The Prices of Christmas & New Years Tours to New Zealand
Jump to: Best Tours | Tour Prices
The holiday season is the perfect time to combine festive cheer with the thrill of travel. Christmas and New Year's tours around New Zealand offer a magical way to experience this special time of year, whether you're exploring holiday-themed activities or just looking to escape home for awhile. Or, perhaps you're looking to ring in the New Year with unforgettable celebrations. Tours at this time of the year take the stress out of holiday planning, offering carefully curated itineraries that capture the season's spirit. In this article, we'll explore the costs of holiday tours in New Zealand, share some of the best options available, and highlight destinations that make this time of year truly special.
To help you choose the perfect holiday adventure, we've carefully analyzed a variety of Christmas and New Year's tours in New Zealand. By comparing price ranges, tour quality, included amenities, and festive experiences, we've uncovered the best value options for every type of traveler. Whether you're seeking a fun winter escape, a lively New Year's party, or a cultural holiday experience, we've found tours that deliver joy, wonder, and unforgettable memories. So, pack your holiday spirit and let's explore during the most wonderful time of the year.
Why does New Zealand appeal to holiday travelers?
New Zealand is a magical destination at Christmas, with cultural activities and charming holiday traditions. Auckland, Rotorua, and Napier offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Queenstown, Paihia, and Auckland are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. Fiordland National Park is known for its world renowned hiking trails and stunning natural environments. Skiers and snowboarders love Queenstown, Taupo, and Arrowtown because of the thrilling runs and stunning views. Holiday tours offer an amazing opportunity to dive into the best sights in a convenient way at an affordable price. You'll travel stress-free while creating amazing memories.
How much do Christmas & New Years Tours in New Zealand cost?
The average price per day for Christmas & New Years tours in New Zealand is $313, based on our analysis of 82 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $131 to $621 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $179 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $460 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.
The Best Tours in New Zealand
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable Christmas & New Years tours in New Zealand average $179 per day, with daily prices from $131 to $229. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Auckland to Christchurch 12 Day Highlights here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical Christmas & New Years tours in New Zealand that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $301 per day. Daily prices range from $229 to $363. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is New Zealand Grand - 14 Day Self Drive Tour.
Luxury Tours
Luxury Christmas & New Years tours in New Zealand average around $301 per day, with daily costs ranging from $378 to $621. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Premium - New Zealand Highlights.
Which tour companies offer christmas & new years tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer Christmas & New Years tours in New Zealand. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Thrifty Tours
Focusing on New Zealand, Thrifty Tours is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category.
See All Tours from Thrifty Tours
AAT Kings
AAT Kings is a smaller tour company that focuses on Australia and New Zealand. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. The tours offered by AAT Kings are usually luxurious, high-end, and provide a top-tier level of service. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, snorkelling, diving, dolphin watching, and island hopping.
Australia and New Zealand Travel Company
Focusing on Australia and New Zealand, Australia and New Zealand Travel Company is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Australia and New Zealand Travel Company
Delightful Travel
Delightful Travel is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Many of their tours visit Asia and Pacific. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, China, Japan, and Taiwan. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Delightful Travel
Christmas & New Years Destinations in New Zealand
Wondering where christmas & new years tours visit in New Zealand? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island. It's a nice city with amazing hikes and biking trails. There are beautiful outdoor spaces, parks, and gardens. Many visitors enjoy the city's rich English heritage, and punting along the Avon River is a favorite activity.
Queenstown
Queenstown is located on the banks of Lake Wakatipu near the Southern Alps in New Zealand. It is a high adventure destination with many activities for thrill seekers. There are also vineyards in the area, bungee jumping, and world class hikes. Whether you want to enjoy skiing in the winter or boating in the summer, there is no shortage of activities here.
Auckland
Auckland is a waterfront city that is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand. It's spread out between the Manukau Harbour and the Waitemata Harbour, and there's a compact city centre with a number of landmarks and attractions. For many visitors, it's the point of arrival or departure to the country.
Rotorua
Rotorua is a town on New Zealand's North Island that is surrounded by geothermal activity and is filled with Maori culture. There are geysers, hot springs, and cultural villages in the area that make this a highlight for any traveler. Many visitors also enjoy a visit to the charming and whimsical Hobbiton, from the Lord of the Rings movies.
More
Other popular destinations for christmas & new years tours through New Zealand include Franz Josef, Greymouth, Wanaka, Raglan, and Hokitika.
Christmas & New Years Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're debating whether to plan your trip solo or join a guided tour, take some time to reflect on the pros and cons of both options.
Organized Tours
Pros- Festive itineraries tailored to holiday themes.
- All logistics and planning are handled for you.
- Opportunities to visit famous Christmas markets or New Year's events.
- Enjoy local holiday traditions with expert guidance.
- Group activities bring a festive, social atmosphere.
- Stress-free transportation and accommodation arrangements.
- Special holiday meals or treats are often included.
- Learn cultural insights about Christmas traditions from locals.
- Less flexibility to customize activities or schedules.
- Group dynamics may not suit everyone.
- Strict timelines might reduce leisure time.
- Limited opportunities for private family moments.
- Some holiday traditions might feel commercialized.
Independent Travel
Pros- Customize your itinerary to suit your family’s preferences.
- Greater flexibility in choosing destinations and activities.
- Spend holiday moments in private or intimate settings.
- Freedom to experience lesser-known holiday events or markets.
- Time-consuming to research holiday events and accommodations.
- Must handle transportation and logistics yourself.
- Higher prices and limited availability during peak season.
- Risk of missing popular events without advance booking.
- Requires extra effort to balance relaxation with activities.
- Unexpected weather or closures can disrupt plans.
- Harder to fully relax when managing all the details.
Which is cheaper?
Is traveling independently less expensive than taking guided Christmas & New Years tours? The answer isn't straightforward. Guided tours often include services like hotels, transportation, meals, entry tickets, guides, and activities, all of which you would need to arrange and pay for individually if traveling on your own. To determine the cost difference, you'd need to compare the total cost of the tour package with the cost of booking everything separately. You may prefer a less expensive hotel or splurge on dining, so the cost of a tour could either save you money or cost you more. Be sure to review what's included in the tour package before making your comparison.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Historical Tours in New Zealand, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in New Zealand, The Best Cultural Tours in New Zealand, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in New Zealand, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in New Zealand, The Tours for Animal Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, The Best Self Drive Tours in New Zealand, The Best Walking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, or The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Christchurch, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Queenstown, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Wellington, The Best 10-Day Tours from Christchurch, The Best 10-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Wellington, The Best 2-Week Tours from Auckland, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Christchurch for more package tour options.
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.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.