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.

- 'Non-Refundable' fares are available on most services and are available to anyone. These offer considerable savings against our 'Fully Refundable' Fares.

Due to a limited number of 'Non-Refundable' fares available, these fares are subject to availability until a reservation has been confirmed and paid for.

'Non-Refundable' fares (if available) can be booked up to 24 hours prior to travel date.

- A 'Golden Age' fare is available 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 and are available on most services.

- A 'Backpacker' fare is available to any person, with appropriate ID - YHA, BBH, ISIC, Nomad, VIP 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.

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What is the difference between a fully 'Refundable' and 'Non-Refundable' Fare -

- A 'Fully Refundable' fare, cancellations or amendments can be made up to 2 hours before departure with a 100% refund. Cancellations within 2 hours of departure time, will receive no refund.

Amendments within 2 hrs of departure time are not permitted.

- A 'Non-Refundable' 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.

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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 or Newmans or Great Sights tourist services.

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Is there a Booking Fee -

From 01 January 2013, a NZ$3.99 booking fee will apply to all online reservations/bookings.

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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, ANZ Branch or National Bank Branch.

Payment can be made using Airports ONESMART Mastercard card (NZ residents only).

Payment can be made by using an American Express card.

Payment can be made by Internet Banking using 'Poli' pay. This service is only available to New Zealand and Australian residents.

Visa Electron card can not be used for any online reservation.

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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.

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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.

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Payment by Cheque -

If you live in New Zealand, you can not pay the driver by cheque.

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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.

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How much luggage can I take -

Checked Luggage -

Each passenger may take 2 pieces of luggage (max 25kg each) per person free.

If travelling  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 travelling 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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Are there toilet/washroom facilities on board a bus/coach -

InterCity bus and coaches do not have onboard toilet/washroom facilities.

Intercity services do stop regularly for comfort/optional refreshment breaks on route.

All Great Sights and most Newmans services have a onboard toilet/washroom facilities.

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Can I eat on board -

Bottled water and snacks are allowed however hot food and drinks are not for safety reasons.

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Can I transport food on a bus/coach -

Chilly bins, boxes or bags carrying food or frozen goods will not be accepted for transportation.

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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.

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Can I be dropped of a 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 and Naked Bus 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.

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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.

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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 on InterCity's website (www.intercitycoach.co.nz), 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 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.

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.

For consumer information about the Carriage of Goods Act 1979 the Ministry of Consumer affairs offers a commentary, click here for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs web site. The information contained on the Ministry of Consumer Affairs web site is controlled by them. InterCity Group offers the link as a service, it in no way takes responsibility for the contents of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs web site:

www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/consumerinfo/carriageofgoods.html

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