28 April 2025

Impact on Travel: During these periods, the tracks between Auckland Strand Railway Station and Hamilton will be closed for train travel due to essential upgrade work to prepare for the City Rail Link's opening in 2026.

From Auckland to Hamilton: Passengers will transfer by bus from Auckland Strand or Papakura Station to Hamilton Station.

From Hamilton to Auckland: Passengers will transfer by bus from Hamilton Station to either Papakura or Auckland Strand Station.

Important Update for All Bookings Until 27 January 2025:

All bookings made up to and including 27 January 2025 (both old and new) will automatically receive a replacement bus service for the affected section of the route.

For April 2025 travel, we are currently accepting bookings to and from Hamilton only, and passengers should consider alternative transport to and from Auckland.

Scenic Routes Unaffected:
Rest assured, you will not miss a significant portion of the scenic route, as the most picturesque parts of the journey are located south of Hamilton. The train journey between Hamilton and Wellington will operate as usual, allowing you to experience the breathtaking landscapes and highlights that make this journey unforgettable.

Alternative Travel Options: For travelers not included in the transfer bus:

Consider arranging private transportation between Auckland and Hamilton.

Local bus or coach services may be available as an alternative.

If you need assistance identifying suitable travel options, don't hesitate to get in touch with our New Zealand Travel Team for guidance.

Flexibility for Travelers: To accommodate your needs, we offer the following options:

Reschedule your travel to a future date.

Request a 100% refund if you prefer not to travel.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this disruption and remain committed to providing as much assistance as possible.

For further inquiries or assistance with your travel plans, please contact our New Zealand Travel Team.

Our friendly New Zealand Travel Team is available from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (New Zealand Time) Monday - Sunday, excluding public holidays.

For assistance and reservations during our opening hours contact our New Zealand Travel Team by email or phone. To cancel a reservation, please email us at info@newzealandtravelteam.com before 72hrs or 3 days from the travel date.

Phone
You can call one of our English-speaking Consultants at +64 7 575 5049
Current New Zealand time:

Within New Zealand:
Reservations only with payment - 0800-143-669

Travel planning and all other inquiries - +64 7 575 5049
Outside New Zealand:
+61 1800 359 729 Australia Toll-free
+1 855 413 3019 USA Toll-free
+1 866 554 0304 Canada Toll-free
+44 800 0148106 United Kingdom Toll-free

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Bus Services

Bus Flexi Pass

InterCity FlexiPass® is an hours-based bus pass designed for backpackers and independent travellers who want to experience the real New Zealand. Go where you want, when you want and see the New Zealand your own way, travelling alongside Kiwis and visitors alike.

Explore New Zealand with a Flexipass 'Hop On/Hop Off' bus and ferry pass that allows you to travel on New Zealand's largest scenic coach passenger travel network and Cook Strait ferry sailings between the North and South Islands all year around.

With Flexipass, you can travel in any direction, at any time on the combined national and regional bus and coach networks of InterCity Coachlines, Newmans Coachlines and Great Sights - with its premier sightseeing services everyday!

Flexipass is based on every travel 'Hour' used. Since every travel 'Hour' is discounted, so you will be saving money, as you travel.

Your Flexipass lets you take advantage of Great Sights sightseeing tours in Paihia (Bay of Islands), Rotorua, Mt Cook, Milford Sound and city sightseeing tours in Auckland and Rotorua.

Flexipass is sold in blocks of travel 'Hours', allowing you to travel on regular InterCity, Newmans bus and coach services or any Great Sights sightseeing journeys or a mixture of both, in any direction as many times as your hours allow. If you run out of travel 'Hours', you can 'Top Up' your Flexipass with additional travel 'Hours' online or by calling us.

Flexipass does not guarantee a seat on any service unless you have made travel sector/s reservation/s at least 4 hours before departure time by calling our New Zealand Travel Team tollfree national phone number.

With Flexipass, you can change your travel plans up to 2 hours before departure time without incurring penalties. If you cancel your journey up to 2 hours before departure and you will be refunded 100% of your travel 'Hours' back.

Flexipass is valid for 12 months from the date of your first travel sector booking, so you can stay for a while at any destination and travel when you please.

Your Flexipass covers all of your travel components. When you book advise Flexipass Service Centre which of the sights and optional extras ( for the entrance fees, boat cruises, scenic flights, meals etc.) you'd like to take part in and will be charged your credit/debit/prepaid card.

Tours that can be used with your Flexipass

Bay of Island Day Tour
Milford Sound Day Tour (Milford Sound Cruise is additional)

    Rotorua Morning Sightseeing Tour
    Cape Reinga via 90 Mile Beach Day Tour
    Waitomo Caves Day Tour (Guided tour of the Caves additional)
    Mount Cook Day Tour
    Auckland Morning Sightseeing Tour

Flexipass can not be used on bus/coach services that are operated by private contracted bus operators.

Top Ups for Flexipass are available in 3 Hour or 10 Hour lots. Top Ups are for your existing Flexipass only and will not extend your Flexipass expiry date.

Please note each traveller needs his or her own pass.

National Bus Services

Discover New Zealand's unique 15 unique geographical regions and diverse natural beauty, with their

lakes, rivers, native rugged bush, the majestic volcanoes of the North Island's central plateau, the North Island skifields of Whakapapa and Turoa to the mountain peaks of the majestic Southern Alps, fiords of Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the great southern lakes, rivers, native rugged alpine bush and glaciers of the west coast of the South Island to the major South Island skifields of Mt Hutt, Queenstown and Wanaka on a national network of bus and coach services.

With over 150 daily services - 365 days a year to choose from, you can travel to over 600 towns, cities, major skifields, National Parks and key tourist destinations through out New Zealand travelling on the regional and national bus and coach services of Great Sights, InterCity Coachlines and Newmans Coachlines.

Travel in modern eco-friendly, air conditioned buses and coaches featuring reclining seats with foot and head rests, with some long distance services having on board washroom/toilet facilities. All regional and long distance bus and coach services do stop regularly for comfort and refreshment breaks.

InterCity Coachlines operate frequent daily services to regional and national destinations in the North and South Islands, including services that connect with Cook Strait ferry services that operate between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island.