How much does it cost to travel to Rotorua?
You should plan to spend around $96 (NZ$157) per day on your vacation in Rotorua. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $30 (NZ$49) on meals
- $5.15 (NZ$8.43) on local transportation
- $99 (NZ$162) on hotels
A one week trip to Rotorua for two people costs, on average, $1,343 (NZ$2,199). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Rotorua has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Rotorua expensive to visit?
Prices in Rotorua are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, Rotorua is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in the Pacific for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Lake Tekapo, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Sydney.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Rotorua Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Rotorua?
The average Rotorua trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Rotorua travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
NZ$162
($99)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
NZ$8.43
($5)
|
Food 2
|
NZ$49
($30)
|
Entertainment 1
|
NZ$57
($35)
|
Alcohol 2
|
NZ$10 -
29
($6 - 18)
|
Accommodation Budget in Rotorua
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Rotorua is $49 (NZ$81). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Rotorua is $99 (NZ$162). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Rotorua? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Rotorua
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Rotorua is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.15 (NZ$8.43) per person, per day, on local transportation in Rotorua.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$5.15
NZ$8.43
How much does it cost to go to Rotorua? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Rotorua will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Rotorua
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Rotorua can vary, the average cost of food in Rotorua is $30 (NZ$49) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Rotorua should cost around $12 (NZ$19) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Rotorua is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$30
NZ$49
Entertainment Budget in Rotorua
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Rotorua typically cost an average of $35 (NZ$57) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$35
NZ$57
Typical prices for Entertainment in Rotorua are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Rotorua, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Alcohol Budget in Rotorua
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $12 (NZ$19) on alcoholic beverages in Rotorua per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$12
NZ$19
Typical prices for Alcohol in Rotorua are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Rotorua, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Last Updated: Feb 9, 2024
Rotorua On a Budget
Rotorua Museum
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
Sights
Many of the sights in Rotorua do cost money, so you can expect to spend a decent amount on entertainment here. Parks and attractions with paid admission include Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Te Puia, Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, Skyline Skyrides,
Rainbow Springs Nature Park, the Agrodome, the Buried Village, and Wai-oTapu Thermal Wonderland. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is the world's newest geothermal ecosystem, created by a massive 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera. Te Puai has many bubbling mud pools and geysers as well as Maori cultural experiences. Whakarewarewa Thermal Village is comparable to Te Puia.
For free attractions, you can visit the Government Gardens, Hamurana Springs, The Lakes, Motutara (Sulphur Bay), Okere Falls, Whakarewarewa Forest, and Rotorua Walkway. And if you're looking for even more ideas, check out this great list of the
best things to do in Rotorua, as the area has plenty of options.
Neighborhoods
Rotorua has many suburbs, 17 lakes in the region, and countless parks where visitors can experience the thermal hot springs. Notable parks include the Buried Village (Te Wairoa) and Kuiraua Park. There is a particularly strong sulphur smell in the central-east "Te Ngae" area. This is because of the dense sulphur deposits next to the southern boundary of the Government Gardens in an area known as "Sulphur Point".
Activities
As this is New Zealand, there is no shortage of adventure sports and activities in the area. You can enjoy activities such as land-sledding down Mt Ngongotaha, heli-touring, hiking through the thermal vents, zorbing, indoor rock climbing, whitewater rafting and sledging. It's also possible to play golf around the mud pools. There is a public golf course where you can play nine holes for about $10.
Other activities in the area include visiting a Polynesian Spa, going to the Bibleworld Museum & Discovery Centre, going to the
Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools, and taking guided bike tours of the area. Read this article for even
more things to do in Rotorua.
Food and Dining
Rotorua is an excellent location to try a traditional Maori feast, referred to as the Hangi. There are venues throughout the area that offer you the opportunity to enjoy the feast, which is comparable in cooking style to a Hawaiian Umu. There's an earthen oven which is used to cook the dishes, giving them a very distinctive smokey flavor.
If you're looking for something quicker and cheaper, you'll find some cafes around the area where you can pick up a sandwich or burger. Full scale restaurants are less common but you will find some attached to hotels in the area. Your best option is always to ask a local what they recommend.
Transportation
Rotorua is a convenient three hour drive south of Auckland. There is a small airport and a bus service that travels from various locations on the North Island, but once you arrive in the area, it really is essential that you have a car. If that isn't an option for you, then there is a limited bus service called CityRide. The buses are lime green and the main bus stop is on Pukuatua Street across from the ASB Bank. There are several routes that run across town and you can reach the Skyline, Rainbow Springs and Agrodome attractions by bus. You can expect to pay about $2.30 for the ride. It is important to remember that the buses stop running at 6:00 every night.
Another option is a circuit bus that is run by GreatSights New Zealand, which is a national sightseeing operator. This route allows you to visit several sights including Te Puia, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and the Agrodome.
Related:
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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.