Stray Travel or Flying Kiwi or Kiwi Exp, for backpacking?

Praskar

Hi guys,

My 1st post! I am going to NZ for 2 weeks in Nov and would like to do some backpacking. I've come across these above tour operators (and of course Magic Bus). I'd like a fixed itn given that I have only 2 weeks, and would like to do more of South Island.

Now comes my questions to those who've used any of these operators or heard 'rumours' about some. I want to go with a tour company that attracts people of my age group, and people who are sincerely interested in backpacking, socialising and having a good time.

I've travelled with Contiki before and that was the BIGGEST mistake of my life. The crowd there were all in their late teens, and no one was really interested in seeing the sights or making friendly conversation, it was about just hooking up with some random guy or girl and having a "wild time". I ended up seeing drunken brawls, catfights, the works. What was to be a lovely scenic trip through Europe ended up as a soap opera.

So which ones would you advise of the tour operators above? Where I can have a nice time and meet friends and have an exp I'll cherish.

Cheers, Pras

travellerslegs · Baggage Handler Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 17 18 ants

i always recommend these guys, i did a trip with them and one of the best experiences of my life, great for enjoying outdoors and peple who are really up for enjoying travelling, ages on my bus were mainly 20s to 30s and a few outside that who were actualyl a bit older it also worked out really cheap which was great

Red Tape · Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 1:38 pm Post subject:

Sidesplitter · Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 2:18 pm Post subject:

I think he means Magic Bus, does it go by the Magic Roundabout? Wink

_________________
Older women + beer + your mates egging you on = One massive ego trip =)

Praskar · Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:25 pm Post subject:

I am thinking of doing the Q tour by Stray Travel. I'd like to know specifically about Stray Travel.

travellerslegs · Baggage Handler Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 17 18 ants

sorry forgot to add the company, i actually reckon www.flyingkiwi.com are the ones worth a go!

LostLuggageTales · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 6:30 pm Post subject: stuff...

ChrisHertz · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:16 am Post subject:

Flying Kiwi definetly my pick also have herad bad reports about all the others. I looked carefully into all before booking and having done a 27 day trip with Flying Kiwi can thoroughly recommend. They were excellent value for money and rather than an all out piss trip wre more about getting you to actually experinec the place. Great value for money compared to the others also.

Cheers

cbfb · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:23 pm Post subject:

Would recommend the TranzScenic trains in NZ - slow but comfortable. Anyway, I like trains. They operate the TranzScenic (Auckland --> Wellington), TranzCoastal (Picton --> ChCH), TranzAlpine (ChCh --> Greymouth). Done the first two.

Otherwise, get yourself a BBH card (you will end up with one of these anyway from the hostels if you're here a while, they're everywhere) and get discount on Intercitiy bus. YHA I think also gets this, check their websites.

If staying in NZ a while think about buying/renting a car. You'll be able to see a lot more of the place where public transport doesn't reach.

As for the tour operators, I steer well clear myself, but it's up to you. They tend to go to quite popular places, although nowhere I've been are full on piss-up costa del sol style tourist traps so if you're on a tight schedule/budget maybe thats the answer. A few people have recommended Stray to me if that helps.

travellerslegs · Baggage Handler Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 17 18 ants

sorry justr realised i never named the company - www.flyingkiwi.com!!!

not long for you now and sure you will have a superb time, as it gets close they all usually do specials and deals too so worth asking around and emailing operators to see what you can get!

paul

krmille2 · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:55 am Post subject: Flying Kiwi

Definitely Flying Kiwi. Most personal and engaging company, I found. The other buses tended to congregate in the same spots--I actually saw 2 Stray buses in the same parking lot on several occasions!

FK, though, is definitely for the outdoor sort. Though you can opt to upgrade to a bed on occasion, almost everyone chooses to sleep in tents most nights. You will have to set up and tear it down yourself plus participate in cooking meals every 3rd night or so--but this seems to help group mentality more than anything. People seem to take greater ownership for their trip. Also you get a more varied set of people--we had 7 different nationalities represented on our trip with ages ranging from 17 to 45, couples, students, professionals, backpackers...it was good fun.

Okay, I've rambled on enough, but just saying I had a great time with FK and have no regrets.

maddie80 · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 4:08 am Post subject: flying kiwi?

I know this thread was posted a while ago but for those of you discussing which tour bus to use, which did you go with in the end? My boyfriend and I arrive in NZ in Nov and think we will be using Flying kiwi because of all the good reviews we've heard.

Being slightly older than the average traveller, we too don't want to go on a "bang bus" so hoping flying kiwi is the one for us?

cheers guys
maddie

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