How much does it cost to visit New Zealand?

Money, money, money. It is one of life's most taboo subjects, but it is a very important one to talk about before you start planning a big trip around New Zealand.

Everyone's travel budget looks different. Some people will splash out on activities and tours, whereas I prefer home-cooked meals and free activities like hikes (but I'm happy spending a small fortune on fuel if it means I get to travel).

Here's a rough idea of what it costs to travel to NZ. Most of this is recent information, but keep in mind that it's been a while since I rented a car.

Let's talk about currency & the banks

The local currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).

You can exchange cash at the airport, banks, or even some hotels, and there are ATMs everywhere across the country.

While most places accept cards (especially in large cities) I always have a $20 note in my wallet!

American Express is not widely accepted anywhere in the country, so if that’s your card of choice, it would be a good idea to travel with a backup.

Try using a credit card designed for international travel. If you prefer debit cards, I’ve used the WISE Card for all of my international travels and love it. It’s easy to use, super convenient, and accepted in all places that take debit cards.

Mobile payments like Apple Pay, payWave and Google Wallet are also widely accepted if you prefer to go card-free. But keep in mind that most shops and restaurants will charge you a fee for using PayWave.

Make sure you let your bank know you're travelling to avoid any issues while you’re here!

How much money do I need to save?

The short answer is as much as possible. Aotearoa is one of the most expensive countries in the world. BUT if you're coming from North America or the UK, your currency is pretty good here, so travelling will be cheaper than it would be for us.

Some questions to ask yourself

• Are you renting a car or a campervan?

• Are you staying at campsites or in hotels? H

• How often do you plan to eat out?

Average costs

Generally, I try to divide my expenses into a couple of categories so I don't go over budget. Based on those, here are some examples of how much things cost in Aotearoa (all prices are per person).

Transport

• Car rentals typically start at $50-$150 per day.

• Camper van rental can range anywhere between $100 and $650 per day, depending on the size of the camper and the season you're visiting in

• New Zealand's public transport system is just about non-existent. However, buses and trains in major cities (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown) average around $4-$15 per trip.

• Ferries like Bluebridge can be up to $500 for a one-way journey (book in advance for the best deal)

Accommodation

• Budget: If you're travelling in a campervan (I highly recommend this!), you can expect to stay at campsites or freedom camping spots ranging from $15-$100 per night.

• Mid-range: If you're not renting a campervan, budget hostels (in a dorm room) and mid-range hotels cost around $75-$250 per night.

• Luxury: We are spoilt for choice for bespoke accommodation experiences in Aotearoa, and if you want to treat yourself, you'll pay $500+. Airbnb is also a good option if you're travelling with a group, with rates starting at around $300 per night for an entire home. This is location and season-dependent.

Food

Eating out in New Zealand is generally cheaper than in places like the UK. However, the price is creeping up, so I'll update this guide if that changes by the end of 2025.

• You can pick up the quintessential New Zealand pie (more on must-eat food later!) or a filled roll for $5-$12

• Budget meals at restaurants or takeaways generally cost $15-$30

• Mid-range restaurants are around $30-$50

• World-class dining experiences can be as much as $150+ NZD per person

• Takeaway coffee costs around $6 for a regular-sized drink

• If you're going out on the town, cocktails start at around $20

Activities and experiences

This is a tricky one because it varies SO much. We are so lucky that our beaches and hiking trails are free and will save you lots of money in the long run! However, there are once-in-a-lifetime experiences I would splurge on, like a cruise through the fiords in Milford Sound, a cultural experience at Te Puia in Rotorua or one of the Great Walks hiking tracks. These experiences can cost anywhere between $50 and $300. If you want to do a scenic flight or heli-hike on the South Island, you can expect to pay around $500-$1500.

How do you travel on a budget?

There are ways to travel that allow you to say YES to adventure and maximise your cash while still contributing to the local economy. Here are some of the tips we use all the time and have saved us hundreds over the years.

• Travel during the off-season. Lower tourism = lower costs. My favourite time of the year is March.

• Bring your student ID card, and you'll often get 10% off at select restaurants and takeaway spots, discounted public transport, movies, and experiences.

• My favourite things to do are usually outside, and New Zealand has so many incredible free national parks and outdoor experiences.

• Stay at free or cheap campsites! Apps like CamperMate will help you find freedom campsites, and DOC campsites are dotted all over the country and are often in amazing locations.

• Track everything you spend and try not to go over your daily budget. My favourite app is SplitWise, especially if I'm travelling with a group.

• Make sure you have a budget for activities, as these can add up really quickly. It's better to be realistic and stay within your budget rather than try to cut costs and end up going over.

• Use Gaspy (a fuel price app) to find the cheapest fuel in your area. Fuel is one of the biggest expenses when you're on a road trip, and it is more expensive in city centres and remote areas, so try to plan as much as possible.

• Cook your own meals (or at least breakfast and lunch) but treat yourself to something nice every day so you don't feel like you've had your throat cut (we always opt for ice cream)

• Shop at Pak’nSave. It's by far the cheapest supermarket. If you're in a town with a farmers market, check out their fresh produce!

• Avoid the major tourist traps. This map has lots of "must-do" activities. Every one of them is worth looking into, but if you do want to save some money, I'd recommend eating outside city centres, skipping the Sky Tower and going to Mount Eden instead, etc.

At the end of the day, New Zealand is an expensive country, but the amount of money you spend here will depend on how you choose to spend your time. If you can pick and choose what's important to you, set realistic expectations, and plan ahead, you'll be able to stick to your budget and have one of the most amazing experiences.