New Zealand · CITY TOURS

The 15 Best City Tours in New Zealand

136 tours  ·  from $23

Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin all reward half a day with somebody who knows them. The 15 below compare walking, tram, bus and private options on price, length and how much ground each covers.

Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour - Starting at the Ferry Building and Queens Wharf
Auckland Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Auckland, Half-Day, Half-Day Tours in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours

Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour

1.Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,080 reviews · from $46Our pick

Spend four hours touring Auckland in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide such as Josh, John, or Paul. Cross the Harbour Bridge, stop at Mt Eden, Shoal Bay, Westhaven Marina, and Achilles Point, then return downtown with useful city commentary and pickup options.

“A knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. A good length, not too quick, not too long. Covers the main areas. Plenty of chances for pics.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo - What the 18 tram stops add to your day
Christchurch Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Christchurch, Tour Reviews, Tours

Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo

2.Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 725 reviews · 1 day · from $46

Use a one-day pass for Christchurch’s antique tram, with live commentary and 18 stops, then ride the Gondola to Mount Cavendish for views over the city, harbor, Canterbury Plains, and Southern Alps. Transport between the two attractions costs extra.

“Amazing views from the top of the gondola! Brilliant drivers on the trams giving a superb informative talk as we went. Trams were immaculate.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Wellington: Guided City Tour with Cable Car Ticket - From Oriental Bay to the Wellington sign
City Tours, City Tours in Wellington, Guided, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wellington Tours

Wellington: Guided City Tour with Cable Car Ticket

3.Guided City Tour with Cable Car Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 553 reviews · 3 hours · from $53

Spend three hours touring Wellington with local guides such as Jack, Gina, Sarah, and Chris. See Miramar, the South Coast, Mt Victoria, Cuba Street, Parliament, and the Beehive, with four photo stops and a cable car ticket included. Cruise-terminal pickup is available.

“Jack the guide was excellent and kept us informed all the way.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Auckland Scenic Half-Day City Sightseeing Tour - Waterfront Auckland, from Viaduct Basin to Westhaven Marina
Auckland Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Auckland, Half-Day, Half-Day Tours in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours

Auckland Scenic Half-Day City Sightseeing Tour

4.Auckland Scenic Half-Day City Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 532 reviews · 4 hours · from $44

Join Auckland City Tours for a four-hour ride through Auckland’s waterfront, suburbs, volcanic summit, and eastern beaches. Guides such as Josh, Johnno, Paul, and David share local history with humor, while stops at Mount Eden and Achilles Point provide superb views and easy photo chances.

“Josh had a lot of knowledge and shared it well. The spots we visited were picturesque and plentiful. Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2025 Award Winning: Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour - North Head Historic Reserve and Maungauika
Auckland Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours

2025 Award Winning: Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour

5.2025 Award Winning: Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 516 reviews · from $99

Tour Auckland in a group of up to 10, with pickup from CBD hotels and Princes or Queens Wharf. Your guide takes you to the Harbour Bridge, North Head, Mount Eden, the Wintergardens, and Holy Trinity Cathedral, adding local stories along the way.

“It was a great way to get an overview of the city and to see some of the most wonderful sights. Sean was a great host, and it was so nice to have a small-group experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Arrival Transfer: Auckland Airport to Auckland Central City Centre - What the one-hour ride is really like
Airport Transfers, Airport Transfers in Auckland, Auckland Airport Transfers, Auckland Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Auckland, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews

Arrival Transfer: Auckland Airport to Auckland Central City Centre

6.Arrival Transfer: Auckland Airport to Auckland Central City Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 493 reviews · from $26Best value

Book a one-way shared minivan from Auckland Airport to central Auckland. Super Shuttle NZ meets you outside the international or domestic arrivals area, helps with luggage, and drops you at a city-center hotel. The ride takes about an hour and carries up to 11 people.

“A bit confusing as to where to meet driver. But it got sorted out. Ride to hotel was fine. Driver was friendly.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Auckland: Flavours of our City Food Walk - Sweet stops, including chocolate and Auckland ice cream
Auckland Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Auckland, Food, Food & Drink, Food and Drink Tours in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Auckland

Auckland: Flavours of our City Food Walk

7.Flavours of our City Food Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 371 reviews · from $127

From 2:30 to 5:30pm, a guide such as Laura, Sarah, Alex, Jono, or Kath leads a small group through central Auckland. Expect varied tastings, local wine or beer, city stories, and easy walking between Quay Street and Commercial Bay.

“Excellent tour guude, great variety of food and wine selections....... dont miss this one...... highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Rotorua City and Lakes Duck Tour - From Fenton Street to Rotorua’s volcanic country
City Tours, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Rotorua City and Lakes Duck Tour

8.Rotorua City and Lakes Duck Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 255 reviews · 1h 30m · from $53

Spend 90 minutes touring Rotorua by land and water in an authentic WWII amphibious vehicle. Guides such as Riley, Ollie, Esther, and Tim mix Māori stories, volcanic facts, local history, songs, and jokes while showing you four lakes and Mount Tarawera.

“Karen was a great host/driver. We learned a lot about the beautiful lakes in Rotorua!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour - Christchurch Botanic Gardens: a short green pause
Akaroa Tours, City Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Akaroa, Tour Reviews, Tours

Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour

9.Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 228 reviews · from $89

Travel from Akaroa through Banks Peninsula to Christchurch on a guided coach tour. See the Botanic Gardens, earthquake-damaged Cathedral Square, Sumner, Lyttelton, and Port Hills viewpoints. Guides such as Scotty, Ian, Phil, and Bruce are known for strong local commentary, but city time can feel short.

“the tour was well organized and went the full time. the country side was absolutely stunning. our guide was setev and he gave a good running commentary going through some history and local tales. actual time spent in Christchurch was disappointing as we parked at the botanical gardens and were given little detail about where we were . we wandered around for the couple hours we were there but it could have been better organized. 8/10 on a rating and it was an enjoyable day .”

Check availability →Read our full review

Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour - Miramar and Wellington’s film-making story
3-Hour Experiences, City Tours, City Tours in Wellington, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wellington Tours

Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour

10.Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 213 reviews · from $55

Spend three hours with a local guide such as Sarah, Hamish, James, or Sandra, seeing Wellington’s coast, film district, Mt Victoria, Parliament, and Old St Paul’s. Four photo stops and a complimentary cable-car ride make this a useful first look, especially from a cruise ship.

“Absolutely one of the nicest city tours I've taken and I've traveled throughout the world. My twin brother, who toured with me, and I have traveled extensively while serving in the US military or during my 14 years as an airline pilot. So we've been on dozens of tours like this. Our tour guide, Sara, was phenomenal. Simply stated, she was extremely knowledgeable about the city and professionally explained the history and importance of the sights as we approached them. It was obvious she cared about the job she was doing, took pride in the city she called home, and respected the cultural differences of the people on the tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights - Mona Vale Gardens gives you a quiet first stop
Christchurch Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Christchurch, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Christchurch, Tour Reviews, Tours

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights

11.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 209 reviews · from $62

Meet near Lyttelton port for a guided Christchurch outing with Mona Vale Gardens, earthquake recovery stories, Cathedral Square, Riverside Market, and wide views from the Sign of the Takahe. Guides such as Scottie and Joseph bring local detail and humor to the drive.

“Be sure of dates and weather. Tour provider is confusing. Booked tour. Received email correcting date but tickets with wrong date. Took several attempts to get ticket corrected. When weather interfered with ability to do our tour there was no consideration despite having booked several other tours. Enquired about change in time of tour without success. Can’t in good conscience recommend provider.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour - Crossing toward the Otago Peninsula
City Tours, City Tours in Dunedin, Dunedin Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Dunedin, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour

12.Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 207 reviews · from $86

Join Andrew from Experience Dunedin for a one-hour V8 trike ride from the Octagon through central Dunedin, St Clair, and the Otago Peninsula. Expect open-air views, running commentary, a five-minute photo stop, provided jackets and sunglasses, and a maximum of four people.

“No helmets required which was great. Extremely comfy seats Could have done it for hours, lots of fun.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Auckland: Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour - From the waterfront to Auckland’s oldest streets
Auckland Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Auckland, Food, Food & Drink, Food and Drink Tours in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Auckland

Auckland: Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour

13.Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 202 reviews · 3 hours · from $122

Walk Auckland’s downtown with an English-speaking guide such as Sarah, Jono, Clare, Laura, or Alex, stopping for local cheese, restaurant dishes, Kiwi classics, artisan chocolate, and a local drink. Expect an easy-paced city introduction, though some steps and uneven walking make comfortable shoes essential.

“Clare was by far my favorite tour guide of all the tours I’ve been on! She is so super sweet, the food was great, and she goes above and beyond! She truly is such a kind person and it made the tour so great! She also gave us history on the city. Awesome day!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Auckland City Top Spots Half Day Tour(Small Group Tour) - Harbour Bridge and Westhaven Marina: Auckland by water
Auckland Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours

Auckland City Top Spots Half Day Tour(Small Group Tour)

14.Auckland City Top Spots Half Day Tour(Small Group Tour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 201 reviews · from $99

Cover Auckland’s top sights in 3 to 4 hours with a maximum of 11 people. Guides such as Sam, David, Sang, and Kamal provide city context while you visit Mount Eden, North Head, Westhaven Marina, the Wintergardens, and more.

“Sam is a very nice man. But, his sort of heavy Korean accent made him hard to understand, particularly while riding in a noisy car. I also think he endeavored to put the best possible spin on Auckland while glossing over the down side. I was just looking for truthful answers, not a sales pitch about how wonderful everything is here.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Wellington city heights shared sightseeing tour - From the isite center to Oriental Bay
City Tours, City Tours in Wellington, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wellington Tours

Wellington city heights shared sightseeing tour

15.Wellington city heights shared sightseeing tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 198 reviews · from $52

Explore Wellington by air-conditioned vehicle with a group of up to 11. Guides such as Aaron, John, and Emile share local stories while you visit Mount Victoria, Shelly Bay, Red Rocks, the wind turbine, Weta Cave, Parliament, and the Cable Car. Hotel pickup is offered.

“Very informative guide/driver. We were treated to many wonderful sites and would recommend this tour to none New Zealanders. It might have been better in a mini bus as most of us were 60 plus and getting in and out the car was more challenging.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in City Tours

★ 5.0Queenstown International Airport To and From City Center TransferFrom $467 reviews
★ 4.5Otago Peninsula Scenery and Dunedin City Highlights TourFrom $14833 reviews
★ 5.0Shore Excursion: Dunedin City, Otago Peninsula, Castle Gardens & Olveston TourFrom $17981 reviews
★ 4.5Dunedin Nature & City Tour – Full Day Cruise ExcursionFrom $5887 reviews
★ 5.0Castle, Coast & City Tour – 8 pax max – Castle Entrance IncludedFrom $148102 reviews
★ 4.0Dunedin Shore Excursion City Sightseeing & Tour of Larnach CastleFrom $10866 reviews
★ 5.0City Highlights, Larnach Castle & Peninsula ViewsFrom $15277 reviews
★ 4.5Dunedin City and Coastal Views 3-Hour Small-Group Guided TourFrom $8990 reviews
★ 4.5Dunedin City Highlights, Otago Peninsula Scenery & a Guided Penguin Reserve TourFrom $19877 reviews
★ 5.0Nelson City Walking Tour – GuidedFrom $8164 reviews
★ 3.5Napier Shore Excursion: City Sights and Hawke’s Bay TourFrom $936 reviews
★ 4.5Small group – Napier City & Art Deco Tour, 2 hoursFrom $8018 reviews
★ 5.0Deco City Black Cab Tours and ShuttlesFrom $1088 reviews
★ 5.0Dunedin City – Settlers & Voyages TourFrom $8613 reviews
★ 5.0Shared Small Group Dunedin City and Peninsula Scenery Day TourFrom $1395 reviews

Keep browsing

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours105Lord of the Rings Filming Location Tours23Weta Workshop Tours10Matamata Tours11Waitomo Tours104
Scroll to Top

Explore New Zealand

Pick a coastline, a crater rim or a cellar door.

On the water

Milford SoundWhale WatchingSea KayakingSailingEvery Boat Trip

Up high

Helicopter FlightsScenic FlightsSnow LandingsSkydivingBungy

Underground and thermal

Waitomo CavesThermal ParksWai-O-TapuHot PoolsStargazing

Culture and film

Maori CultureHobbitonWeta WorkshopMuseumsWine Tours