A Complete Guide to the Cost of a Trip to New Zealand
How much does it cost to travel to New Zealand? Well, the answer is different for everyone depending on the transport taken, how many people are in the group, the type of activities done, and whether they self-cater or eat out. In this New Zealand travel budget guide, we’ve compiled the average prices for every single aspect of your trip to New Zealand. That way, you’ll be able to make a note of the prices that apply to your trip to curate your own New Zealand travel budget. Check out the most accurate travel budget to New Zealand on the internet with this guide to the cost of a trip to New Zealand. Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change.
How Much Does a Trip to New Zealand Cost: Travel Budgets for New Zealand
We can’t stress enough how everyone’s budget will be different for travelling in New Zealand. That’s why we strongly encourage you to look at the prices in the below guide to determine what prices apply to your trip so that you can budget more accurately. Nevertheless, because we know that many of you like the average cost of a trip to New Zealand, here is an example of a New Zealand travel budget.
The Daily Cost of a Trip to New Zealand
Car rental (inc fuel): NZ$100 per day + Private room: NZ$90 per day + Food (self-catering and restaurants): NZ$60 + Activities (paid and free): NZ$120 = NZ$370 per day
How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for one week?
NZ$2,590 per person
How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for two weeks?
NZ$5,180 per person
How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for three weeks?
NZ$7,770 per person
How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for four weeks?
NZ$10,360 per person
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.
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 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
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.
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).
More About the Cost of a Trip to New Zealand Cost
That’s it for our guide answering the question, how much does a trip to New Zealand cost? For more New Zealand travel budget advice, check out the following articles:
- Which is Cheaper: Campervan Rental or Car Rental + Stay in Hotel/Hostel/Airbnb?
- The Travel Guide to New Zealand on a Budget
- What is the Cost of Backpacking in New Zealand?
For more long-term and living expenses to determine the cost of a trip to New Zealand, head over to How Expensive is New Zealand?
Author
Robin C.
This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before calling New Zealand home. He has now spent over a decade in the New Zealand tourism industry, clocking in more than 600 activities across the country. He is passionate about sharing those experiences and advice on NZ Pocket Guide and its YouTube channel. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides.