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The Best Self Drive Tours in New Zealand

New Zealand

If you're headed to New Zealand and are looking for the best options for self drive tours, then you've come to the right place. We have done an extensive analysis of all available guided tour packages in New Zealand based on price, guest ratings, service, amenities, activities, and value. We've done the groundwork for you, meticulously analyzing the holiday packages and organized tours based on these key criteria in order to find the best self drive tours. New Zealand is a fantastic destination because of the beaches, hiking, family-friendly activities, and romance. Whether you're dreaming of a vacation filled with relaxation, adventure, or a perfect blend of both, we've found the ideal journeys to make your holiday to New Zealand unforgettable. We have lots of details below on what these multi-day tours and trips are like, where they visit, how much you can expect to pay, and more. So, let's dig in.


The Top 3 Tours:

  • 18 Days, $3511.48

  • 7 Days, $1375.98

  • 3 Days, $608.18
New Zealand
The Best Self Drive Tours through New Zealand

Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.

All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.

Organized by Journaway 18 Days Christchurch to Auckland 10 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for self drive tours in New Zealand.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Independence: immerse yourself in the culture with self guided travel.

Great for:
  • Nature Lovers
  • Hiking Enthusiasts

starstarstarstarstar 4.7 rating

Age Range: 1 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 15
Price per Day: $128

This tour visits Christchurch, Orte, Auer, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Fall, Queenstown, Namur, Mount Aspiring National Park, Abel Tasman National Park, Wülflingen (Kreis 6) / Insel, Havelock, Tal, Berg, Wellington, Sand, Napier, Coromandel, and Auckland.

  • Sightseeing
  • Family
  • Camping
  • Self Drive
  • Self-Guided
  • Wildlife Trekking

By Journaway



$2,301
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 7 Days Start/End in Christchurch 6 Destinations
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.

Great for:
  • Animal Lovers
  • Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 5.0 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $197

This tour visits Christchurch, Mount Cook, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Dunedin, and Moeraki.

  • Wildlife
  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$1,376
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 3 Days Queenstown to Christchurch 5 Destinations
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Great for Adventure Travelers

starstarstarstarstar 5.0 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $203

This tour visits Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Greymouth, and Christchurch.

  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$608
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 14 Days Auckland to Christchurch 18 Destinations
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.

Great for:
  • Adventure Travelers
  • Animal Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 5.0 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 4
Price per Day: $263

This tour visits Auckland, Coromandel, Whitianga, Tauranga, Rotorua, Napier, Masterton, Wellington, Picton, Queen Charlotte Sound, Nelson, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Dunedin, and Christchurch.

  • Wildlife
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$3,679
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 6 Days Start/End in Christchurch 6 Destinations
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.

Great for:
  • Animal Lovers
  • Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.5 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $200

This tour visits Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, and Greymouth.

  • Wildlife
  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$1,202
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 5 Days Auckland to Wellington 6 Destinations
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Great for Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 5.0 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $238

This tour visits Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Napier, Masterton, and Wellington.

  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$1,190
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 9 Days Start/End in Christchurch 8 Destinations
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Great for Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.5 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $231

This tour visits Christchurch, Mount Cook, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, and Greymouth.

  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$2,077
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 7 Days Queenstown to Wellington 6 Destinations
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.

Great for:
  • Animal Lovers
  • Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.0 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $224

This tour visits Queenstown, Mount Cook, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Picton, and Wellington.

  • Wildlife
  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$1,569
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 9 Days Auckland to Christchurch 5 Destinations
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Independence: immerse yourself in the culture with self guided travel.

Great for:
  • Animal Lovers
  • Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.0 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $224

This tour visits Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Picton, and Christchurch.

  • Wildlife
  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Self-Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$2,017
on TourRadar

Organized by Australia and New Zealand Travel Company 14 Days Queenstown to Auckland 7 Destinations
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Great for History Enthusiasts

starstarstarstarstar 4.0 rating

Age Range: 8 to 74
Maximum Group Size: 45
Price per Day: $212

This tour visits Queenstown, Milford Sound, Franz Josef, Greymouth, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland.

  • Historical
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Australia and New Zealand Travel Company
Focusing on Australia and New Zealand, Australia and New Zealand Travel Company is a smaller tour company providing a more personal service to customers. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.



$2,967
on TourRadar

Why does New Zealand appeal to self-driving visitors?

New Zealand's scenic routes and varied attractions make it a perfect destination for self-drive tours. Exploring at your own pace allows stops at charming towns, wilderness areas, and smaller interesting spots that you come across along the way. Fiordland National Park is known for its world renowned hiking trails and stunning natural environments. Queenstown, Paihia, and Auckland are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. The well-maintained roads and breathtaking landscapes create an unforgettable driving experience.

New Zealand


How much do self drive tours in New Zealand cost?

The average daily price of Self Drive Tours in New Zealand is $212 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Self Drive Tours in New Zealand here.


We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.




$212
Average Price Per Day
10
Tours Analyzed
4.6
Average Rating
3
Tour Companies
13
Average Group Size

Which Tour Companies Offer Self Drive Tours?

A number of fantastic tour companies offer self drive tours in New Zealand. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.

Discover New Zealand

Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company that focuses on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.

See All Tours from Discover New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand Travel Company

Focusing on Australia and New Zealand, Australia and New Zealand Travel Company is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.

See All Tours from Australia and New Zealand Travel Company


Self Drive Destinations in New Zealand

Wondering where self drive tours visit in New Zealand? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.

Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island. It's a nice city with amazing hikes and biking trails. There are beautiful outdoor spaces, parks, and gardens. Many visitors enjoy the city's rich English heritage, and punting along the Avon River is a favorite activity.

Queenstown

Queenstown is located on the banks of Lake Wakatipu near the Southern Alps in New Zealand. It is a high adventure destination with many activities for thrill seekers. There are also vineyards in the area, bungee jumping, and world class hikes. Whether you want to enjoy skiing in the winter or boating in the summer, there is no shortage of activities here.

Wellington

Wellington is the small and vibrant capital city of New Zealand. It's located on the southern end of the North Island, and many visitors pass through it on their way from one island to the other. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and there are many beaches in the area.

Auckland

Auckland is a waterfront city that is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand. It's spread out between the Manukau Harbour and the Waitemata Harbour, and there's a compact city centre with a number of landmarks and attractions. For many visitors, it's the point of arrival or departure to the country.

More

Other popular destinations for self drive tours through New Zealand include Franz Josef, Greymouth, Wanaka, Coromandel, and Masterton.


Tour Prices in New ZealandSelf Drive Tours in Pacific

Which is cheaper?

Are guided self drive tours worth the money compared to independent travel? It depends on the specifics. Tours combine accommodations, meals, transport, tickets, and activities into a single cost, while independent travelers manage and pay for these individually. To determine which is more affordable, compare the tour's total price with what you'd spend booking everything separately. Preferences like staying in low-cost lodging or indulging in fine dining can influence whether a tour costs more or less. Make sure to check out the tour package to see what is included, or not, very carefully before deciding.

Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.

More Tour Options

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Historical Tours in New Zealand, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in New Zealand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in New Zealand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in New Zealand, The Best Cultural Tours in New Zealand, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in New Zealand, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in New Zealand, The Tours for Animal Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Photography Tours in New Zealand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, The Best Walking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, or The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.

Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Christchurch, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Wellington, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Queenstown, The Best 10-Day Tours from Christchurch, The Best 10-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Wellington, The Best 2-Week Tours from Auckland, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Christchurch for more package tour options.

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