20 Day New Zealand Explorer (Auckland to Christchurch)

Kristina the GOAT!

Had an absolutely amazing time with Stray, Kristina was our tour guide and she was an absolute gem, had some great recommendations and made sure that everything ran as smooth as it could possibly be! Would highly recommend doing the tour whether you are a solo traveller or travelling with mates!

via Tripadvisor

Great experience

It was a really good experience. The drivers made the difference. Especially, Romeoo, Chilli and Cookie. They were great! Bonding with all the group and making delicious dinner for us! I think that renting a car with friends is the best option, but if that is not available I would chose again stray.

Response from the operator: Hi Denise, Thank you for choosing Stray! We're glad you loved your trip.

via Tripadvisor

Stray is great and ‘Soxx’ is the best!

I’ve got to start this review with a huge THANK YOU to my driver ‘Soxx’. I’ve traveled with him for about ten days and I can’t imagine a better guide/driver. He combines interesting facts with funny stories - don’t expect a traditional (boring) explanation about New Zealand’s history or how high mountains are. Moreover he’s really enthusiastic and he took us to some nice unlisted places, such as luging in Rotorua. That said, is there room for improvement? Yes, there is. The app can be a bit confusing and you can’t download the information (i.e. read it offline). The good thing is that the client service is very fast and you can always ask your driver for advice. And as far as I’ve seen most of the fellow travellers are in their twenties, I’d say 26 is the average age. The youngest in my bus was 18 and some people are 30+ (and 60+, they made their own group). So don’t hesitate and choose for Stray!

Response from the operator: Thanks for sharing your experience with us. We're glad you had such a good time. I'll be sure to pass your kind words onto Soxx :)

via Tripadvisor

Great way to meet people and see New Zealand sans car

Was contemplating skipping New Zealand entirely on my travelers because I had heard getting around on your own was challenging without a car, and I didn’t want to rent one alone. Stray was the best solution ever. It took me to some amazing spots, many of which I probably would have not gone to on my own. It enabled me to be relatively flexible, because if I really liked a place, I could jump off and stay there longer (although I did have to book accommodation in some places pretty early seeing as it was peak season and things book up quickly!). Most importantly, though, it allowed me to make friends with fellow bus riders super easily. Another amazing aspect of Stray is that the drivers are really good at pointing out interesting facts and providing helpful information about the Stray itinerary. Shout out to Thunder, Pac Man, and most of all, Soxx, for an amazing trip. One thing that could use improvement, however, is the app itself. It always restarts at the beginning of your trip, even when you are towards the end. It also is chronologically confusing and allows you to book dates out of order, along with listing your departure before your non-travel activities in the same place (which should come first). Yet, while it’s not ideal, the app is still useable and is a small inconvenience for what was, overall, an incredibly seamless experience. Would recommend, for sure!

Response from the operator: Hi There, Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you had an great time travelling with us. See you next time!

via Tripadvisor

Worth every penny

The Stray experience has exceeded my expectations. I thought I was getting a three week transportation service with self guided tips, but what I got was thoughtful recommendations, incredible off the beaten path experiences, and the opportunity to meet new people and forage new friendships. Huge credit to Lightning, our knowledgeable, helpful, and fun driver, who provided guidance along the way, an inclusive environment, and whose general attitude and zest for life brought our group together and enhanced the Stray experience. Stray gives you the flexibility to amend your itinerary to maximize your time. They also connect you to a variety of highly professional tour companies of which you can decide what activities you want to complete.

Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you so much for your Feedback. It is great to hear you had a great time with your guide Lightning and that you enjoyed your Stray trip! We sincerely hope you made memories with Stray that will last a lifetime!

via Tripadvisor