We’re not simply a bus network – our trips include train, boat and even tuk tuk! With us, you get the full backpacker travel experience.
Most of the time we travel in private vehicles which means we can go where we want, stop where we want and ensure a safe, reliable and comfortable service.
How we Stray New Zealand
In New Zealand we use private buses (22-25 seats)
Travelling in New Zealand is like a road-trip experience, we're pretty flexible. We make stops for the bathroom, food, supermarkets, interesting sights and activities along the way.
We use the best vehicle size to minimise our environmental impact while making sure that the bus is not cramped and everyone has enough space.
There are some sectors where you won't be travelling on a Stray bus. These are:
- Christchurch to Greymouth (you'll travel on the TranzAlpine scenic train)
- Wellington to Picton (you will travel with the BlueBridge Cook Strait ferry with the Stray group)
- Christchurch to Picton (a comfortable InterCity bus will take you up to Picton and meet your Stray mates there)
- Milford Sound Day Trip ex. Queenstown (a custom build RealNZ coach will lead you to travel through the Fiordland National Park with extra-large windows, glass roof, and angled seating for optimal viewing)
How we Stray Asia
In Asia we use private buses (12-24 seats), minivans, an overnight sleeper train and a private long boat.
We also hire private tuktuks for short transfers/shuttles.
If you're starting your trip in Bangkok you'll travel to Chiang Mai (Thailand) on the overnight sleeper train - a great way to get to know your new travel mates!
The rest of the route you'll be travelling on private, air-conditioned mid-sized coaches and minivans (depending on the group size), fast trains, a slow boat and a couple of public buses. We make stops along the way to check out the sights, the views, swim in a waterfall, see an important monument, stretch our legs, get some food and go to the bathroom.
Some days when we're travelling in remote areas, restaurant options may be limited. We'll stop at places we know are clean and hygienic and can cope with our group size. You're welcome to bring snacks on the bus too.
Night Buses
We do not use Night Buses in Asia. Night buses look cool with flashing lights and reclining seats and some passengers ask why we don't use them. The short answer is that we don’t use night buses for safety reasons. The highways are dangerous at night. Night bus and lorry drivers are known to take stimulants to stay awake and there are a lot more heavy transport vehicles on the road, travelling at high speeds. Night buses are also pretty small, cramped and uncomfortable and arrive at a destination very in the early morning when you can't check in to hotels and there are no restaurants and shops open so you end up waiting around with nothing to do. You can’t enjoy the views out the window along the way either, and we all know it’s not just about the destination – it’s about the journey!