Want to know more about travelling with Kiwi Experience? Here are some of the frequently asked questions we get asked that we hope will support you with your travel plans:
My travel plans have changed due to COVID-19? What should I do?
Please see current updates on Kiwi Experience operations and our response COVID-19.
I’m a solo traveller... will I meet other solo travellers?
Absolutely! The majority of our passengers are travelling solo. Kiwi Experience is a social experience guaranteed to leave with new friends for life from across the globe.
I’m travelling with my partner / best friend – can we book our buses, activities and accommodation together?
Yes. If you are booking and travelling together, we can book you on the same bus with the exact dates. Not a biggie!
Am I too old/young for Kiwi Experience?
We welcome the young and the young at heart aboard our buses; there is no upper limit! There is however a lower limit; you’ll need to be 18 at the time of travel.
Can you help me book my trip across New Zealand? I totes need help.
We’d love to! Just get in touch with our Reservations Team via phone/ email/ social and we will happily help you plan your trip with us.
email: travel@kiwiex.co.nz or phone +64 (09) 336 4286
What visas do I need?
Luckily, many nationalities can visit New Zealand for less than 3 months without a visa. However, if you are not from one of these countries, obtaining your visa is your responsibility. We ask that you check out the Immigration New Zealand website before booking your Kiwi Experience trip.
Do I need travel insurance?
While not mandatory, travel insurance is highly recommended and should be taken out when travelling with us. As well as making sure your expensive stuff is covered, you should also get comprehensive travel insurance (covering you for all medical expenses you could incur while travelling).
How much should I budget for each day?
We recommend you budget between $70 - $100 daily to cover food and super fun times. From time to time, it may be worth putting a little more aside to pay for the really crazy stuff like skydiving.
How much luggage am I allowed to bring?
Passengers are allowed one 23kg suitcase/backpack and one day bag, as our buses have strict weight restrictions.
What is your no-show policy?
Avoid no-show fees by simply letting us know in advance that we don't need to hold your seat and at the same time, let us know when you want to hop back on.
STANDBY SYSTEM
If you wish to change a departure date and the bus is full you can opt to go on the non-confirmed standby list, and when a seat becomes available, you can take that seat.
Where is my ticket?
Don't forget to print/download your voucher and show it with your passport or another form of photo ID when you are getting on board the bus; this is your ticket!
Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Passes
Do we have to stay in the accommodation you recommend or can we stay elsewhere?
We give you the freedom and flexibility to choose any accommodation style you like. However, we select the best value for money-option in each stopover (and we do recommend staying with the group); if you’d like to stay somewhere else, that’s absolutely no problem at all. This is your experience. You can make all of your accommodation bookings via the online Trip Planner. Remember to book at least 48 hours in prior to arriving at each destination.
Can I start anywhere on the hop-on-hop-off network?
Most of our passengers start their trip in Auckland (this is where our main airport is). However, our unlimited national travel passes allow you to start and finish anywhere you like on our travel network.
Do I have to pre-book my buses?
We highly recommend, once you have a plan, to pre-book your buses, especially in the Kiwi Summer (Dec-Mar) the buses are super busy, and to avoid missing out on your preferred travel dates, it's best to pre-book. This includes accommodation as well. Your online Trip Planner provides lets you book and pays online.
I loved <insert your fave location in NZ>. Can I go back and visit again?
Sure! With our unlimited national travel passes, you can absolutely revisit a destination on our travel network. Most passengers with longer itineraries travel through some major hubs a few times each year, allowing them to become more of a local.
How much can I travel?
If you have an unlimited national travel pass, you can hop-on and hop-off the bus on our travel network as often as you’d like over 12 months. Revisit your favourite spots on the circuit once you have done the whole pass loop at least once. If you have a standard national travel pass, you can hop-on and hop-off the bus for as many days you have allocated from your pass.
