Do I need to make a
travel reservation
Yes. Travel reservations
are necessary, as your name and travel details are on the bus driver's
passenger list, so they know where to pick you up and where you are
travelling to.
Are there discounted fares available if I
book online -
Yes. There are a range of fare discounts including Senior Citizens, Students,
Backpackers and Children if you book online. If you qualify for one of these fares it is a
good way to save.
- 'Standard' fares are available on most services and are available
to anyone and offer considerable savings against Flexi Fares.
'Standard' fares are subject to availability until a reservation has been
confirmed and paid for.
'Standard' fares (if available) can be booked up to 2 hours prior to
travel date.
-
A 'Golden Age' fare is a senior citizen fare available to New Zealand residents
only, who are 60 years and over, with
appropriate ID or New Zealand Gold Card. This fare is fully refundable up to 2 hours prior to
departure.
'Golden Age' fares are available on most services.
-
A 'Backpacker' fare is available to any person, with
appropriate ID - YHA, BBH, ISIC, Nomad, VIP, IYTC or Hostelling International
cards. This fare is fully refundable up to 2 hours prior to
departure.
-
A 'Student' fare are available to any person (12-16 years), with
appropriate Student ID. This fare is fully refundable up to 2 hours prior to
departure.
A student 17 years and over must have a valid polytech, Universty, ISIC, CIT
or student ID cards issued by a Regional Council like Canterbury's condo
card.
International student must have a valid ISIC card.
-
A 'Child Fare' is for a child 3-12 years travelling with an Adult. This fare
is fully refundable up to 2 hours prior to departure.
A Child under 7 years must be accompanied by an adult or guardian 18
years and over
-
An 'Infant' is a child 0-3 years travelling with an adult (Over 18 years)
being a parent or guardian. An infant must be carried on the adult's lap in
order to travel free. If a seat is required, then a 'Child' fare must be
paid for.
Top
What
is the difference between a 'Standard' and 'Flexi' Fare
- Flexi Fare - This fare allows cancellations
(with a 100% refund) or amendments to be made up to 2
hours before departure. Cancellations within 2 hours of
departure time, will
receive no refund.
Amendments within 2 hrs
of departure time are not permitted.
- Standard Fare - This
fare is not refundable once payment
has been made.
Bookings can be amended up to 2 hours before departure but
additional fare charge/s will apply.
Top
How do I get a $1.00 fare
You should book early in order to get
a $1.00
fare. $1.00
fares are first to be sold.
InterCity,
Newmans and Great Sights online reservation system, automatically calculates
the cheapest price for the number of people travelling – it does not make
any difference if you book seats individually or together – you will get the
same price.
How early to
book
varies route by route – on some routes you will need to book six weeks or
more ahead. On others you may be able to book as little as two weeks ahead.
The rule is, to get the best price, book as early as possible.
$1.00 fares
are not available on Newmans, Great Sights tourist services or
TranzAlpine train.
Top
Is there a Booking Fee
From 01 January 2013, a NZ$3.99
booking fee will apply per reservation number regardless of the number of
travel sectors that have been booked online regardless if payment is by a credit, debit card or by
internet banking using 'Poli' pay.
This booking fee will apply to all new 'Point to Point' travel bookings only
and does not apply to any bus pass reservations or Freeway point redemption.
Top
How do I pay for my Reservation/Booking
You can pay for your reservation/booking by a Visa or Mastercard debit or
credit card or by a prepaid Visa card available from
any
New Zealand Post Shop or any
Westpac New Zealand branch or a reloadable
prepaid Visa or Mastercard card available from
any
New Zealand Post Shop or from any
Westpac New Zealand branch or
ANZ Branch.
Payment can be made using
Airports ONESMART Mastercard debit card (NZ
residents only).
Payment can be made by using an American Express card.
Payment can be made by Internet Banking using Polipay. This service is only
available to New Zealand and Australian residents.
Visa Electron card can not be used for any online reservation.
Top
Can I make a reservation by phone, chat
or by Skype
Yes you can. Chat, phone and Skype is secure communications.
If
booking by phone, chat or Skype, payment is required once availability of a
seat has been confirmed.
Top
Can I pay on the day I travel
No. You can not make a reservation in advance and pay on the day you travel.
All seats on any service is subject to availability until a reservation has
been confirmed and paid for.
Top
Payment by Cheque
If you live in New Zealand, you can not pay the driver by cheque.
Top
How do
I get my ticket if I book online
Your ticket/e-ticket is email to you to the email address that you
have given when you made your reservation.
If you have a public account email address from Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo,
please check you Trash and/or Junk folder to see if your e-ticket/itinerary
is these folders, if it has not delivered to your 'In' box/folder.
Top
How much luggage can I take
Checked Luggage -
Each passenger may take two pieces per person weighing a maximum of 25kg
each per person (20kg on some Auckland to Wellington services
and any GOLD services). Each piece of luggage should not exceed
total dimensions (length + width + height) of 158cm (62 inches).
Extra luggage may be carried subject to space available
at a cost of NZ$10.00 per item per sector, payable to the driver
or NZ$15.00 for any ferry service between the North and South
Islands. Any transport operator/s cannot guarantee carriage of
extra luggage on any specific travel date or service
Carry on luggage -
Each passenger is limited to one carry-on item with
dimensions not exceeding 20cm high x 28cm deep with a maximum
length of 400mm. The maximum weight is 5kg.
Handbags, umbrellas, walking sticks and other aids are
permitted.
You are responsible for your carry-on luggage and transport
operator/s do not accepts no responsibility whatsoever for loss
or damage to carry-on luggage. It is recommended that you have
sufficient insurance cover offer all carry on and checked
luggage.
If traveling with a baby, you may take a collapsible pushchair or
carrycot plus one extra piece of luggage.
Please label all luggage to your final destination, as the bus/coach
operator you will be traveling with cannot accept responsibility for
unlabelled luggage.
Chilly bins, boxes and bags carrying food and frozen goods will not be
accepted for transportation.
All extra luggage/items may carry an extra charge of $10.00 per
item, per travel sector on a 'Space Available' basis and is payable
to the driver.
Lager
Items (Bicycles, Surfboards, skis, etc)
Larger items will be carried on 'Space Available'
basis on each sector
traveled (Limit -1 item per person).
There is cost of NZ$10.00 per item per travel sector and is payable to the
driver.
Collapsible, self propelled (propelled by the person sitting in them)
wheelchairs can be carried.
Electric wheelchairs or scooters can not be carried.
You will need to contact the bus operator
you are travelling with either by phone from your Ticket/E-ticket or by
email, quoting your booking number/reference at least 72 hours prior to your
travel date, so the driver of the service you will be travelling on, will be
aware and can make space available for your item.
Notice of large items for all
bus/coach operators less than 24 hours before the date of travel will not be
guaranteed and no refunds will be given if the bus operator is unable to
accommodate your request.
InterCity, Newmans or Great Sights services do not carry unaccompanied
luggage.
Top
Carry on items
For safety reasons, each passenger is limited to one carry on
item (max 5kg).
Handbags, umbrellas, walking sticks and other aids are permitted.
Carry on items like chilly bins, boxes and bags carrying food and frozen
goods are not allowed on board the bus or coach.
Top
Lager Items (Bicycles, Surfboards, skis, etc)
Larger items will be carried on 'Space Available' basis on each sector
travelled (Limit -1 item per person).
There is cost of NZ$10.00 per item per travel sector and is payable to the
driver.
Collapsible, self propelled (propelled by the person sitting in them)
wheelchairs can be carried.
Electric wheelchairs or scooters can not be carried.
You will need to contact the bus operator
you are travelling with either by phone from your Ticket/E-ticket or by
email, quoting your booking number/reference at least 72 hours prior to your
travel date, so the driver of the service you will be travelling on, will be
aware and can make space available for your item.
Notice of large items for all
bus/coach operators less than 24 hours before the date of travel will not be
guaranteed and no refunds will be given if the bus operator is unable to
accommodate your request.
InterCity, Newmans or Great Sights services do not carry unaccompanied
luggage.
Top
Can I take a bike with me
Yes, but subject to space availability on the day of travel. There
will be an extra charge of NZ$10.00 per bike, per travel sector and payable to the
driver.
Bicycles should be boxed to
avoid damage to other passengers luggage, however if you are unable to box
the bicycle, the minimum requirement is that the bicycle pedals and chain is
to covered and the front wheel removed. The operator you are travelling
with, will take no responsibility for any damage to bicycles that are not
boxed.
You will need to contact the
bus operator you are travelling with either by phone from your
Ticket/E-ticket or by email, quoting your booking number/reference at least
72 hours prior to your travel date, so the driver of the service you will be
travelling on, will be aware and can make space available for your bike.
Notice of carry of a bike for all
bus/coach operators less than 24 hours before the date of travel will not be
guaranteed and no refunds will be given if the bus operator is unable to
accommodate your request.
InterCity, Newmans or Great Sights services do not carry
unaccompanied bikes.
Top
Can I request a seat
In order to ensure there is an offer of most competitive fares, seats are
not pre allocated and passengers may select their own seat when they board
the vehicle.
Top
Can I take a pet with me
No. We are unable to carry animals on board any bus or coaches. Guide dogs are
welcome on board and are the only exception on any long distance bus or
coach service/s.
Top
Are there toilet/washroom facilities on
board a bus/coach
InterCity bus and coaches do not have onboard toilet/washroom facilities
except for the Starlighter over night services.
Intercity services do stop regularly for comfort breaks on route.
All Great Sights and most Newmans services have a onboard toilet/washroom
facilities.
Top
Can I eat on board
Bottled water and snacks are allowed however hot food and drinks are not for
safety reasons.
Top
Can I transport food on a bus/coach
Chilly bins, boxes or bags carrying food or frozen goods will not be
accepted for transportation.
Top
Can I send unaccompanied luggage or
parcels on a bus/coach
No.
InterCity, Newmans or Great Sights are passenger services and do not carry
unaccompanied luggage, parcels or freight.
To transport unaccompanied luggage, parcels or freight within New Zealand,
using a Visa or Mastercard credit, debit, prepaid or prepaid reloadable
card, please contact
Sub60 Couriers for
pricing pick up and delivery information.
Top
Can I be dropped of at my accommodation
Long distance bus and coach services do not don't drop you right at the door
of your accommodation, most stops in major cities are within close proximity
to all the main backpackers and hotels.
Top
Can I travel if I am disable
Passengers travelling on InterCity, Great Sights and Newmans services must be able to
stand on their own legs when assisted by the driver.
InterCity, Great Sights and Newmans drivers will not be in a position to carry passengers
on and off buses or coaches.
Passengers who require somebody to lift them on and off the coach must
arrange for this assistance at pick up and drop off points.
Drivers are not permitted to participate in carrying on passengers due to
health and safety reasons.
Top
Carriage of motorised wheel chairs and
scooters
InterCity, Great Sights and Newmans services are unable to store and/or carry motorised
wheelchairs or motorised mobility scooters on any of their services.
Top
Overnight bus services between Auckland
and Wellington
For safety
reasons unaccompanied persons under 16 years cannot travel on any sector of
the InterCity Starlighter (overnight) service between Auckland & Wellington
(or vice versa) unless they are accompanied by an adult over the age of 18
years.
Top
Unaccompanied children
A minor is deemed by InterCity Group to be someone aged 7 -12 inclusive. A
minor is deemed to be unaccompanied if they are not accompanied by a person
over the age of 18 years. No child less than 7 years old may travel alone.
InterCity
Group will carry unaccompanied minors on InterCity and Newmans Coach Lines
services provided that an unaccompanied minor form has been completed fully,
has been signed by at least one legal guardian, a copy held by InterCity
Group and a copy held by the unaccompanied minor. It is important all legal
guardians read and understand the unaccompanied minor form before signing
it.
A booking for
an unaccompanied minor cannot be confirmed until an unaccompanied minor form
has been fully completed. Ticketing a booking without an unaccompanied minor
form being completed may result in cancellation of the reservation or a
refusal of carriage.
An unaccompanied minor must carry a copy of the fully completed
unaccompanied minor form when travelling on any InterCity or Newmans
service.
The driver will request to see the unaccompanied minor form before accepting
the minor for travel. Where possible InterCity and Newmans drivers will seat
unaccompanied minors in rows 2-5. This is not guaranteed and is a stated
intention only.
InterCity Group reserves the right to refuse carriage should the correct
forms not be completed and held prior to travel.
Click
here to download the
unaccompanied minor form
(Adobe Acrobat format (file size 45 KB) -
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
An
unaccompanied minor must carry a copy of the fully completed unaccompanied
minor form when travelling on any InterCity or Newmans service.
The driver will request to see the unaccompanied minor form before accepting
the minor for travel.
Top
Travelling with infants
An infant (0-2years) can travel free in they are carried on the lap of the
parent/s travelling with them.
If you want to a guaranteed seat for an infant, you must purchase a child
fare at the same time when you make your on reservation/booking.
Top
Smoking
Under the provisions of the Smoke Free Environments Act (1990), coach
services are required to be smoke-free, including on-board rest-rooms, where
provided.
InterCity, Newmans and Great Sight bus and coach services do stop regularly
for comfort and optional refreshments.
Top
Will my second/connecting bus (or
train/plane/ferry) wait
YES
- If you have booked a connecting trip, i.e.
a trip which involves two or more bus sectors (i.e. there is only one
reference number for the trip). In this case
only,
the second bus will wait because the driver will be aware of the
connecting passenger.
BUT - If you have booked
two or more separate trips, the second bus will not wait because the driver
will not be aware of the connecting passenger. For this reason you should
always book the trip as a connecting trip. If you book separate trips it is
at your own risk, and there will be no refund if you miss the second bus.
So please do not book two
separate trips to save a few dollars, as it may well cost you much more in
the long run.
Connecting to/from other
transport (planes, trains … and anything else)
If you are booked on a InterCity, Newmans, Great Sights
service, these services will not wait for you if you have not checked in or
a the advised bus stop by the time stated
of your ticket/e-ticket. Drivers will not wait for any specific train or
plane, as would add complexity and would likely result in errors. Therefore you should book
transport with ample windows of time to avoid disappointment. Delaying any bus service/s would
be an inconvenience
to other passengers and risk
connections further along the route.
Suggested window between trips:
-
from any flight: at least
two hours
-
from another bus / train,
two hours unless the other operator can assure you that less time is
needed.
-
to any flight: at least two
hours
-
to another bus / train, two
hours
You are responsible for being at
the bus stop for the departure time stated on your confirmation email. Our
buses do not wait for passengers who are trying to connect to or from other
forms of transport. You should ensure AMPLE
windows of time when travelling to or from other forms of transport
(especially planes out of Auckland). For flights, at least 2 hours should be
given between the suggested arrival time of the bus and the check-in time
(especially in Auckland and Wellington) – the same applies in the reverse
direction.
InterCity Group cannot be held responsible for
delays caused by traffic etc.
Cook Strait ferry services
There is one exception for
passengers travelling via ferry to Picton (but not by ferry to Wellington).
If you are travelling on a
Cook Strait ferry and the ferry is delayed, you will be
picked by the next bus. But if the ferry is
delayed and this no other bus service available you will have to make your own overnight arrangements. Your ticket
will be valid for the next available bus. If your ferry is late and a
bus is still there, identify yourself to the driver before you
collect your luggage.
Top
Timetable and fare information
Timetables published by InterCity Group (NZ) Limited (InterCity) or the
operators of InterCity Coachlines (together, the InterCity Group) are
indicative only.
The InterCity Group reserves the right to alter prices and timetables and to
arrange alternative transport, routes or sightseeing services without
notice.
Top
Carriage of Goods Act 1979
InterCity Group products and services are sold subject to the Carriage of
Goods Act 1979 and:
(a) the full
terms and conditions set out on your reservation/booking page and any other
terms and conditions published by the actual carrier or printed on the
ticket; and
(b) any
special conditions specific to that fare type (InterCity Regional
TravelPasses and
InterCity Flexi-Pass
also carry special conditions in addition to those stated in this section).
The total
liability of any InterCity Group member (which includes any franchisee) or
any of their contractors or agents for any cost, expense, loss or liability
suffered or incurred by any passenger or other person, whether as a result
of wilful default, negligence or otherwise, is limited to the lesser of:
(a) proven
direct compensatory damages (which does not include, without limitation,
loss of profit, revenue, saving or business or exemplary, indirect or
consequential damages); or
(b) the
amount paid by the relevant passenger for the product or service.
If a
customer acquires or holds themselves out as acquiring InterCity Group
products or services for the purposes of a business the provisions of the
Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 will not apply.
Top
General information
Timetables published by InterCity Group (NZ) Limited (InterCity)
or the operators of InterCity Coachlines (together, the InterCity
Group) are indicative only. The InterCity Group reserves the right
to alter prices and timetables and to arrange alternative transport, routes
or sightseeing services without notice.
InterCity
Group products and services are sold subject to the Carriage of Goods Act
1979 and:
(a) the terms
and conditions set out plus any other terms and conditions of the InterCity
Group are
printed on the ticket; and
(b) any
special conditions specific to that fare type (InterCity Regional Coach
Passes and InterCity Flexi-Pass also carry special conditions in addition to
those stated in this section).
The total
liability of any InterCity Group member (which includes any franchisee) or
any of their contractors or agents for any cost, expense, loss or liability
suffered or incurred by any passenger or other person, whether as a result
of wilful default, negligence or otherwise, is limited to the lesser of:
(a) proven
direct compensatory damages (which does not include, without limitation,
loss of profit, revenue, saving or business or exemplary, indirect or
consequential damages); or
(b) the
amount paid by the relevant passenger for the product or service.
Top