View all
Best price guarantee Learn More
- Silver Operator
- Thrifty Tours
- In-depth Cultural
- Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
- Group Tour
- Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Partially Guided
- Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
- Guided in English
- Group Size 2 - 50
- Age range 1 to 100
Places You’ll See
Highlights
- Scenic journey from Queenstown to Franz Josef
- Visit Lake Wanaka, Hawea and the West Coast Glaciers
- See the awe-inspiring Franz Josef Glacier
- Journey over the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Day 1 Queenstown to Franz Josef with Great Sights
- Day 2 Explore the West Coast Glacier region
- Day 3 Franz Josef to Greymouth, then take the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch
What's Included
- Guide
- Transport
- Free eSIMTourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Meals
- Optional
- Additional Services
Adventure Type
- Group AdventuresJoin a group and forge lifelong friendships.What to expect
- Group of 50 travelers max.
- Fast booking confirmation
- Carefully planned itineraries
- Travel with like-minded people
- Personalized AdventuresCustomize an existing itinerary or create your own.What to expect
- Choose your preferred dates and duration
- Upgrade your accommodation
- Customize the itineraries
Operated by
Thrifty Tours
Number of tours
28
Age Range
5 to 99 years old
Response time
within 1 day
Response rate
100%
It's all about enjoying the flexibility of travelling where you want when you...
Read moreCustomer Reviews
- Overall RatingGood
- PBPetra· March 12th, 2020Very good communication Very good information at bus tour Only aisle seat on train because tourradar hasn't asked for when booking (it‘s necessary to request otherwise only aisle seat very probably) Hotel - poor value for money (would have preferred to book it on my own)Show moreTrip date: March 2020
Dates & Availability
Why book with TourRadar?
- Trusted and vetted operators
- Rated excellent on
- Best price guarantee
- 24/7 customer support
- Earn $50 in travel credits
- Free eSim with every purchase
To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in Australia, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.
- From Saturday21 Jun, 2025To Monday23 Jun, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:NZ $2,235
- From Sunday22 Jun, 2025To Tuesday24 Jun, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:NZ $2,235
- From Monday23 Jun, 2025To Wednesday25 Jun, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:NZ $2,235
- From Tuesday24 Jun, 2025To Thursday26 Jun, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:NZ $2,235
- From Wednesday25 Jun, 2025To Friday27 Jun, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:NZ $2,235
- From Thursday26 Jun, 2025To Saturday28 Jun, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:NZ $2,235
- From Friday27 Jun, 2025To Sunday29 Jun, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:NZ $2,235
- From Saturday28 Jun, 2025To Monday30 Jun, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:NZ $2,235
- From Sunday29 Jun, 2025To Tuesday1 Jul, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:NZ $2,235
- From Monday30 Jun, 2025To Wednesday2 Jul, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:NZ $2,235
What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- P
Patricia
Asked on May 17th, 2022Im interested on booking the West Coast Glaciers and Scenic TranzAlpine Train - 3 Days tour, I have check the time table for the tranzalpine train and in the website said that is working only on weekends and I feel a little confused, I just want to make sure that the train will be available to take on Thursday before I booked with you. Another question that I have is the tour have any discount for children of ages 9 and 11?
Thrifty ToursOperator•Written May 2022Unfortunately it is not possible to do the tour between June 24-26. The coach from Queenstown to Franz Josef departs either on a Thurs or Saturday, so starting on Friday the 24th isn't possible. If you started on Thursday the 23rd of June, I would highly recommend that you spend 2 nights in Franz Josef to actually experience the town (otherwise you will only arrive when it is dark and you won't see much).
- P
Patricia
Traveler•Written May 2022The other option that I'm thinking if is possible is to book the tour for the June 25th.. do you think this can be possible?. We looking bedding enough for 5 people (3 adult and 2 kids). although kids of ages 9 and 11 can share a bed.
- Thrifty ToursOperator•Written May 2022
It would be possible to do the tour on the 25th of June, but if you do it as it is currently laid out, you will not have any time to experience Franz Josef due to the limited daylight hours. I would recommend that you spend 2 nights in Franz Josef (the night of the 25th and the 26th) and take the train on 27th June.
- P
Patricia
Traveler•Written May 2022Hello The total price to pay is in US dollars or NZ dollars?
- Thrifty ToursOperator•Written May 2022
The total price you see is in USD (USD $2,249.06). Our office is currently closed but will reopen tomorrow if you have further questions.
P4 more answers - T
Tammy
Asked on May 15th, 2022On day 2 of the tour in Franz Josef, what is included? The description mentions heli-hiking and/or a guided walk along the valley but it's unclear if either of these are part of the tour itself.
- Thrifty ToursOperator•Written May 2022
The itinerary as set out in that document is the best way of doing it. You could an activity such as a helihike or a kayaking activity on that free day as well.
- C
Crystal
Asked on May 3rd, 2022Can we book a triple room? Child is 9 yrs.
- Thrifty ToursOperator•Written May 2022
Unfortunately due to the coach schedules, you would have to take a private transfer from Franz Josef to Greymouth instead of the coach leg. The trip cost would increase.
- C
Crystal
Traveler•Written May 2022Could you tell me the cost of the private coach? I am looking for 1 triple occupancy room at a 4 star accommodation.
- Thrifty ToursOperator•Written May 2022
Unfortunately due to the trains and coach schedules, this tour will not be possible for your dates.
C2 more answers
Best price guarantee Learn More
Good to Know
Tour ID: 183928
Similar Tours
Keep Exploring New Zealand
- New Zealand Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
- Best 2 Week New Zealand Itineraries 2025/2026 (with Reviews)
- 10 Best Cultural Travel Companies
- New Zealand from Queenstown
- 3 days New zealand
- Operators in Australia/Oceania
- Southern Alps
- 3 Day West Coast Glaciers and Scenic TranzAlpine Train Tours in New Zealand
- New Zealand Tours
- In-depth Cultural Tours
- Family Tours
- Group Tours
- Christmas & New Year Tours
- New Zealand South Island