Hop-on / Hop-off NZ Tours for Independent Travellers

Stray’s main priority is walks and wildlife. What you do in the evenings is your choice but we do have a couple of big nights out on the circuit if you’re keen.

You don’t have to be super-fit to travel on Stray – all walks and activities are optional and they range from light strolls to full-on day hikes. Easier options or alternatives are always available.

Your driver will always discuss the level of fitness required. Sometimes there are shorter, easier options and more full-on options of activities such as the Franz Josef Glacier hike has ½ day, ¾ day and full day options, so no matter what your fitness is you’ll be able to find something fun and/or challenging!

Your driver/guide provides you with a wealth of knowledge about New Zealand – history, culture, and trivia as well as recommending and booking activities and accommodation for you around New Zealand. They are walking guidebooks always there to help and entertain!

The average age of Stray passengers is about 27. The majority of people are between the age of 20 and 40 (but we also have older). No matter what the age we find we attract on-to-it people who want to meet other travellers, and get out there and further off the beaten track.

Our buses range from 14 seaters to 45 seaters with an average group of about 24. We keep them smaller so you can see and do more, and because we find that that groups of this size simply work better.

Stray is perfect for people travelling by themselves. New Zealand is a relatively safe country and our smaller group sizes means you can meet more people and your driver is always there for any questions you may have.

Suitcases are fine – you don’t need to walk great distances with them (just between the accommodation and the bus). The majority of the time while you’re doing activities they will be stored away (on the bus or at your accommodation). We recommend you bring a good day pack (small backpack) or bag you can carry easily for water bottles, towels, cameras, sunblock etc.

You’ll need to bring a decent pair of sneakers/trainers that you can walk in comfortably. Hiking boots are good but not essential. You’re welcome to bring ugg boots but you’ll find a variety on sale around New Zealand (made from the best sheep!)

You can start and finish your pass anywhere along the Stray route - the passes are just a guide.

When you book online you’ll receive email confirmation within 24 hours (please email internetsales@straytravel.co.nz if you do not receive your confirmation). You just need to confirm online or via email when you want to start your trip and where you want to be picked up from. On the first day of your Stray trip your driver will give you your ticket.

We usually recommend to book at least 48 hours in advance to guarantee a seat (especially in busy times and when booking online).

You can find up-to-date timetables on the homepage of www.straytravel.com as well as specific ones under each individual passes. If you’d like to be picked up from somewhere not detailed on the timetable you’ll need to contact the Stray office via email or phone to find the specific time.

You can hop on or off the Stray bus anywhere along the Stray route – if you like the look of a place just yell ‘Stop’ to the driver and they’ll drop you off and then you can just rebook online when you want to be picked up again.

You book back on the bus via your customer login on www.straytravel.com (go to 'Travellers' Login' listed at the bottom of the page to click through to the login page). You will be sent a link and user password when you first book your pass (NB you must provide us with your email address to be sent a login).

You can start any pass in Wellington that goes through Wellington or Picton.

The Interisland ferry is not included in your pass as the prices vary frequently. Your driver will help you get the best deal when you are travelling. It usually costs between $35-55 depending on the time of year.

Your Stray travel pass includes all land transport, guidance, free activities such as snorkelling, walks and the Auckland city orientation. Your driver will book accommodation for you but the cost is not included in your pass (you’ll just need to pay as you go).

Stray reserves accommodation in all our overnight stops. You’ll be guaranteed a bed with a range of accommodation levels – from hostel dorms to made up private rooms; our driver/guides will help you with this. You are free to book your own accommodation if you wish. You will need to book your own accommodation for the night before you start your Stray trip and let us know where you are staying so we know where to pick you up from. We can recommend places for you to stay if you need help.

Twins and double rooms are available at every stop (except our cultural overnight). In busy periods these may need to be booked in advance but your driver can help you with this.

You can stay wherever you like at the overnight stops – ask your driver and they’ll let you know the nearest pickup and drop off places (depending on the location most drivers are happy to drop you at Aunty Joan’s!)

Sunblock, good walking shoes, a day pack, bug repellent (hey, it’s not Australia but we still have them), polar fleece or sweatshirt and a raincoat for winter (it doesn’t get that cold but you will definitely need these), YHA, NOMADS, BBH or VIP card (good for additional discounts on activities and accommodation), oh, and some clothes would be good.

There is plenty of room on our buses – but it is best to follow a simple rule. If you can’t easily carry your gear in one load – you have too much. It’s best to have a backpack and less than 18kg of stuff. Include a light daypack for your camera, jacket, water bottle etc to take on walks or other activities when you’ll leave your big backpack on the bus or at our accommodation.

You don’t have to eat chicken noodles every day – we make supermarket stops so that you can self cater – and there are cheap meal options – often with local specialties (there is always a vegetarian option).

If you are happy with the start date and pick up point confirmed when you booked your Stray pass then you do not need to confirm. If you booked an ‘open-dated’ pass, or want to change your start date you need to contact Stray (either by phone or online) AT LEAST 48 hours prior to a desired departure to arrange a departure date. Remember – we need to know where to pick you up from!

As a general rule we depart from our ‘Gateway’ accommodation at 8.00 am. If there is no pick-up time and place shown on the voucher that you got from your booking agent or if you wish to be picked up from somewhere different – you will have to phone us in New Zealand on +64 (0) 9 526 2140 or use your online login to confirm a place and time at least 48 hours before departure. Please check the timetable on the homepage for correct departure times. Please note: we do not visit all departure points every day, only if we have confirmed pickups – so please ensure you let us know where you will be waiting.

You don’t have to be an athlete, BUT, the best way to see New Zealand is to use our vehicles as a base and trek it, bike it, walk it, kayak it, raft it, whale watch it, dolphin swim it, surf it, dive it, fish it, ski it, ride it and most importantly eat, drink and sleep it!! If this sounds like you – great! Our trips are for the ‘adventurous’, so contact us directly if you have any health questions!

We keep our groups to a maximum of 45 because it means you get more personalised service, access to more ‘further of the beaten track’ accommodation and activity options. Bus anoraks will understand the other real benefit... that 45 is the maximum group size that can be carried by a single rear axle bus - any more weight and a less maneuverable two rear axle vehicle would be required. That’s why Stray can get you further out there. Depending on the run our vehicles range from 13-45 seats with an average standard group size of 24.

There is no travel insurance cover included in the price of a Stray pass. Stray strongly recommends that you take some out to cover for cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, personal baggage, money and public liability. We do not take responsibility for any personal possessions under any circumstances however caused.

World Nomads travel insurance is the perfect companion to keep you travelling safely while on a bus in New Zealand or around the world. World Nomads travel insurance covers a range of adventure activities such as skiing, white water rafting and scuba diving.

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