NZ Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to New Zealand Cost? [2023]

© THL

The Cost of Transport in New Zealand

The cost of transport to get around New Zealand depends on what type of transport you’ve chosen. If you haven’t picked a way to get around just yet, start with What is the Best Way to Get Around New Zealand?

The cost of transport is also determined by the seasons, with summer showing the highest prices while winter offers the lowest. Get a more detailed transport cost breakdown in The Cheapest Ways to Travel Around New Zealand. Otherwise, the below prices give you an idea of the cost of travelling in New Zealand.

• Car hire/ day: NZ$30-$150
• 2-berth campervan hire/ day: NZ$60-$260
• Petrol/ litre (0.3 gallons): NZ$1.90-$2.50 (Check out weekly fuel price data on the MBIE website)
• Diesel/ litre (0.3 gallons): NZ$1.40 (Check out weekly fuel price data on the MBIE website)
• Road User Charge (diesel tax)/ 1,000km (621 miles): NZ$76-$352 (Check out the price per vehicle weight on the NZ Transport Agency website)
• Vehicle hire one-way fee: Free-NZ$250
• National coach bus/ 4-hour trip: NZ$30-$80
• Hop-on hop-off bus national pass/ year: NZ$1,000-$2,000
• Guided bus tour/ 10 days: NZ$2,000-$10,000
• Secondhand car (15+ years old): NZ$2,000-$5,000
• Secondhand 2-berth campervan (15+ years old): NZ$3,500-$15,000
• Domestic flights/ one way: NZ$50-$240
• National train/ one way: NZ$100-$260
• City bus travel/ zone: NZ$3.50
• City train travel/ zone: NZ$3.50
• Taxi fare start tariff: NZ$3
• Taxi fare/ km (0.6 miles): NZ$3

© The Dome - Hawke's Bay

The Cost of Accommodation in New Zealand

The price range on accommodation in New Zealand is broad, from cheap campsites to luxury lodges being available. Below, we have given the prices of accommodation that most travellers in New Zealand use so you can work out how much does a trip to New Zealand cost.

• Hostel dorm bed/ night: NZ$27-$35
• Hostel or holiday park double room with shared bathroom/ night: NZ$80-$90
• Hostel, motel or holiday park ensuite double room/ night: NZ$90-$120
• Motel self-contained unit/ night: NZ$140 two people/NZ$150-$250 four people
• Hotel room/ night: NZ$160 double/NZ$200-$350 family
• Family apartment or holiday home/ night: NZ$190-$370
• Holiday Park campervan powered site: NZ$22-$40 two adults / NZ$50-$80 family of four
• Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite/ person per night: NZ$15 adult/NZ$7.50 child
• Freedom camping with a self-contained vehicle: Free

© NZPocketGuide.com

The Cost of Food in New Zealand

Food is essential to factor into your New Zealand travel budget. Self-catering will save you greatly on the cost of travelling New Zealand, while eating out for most meals can be expensive. See the below prices for an idea of the cost of food in New Zealand.

New Zealand Restaurant Prices

• Main meal: NZ$30
• Cafe sandwich: NZ$5-$8
• Pint of beer: NZ$8
• Small coffee: NZ$4.50
• Fast food pizza: NZ$5
• Big Mac: NZ$5.20

Typical Shopping List Essentials

• 1 litre (35fl oz) of milk: NZ$2.40
• A dozen eggs: NZ$5.40
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of rice: NZ$2
• 500g (1.1lbs) pasta: NZ$1.20
• A loaf of sliced bread: NZ$1.20
• 1kg (2.2lbs) cheese: NZ$11
• 100g (3.5oz) dry freeze coffee: NZ$7

New Zealand Fruit and Vegetable Prices

The price of fruit and vegetables differ across the country and between seasons.

• 1kg (2.2lbs) of apples: NZ$5
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of bananas: NZ$3
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of tomatoes: NZ$10
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of onions: NZ$2
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of potatoes: NZ$3

New Zealand Meat Prices

• 1kg (2.2lbs) of chicken: NZ$13
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of beef mince: NZ$13
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of pork: NZ$12
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of lamb: NZ$19

Learn more about grocery shopping in New Zealand here.

© Mead Norton - Tourism New Zealand

The Cost of Tours and Activities in New Zealand

Activities in New Zealand range from free natural attractions and hiking trails to extravagant experiences like glacier heli-hiking and bungy jumping. Jump into the types of activities and tours available starting with our 101 Things to Do in New Zealand: The Ultimate List. Otherwise, here is a quick overview of activity prices in New Zealand.

• Walking/hiking trails: Free
• Skydive from 15,000ft: NZ$360-$470
• Bungy Jump: NZ$130-$275
• White Water Rafting: NZ$100-$140 adult/NZ$80-$120 child
• Jetboat: NZ$80-$130 adult/NZ$50-$70 child
• Dolphin swimming: NZ$120-$220
• Whale watching: NZ$120-$150 adult/NZ$60 child
• Day kayak tour: NZ$125-$160
• Glacier Hiking: NZ$480-$500
• Cruise in Milford Sound: NZ$60-$105 adult/NZ$20-$30 child
• Rotorua geothermal park: NZ$30-$70 adult/ Free-NZ$15 child
• Horse Trekking: NZ$50-$160
• Canyoning: NZ$150-$450
• Hobbiton: NZ$90-$100 adult/Free-NZ$45 child (See how to get a discount in this guide)
• Glowworm caving: NZ$150-$425
• Great Walk DoC hut/night: NZ$15-$110 (See all of the Great Walk hut prices on the DoC website).

© Unsplash

Other Expenses

Of course, there are other expenses to factor into your New Zealand travel budget. Some expenses are difficult to determine in this guide because they are priced on a case-by-case basis, such as flights, visas and travel insurance. Nevertheless, remember to do your own research on the following:

• Flight: see how to book a cheap flight here
• Visa: take a look at the Immigration New Zealand fee finder
• NZeTA and IVL: see latest prices in What You Need to Know About the New Zealand ETA & Visitor Levy
• Travel and medical insurance: our recommendation is Orbit Protect.

For more long-term and living expenses to determine how much does a trip to New Zealand cost, head over to How Expensive is New Zealand?