Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to some of your most frequently asked questions:

Purchasing a ticket:

Do I need to show a ticket when I board the bus?

Travel Questions:

1. How do I make a booking?
You can book online using our Online Reservations System, or by phoning our contact centre, or at over 500 agents nationwide.
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2. How do I get a $1 fare?
At least one $1 fares is available on each and every InterCity operated service nationwide. $1 fares are sold on a first come, first served basis. If you are unable to find a $1 fare on a particular date of travel, the fare has already been sold and you will need to search another date of travel.
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3. When do I need to pay for my ticket?

Non Refundable Fares

Payment required within 24 hours of booking or booking will be auto-cancelled.

Fully Refundable Fares (advance bookings)

For bookings made more than 48 hours from travel, payment is required at least 48 hours prior to departure or the booking will be auto-cancelled.

Fully Refundable Fares (late bookings)

Bookings made inside 48 hours of travel require payment within 24 hours or the booking will be auto-cancelled.

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4. How can I pay for my ticket?
You can pay for your ticket online using a credit card or secure internet banking using POLi. Non internet reservation payments can be made over the phone via our contact centre, at any New Zealand Post Shop or at any one of over 500 agents nationwide. Please note that payments made at NZ Post Shops must be processed at least 2 hours prior to departure.
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5. Can I pay by cheque to the driver?
Unfortunately our drivers are unable to accept cheques. You can pay for travel at any of our local retail agents prior to travel or at any NZ Post Shop. Please note that payments made at NZ Post Shops must be processed at least 2 hours prior to departure.
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6. If I book over the phone do I have to pay by credit card?
The best way to secure your seat at the fare you want is to pay when you are booking. You can use your credit card over the phone, however should you want to pay at any of InterCity's 500 retail sales agents or at any New Zealand Post Shop we can give you a booking reference. It is important to note that if your ticket is not paid within the specified timeframe before travel it will be automatically cancelled and your seat will likely be re sold. The responsibility for ensuring your ticket is paid before travel rests with you.
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7. Do you charge a booking fee?
A $1.99 booking fee applies per online booking. A $3 booking fee applies to bookings made through our National Contact Centre. A booking fee of $1.00 applies to all tour and pass bookings. The booking fee applies per transaction, regardless of the number of journeys booked. The booking fee does not apply to Freeway point redemption.
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8. Are discounted fares available if I book in advance?

On selected services we offer discounts for Golden Age, Students, Backpackers and Children. If you qualify for one of these fares it is a good way to save.

We offer a limited number of Non Refundable fares on most services which are available to anyone. These offer considerable savings against our Fully Refundable Fares.

At any point in time, our best fares will always be found at www.intercity.co.nz
We operate a dynamic pricing system where our prices are constantly reviewed and therefore booking early does not guarantee you the best fare, however it is the best option in most cases
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9. How do I get a child, student, backpacker or senior fare?
We offer discounted child, student, backpacker and senior fares on selected services only. To view the fare options available, select the desired service from the fare finder search and a list of available fare types will be displayed below. Terms and conditions relating to all fare types can be found here.
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10. Why can't I find a child, student, backpacker or senior fare on a particular service?
Child, student, backpacker and senior fares are available on selected services only.
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11. What is the difference between a Fully Refundable and Non Refundable Fare?
With a fully refundable fare cancellations/amendments can be made up to 2 hrs before departure with 100% refund. Cancellations within 2 hrs, will receive no refund. Amendments within 2 hrs not permitted. With a non refundable fare no refund will be paid if this booking is cancelled or amended. Bookings can be amended up to 2 hours before departure but additional fare charges will apply.
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12. How do I change or cancel my ticket?

To make amendments or to request a refund, please call our National Contact Centre or visit your local booking agent. Please note that refunds can only be made to the credit card used to purchase the original ticket.

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13. How do I cancel or make changes to my bookings after hours?
Please email us on reservations@intercity.co.nz with your request and booking number. We will endeavour to respond to your email on the next business day. Our cancellation and amendment terms will be applied according to your fare type and the time your email is received.

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14. Do you sell bus passes?

Yes, see our Passes page for details.

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15. Do you offer backpacker discounts on pass products?
Yes, some of passes offer discounts to Backpackers holding valid discount cards (YHA, BBH, Nomads, ISIC, STA). Yes, see our Passes page for more details.
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16. If I miss the coach, can I use my ticket to get on the next coach?
Your ticket is valid for the service booked and for the date the ticket is valid for. If you miss the service your ticket is valid for your ticket will be non refundable and non transferable. For further information please call us.
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17. Why do your fares change price?
Our fares are dynamic which means they change depending on the how far in advance you book and how many other seats have been sold. As a general rule, the further out you book the cheaper the fare is. Fares on all InterCity services start from just $1(plus booking fee). You will always find out cheapest fares at intercity.co.nz
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18. Do I need to show a ticket when I board the bus?
No, we operate a paperless ticket system. The driver will have the name and reservation number of the passenger booked to travel on his/her manifest. You can print a copy of your ticket if you wish to help you remember the departure time but it is not required to travel. Please ensure you have your reservation number.
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Travel Questions:

1. Can I request a seat?
In order to ensure InterCity can always offer the most competitive fares, seats are not pre allocated and passengers may select their own seat when they board the vehicle.
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2. How much luggage can I take on board?
Each passenger may take 2 pieces of luggage (max 25kg each) per person free. For safety reasons, each passenger is limited to one carry on item (max 5kg). All extra items may carry an extra charge of $10.00 per item, per sector on a space available basis. Luggage on services 7001/7002 is limited to a maximum 20kgs per passenger and only suitcases/bags are permitted.
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3. Can I take a bike?
Yes bikes are permitted when space is available, although this cannot be guaranteed. An oversized luggage charge of $10 will apply per bike and is payable to the driver. Please ensure pedals are removed and the chain is sufficiently covered. We recommend the use of a bike box or bag during transit and that you make contact with us beforehand to ensure the driver is aware and makes every effort to leave space in the luggage compartment.
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4. Can I take my pet on the coach?
Only guide dogs are permitted on board the coach. For further information please contact us.
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5. Is there a toilet on board the coach?
InterCity services stop regularly for toilet breaks however do not have toilets onboard. Most Newmans services have toilets on board although this cannot be guaranteed.
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6. Can I eat and drink on board the coach?
For the comfort of other passengers we request that only cold snack foods be consumed onboard. Hot drinks are prohibited for safety reasons.

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7. Can I transport food on the coach?
Chilly bins, boxes and bags carrying food and frozen goods will not be accepted for transportation.
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8. Can I send a parcel on your coach?
InterCity does not accept freight or unaccompanied luggage.
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9. Do you provide accommodation?
No. We've stripped the cost right down to bring you great value transport throughout New Zealand
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10. Will you drop me off at my accommodation?
While we 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.
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11. Do you stop at attractions?
Yes. If you want to travel to a iconic attraction such as Milford Sound or Waitomo cave you can use your one of our popular transport passes or book directly with GreatSights New Zealand.
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12. Can I carry firearms as luggage?
Contact us (info@intercity.co.nz) if you wish to carry firearms.
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13. Can I travel in a wheelchair?
We welcome passengers travelling with wheelchairs although we have some restrictions. Passengers must be able to stand unaided when boarding and disembarking the coach. Passengers who require somebody to lift them on and off the coach must arrange for this assistance at pick up and drop off points. For health and safety reasons, drivers are not permitted to participate in carrying of passengers. We are prevented from carrying electric wheelchairs containing battery acid. If your wheelchair is not powered by a battery containing acid, and if it can collapse down to fit within our Checked Luggage conditions it can be counted towards your Checked Luggage entitlement. Please refer to our Checked Luggage terms and conditions for more information. If you have any further questions, please email us at info@intercity.co.nz
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14. Do you provide airport transfers?
We offer a limited number of services connecting the following airports Auckland International, Auckland Domestic, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin. Click the corresponding airport to display the available services.
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15. How do I report lost property?
Please email us at info@intercity.co.nz with a description of the item and your reservation number. Once a lost property report is filled we make every effort to locate the missing item. An investigation will usually take up to 10 days. Because of the number of lost property enquiries we receive, we will only come back to you if the item is found.

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16. Does the driver provide a commentary?
All GreatSights day tour services include a live English commentary by the driver. Multilingual options are also available. Some InterCity drivers like to provide a points of interest commentary during the journey however this is purely at their discretion.

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17. Can I get off the bus at an unofficial stop?
No. For safety reasons, our drivers are only permitted to let you leave the vehicle at designated stops.
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