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Tongariro Crossing Round trip transfer from Turangi

Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
Great choice
20+ bookings last month.
  • 45 minutes to 1 hour (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Take time to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, considered one of the best day hikes in New Zealand, with the convenience of round-trip transfers from Turangi. Plan to spend between five to eight hours on this self-guided hike, depending on your fitness level and pace. Your driver provides commentary during the transfers, and the package includes use of walking poles, a Māori cultural experience, and a cold drink.
  • Hike on your own with the provided walking poles and round-trip transfers
  • Check out a landscape with lava flows, volcanic craters, and alpine lakes
  • Hear commentary about the region during the drive from Turangi
  • Suitable for people who enjoy self-guided hiking on rugged terrain

What's Included

  • Transport transfer round trip from Turangi
  • Local friendly commentary
  • Naturally our local ‘Maōri blessings’ and acknowledgements
  • Free photography available from the social media pages
  • Free usage of walking poles
  • Free celebratory cold drink at the end
  • Hiking guide
  • Meals and drinks
  • Boots or Clothing

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Please ready waiting outside road front at least 15-10 minutes before your depart time. Please inform us where your Turangi hotel / accommodation. Inform us at least 24 hours prior to your confirmed booking. Must be waiting out front roadside as you may not be alone, as others will also be on route.

Meeting point

  • Backyard Tours
    4/259 Te Rangitautahanga Road, TURANGI, Tūrangi 3334, New Zealand

    Turangi round trip. To be ready waiting outside road front for onboarding at 5.20am to depart Turangi on time of 5.30am to avoid any delays. Afternoon return time 2.30pm. *Late fee applicable. Suggest our one way transfer of convenience if require to do at ones own pace.

Drop-off point

  • Mangatepopo Road, Manawatū-Whanganui Region 3989, New Zealand

    Tongariro Crossing trail starts at Mangatepopo Road and Finishes at Tongariro Crossing trail end at Ketetahi Platform, to round trip transfer to your Turangi point of pick up.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.5:30 am

What To Expect

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • If you have any medical concerns please seek advice from a legal Practitioner before attempting any ‘outdoor’ activities. Participation is at your own risk and therefore no further liability will be made towards the transport operator.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Derek_V
Pickup was exactly on time just before 5:30am. After a quick and informative overview of the hike, safety briefing, and Maori blessing by our driver and host, Brendan (great guy with an awesome sense of humor and local history/knowledge), I was on the trail by 6:20am. We were all back on the shuttle and heading home by just after 2pm with my cold drink from Brendan in hand! Couldn't have asked for a better experience. Oh, and the hike was amazing as well!

Reviews

4.9
based on 75 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
We perform checks on reviews

Epic

AL_F, Mar 2026
Was absolutely Awesome views were breathtaking was a a challenging walk so fitness level is a must but well worth it. Operator is brilliant full of local knowledge

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your fantastic feedback and wonderful review to travelling with us Backyard Tours transport services to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing from Turangi.

Perfect experience

Derek_V, Mar 2026
Pickup was exactly on time just before 5:30am. After a quick and informative overview of the hike, safety briefing, and Maori blessing by our driver and host, Brendan (great guy with an awesome sense of humor and local history/knowledge), I was on the trail by 6:20am. We were all back on the shuttle and heading home by just after 2pm with my cold drink from Brendan in hand! Couldn't have asked for a better experience. Oh, and the hike was amazing as well!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Great feedback and amazing review that is appreciated to travelling with us Backyard Tours transport services to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing from Turangi round trip, thank you 👍

Brendan was a friendly,...

Brad_K, Mar 2026
Brendan was a friendly, safe driver! We enjoyed our cool drink after our 20k walk that was offered to us.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

We appreciate your fantastic feedback and great review to travelling with us Backyard Tours transport services to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing 👍

Good service

Patricia_M, Feb 2026
Efficient way of getting to the Alpine crossing, and back to Turangi. Communication was good beforehand.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for your great review and appreciate your feedback 👍 Communication, peace of mind 💯

Had a great experience...

Utkarsh_C, Feb 2026
Had a great experience with Backyard Tours. The drivers were punctual and engaging – telling about the local history, culture, and geography. They also lended hiking poles for the walk. The complimentary drinks (soda/beer) at the end were a nice surprise. The pickup from Turangi was at 5.30 am, reached Mangatepopo car park at 6.30 am, and the return was scheduled at 2.30 pm from Ketetahi par park. As everyone completed the trek early, the shuttle left for Turangi at 2:00 pm.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for your fabulous feedback and appreciate your great review 👍

Very professional,...

Andrea_S, Jan 2026
Very professional, communicative and friendly. I had a very good experience with them. Highly recommended.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you and appreciate your great review and feedback 👍

Wish pick up time is a bit more flexible

SooWai_E, Feb 2025
When I booked the transfer/shuttle for the trailhead drop off and pick up, I didn't realize there is only one pick up time which was latest at 230pm. If I exceeded that schedule, there will be additional charge. I wish I could have one more hour to complete the trail. The rush did affected my full enjoyment of the hike. Other than that, we fully appreciate the transfer service provided by Brenden and his wife and their friendliness.

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Good read! Thank you for your review and feedback. 2.30pm afternoon return pick up to Turangi is ample time for hiking the trail. Should you require more time, hence our other transport option from the only secure carpark for the one way transfer is for that time convenience. Appreciate your booking support.

Great trip

Eric_R, Jan 2025
The driver was perfect, he wasn’t late, he had a good energy and was enthusiastic, he also drove really well.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you Eric! We appreciate your great review.

Great shuttle ride

Veronica_N, Feb 2024
Our driver was kind, helpful and informative. He picked everyone up from Turangi around 5:30am and then went to the Ketetahi Car park to pick up more people. We got to the trail head at 6:30am. It's an early start to the hike which is necessary! It was really cold in the morning so make sure you have your layers!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you Veronica for your great review and customer advice. When doing any outdoor activity you need to be prepared for four seasons in one day. The weather conditions can change suddenly. Take care and safe further travels.

Fun trip

Dwight_W, Feb 2024
Bus driver Darin was great. Very knowledgeable and fun. Had a great time. Nice walk across volcano….

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you Dwight for your great review.

Amazing trip

Roland_K, Feb 2024
It was an amazing trip on our honeymoon. The driver was super nice and the beer at the end of the track was spot on. Recommending it!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Sending more joy and happiness through the highs and lows to you two honeymooners! Appreciate your recommendation. Safe further travels from us Backyard Tours Brendan and Gloria

Great shuttle transfer with Backyard Tours!

Rachel_R, Jan 2024
Backyard Tours was wonderful! On time, friendly, super knowledgable, and made the whole crossing a smooth experience. Can't say enough wonderful things about Brendan. Mahalo from the Hawaiians. PLUS - cold beer at the end of our hike, cherry on top!!!!

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Mahalo! Kia ora! Thank you for your great review and customer feedback. Enjoy Aotearoa NZ !!

Fantastic shuttle service and beyond

Gabriela_M, Dec 2021
Brendan and Gloria are friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. I highly recommend their services when you want to do the Tongariro crossing.

Response from Host, Jan 2022

Thank you Gabriel for your great review and feedback. Always a pleasure to achieving customer satisfaction, take care from us Backyard Tours :-)

Best shuttle and experience

Angela_R, Apr 2021
The best decision we made using this shuttle. Genuine local people that gave information and history of the area. Fantastic communication at all times. Beautiful to have a local give us the karakia at the start and finish and lovely to know part of the money is going back into maintining that national park. 10/10

Response from Host, Apr 2021

Kia ora Team Angela, Thank you for your great review! We appreciate your support and feedback :-)

Tongariro Crossing Transfers

Johanna_d, Mar 2020
Excellent service! Highly rate and would happily use them again! On time, flexible to our requirements and great to have a cold drink on arrival at the other end. Thank you.

Response from Host, Mar 2020

Thank you Johanna for your great review! Appreciate your kind words with your feedback. Safe further travels from us Backyard Tours :-)

Good!

sjs, Feb 2020
They accepted my booking even though it was too late to book. They helped me to have really good time in Tongariro Crossing.

Response from Host, Feb 2020

Thank you for your great review! We appreciate your fantastic feedback of having a good time with our transport services to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Enjoy Aotearoa NZ from us Backyard Tours family!

If you’re able to this is an absolute must do!!

Andrew_M, Feb 2020
The crossing itself was difficult but what an experience of a lifetime!! Backyard Tours themselves were absolutely fantastic! The friendliness and knowledge and history of the area was incredible! The time to transport us to the base of the volcano almost went too fast because we are enjoying listening to the history of the people and the area so much! Great tour company with fantastic people😀

Response from Host, Feb 2020

Thank you Andy for your great review! To hear your feedback is exactly why we do what we do in love of our Culture and region to sharing with you our visitors. Making memories of a lifetime with your transport before and after your hiking volcanic excursion over the Tongariro Alpine Crossing which is challenging and not an easy walk in the Park. Again Thank you and all the best from us Backyard Tours family.

Ken and Louisa's Adventure

Ken_B, Jan 2020
Drivers were good fun and informative and were also prompt. They drove carefully. The Maori prayer at the beginning and end was welcome. The free drink at the end hit the spot.

Response from Host, Jan 2020

Thank you Ken for your kind words of review! Your customer satisfaction is our aim. We are pleased to hear your amazing feedback of our Cultural blessings once at the trail start and of course receiving the deserving cold drink at the trail end. Appreciate from us Backyard Tours Team.

Very good transport service

Dimitar_B, Jan 2020
We used this service for our Tongariro Crossing. We were a group of 7 and the bus driver picked us up exactly on time from the address we provided (AirBnb). He had some interesting stories to tell during the trip and on the return - we received free cold beverage (we chose beer). No complains at all, really good service.

Response from Host, Jan 2020

Thank you for your kind words of review! Appreciate you using our transport services for customer safety and experience from us locals born and raised here. Take care and enjoy the rest of your holidays from us Backyard Tours Brendan and Gloria

Gloria and Brendan made sure that...

Alistair M, Jan 2018
Gloria and Brendan made sure that our alpine crossing was a walk in the park! We had plenty of good communication from BackYard Tours even to the point that Gloria suggested bringing our departure forward by an hour to avoid a thunderstorm, and she was spot on. All in all a great experience.

Response from Host, Jan 2020

Thank you Alistair! We do our best for customer safety and customer experience. We acknowledge the little things that can make a huge difference. Thank you for your great kind words of review and for travelling with us Backyard Tours Brendan and Gloria :-)

Beautiful!

Elisabeth_M, Mar 2026
It is quite demanding but with some fitness feasible. The trail is very well groomed and it also has enough toilets on the route. Strictly the specifications regarding dress, shoes, food and drink of the aprovider contents.
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Response from Host, Mar 2026

Appreciate your great feedback and review to travelling with us Backyard Tours transport services from Turangi round trip to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing 👍 Safety first with your research to awareness and preparedness with this live volcano day hike 🤗

Practical and perfect service

Laure_D, Mar 2026
Simply perfect service and convenient. They tour the hotels in Turangi at dawn (~5:30am) to take you to the starting point (start 6:30am at the front!) of the hike and take you back to your hotel at the end of the hike (and if you are among the first arrivals, there is a first shuttle that leaves around 1pm).
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Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your great feedback. Today we were able to run an earlier shuttle due to seating availability with vehicles, as not per normal. Appreciate your wonderful review to travelling with us Backyard Tours transport services to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing from Turangi 👍

From $47.11

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 39 days in advance.

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Tongariro Crossing Round trip transfer from Turangi
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