Private tours of New Zealand, built around your day
A private tour is simply your own vehicle, your own driver and a day that runs at your pace. You choose the start time, how long you linger, and when you have had enough — and a local driver handles the roads, the weather and the timing.
What's included
- Your party only — nobody else's schedule mixed into your day
- Start when you want, stop when you want, finish when you're ready
- Local drivers who know the roads, the light and the quiet moments
- Door to door from your hotel, lodge, cruise berth or airport
- Families, couples, small groups and multi-vehicle parties all catered for
- A fixed price agreed before you travel — no meter, no surprises
How it works
Most visitors book a coach seat because they think it is the only option without a rental car. It is not. A private tour costs more per head than a bus seat and far less than most people expect once a family or small group shares one vehicle — and the day it buys is completely different.
There is no roll call, no waiting for the last passenger, and no fifteen-minute photo stop at the place you wanted an hour. If the weather turns, your driver reshapes the day rather than pushing on through it. If the children need an early finish, you finish early.
We drive private tours right across New Zealand, from single-day sightseeing out of the main cities to touring days that link up with a longer trip. Tell us the dates, the number of people and roughly what you would like to see, and we will tell you honestly what fits into a day and what does not.
Why book privately with us
Highway 1 Tours & Transfers is a New Zealand owned private transfer and touring company with NZTA-licensed, P-endorsed drivers. Every booking is a private hire: your own vehicle, your own timing, a fixed price agreed in advance, and a driver whose only job that day is your trip.
Frequently asked questions
More private travel
- Multi-day driving — nationwideA private driver for your whole New Zealand trip
For trips of several days or more, the simplest arrangement is one driver and one vehicle for the duration. Your bags stay in the car, the route is planned around your bookings, and you never repeat your plans to a new person each morning.
- Luxury travel — nationwideLuxury travel in New Zealand, quietly handled
Guests travelling at the top end usually want the same thing: everything arranged before arrival, nothing to queue for, and someone reliable waiting at each point. That is the whole job — a premium vehicle, a discreet driver and a plan agreed in advance.
- Chauffeur hire — nationwideChauffeur service — a professional driver at your disposal
Some days need more than a single ride. A chauffeur booking keeps a driver and vehicle with you for as long as you need — between meetings, across a wedding day, through an event schedule, or for a full day of moving around a region.
Other services we offer
A private transfer is only part of what we do. The same NZTA-licensed drivers and vehicles cover tours, hourly hire, airport and cruise work, corporate travel and group bookings throughout New Zealand.
Private, luxury & multi-day travel
Private touring, chauffeur hire, honeymoon travel and a driver for your whole New Zealand trip.
Explore private travelArriving in New Zealand
First-time visitor guides to landing at Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington and Dunedin.
Read the arrival guidesIsland & region guides
What each part of New Zealand is known for, how long the drives really take, and how to travel it without a rental car.
Explore destinationsVisiting New Zealand
Driving on the left, kilometres to miles, money and tipping, the seasons, and travelling without a rental car.
Read visitor infoAirport shuttle alternative
Private airport transfers instead of a shared shuttle — your group alone, direct to the terminal, price agreed first.
Compare the optionsCity taxi, upgraded
A fixed-price private car instead of the taxi rank — city-by-city guides across New Zealand.
See your citySuburb airport transfers
Local detail on the run to Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington Airport from your own suburb.
Find your suburbPrivate day tours & sightseeing
Keep the same driver for the day and shape the route around what you'd like to see nationwide.
See private toursBy-the-hour driver hire
A driver and vehicle held for a block of time — best when your travel starts and finishes in the same town.
Book hourly hireAirport transfers
Flight-tracked pickups and drop-offs at every main New Zealand airport, door to door.
Airport transfersCruise port transfers & shore days
Met at the terminal in Auckland, Tauranga, Akaroa or Picton — back on board well before all-aboard time.
Cruise transfersSki field transfers
Winter-ready vehicles and alpine drivers for Queenstown, Wānaka, Mt Hutt and Ruapehu — gear included.
Ski transfersCorporate & executive travel
Business accounts, client and staff runs, event movements and consolidated invoicing.
Talk to usGroups, fleets & rental car alternative
Multiple vehicles on one booking for larger parties, or a driven alternative to hiring a car.
Rental car alternativeWhat transfers and taxis cost
Plain answers on what moves the price of an airport run in New Zealand, and how a fixed total compares with a meter.
Fares & costsWeddings, balls & big occasions
Private transport for weddings, school balls, corporate events, funerals, large groups and accessible travel.
Occasion transportConcerts & event transport
Ride there and ride home for the big nights — concerts, festivals and events across New Zealand.
Event transport
Please note: by-the-hour driver hire is only suitable when your travel starts and finishes in the same town. If you're finishing somewhere else, book a private transfer or a day trip so your fare covers the driver's travel.