We wish to inform our valued passengers of an upcoming service change on the Northern Explorer train due to scheduled network maintenance.
Affected Dates:
27 June – 12 July 2025
19 – 30 September 2025
3 – 4 October 2025
Impact on Travel:
During these dates, the tracks between Auckland Strand Railway Station and Hamilton will be closed due to essential rail maintenance.
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 Papakura or Auckland Strand Station.
Scenic Routes Unaffected:
Rest assured, you will not miss a significant portion of the scenic route. The most picturesque parts of the journey are located south of Hamilton, and the train journey between Hamilton and Wellington will operate as usual.
Flexibility for Travelers:
To accommodate your plans, you may:
Reschedule your travel to a different date.
Request a 100% refund if you prefer not to travel during this period.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by this disruption and remain committed to providing a safe and comfortable journey.
New Zealand Travel Scenic Passes are available for travel on all 3 train services and ferry travel
Valid for travel to 30 June 2025
If you‘re not sure when you’d like to travel, the Freedom Pass is for you. A New Zealand Travel Team Rail Pass is a flexible ‘Book As You Go’ travel pass that allows you to travel on New Zealand’s 3 long-distance passenger train services between Auckland and Wellington, Picton to Christchurch, Christchurch to Greymouth and ferry sailing/s between the North and South Islands by purchasing the number of ‘Travel’ days you want to use and travel whenever it suits, for up to 2 months from the date of your first journey.
New Zealand Travel Scenic Pass is suited for independent travellers, families or small groups, who are travelling together on the same routes, to the same destinations.
Reservations for train & ferry services are compulsory and should be made as soon as possible to avoid disappointment and no later than 72 Hours prior to the travel date to secure you a seat. Reservations are subject to availability and can be made by emailing our New Zealand Travel Team.
Please note each traveller needs his or her own pass.
Low Season Fares are valid on 2 trains Northern Explorer, TranzAlpine and a one-way ferry sailing between the North and South Islands
Travel must be commenced and completed between 01 May 2023 and 20 September 2025
Choose a fixed-term pass for 7, 14, or 21 days and travel on two long-distance scenic trains and ferry sailing/s between the North and South Islands. This is perfect if you want to explore over 1 week, and want to be able to use the train on any of these days. Fixed-term pass travel days commence from the start date specified when purchasing, and you can book your trips via email or by phoning us.
Reservations for train & ferry services are compulsory and should be made as soon as possible to avoid disappointment and no later than 72 Hours prior to the travel date to secure you a seat. Reservations are subject to availability and can be made by contacting our New Zealand Travel Team.
Reservations are subject to availability and can be made by contacting our New Zealand Travel Team.
Please note each traveler needs his or her own 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 plus selected Great Sights, Gray Line ans awesomeNZ services. Please note some tours are currently unavailable.
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 the Flexipass Service Centre 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.
NB: The ferry service included with a Bus Pass is Interisalnder only, BlueBridge Ferry services are at an additional cost, they are not included in the Bus Pass Hours.
