The main difference between Stray Select and Stray Adventure tours is the accommodation style and overall comfort level. Select Tours feature premium 3-to-4-star hotel stays with private rooms, while Adventure Tours feature a social, budget-friendly backpacker experience with shared hostel dorms.

Here is a detailed comparison to help you choose the right travel style for your trip:

Stray Select Tours (New Zealand Only)

• Ideal for: "Creatures of comfort" who want premium amenities and private spaces.
• Accommodation: Handpicked 3-to-4-star hotels, premium national park lodges, and boutique resorts.
• Room Style (Gender-Split): Standard twin-share or double rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Single travelers are automatically paired in a twin room with another traveler of the same gender (or can purchase a private single upgrade).
• The Vibe: Semi-private and relaxed—perfect for couples, friends, and solo travelers who value their privacy at the end of the day.

Stray Adventure Tours (Southeast Asia & New Zealand)

• Ideal for: Active, social travelers looking to maximize their budget and meet new friends.
• Accommodation: High-quality, air-conditioned backpacker hostels and unique wilderness lodges.
• Room Style (Mixed-Gender): Social, multi-share hostel dorms. Please note that dorm-share accommodations on Adventure tours are not gender-split or for exclusive use.
• The Vibe: Highly social, community-focused, and high-energy - perfect for solo travelers wanting to instantly make global friends.

On average, you can expect to spend about 3 to 5 hours on the move on travel days. However, we design our routes so you are never stuck on a bus all day - we break up every journey with frequent stops at hidden waterfalls, local cafes, scenic lookouts, and short walks.

At Stray, we prioritize the journey, not just the destination. We treat travel days as an active part of your adventure. Here is what a typical travel day looks like:

• Frequent "Leg-Stretcher" Stops: We typically stop every 1.5 to 2 hours. Whether it is a quick walk through a native New Zealand rainforest to find a hidden waterfall, a coffee stop at a local village cafe in Southeast Asia, or a dramatic coastal lookout photo-op, you will have plenty of chances to get off the bus.
• Varying Route Times: Not every day involves long drives. Some days are short, 1-to-2-hour hops between close destinations, while others are longer transit days designed to cross major geographic regions (such as traversing New Zealand's dramatic West Coast or driving through the mountainous landscapes of Laos). On longer days, our stops are highly interactive to keep things fun.
• A Fully Guided Journey: Your bus travel is fully hosted. Your local Driver Guide will share fascinating stories about regional history, point out hidden landmarks you would otherwise miss, play great music, and help you get to know your fellow travelers.
• Time to Recharge: The bus ride is also the perfect, stress-free time to catch up on sleep, write in your travel journal, edit your photos, or just sit back and watch some of the most beautiful scenery in the world roll past your window.

The best "off-peak" times to visit New Zealand are the shoulder seasons of Autumn (March to May) and Spring (September to November). These months offer the perfect balance of comfortable weather, lower local prices, and far fewer crowds at iconic destinations like Milford Sound and Hobbiton.

Here is why traveling during New Zealand's shoulder seasons is highly recommended by our local Kiwi guides:

• Comfortable & Pleasant Weather: During the shoulder seasons, the Southern Hemisphere sun is less intense than during the peak summer months (December to February). You will enjoy comfortable, crisp days that are absolutely ideal for active outdoor adventures and hiking.
• Fewer Crowds at Iconic Hotspots: Visiting "bucket-list" locations like Milford Sound, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, or geothermal parks in Rotorua during the shoulder seasons means you can experience these breathtaking natural sights in peace, without the large summer tourist crowds.
• Great Value & More Competitive Pricing: Because you are traveling outside of the peak summer rush, local flight options, optional in-trip activities booked via Seymour, and pre-tour accommodations are often much more budget-friendly.
• Spectacular Seasonal Scenery:
  • In Autumn (March to May): You will see New Zealand’s landscapes transform with incredible golden and red foliage, particularly in the South Island.
  • In Spring (September to November): Valleys come alive with vibrant wildflowers and newborn lambs, and waterfalls are roaring at peak flow from the mountain snow-melt.

Yes, most international visitors traveling to New Zealand require a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before boarding their flight. You must secure this digital travel authorization prior to arriving in the country.

The NZeTA is not a visa, but a mandatory electronic screening requirement for visa-waiver travelers (such as citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, EU nations, and many others).

Here is everything you need to know about securing your NZeTA:

How to Apply:

• Apply via the Official Channels: We strongly recommend applying through the official New Zealand Government avenues to avoid third-party agency scams that charge excessive fees.
• App (Cheaper option): Download the free "NZeTA" mobile app (available on Apple App Store and Google Play). Applying via the app is faster and slightly cheaper.
• Website: Apply online via the official Immigration New Zealand Website.

Costs & Processing Times:

• Processing Time: While many NZeTAs are approved within 10 to 30 minutes, processing can take up to 72 hours. Do not leave it until the day of your flight - apply at least 3 days before you travel.
• The Fee: The NZeTA costs $17 NZD if applied for via the mobile app, or $23 NZD if applied for online.
• The IVL (Tourism Levy): When you apply for your NZeTA, you must also pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), which is $35 NZD (note: the NZ government has proposed raising this to $100 NZD, so please check official rates). The IVL helps fund local conservation and infrastructure.
• Validity: Once approved, your NZeTA is valid for multiple entries for up to 2 years.

Note: If you hold a valid New Zealand visa (like a Working Holiday Visa) or are an Australian citizen traveling on an Australian passport, you do not need an NZeTA.

We generally advise budgeting around $90 NZD per day for your daily meals and personal expenses, plus a separate "activity fund" to cover New Zealand's incredible optional experiences. To help you plan, you will receive exclusive access to our Seymour optional activities app 2–3 weeks before your tour begins.

Because New Zealand is an active, bucket-list destination, your overall spending will depend on how many optional activities you choose to do.

Here is our official budgeting and activity price guide, prepared by our local Kiwi guides:

1. Your Optional Activities Budget

To make planning easy, we use a simple pricing key to categorize optional activities across our routes:

• FREE = No Charge
• $ = $0 - $100 NZD
• $$ = $100 - $250 NZD
• $$$ = $250 - $450 NZD
• $$$$ = $440 - $800 NZD

Here are some of our travelers' favorite options across the North and South Islands:

🌿 The Best FREE Activities (Budget-Friendly Gems)

You don't need to spend a fortune to experience the best of New Zealand! We break up our travel days with plenty of epic, zero-cost stops:

• Coromandel: Dig your own natural thermal pool at Hot Water Beach or walk the coastal trail to Cathedral Cove.
• Waitomo: Walk through the lush native forest on the Ruakuri Walk.
• Taupō: Feel the spray at the mighty Huka Falls or soak in the Spa Park Thermal Pools.
• Franz Josef: Hike to the mirror-like reflections of Lake Matheson, or walk the Callery Gorge track.
• Queenstown: Challenge yourself on the Ben Lomond Hike, Queenstown Hill, or the Tiki Trail.

🎈 Paid Optional Activities (By Price Tier)

For those bucket-list moments, you can book these directly through the Seymour app pre-departure:

• Tier $ ($0 - $100 NZD): Spellbound Glowworm Tour (Waitomo), Weta Workshop (Auckland/Wellington), Hahei Explorer Boat Tour, Zorb (Rotorua).
• Tier $$ ($100 - $250 NZD): Rotorua Rafting, Cathedral Cove Sea Kayaking, Abel Tasman Sailing, Kaikōura Whale Watch or Seal Kayaking.
• Tier $$$ ($250 - $450 NZD): AJ Hackett Bungy & Canyon Swing (Queenstown), Abel Tasman Canyoning, Auckland Skywalk.
• Tier $$$$ ($440 - $800 NZD): Franz Josef Glacier Guides (Heli-Hike), Skydiving (Franz Josef/Fox Glacier/Abel Tasman), Lost World Waitomo Tour, Auckland Skyjump.

Please note: Activity availability varies based on your specific itinerary and the season you travel.

2. Food & Drink Guidelines (Stray's Official Estimates)

For daily meals that are not included in your base tour fare, Stray’s official daily recommendations are:

• Breakfast ($20 NZD): Often included at our Select hotels. For Adventure tours, you can easily save money by prepping breakfast in your hostel’s communal kitchen.
• Lunch ($30 NZD): Perfect for a classic cafe lunch or grabbing fresh picnic ingredients to enjoy at a scenic roadside lookout.
• Dinner ($40 NZD): Ideal for a hearty pub dinner, craft brewery meal, or a nice sit-down dinner at a regional restaurant.

Real-World Local Price Guide:

• Flat White Coffee: $5.50 - $6.50 NZD
• Cafe Lunch / Pub Meal: $20 - $35 NZD
• Nice Restaurant Dinner: $35 - $60 NZD (excluding drinks)

Guide Tip: If you are on an Adventure tour and utilize your hostel kitchens to prep groceries, you can easily lower your food spend to $40 - $60 NZD per day. If you are on a Select tour and plan to eat out for most meals, budget closer to $90 - $120 NZD per day.

3. Cash vs. Card

New Zealand is a highly cashless society. You do not need to carry much physical cash on tour. Debit/credit cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay/Google Pay) are accepted everywhere - even at tiny food stalls and remote cafes. We recommend keeping just $50 to $100 NZD in cash on hand for emergencies or small purchases in remote locations like Blue Duck Station.