The Prices of Self Drive Tours to the Pacific
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For travelers who love the freedom of the open road, self-drive tours through the Pacific offer the perfect way to explore the region on your own terms. These tours allow you to rent a car or campervan and set your own itinerary, giving you the flexibility to stop wherever and whenever you want. Whether you're cruising along scenic coastal highways, exploring hidden gems off the beaten path, or enjoying the freedom to take spontaneous detours, self-drive tours are all about flexibility and adventure. In this article, we'll explore the costs of self-drive tours in the Pacific, highlight some of the best options, and share the destinations that are ideal for a road trip adventure.
To help you find the perfect self-drive experience through the Pacific, we've thoroughly researched a range of tours. By comparing price ranges, tour quality, included routes, and the overall experience, we've identified the best value options for those who prefer to navigate their own journey. Whether you're seeking a short scenic drive or a longer road trip across multiple regions, these tours offer the perfect balance of independence, exploration, and adventure. So, grab your keys, start the engine, and get ready to hit the road on an unforgettable journey.
Why does the Pacific appeal to self-driving visitors?
The Pacific'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. Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is known for its natural beauty and its spiritual and sacred significance in the Anangu culture. Queenstown, Gold Coast, and Cairns are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. The well-maintained roads and breathtaking landscapes create an unforgettable driving experience.
How much do self drive tours in the Pacific cost?
The average price per day for self drive tours in the Pacific is $191, based on our analysis of 7 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $117 to $231 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $122 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $227 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in the Pacific
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable self drive tours in the Pacific average $122 per day, with daily prices from $117 to $128. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Australian Vanlife: East Coast & Sunkissed Wonders here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical self drive tours in the Pacific that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $212 per day. Daily prices range from $200 to $224. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Southern Lakes (with TranzAlpine) - 6 Day Self Drive Tour.
Luxury Tours
Luxury self drive tours in the Pacific average around $212 per day, with daily costs ranging from $224 to $231. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Southern Icons - 9 Day Self Drive Tour.
Which tour companies offer self drive tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer self drive tours in the Pacific. 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 the Pacific
Wondering where self drive tours visit in the Pacific? 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.
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Other popular destinations for self drive tours through the Pacific include Greymouth, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Townsville, and Rainbow Beach.
Which is cheaper?
Are guided self drive tours more expensive than independent travel? It depends. Tours typically bundle accommodations, transportation, meals, tickets, guides, and activities into one price, while independent travel requires paying for these elements separately. To understand the cost difference, compare the total price of a tour with the estimated cost of handling all arrangements yourself. Personal preferences, like staying in budget accommodations or dining at upscale restaurants, could tip the balance either way. Always check what's covered in the tour to make an informed comparison.
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 the Pacific, The Best Wildlife Tours to the Pacific, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in the Pacific, The Best Historical Tours in the Pacific, The Best 10-Day Tours in the Pacific, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in the Pacific, The Best 3-Day Tours in the Pacific, The Best 2-Week Tours in the Pacific, The Best 3-Week Tours in the Pacific, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in the Pacific, The Best Extended Trip Tours in the Pacific, One Month or Longer, The Best Bicycle Tours in the Pacific, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in the Pacific, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in the Pacific, The Best Overlanding Trips in the Pacific, The Best Coach Bus Tours in the Pacific, The Best Adventure Tours to the Pacific, The Best Eco Tours in the Pacific, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in the Pacific, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in the Pacific, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in the Pacific, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in the Pacific, The Best Sightseeing Tours in the Pacific, The Best Cultural Tours in the Pacific, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in the Pacific, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in the Pacific, The Tours for Animal Lovers in the Pacific, The Best Volunteering Tours in the Pacific, The Best Photography Tours in the Pacific, The Best Camping Tours in the Pacific, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in the Pacific, The Best Safaris in the Pacific, The Best Walking Tours in the Pacific, The Best Honeymoon Tours in the Pacific, The Best Tours Under $1000 in the Pacific, The Best Luxury Tours to the Pacific, The Best Budget Tours to the Pacific, The Best Tours for Seniors to the Pacific, The Best Contiki Tours to the Pacific, or The Best G Adventures Tours to the Pacific for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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