Is New Zealand Expensive?

Is New Zealand expensive to visit?

New Zealand is known as both a well-liked and moderately priced destination. It falls roughly in the middle range for overall travel costs. When compared to the rest of the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a reasonably affordable country. It places in the top 25% of countries in the Pacific for its affordability. This puts it on par with destinations such as Samoa and Australia.

New Zealand is very popular with tourists, and a wide array of destinations can be visited for a range of prices. Kaikoura, Auckland, and Napier are some of the most expensive places to visit. On the other hand, if you're looking for cheaper alternatives, you can visit Lake Tekapo, Paihia, and Cromwell.

Average daily price of selected cities in New Zealand, by affordability

How expensive is New Zealand?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in New Zealand tends to be around $136 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for New Zealand here.

How expensive is a one week trip to New Zealand?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to New Zealand will cost around $954 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $1,907.

How expensive is a two week trip to New Zealand?

On average, a two week trip to New Zealand costs about $1,907 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a two week trip costs $3,814.

How expensive is a month long trip to New Zealand?

A one month trip to New Zealand costs about $4,087 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $8,174.

Is it expensive to backpack in New Zealand?

New Zealand is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 130 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $23 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in New Zealand here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Auckland, Queenstown, and Christchurch. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Nelson, Dunedin, and Picton has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $19, $18, and $18 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Christchurch, Queenstown, and Auckland with an average cost of $29, $27, and $23 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in New Zealand.

• $31 for a dorm bed at The Attic Backpackers in Auckland
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• $33 for a dorm bed at Nomads Queenstown in Queenstown
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• $23 for a dorm bed at Jailhouse Accommodation Christchurch in Christchurch
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Where to find affordable hostels in New Zealand

Are hotels expensive in New Zealand?

When analyzing the price of hotels in New Zealand, they're generally moderately priced compared to the rest of the world. The average price is $104 per night for a decent hotel room. Keep in mind that places like Queenstown are more expensive, averaging around $222 per night. But fear not, there are budget-friendly destinations like Christchurch where you can book a room for an average of $82 per night.

Where to find affordable hotels in New Zealand

How expensive are sightseeing activities in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $36 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.

• Guided eBike Tour 'Ride to the Sky': $124
• Afternoon Te Anau Cruise on Historic Motor Yacht: $88
• Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $60
• Guided Private Milford Sound Day Tour from Te Anau(Cruise Included): $213
• Morning Tea Cruise on Historic Motor Yacht from Te Anau: $88
• Scenic Te Mata Peak Tour by Supertrike: $109
• Auckland Historic Bar Tour: $86
• Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura: $97

Is food expensive in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $31 per day on food, per person.

• A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $186
• Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $152
• Local Auckland Food Tour : Explore the suburbs!: $167
• Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown: $115
• Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $91
• Private Modern Vegetarian Cooking Class with Anna in Northland: $195

Is transportation expensive in New Zealand?

Local transportation in New Zealand can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $20 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

Expenses for intercity transportation within New Zealand can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $90 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.

More for New Zealand

If you're planning a trip to New Zealand, check out these other informative travel guides.

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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.