Introduction
Have you ever considered traveling to New Zealand? If not, what are you waiting for? This is an amazing country full of natural beauty, friendly people and delicious food. It’s a little more expensive than other parts of the world, but it’s still possible to travel here on a budget! All it takes is some planning ahead and knowing where (and when) to splurge. Here are my top tips for planning your trip:
Book your flights early.
- Book your flights early.
- If you can find the best deal, it’s worth booking early.
- You may be able to get a better price if you book early and choose your seat before everyone else does (or at least as soon as they are all sold out). That way, no one will be sitting next to you! And if someone has already booked their seat and won’t let go of it—you’re probably better off waiting until there are more seats available because then others might change their minds and give up theirs too!
Take an overnight flight instead of a 12-hour day trip.
It’s important to remember that an overnight flight will cost you less than a 12-hour day trip. Take advantage of this by booking your flight with a stopover in New Zealand, and then flying directly to the destination city where you’ll spend the night before continuing on with your international adventure. You can also use this information as an excuse to avoid paying high prices at hotels while traveling through New Zealand.
If you want to stay in one place for a few days at least, consider renting an apartment or house instead of staying at hotels and hostels (which might be more expensive). Some people prefer Airbnb over other options because they feel like they’re getting more personal service from hosts who are local residents—and if they’re friendly enough people who live there may even invite them over for dinner someday!
Get a solo room instead of sharing with someone else.
If you’re traveling alone and looking for a budget-friendly way to stay in New Zealand, it’s worth considering booking a solo room. In most cases, this will be cheaper than sharing a room with someone else–especially if you’re traveling during peak season when prices are highest.
If you do decide on sharing accommodation with other people, try to book somewhere that has private bathrooms (and/or showers) so that you can have some privacy while getting ready every morning.
Use the Kia Ora Card in Rotorua and Taupo.
The Kia Ora Card is a discount card for tourists. You can get it from the Rotorua i-SITE Visitor Centre, and it costs $25. It’s valid for one year and can be used at many attractions in Rotorua, including thermal parks, museums, gardens and zoos.
In addition to its value as an attraction pass (you’ll save at least 20%), this card also comes with some extras: free shuttle rides between certain destinations around town; discounts on shopping; free admission to concerts and events like fireworks shows; plus discounts on golfing greens fees!
Use the Huka Falls Explorer Pass in Taupo.
One of the best ways to get around New Zealand is by bus. The Huka Falls Explorer Pass is valid for 24 hours and lets you travel between Taupo and Rotorua by bus. It can be used by one person or two people, so if it’s just you on this trip (or someone else), then this pass will save you some money!
You’ll find that this pass gives access to many attractions in both regions: Huka Falls Park & Zoo, Rotorua Thermal Pools, Sky Tower Observatory at Mt Ruapehu National Park Reserve and Lake Taupo Cruises are just some of them.
Rent a car to go exploring on your own time.
Renting a car is the most convenient way to get around, and it can be cheaper than taking public transportation. You’ll have more flexibility to explore on your own schedule, and you’ll be able to go wherever you want without having to rely on other people’s schedules.
However, renting a car isn’t always the most cost-effective option in New Zealand because of how expensive gas is there (which means that renting may not save you money). If this sounds like something that might apply to your trip, consider other ways of getting around before deciding whether or not it makes sense for your situation!
Use the public transportation system in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to get around.
The public transportation systems in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are great. Use them!
Auckland has a good bus system that runs frequently and is easy to use. There are also trains and ferries if you want to travel further away from the city center. You can buy tickets online or at ticket machines at any train station or ferry terminal (just make sure you know your destination before buying).
In Wellington, things aren’t quite as convenient–the buses don’t run as often and they take longer than they do in Auckland because there’s more traffic on the roadways here. But if you’re staying within a few kilometers of central Wellington (like most tourists), it shouldn’t be too much trouble getting around via public transportation anyway; just plan ahead so that when your bus arrives at its final stop before yours (or vice versa), you’ll have enough time left over for walking across town or catching another ride home with friends who live nearby!
It’s possible to travel to New Zealand on a budget, but you’ll have to plan ahead and do some research first.
It’s possible to travel to New Zealand on a budget, but you’ll have to plan ahead and do some research first. Here’s what you need to know:
- Book flights early. If possible, book your flights as far in advance as possible—this way, you can avoid paying for last-minute flights or overbooked seats.
- Take an overnight flight if it works out for your schedule. Overnighting means that instead of flying straight from the US or Europe into Auckland or Christchurch (two popular destinations), you’ll spend an extra day and night at either city before heading east toward Queenstown, Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park (where our next stop was). This added flexibility will help save money on accommodations and gives travelers more time to explore their destination(s).
Conclusion
New Zealand is an amazing place to visit, but it can be expensive if you don’t plan ahead. We hope these tips will help you save money on your next trip to New Zealand!
