The Best New Zealand Budget Tips
New Zealand can be an expensive and there are a million exciting things to do, especially if you have an adventurous soul. This can be overwhelming to those dreamers that just don’t have the cash to splash. Trust us, if you follow the New Zealand budget tips below, we can guarantee, you will have an epic trip in New Zealand.
The Top 10 New Zealand Budget Tips
1. Utilise free or DOC (cheap government owned) camps
To do this use the WikiCamp or CamperMate App, where you can check what facilities each campsite has and their locations.
They do not require an advanced booking, but sometimes spots are limited, so make sure you don’t get there too late. It’s a good idea to decide where you will sleep as you drive and have a backup in case it is full!
2. Stay in Airbnbs instead of hostels/ hotels
Controversial, but we found Airbnbs were the cheapest accommodation, if you split the cost for two people. However, if you are a solo traveller, then hostels would be better for you and you will find it easier to meet people too. Shop around for good deals.
We only used Airbnb in the cities, when it was not possible to free camp.
3. Buddy Up
It’s always fun to travel with a friend, but if that friend just happens to save you a lot of money then that’s even better.
If you stay in a hostel at the start of your trip, it is likely that you will find someone who wants to do a similar trip to you. We split the cost between two people for everything including renting the car, Airbnbs, Ubers, food, etc.
4. Cook yourself and don’t eat out
It might be tempting to eat out and immerse yourself in the NZ Cafe culture, but it is just not something you should do everyday as a budget traveller. Not that you shouldn’t treat yourself, but it will soon add up and before you know it, you won’t have the money left to do an tours or activities.
We bought a stove and cooking equipment and did our food shop at big supermarket to save money, which can easily add up in New Zealand. They have lots of options for healthy eating and they are all over both islands
5. Don’t travel in Peak Season
Another top New Zealand budget tip is to not travel in the peak season. The peak season is from December to February. During this time, there are huge crowds and higher prices. We recommend going early March, you will get the last part of the summer sun at half the costs.
There is no bad time to go to New Zealand, just make sure you have the appropriate clothe
6. Book tours using Bookme
We can’t describe our joy of finding this website. There are so many cheap deals for all the best tours on both islands. Whatever you want to do, you will find it. From jet boating, bungee jumping, Milford Cruises to helicopter trips. It is all in one convenient place with excellent deals of up to 65% off. This is a great money saving New Zealand budget tip.
7. Flights
Our flights were with Air New Zealand (very cheap and great quality) from Melbourne, Australia not Europe. So if you are already in the Southern Hemisphere or Asia, it is a good time to head over to save $.
However, to ensure you get the best deals, wherever you are, use apps like Skyscanner and Kayak to find the best prices. Remember to delete your cookies and book your flights in advance (if possible).
8. Rent cars not campervans.
Another controversial idea, but we did not rent a campervan. Instead we bought camping gear and rented a car. We found that this was much cheaper and still convenient and it is one of our best New Zealand budget tips.
Don’t let the camper prices put you off. We also know people that buy the car at the start of their trip and sell it at the end to save more $$. We did not do this as we only had a month in NZ and did not want to worry about selling it when we could be adventuring. If you’re flexible on time and not money, this could be an option for you though.
9. Rent your vehicle on each island
We rented cars on both islands and then flew between them instead of getting the ferry. This was mostly to avoid car relocation fees, as they can be extremely costly, as well as the ferry.
Basically, the hire companies charge you, if you drop your rental vehicles off at a different place from where you rented them. Tip: You can turn this to your benefit and relocate a vehicle from one city to another for a cheap price using Imoova.(If you want to know what relocation is check out this other post!)
10. Free Activities
Luckily New Zealand can be enjoyed to the fullest without spending a small fortune. Due to the vast outdoor beauty and activities, you’ll never get bored.
Consider these ideas instead of tours:
The world famous hiking (all National Parks are free)
- Visiting the many secluded beaches
- Free hot springs
- Museums and art galleries
What are your best New Zealand budget tips?
Let us know in the comments and if you want a full New Zealand Itinerary. Click here.
Photo Credit: averagelives.com and Unsplash
Those government owned camps are awesome! I wish there were more of those around the world.