How much does it cost to travel to Te Anau?
You should plan to spend around $98 (NZ$166) per day on your vacation in Te Anau. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $27 (NZ$45) on meals
- $27 (NZ$46) on local transportation
- $87 (NZ$147) on hotels
A one week trip to Te Anau for two people costs, on average, $1,379 (NZ$2,320). 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 Te Anau 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 Te Anau expensive to visit?
Prices in Te Anau 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, Te Anau 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 Te Anau Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Te Anau?
The average Te Anau trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Te Anau travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
NZ$147
($87)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
NZ$46
($27)
|
|
Food 2
|
NZ$45
($27)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
NZ$80
($47)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
NZ$12 -
35
($7 - 21)
|
Accommodation Budget in Te Anau
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Te Anau is $44 (NZ$74). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Te Anau is $87 (NZ$147). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Te Anau? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Te Anau
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Te Anau is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $27 (NZ$46) per person, per day, on local transportation in Te Anau.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$27
NZ$46
How much does it cost to go to Te Anau? 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 Te Anau 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 Te Anau
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Te Anau can vary, the average cost of food in Te Anau is $27 (NZ$45) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Te Anau should cost around $11 (NZ$18) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Te Anau is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$27
NZ$45
Entertainment Budget in Te Anau
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Te Anau typically cost an average of $47 (NZ$80) 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.
$47
NZ$80
Alcohol Budget in Te Anau
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $14 (NZ$23) on alcoholic beverages in Te Anau per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$14
NZ$23
Water Budget in Te Anau
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $2.04 (NZ$3.44) on bottled water in Te Anau per day. The public water in Te Anau is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$2.04
NZ$3.44
Te Anau On a Budget
Te Anau, New Zealand
Te Anau is a town on the South Island of New Zealand, best-known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The region is a major destination for ecotourism as it is home to rare species like the endangered flightless takahe bird and natural features like caves, waterfalls, forests, lakes, glacial valleys, and mountains.
Sights
Many visit Te Anau as a waypoint on the way to see the nearby areas of
Fiordland National Park and
Milford Sound. The national park covers over 1.2 million hectares in size, encompassing mountain, lake, fiord, and rainforest environments. A beech forest trail on the sandy Milford shore offers views of towering Mitre Peak, one of the most iconic in the country for its pointed shape. Its location near Milford Sound also draws attention, adding to the spectacular view of the well-known fiord. Nearby, the rugged Earl Mountains are reflected in the glassy surface of Mirror Lakes, where visitors can also catch sight of waterfowl amidst wetland plants. On the Cleddau River, the Chasm Walk passes over two foot bridges with views of powerful waterfalls that have sculpted shapes and basins in the rock. The Doubtful Sound is another well-frequented feature, with a more enclosed feel than the Milford Sound rich in flora and fauna like New Zealand Fur Seals and Fiordland Crested Penguins. And, of course, there are the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, where interesting rock formations and flowing water make the cavernous home for the entrancing glowing creatures (only accessible via guided tour). As a whole the national park and its features are a part of an UNESCO World Heritage Site called Te Wahipounamu, which encompasses a total of four national parks: Aoraki/Mt Cook, Fiordland, Mt Aspiring, and Westland.
Neighborhoods
Te Anau is a small town and the one nearest to Fiordland National Park. December and January are the busiest times of year for visitors and so reservations for bed and breakfasts, hotels, cabins, and campsites must be planned in advance. There are other small towns located along State Highway 94, however, during peak season accommodations fill up quickly. Visitors sometimes are required to stay as far as Gore, which is about 1.5 hours away (140 km). Te Anau itself has the basics. The main supermarket is called Fresh Choice, and is also the best place to buy beer and wine. For free internet, stop at the Te Anau Library, where visitors can use their 5 computers for up to 30 minutes for free or their wireless room for unlimited wireless access for free. The Te Anau Wildlife Centre is just a short walk from town, as are many beautiful scenic features.
Activities
There are many programs, day-trips, and events around Te Anau tailored for exploring the unique features of the region's wildlife and scenery. The road to Milford Sound is just as scenic as the fiord itself, and many local coach and cruise operators are available for those hoping to learn more about those highlights. Cruises often travel the length of the fiord to open ocean and return on one of the many cruise options available in 1.5 to 2 hours cruising time. Lake cruises are also available on Lake Manapouri or Lake Te Anau, as are scenic flights via fixed wing, helicopter, float plane, or vintage biplane. There are even off-road tours dedicated to the daring adventurers, as well as photo tours which take visitors to some of the best photographing locations in the park.
Additional activities are available at the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre, which houses exhibits dedicated to the unique features of the fiords. There is also the Fiordland Cinema which has a wine bar and shows both local and mainstream movies, a golf course with views of the beautiful lakes and mountains, and a spa for a day of rest and relaxation. Other activities within the park include cycling and bike hire, guided and independent hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, scuba diving, jet boating, and kayaking.
Food and Dining
For stocking up on groceries, Fresh Choice is the go-to. Te Anau also has a pizzeria and a couple of popular cafes like the The Sandfly Cafe best known for its breakfast or Miles Better Pies and more which has a range of fresh pies, sandwiches, and coffee. For dinner and/or drinks, the favorites include The Ranch Bar & Grill (casual, young crowd), The Moose Bar & Restaurant (casual pub), and Redcliff Cafe (more upscale with New Zealand mains and wines, live music). Native New Zealand food is derived from the Maori people. Today, popular dishes include a boil-up of local pork, potatoes, kumara (sweet potato), and dumplings, as well as another dish called pork and puha (an herb called sow thistle).
Transportation
The nearest major airport is Queenstown International Airport, located 2-3 hours (166 km) from Te Anau depending on transportation. The route from Queenstown follows State Highway 6 to New Zealand State Highway 94/State Highway 94. Visitors can arrange for a car rental, or take a bus from the airport. Buses are also available between Te Anau and Milford Sound.
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.