Don’t Trust Anyone!
Thinking of travelling to a faraway land with nought but the pack on your back and the limited funds in your bank account. This is budget travelling and to some it seems so extreme that they will do anything to convince you that you’re crazy, starting with this list of the worst travel advice anyone has ever said… ever!
We’re sure friends and family mean well when they tell you this stuff, but they are all wrong. Use this quick guide, complete with so-bad-their-good memes, to separate the good advice from the backpacking bullshittery.
Want more weird articles to inspire you to travel to New Zealand? How about Top 10 Flight of the Conchords’ Adverts for New Zealand or get more of those tall tale stories with 15 Backpacking Myths Busted?
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1. Women Should Never Travel Alone
No one really travels “alone”. You meet so many people and make friends along the way. Don’t believe us? See Can a Girl Travel Alone in New Zealand?
© Pexels2. Don’t Stay in Hostels – It’s Not Safe
New Zealand hostels are safe. Doors always lock after themselves and backpackers here tend to be decent dudes. In fact, there are heaps of reasons to stay in hostels, such as meeting new people.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Wait One More Year and I’ll Come Travelling with You…
So much can happen in a year. Your friend might be making promises they can’t keep. There’s no time like the present to travel!
© Pinterest4. You Can Pass Through NZ Customs Without Meeting the Visa Requirements – They Never Check
Yes, they will! The time they check will be the time you don’t have the paperwork. Then you can kiss New Zealand goodbye. See what you need in Arrival Advice: Passport Control and Immigration.
© Pixabay5. Plan Everything!
Learn to be open-minded and go with the flow. You never know what opportunities may arise.
© gambarmu.com6. Plan Nothing!
Well, at least get your bases covered. You don’t want to turn up at a hostel with it being fully booked.
© Memegenerator7. Travelling is Not Safe – Here is the Pepper Spray!
New Zealand is very safe. The police don’t even carry guns! But if it is a concern, check out our guide for keeping safe in New Zealand. Make good choices!
© keepcalmandposters.com8. Use Traveller’s Cheques
No, don’t. They are expensive and difficult to redeem. Learn more about using money in New Zealand in this guide.
© Pixabay9. Bring Outfits for All Seasons
How about no! Bring versatile clothing. Check out How to Dress to Backpack in New Zealand for ideas.
© DIYLOL10. My Friend Told Me That…
… they give bad advice? Yeah, we know. Tell them to shut up.
© quickmeme11. Buy a Paper Guide
Does a paper guide update itself and have terrible memes? Don’t think so. Use NZPocketGuide.com instead *wink face*. Plus, you can’t use a paper guide in the rain!
© NZPocketGuide.com12. Don’t Worry, You Don’t Need Travel Insurance
You know that the one time you don’t get medical insurance will be the time that you get into a freak accident with a falling piano or a rampaging Kiwi (and we mean the person, not the bird). Honestly, it’s worth getting some affordable cover for your time in New Zealand, such as OrbitProtect’s comprehensive cover, specially designed for budget travellers!
© imgur
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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