Myth-Busting: Is the back seat always the worst on a tour?
- Alice Neilson - Fiordland Enthusiast & Writer
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 12
On the school bus, the back seat was the coveted spot for the cool kids. On a sports team van, it’s usually reserved for the captains and the coach. But on a Milford Sound tour, it tends to have a very different reputation. It's the seat many guests hope they don't end up in.
It's one of the most common concerns we hear from guests planning their Milford Sound tour. While we can't comment on other tour companies, we can explain exactly what we've done to make sure the back seats in our own vans are just as comfortable as the rest.
Key Takeaways
We've modified our Mercedes Sprinter vans to make the back seat a more comfortable place to sit than on a standard tour van.
Every seat, including the back, has 60% more legroom than a standard Mercedes Sprinter, and the back row has only three seats instead of four.
The seats are wider than standard, have armrests, and are slightly elevated in the back so you can see over the seats in front.
Our guides keep the air conditioning running in the rear at all times, so it stays cool and comfortable.
If you're prone to travel sickness, you can request a front seat at the time of booking, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
How We Improved the Back Seat
The Mercedes Sprinter is the most common small group tour vehicle used for Milford Sound tours. When we first started operating with them, we noticed the standard four seats in the back were a bit squished.
We wanted guests in the back to have the same experience as everyone else, so we made some changes across every van in our fleet.
More Space
We removed a full row of seats from every van, which gave every seat, including the back row, 60% more legroom than a standard Mercedes Sprinter.
We also took out the fourth seat in the back row, so the back seat is now a three-across row rather than four. That means guests in the back have more shoulder room and don't feel packed in.
Wider Seats and Window Views
The seats themselves are 20% wider than the standard Mercedes Sprinter seats, and every seat has an armrest. The back row is also slightly elevated, so guests in the back can see over the seats in front and get the same scenery as everyone else.
Hearing The Guide
Out of more than 1,600 online reviews, a handful have mentioned struggling to hear the guide from the back seat.
Our guides now double-check the speaker volume at the start of every tour to make sure everyone in the van can hear clearly. And if you're ever on a tour and find you can't quite catch what the guide is saying, just let them know. They'll happily turn the volume up.
Keeping the Back Cool
Our guides keep the air conditioning running in the rear at all times, so it doesn't get stuffy or hot back there on the longer stretches of the drive. This makes a real difference on warmer days.
How We Manage Travel Sickness
If you're prone to travel sickness, being in the back of a vehicle can make it worse. We can't guarantee you'll avoid the back seat completely, but the combination of these approaches means we can usually make it work for guests who need it.
Request a Front Seat
You can note this at the time of booking, and we'll do our best to accommodate you. Letting us know ahead of time means we can plan around it.
Earlier Pick-Ups
In some cases, we can arrange an earlier pickup for you so you're one of the first on the van and can get a front seat. This may involve meeting us at a specific pickup point, so we'll work with you on a case-by-case basis.
Sharing the Front Seats
Sometimes we run a tour where multiple guests have requested the front.
We recently had a tour where all 13 guests requested the front due to travel sickness concerns. Our guide managed this by stopping regularly and shuffling seats every time, so everyone got a fair turn.
Fresh Air Breaks
We stop often along the Milford Road, particularly between Te Anau and Milford Sound. Fresh air is one of the best things for travel sickness, so the pace of the day helps.
The back seat on Milford Sound Tours has earned a bit of a negative reputation over the years, and in a standard van, those concerns are understandable. That's exactly why we've gone out of our way to redesign our vans so guests in the back enjoy the day just as much as everyone else.
And if you're still worried, get in touch with our team before booking, and we'll happily talk through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the back seat suitable for tall passengers?
With Luxe Tours, yes. Because we've removed a row of seats from each van, every seat (including the back row) has 60% more legroom than a standard Mercedes Sprinter tour van.
What happens if I start feeling sick during a Milford Sound tour?
If you start feeling sick during the tour, let your guide know. They can pull over at the next safe spot for fresh air. On Luxe Tours, we stop regularly along the Milford Road, so you're never far from an opportunity to step out for a few minutes.
Can families or groups sit together on the tour?
Most of the time, families and groups travelling together can sit together on a Luxe Tour. If you have specific seating requirements or want to be seated together, it's worth mentioning at the time of booking so we can plan for it.
