How to Travel New Zealand on a Budget
New Zealand is a dream destination for many. Well known for its beautiful landscapes, Great Walks, and pristine beaches. But often, it’s also regarded as a “once in a lifetime” trip, largely due to its remote location and, coincidentally, the cost of flying so far!
But its breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences don’t have to come with a hefty price tag. In fact, with a little creativity, and a lot of planning, there are plenty of ways to enjoy travelling New Zealand on a budget – savings hundreds, if not thousands, along the way.
So if you’re also looking for an affordable way to travel around NZ, read on for the best tips on how to find cheap flights, accommodation, food and activities in this stunning country.
Timing your Travel to New Zealand
One of the key factors when it comes to saving money, is timing your travel right. Summer (December to late February) is peak season – and therefore it’s going to cost you more to travel during this time.
NZ kids are on holiday from roughly mid-December, through to the end of January, so this is the most expensive and busy time of the year throughout the country.
Conversely, the winter months (July – September) can also be on the more expensive end if you’re travelling to key winter attractions such as the ski fields or glaciers.
I’d therefore recommend the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn as the best time to travel to New Zealand if you’re on a budget. But do avoid the local school holidays wherever possible – they can be checked here around a year or two in advance.
How to Find Cheap Flights to New Zealand
Unless you’re travelling from Australia, getting to New Zealand normally eats up a large chunk of your travel budget. However, you can still find affordable flights from anywhere in the world if you choose your dates wisely and have flexibility about who you fly with.
I’ll often use a combination of Skyscanner and Google Flights to compare and track flight prices.
Skyscanner is ideal for comparing flight prices and seeing which airlines service the route. You can also view prices across the month, allowing you to choose the cheapest travel dates.
Google Flights has a handy price graph to track trends and I usually set up a price alert for my preferred routes/dates/airline so that I get an email alert when the price changes.
How to Travel Around New Zealand on a Budget
Getting around New Zealand can be very expensive, or relatively cheap – it all comes down to choosing your options carefully.
Rent a Campervan
Renting a campervan isn’t normally considered a budget option. But when you add up the cost of hiring a car, plus the accommodation expenses – it can end up saving you money. Especially if you’re prepared to go for a simple model of campervan and stay in free (yes, freedom camping is still allowed in some areas) or cheap camping grounds.
Honestly, there is no better way to enjoy New Zealand.
Below I’ve listed some of the more budget-friendly campervan rental companies in New Zealand:
- Camplify – rent direct from owners
- Spaceship rentals
- Happy Campers
- Wicked Campers
- Jucy Rentals
- Traveller’s Autobarn
- Big Little Campers
If you’re planning on doing a road trip around New Zealand, you can stay in one of the 300 campsites managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) for between $0 – $23 NZD per person per night (more on this later).
Buying a Car
Buying a car isn’t normally something most people do on holiday, but it’s actually a very popular option among backpackers who are staying in the country for a few months to a year!
Buying used cars is easy in New Zealand, and the change of ownership is fairly straightforward. Of course, you do face the usual risks like buying a dud, or not being able to sell your car when you need to leave.
Another option is to buy a car with a “buy back” scheme, such as what this Car Rental Alternative company is doing. You will lose 40% of the car’s value, but it can work out much cheaper than hiring a car for the same duration.
Take the Bus
For those who don’t drive, or aren’t comfortable driving on the left-hand side of the road, your next best option would be to take the bus.
Intercity is New Zealand’s most popular and largest bus network. They even offer bus passes for backpackers – the Flexi Pass and the Travel Pass.
The Flexi Pass is an hours-based bus pass which you can top up. Starting at $140 NZD for 10 hours, the Flexi pass is best for flexible travellers. This pass includes the Interislander ferry and some day tours.
The Travel Pass is a fixed-route pass. All you have to do is choose where you want to go from their pre-planned itineraries. The pass is valid for 12 months, and they offer many different routes on both islands.
Alternatively, backpacker company Kiwi Experience offers hop-on-hop-off bus passes, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Go on a Backpackers Tour
Another popular way of exploring New Zealand (especially among backpackers and young travellers) is to take a backpacker tour. There are two main companies offering this service: Kiwi Experience and Stray.
Kiwi Experience is best for young travellers (18-30 years old) looking to have some fun and meet new friends. The driver is also there to entertain and guide you along the way. Kiwi Experience offer routes on the South and North Islands and often has great deals!
Stray is also a guided tour bus for backpackers, but it is more popular among slightly older travellers. It’s the best backpacker tour for mature adventurers and nature lovers alike. They also offer deals with savings of up to $750 NZD.
Rideshare
While I wouldn’t recommend random hitchhiking in New Zealand, ridesharing is a popular option for exploring the country and pooling resources.
The best way to find people to travel with is to check out Facebook groups. One popular resource is the Backpackers New Zealand group, or simply type in “Rideshare New Zealand” and several options will pop up.
Additionally, you can check out the boards in hostels where you’ll find people offering rideshares.
Rent a car
Renting a car in New Zealand is an expensive option, and wouldn’t be my preferred choice to save money. However, sometimes it’s unavoidable, so to find the best prices, use an aggregator such as RentalCars to find the best price.
How to Find Cheap Accommodation in New Zealand
The most affordable accommodation option in New Zealand is obviously camping. But if sleeping in the great outdoors is not for you, there are plenty of other budget-friendly options.
Are you on a very tight budget? Try work exchange or house sitting. Below, you’ll find more details on the different ways you can find free accommodation in New Zealand.
Campsites and Holiday Parks
Most campsites in New Zealand are managed by DOC (Department of Conservation). They offer many camp spots in some of the most beautiful and remote places in the country.
From free camps with limited facilities to more scenic spots offering a wide range of facilities, DOC campsites are your best option for a hassle-free outdoor vacation. They are usually very affordable (many of them are free or under $20 NZD), and are located in the most stunning spots.
In addition to official DOC camping sites, you can still find freedom camping spots in New Zealand too. For the most part (official rules vary around the country), you can’t camp in these spots unless you have a self-contained campervan. This makes sense, as these free camping areas don’t have facilities available.
Find New Zealand freedom camping locations here.
If you want a little bit of extra comfort, you can stay in holiday parks. These are usually better equipped than DOC camping grounds and sometimes have facilities such as playgrounds, pools, games rooms and large family units.
They are usually more expensive than DOC camps, but you can still find some affordable ones starting at $20 NZD per person per night.
Here are a few of my favourite camping grounds from around the country:
Te Anau Top 10 Holiday Park
Part of the Top 10 group, this holiday park offers clean and modern facilities, a nice and warm TV room with comfy chairs, and a big kitchen. You can use the laundry facilities for an extra fee. The park also has kid’s activities available onsite and it’s located in the heart of Te Anau, near the shops and restaurants.
Golden Bay Holiday Park
Located right on the beach, this holiday park is very popular among Kiwi families. You’ll find all the facilities you need, including a kitchen, showers, toilets, as well as a lounge and dining area. This holiday park is also a great spot to see the Milky Way at night.
Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park is located near the best attractions of Rotorua, including the famous Pohutu Geyser and Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. It features free hot pools, playgrounds for kids, and a swimming pool.
The park is also perfect for mountain bike lovers, as it is located only five minutes from the mountain bike trails.
Lake’s Edge Holiday Park
Lake’s Edge Holiday Park is located right in front of Lake Tekapo, and offers campsites, cabins and dormitory rooms. It’s also right next to the Tekapo Hot Pools, and the beginning of Mt John Walkway.
Smiths Farm Holiday Park
Smiths Farm Holiday Park is a quiet family-owned holiday park near Picton. With its friendly farm animals on-site, it’s the perfect place for families. The owners are very friendly, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by nature. There is even a place where you can see glowworms for free only ten minutes walk from the farm. Don’t miss that!
Hostels in New Zealand
Hostels are definitely a great way to stay in New Zealand cheaply and meet new friends at the same time. Ideal for solo travellers, hostels offer very affordable accommodation with all the facilities you need for a comfortable stay.
Usually located in the most popular tourist spots, hostels in New Zealand have increased in price over the last decade, but they’re still a budget-friendly option for solo travellers. Below, you’ll find some of my favourite hostels in the country.
Jailhouse Accommodation Christchurch
Jailhouse accommodation is an award-winning hostel set in a former prison. This unique hostel has an on-site cafe, a guest lounge, and free wifi.
Located only 10 minutes from Christchurch railway station, this awesome hostel has all the facilities you need including a laundry room, communal kitchen, and billiards table. Their information desk will help you organize your day trips, activities, and excursions in and around the city.
Adventure Queenstown Hostel
This modern hostel located in the heart of Queenstown offers comfortable accommodation for travellers. With nightly activities, unlimited internet and free coffee and tea all day, this fantastic hostel is your best choice in Queenstown.
With its small capacity (only 49 beds), big lounge and dining areas as well as balconies, you’ll love Adventure Queenstown Hostel and its fun and vibrant atmosphere.
Haka House Auckland
Haka Lodge is a funky hostel for budget travellers located in Auckland CBD. At the Haka House, you’ll enjoy free wifi, a shared lounge area, and a shared kitchen.
This hostel offers dorm rooms for those travelling on a tight budget, but also private rooms with a flat-screen TV and private bathroom. With its clean rooms and comfy beds, Haka House is definitely the best hostel in Auckland.
Haka House Wanaka
Formerly the YHA, Haka House Wanaka features breathtaking views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains. With its cozy living room, dining areas, fully equipped kitchen, and laundry, this hostel features great facilities.
Located in the best area of Wanaka, Haka House offers dormitory rooms or private rooms with en suite bathrooms. This hostel is great value for money in Wanaka, so don’t miss it.
Airbnb in New Zealand
Believe it or not, you can sometimes find Airbnb rooms that are cheaper than hostels! And they are often more comfortable as you’ll most likely have your own room as opposed to sharing a dorm room.
Airbnb is a great way to meet the locals, stay in more remote parts of the country and get a real Kiwi experience. You can even find unique Airbnb rooms that are definitely worth a visit.
Home Exchange
My favourite way to save money travelling – home exchange is ideal if your home is going to be empty while you’re in New Zealand. Why not let someone stay in your home while you’re travelling, and in exchange get free accommodation in New Zealand?
The platform I use is HomeExchange, and I love that the exchanges don’t have to be reciprocal. That is, I can let someone stay in my home, and gain points for doing so. Then I can use those points to stay in someone else’s home. This system offers a lot more flexibility with exchanges, as you don’t have to find someone to do a direct home swap with.
Use this link to sign up and you’ll receive your first 250 Guestpoints for free!
Work Exchange
Work exchange is a fantastic way of travelling around New Zealand if you’re on a budget. This is where you typically work for a few hours per day (usually 4 to 6) in exchange for food and accommodation.
If you’re looking to stay at the same spot for a few weeks to save money, work exchange can be a great option for you. Helpx, Workaway and Wwoof are popular websites you can use to find reliable hosts in New Zealand.
House Sitting
House sitting is becoming a more popular way of travelling. Best for slow travellers, house sitting is a fantastic way to discover New Zealand while caring for homes and pets.
Most house sitters are often required to care for dogs or cats, and sometimes do a little bit of gardening or general maintenance of the house. In exchange, you get free accommodation in a house in New Zealand.
If you’re interested in house sitting check out Trusted House Sitters, the biggest network of house owners and sitters worldwide – and who I turn to when looking for petsitters in New Zealand. You can also check out Kiwi House Sitters.
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is definitely not for everyone, but for adventurers, it might be a great option. When you’re trying to save money travelling New Zealand, Couchsurfing is a fantastic way to meet the locals and build lifelong friendships with people around the world.
On the platform, you’ll find many hosts who offer free accommodation to world travellers.
How to Book Discounted Activities in New Zealand
Activities in New Zealand could well be your biggest expense. But splurging on experiences is something I always recommend, simply because these often become your best memories.
There are several discounted activity websites in New Zealand. One of the most popular is BookMe which includes all the big-name attractions. Another one I’ve used in the past is GrabOne.
However, these days I’m a loyal GetYourGuide user as I love being able to have all my tours & activities in one place, search for the cheapest dates and times to book, and use the handy QR code to check-in for activities. GYG also offers discounts occasionally – especially if you’re looking at booking last minute.
Where to Eat Cheaply in New Zealand
New Zealand is home to several big supermarket chains including Woolworths, New World and Pak’nSave. Of these, Pak’nSave is normally regarded as the cheapest. But if you’re a savvy shopper, it’s possible to buy well at any of them.
For fruits and vegetables, head to local markets or search out roadside stalls where you’ll find products in season for a much cheaper price than in shops – and often tastier too!
Bakeries are a common sight in small New Zealand towns, and offer an affordable option for breakfast or lunch. You’ll normally find everything from readymade sandwiches, to cakes and pastries, and the famous NZ meat pies in these bakeries.
Speaking of meat (and veggie) pies, the service stations BP and Shell also have a good selection – including at least one vegan pie! They also serve decent coffee if you’re looking for a quick fix on the go.
Tip: download the BPMe app on your phone for discounts on petrol and coffee at BP stations!
For dinner options – New Zealand’s restaurant scene is thriving and the wide range of cuisines available reflects the country’s multicultural makeup. For cheap eats, Indian Restaurants often offer good value.
Don’t mind eating early? Have a look at First Table – a website that offers discounts to early diners. By having dinner at 4 – 5.30pm, you can save as much as 50% of your bill!
Travelling New Zealand on a budget is entirely possible with a bit of planning and a sense of adventure. By embracing affordable options like campervans, budget accommodations, and free outdoor activities, you can experience the country’s stunning landscapes without overspending.
Whether you’re hiking, exploring vibrant cities, or relaxing on its pristine beaches, New Zealand offers endless opportunities for memorable experiences that won’t break the bank.
