How Much Does a Trip to New Zealand Cost? 💸 [2023]

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Typical Costs Before You Arrive in Samoa

There are a few things to think about purchasing in preparation for your trip, from the essential flight ticket to the optional travel insurance.

The Cost of Flights to New Zealand

Because travellers to New Zealand are coming from all over the world, it would be inappropriate to give an average flight cost here. However, you can head over to How to Book a Cheap Flight to New Zealand for advice on reducing the cost of your airfare.

The Cost of Visas for New Zealand

• NZeTA (app/website) – NZ$17/$23
• IVL – NZ$35
• Visitor Visa – NZ$0-$250 (see the Immigration New Zealand Office and Fee Finder)

See NZ Tourist Visa: Do You Need a Visa to Visit New Zealand? for more details on these payments and which visa applies to you.

The Cost of Travel Insurance for New Zealand

Travel insurance varies from company to company with quotes typically made on a case-by-case basis. One of the best-value travel insurances we’ve found is Orbit Protect, based in New Zealand. See How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance for New Zealand for more advice.

The Cost of Items to Pack for New Zealand

You might want to consider making a few purchases for your New Zealand wardrobe. Check out New Zealand Packing List: What to Pack for New Zealand for more advice.

© 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$2-$2.50 (Check out weekly fuel price data on the MBIE website)
• Diesel/ litre (0.3 gallons): NZ$1.40-$1.90 (Check out weekly fuel price data on the MBIE website)
• Road User Charge (diesel tax)/ 1,000 km (621 mi): 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$1,500-$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 mi): NZ$3

© The Dome - Hawke's Bay

The Cost of Accommodation in New Zealand

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

• 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-$180 two people/NZ$150-$250 four people
• Hotel room/ night: NZ$160-$250 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
• DOC campsite/ person per night: NZ$0-$20 adult/NZ$0-$10 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$6-$8
• Pint of beer: NZ$8
• Small coffee: NZ$5
• Fast food pizza: NZ$5
• Big Mac: NZ$5.35

Typical Shopping List Essentials

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

New Zealand Fruit and Vegetable Prices

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

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

New Zealand Meat Prices

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

Learn more about grocery shopping in The Guide to Food Shopping in New Zealand.

© 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 15,000 ft: NZ$360-$500
• Bungy Jump: NZ$130-$290
• White Water Rafting: NZ$150-$190 adult/NZ$80-$160 child
• Jetboat: NZ$80-$140 adult/NZ$50-$80 child
• Dolphin swimming: NZ$120-$220
• Whale watching: NZ$120-$165 adult/NZ$60 child
• Day kayak tour: NZ$125-$160
• Glacier Hiking: NZ$590-$700
• Cruise in Milford Sound: NZ$110 adult/NZ$45 child
• Rotorua geothermal park: NZ$40-$70 adult/ Free-NZ$20 child
• Horse Trekking: NZ$60-$170
• Canyoning: NZ$160-$500
• Hobbiton: NZ$90-$100 adult/Free-NZ$45 child (See how to get a discount in this guide)
• Glowworm caving: NZ$170-$425
• Great Walk DoC hut/ night: NZ$25-$110 (See all of the Great Walk hut prices on the DoC website).