How much does it cost to travel to Taupo?
You should plan to spend around $112 (NZ$187) per day on your vacation in Taupo. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $23 (NZ$39) on meals
- $25 (NZ$42) on local transportation
- $127 (NZ$212) on hotels
A one week trip to Taupo for two people costs, on average, $1,573 (NZ$2,623). 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 Taupo 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 Taupo expensive to visit?
Prices in Taupo 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, Taupo is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Darwin or Arrowtown.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Taupo Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Taupo?
The average Taupo trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Taupo travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
NZ$212
($127)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
NZ$42
($25)
|
|
Food 2
|
NZ$39
($23)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
NZ$58
($35)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
NZ$11 -
33
($7 - 20)
|
Accommodation Budget in Taupo
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Taupo is $63 (NZ$106). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Taupo is $127 (NZ$212). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Taupo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Taupo
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Taupo is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $25 (NZ$42) per person, per day, on local transportation in Taupo.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$25
NZ$42
How much does it cost to go to Taupo? 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 Taupo 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 Taupo
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Taupo can vary, the average cost of food in Taupo is $23 (NZ$39) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Taupo should cost around $9.31 (NZ$16) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Taupo is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$23
NZ$39
Entertainment Budget in Taupo
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Taupo typically cost an average of $35 (NZ$58) 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$58
Typical prices for Entertainment in Taupo are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Taupo, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Bungy Jumping
NZ$255
-
Jet Boating
NZ$95
Alcohol Budget in Taupo
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $13 (NZ$22) on alcoholic beverages in Taupo per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$13
NZ$22
Typical prices for Alcohol in Taupo are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Taupo, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Water Budget in Taupo
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $2.81 (NZ$4.68) on bottled water in Taupo per day. The public water in Taupo is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$2.81
NZ$4.68
Taupo On a Budget
Tupou Bay, New Zealand
Taupo is a town located in the center of the North Island, situated on the shores of Lake Taupo, which is New Zealand's largest lake. It is also the caldera of the Taupo Volcano. It has a population of 23,700 people and is visited by many people interested in fishing, boating, and other water activities. There are many hiking and biking trails that take you around the water as well.
Sights
There are too many scenic spots in Taupo to name, but here are a few of the main sights to see while visiting. The Huka Falls are absolutely incredible; they are about a kilometer from Taupo and can be reached by bus. The falls transport water from Lake Taupo into the Waikato River (New Zealand's longest river). There is a bridge above the falls for close up viewing of the powerful water plummeting down into a pool that is 11 meters below.
In Mine Bay of Lake Taupo, there are rock carvings of the indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori's. The carvings can only be reached by kayak or boat, which makes it all the more exciting to see.
There are quite a few geothermal pools throughout New Zealand, but one of the most impressive is just outside Taupo, called Craters of the Moon.
Neighborhoods
The Tongariro River is nearby Taupo, and should definitely be visited on your trip in New Zealand. You can raft, fish, hike, and much more. The famous Tongariro Crossing track is well worth hiking, read on for more information on this track.
Turangi is a town on the west bank of the river and is known to the Kiwi's (New Zealander's call themselves Kiwi's FYI) as the trout fishing capital of the world.
Activities
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a fraction of one of New Zealand's Great Walks called the Tongariro Northern Circuit. This day hike takes you over the terrain of Mount Tongariro, which is an active volcano with many craters. The hike is about 12 miles round trip and is worth every step for what you will find at the summit. Once at the summit, you will be able to look out to a number of crystal blue lakes, which have the unique color due to minerals from surrounding rock.
Immerse yourself in New Zealand culture by visiting a replica Maori village. It is called Wairakei Terraces and is just north of Taupo. You will witness and even be a part of a traditional Maori introduction ceremony where your host will evaluate the nature of your visit. You may find it slightly frightening at times as a warrior approaches you with his most threatening facial features and primal cries. There are also natural hot thermal pools here that you might want to visit after the thrilling cultural experience in the Maori village.
Jet boats are a huge attraction in Taupo, and in many other parts of New Zealand. The jet boat in Taupo takes you along rivers lined with lush forests and eventually takes you right up to the base of the Huka Falls that were mentioned above. This is a thrilling high-speed activity with 360-degree spins incorporated as well.
The Spa Park Hot Pools are free to the public to soak in. There is a walking path in the park, and the pools get hotter and hotter the further up you go. Just remember to respect this natural beauty and bring everything out that you brought in.
Food and Dining
Taupo, and its surrounding towns have a reputation for great fishing. In fact, Turangi, a town south of Taupo, has distinguished itself as the trout capital of the world. Hence, seafood is a must while visiting Taupo. The Lazy Trout cafe is a known favorite that serves freshly prepared seafood and has a stunning view of the lake. It is located on the first floor of the Wellesley Hotel.
Make sure you try some Taupo Beef, which is in very high demand throughout Taupo. The farmers have won awards for their grass-fed, free-range beef as well as their efforts to protect the water quality of Lake Taupo. The beef is all over local restaurants and hotels in the area.
Try some of New Zealand's famous Manuka Honey for free! The Huka Honey Hive offers free tastings of honey as well as liqueurs and fruit wines.
Transportation
Getting to Taupo is relatively easy using public transportation, or even in a rental car. The bus system in New Zealand is called InterCity and there are connections to Taupo from Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Gisborne, Napier, and Wellington. Once in Taupo, the Taupo Connector can get you all around the town. Renting a car is an option worth considering if you plan on visiting many places on your trip. There are also a few backpackers tour buses that you can sign up for, like Kiwi Experience or Contiki.
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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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.