Bus and Coach Services From Franz Josef Glacier

Located on the west coast of the New Zealand's South Island, 148 kms south of Greymouth and 25 Kms north from Fox Glacier, Franz Josef is a small town with a population of 440.

Franz Josef  town is approximately 5 km from the Franz Josef Glacier terminal face.  Its accessibility makes it a major tourist attraction and the reason why many people visit Franz Josef.

The 12 km long Franz Josef Glacier is one of New Zealand's most spectacular natural attractions, a remnant from the Ice Age which is one of South Westland's major draw card for visitors.

The town is also 20 minutes walk from the Westland National Park.

At Franz Josef there is a range of activities ranging from the walks on Franz Josef Glacier with a duration of 3 hours, bush walks, scenic helicopter flights of Mt Cook, Fox, Tasman and Franz Josef Glaciers, to name a few of the activities that are available.

Visitors to Franz Josef will find a small but comfortable township with a first class hotel, a good selection of motel, hostel and motor camp accommodation and several restaurants.

Despite being in the wilderness, the town has all essential services including a good garage, a district nurse and Visitors Centre and Department of Conservation Office.

With combined bus and ferry travel and fare options, you can make one reservation, pay one fare and travel on one ticket, from Franz Josef to Christchurch by combined bus and train travel that includes travel on the world famous TranzAlpine train.

Travelling from Franz Josef is in modern buses and coaches with InterCity Coachlines operating a fleet of eco-friendly air conditioned buses with reclining seats and foot rests.

Newmans Coachlines operate premier sightseeing and touring coach services using a fleet of modern eco-friendly air conditioned coaches featuring reclining seats with foot and head rests and guided commentary.

InterCity Coachlines Starlighter overnight bus service between Wellington, Palmerston North, Taupo, Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland connects at Wellington with the Cook Strait ferry services operating between Picton in the South Island to Wellington in the North Island.

The Starlighter service features reclining seats with foot and head rests, individual reading lights and air conditioning controls, onboard toilet/washroom facility and makes two refreshment/comfort stops on route.

If you want to explore and see New Zealand's unique scenic beauty from Franz Josef, there are a range of flexible 'Book As You Go' bus, scenic coach, ferry travel and sightseeing passes giving you value for money travel.

Your 'Book As You Go' flexible bus, scenic coach and ferry pass, allows you to travel through out New Zealand on New Zealand's largest regional and national bus, coach, scenic coach, ferry and sightseeing network, that includes Cook Strait ferry sailings between the North and South Islands, sightseeing tours - like dolphin watching cruises in the Bay of Islands and lots more.

Travel is discounted, so you will be saving money, as you travel plus it gives you total freedom to alter your plans whenever you want.

Set your own itinerary and travel when you want, as your 'Book As You Go' flexible bus, scenic coach and ferry pass is valid for 12 months so you can stay a while and leave when you please.