How to travel New Zealand and save money

Travel is one of the best things we can do for ourselves. It helps rejuvenate mind, body and soul but unfortunately, it comes with a price tag. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places in the world and if you’re like most people, you were sold on it after you saw Sam’s hobbit house in Lord of the Rings. Travel New Zealand can be expensive to travel for both tourists and locals, so if starting your journey to Hobbiton is a must do on your bucket list, but you’re worried about costs, then we may be able to help.

At Loans NZ, we know how important it is to give yourself, and your family, a break every now and then. Why not take your break in one of the most picturesque countries in the world? What’s better is that we have some great tips on how to travel New Zealand and save money at the same time! Forget about your budget stress, and stop second-guessing whether you should even be going. Whether you’re visiting New Zealand, or you’re a local wanting to explore your home, keep reading and find out how you can do so without breaking the bank.

How to save money on travel New Zealand

1. Travel at the right time – New Zealand, much like Australia, has its busy travel season through the summer (December to February), which means that tourist prices rise. Even if you are local and just want to take a cheeky weekend getaway, you can expect to be charged as a tourist. Therefore, it’s a good idea to try and go outside of peak season. If you can, go in October, or March, or just bear the cold and go during winter (heads up, Queenstown is expensive all year round). Going in the off-peak season will not only save you money but help you avoid the travel crowds.
2. Be specific when planning your trip – New Zealand is a huge country and it would take at least a few weeks to be able to make it to most of the major sights on both islands. If your budget is limited then it’s best to focus on just one Island (North or South), so you can get the best out of whichever one you choose and then you can always go back and do the rest. Trying to do everything at once will subtract from your experience as a whole
3. Look for airline sales– Whether you’re traveling to New Zealand or flying domestically, keep a lookout for any sales. Most sales lie with Air New Zealand and as it’s the local airline, you won’t be too limited to where you want to go throughout the country. Air New Zealand offers great deals domestically for all those locals wanting to explore, and internationally, for everyone else wanting to discover.
4. Exchange Rates – It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for exchange rates, as well as fuel prices and currency fluctuations. These can all have an impact on the cost of your trip so make sure you take advantage when things are looking good. If you’re traveling to New Zealand from Australia, for example, keep a look out for when the Australian dollar is strong against the NZ dollar and you might be able to get even cheaper Air New Zealand flights, or accommodation throughout the country.
5. Fantastic Plastic – If you’re an Australian traveling through New Zealand then try and pay for most things on your card. Unless you were able to get a great exchange rate for cash before heading over, paying on your card will help you avoid those nasty ATM withdrawal charges and currency exchange fees. Card payments will also help you keep better track of your spending while you’re away. If you are withdrawing cash then we recommend taking out a sizable amount each time to minimize extra fees.
6. Here’s a tip… don’t tip – As a local, you would know that tipping is not customary in New Zealand but if you are a tourist then you may think that it’s expected. When you travel New Zealand, it’s the same as Australia in the sense that tipping is not a mandatory part of the service so don’t throw away money when it’s not necessary. Whether you’re at a restaurant, on a tour or at a bar, only tip extra if the service was exceptional, otherwise save your dollars.
7. Plan your adventure – New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world which means your options for activities are endless! Unfortunately, many of these activities can be quite costly and doing everything on your trip will be very expensive. As you travel New Zealand, you’ll spot its well-known thrill-seeking adventures such as sky-diving, bungy jumping, white water rafting, and caving, so if your budget is hurting just at the thought of these then you need to pick wisely.Think ahead to each destination and plan what you want to see and do. Your budget can be severely hurt when you’re continuously throwing in unexpected activities. There will be some things you absolutely won’t want to miss out on so practising a bit of discipline with your budget will allow you to tick the “must do’s” off your list.
8. Rent a camper van – The best way to travel New Zealand is on wheels. If you’re up for camping through the country’s natural wilderness then you should consider renting a camper (these are great for families). Otherwise, hire a car, buy a tent and you’re ready to go. If you can find a great deal then you will be able to combine both your accommodation and travel costs into one.
   Compare NZ Rental Cars is great for comparing the cost of different campervan companies throughout New Zealand.If this isn’t within the budget then have a look at rental relocations. Many rental companies will need cars or campers driven from one location to the other, so if you’re willing to help, they’ll give you the rental for an extremely low cost (some as low as $5 a day). The most popular relocation cities include Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown. Go to TransferCar to find a great rental relocation car or camper.
9. Hop on Hop Off and City Pass – If renting a car or camper is not within your budget then you can easily get around on the bus. Many cities will offer a city pass which gives large discounts on local attractions and then the Hop on Hop bus will get you there for even cheaper. You can buy very affordable tickets that will give you cheap travel for a few days at a time. You can just get on and off as you please whether you’re sightseeing or not. The city pass will give you free entry into all the included attractions so make sure you get your money’s worth.Naked Buses have some of the cheapest deals for bus travel New Zealand. They offer $1 fares if you book far enough in advance, otherwise, it’s still very cheap if you’re booking last minute. Traveling from town to town in New Zealand could be as cheap as $14.
10. Stay in hostels – if you’re not driving or camping through New Zealand then the next best way to save money is by staying in hostels. If you are travelling on a budget then the last thing you want to do is waste your precious dollars on a bed. At the end of the day, it really is just a place to sleep, so get a bed in a hostel so you’ll have more money for a real travel New Zealand experience. If you’re travelling on your own, hostels are great for meeting people, otherwise, if you’re travelling with your family, you can rent dorm rooms or private rooms for a fraction of the cost of a hotel.
11. Deals deals deals – Keep an eye out for any deals that get offered for New Zealand travel. Look at tourism sites, airlines websites, travel agents, and coupons: anything that will help trim the cost of your New Zealand travel expenses. Whether it be savings on your flights, car rental, accommodation, adventure activities, or meal deals; make sure you take full advantage of everything on offer. Keeping a constant watch for specials is a great way to save money on your New Zealand travel.
12. Eat and drink for your budget – Don’t spend all your money eating out 3 times a day or drinking at the bar every night. Go to the grocery store and buy some basic ingredients for some breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Even if you are in a camper, they will come equipped with some kind of cooking paraphernalia so you’re not having to constantly eat out. If you’re camping in tents then just buy a little camping stove for your morning eggs or night time spaghetti. This will also make your travel New Zealand camping experience a little more authentic.Keep an eye out for any happy hours as well, as you can get some great deals on your drinks. Alcohol can be expensive in New Zealand, so take advantage of every happy hour you find. Tap water is fine to drink throughout New Zealand as well so don’t waste your money on water bottles. Just buy one and then fill it from any reasonable tap that’s available (take normal precautions when it comes to drinking from streams and creeks).

Now that you know ways to save money on your New Zealand travel expenses here is a list of some of the unmissable attractions:

North Island

• Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland – A $30 admission fee will give you all-day access to one of travel New Zealand’s most popular geothermal parks, located just outside of Rotorua. These are some mud pools, volcanic craters and steaming lakes that you won’t want to miss.
• Tongariro National Park – This park is home to 3 active volcanoes including Ngauruhoe which was Mount Doom in Lord of The Rings films. It’s great for hikes and some surreal sight-seeing.
• Waitomo Caves – Waitomo is known for its extensive underground cave systems. You can float through some of the caves on a boat and see thousands of glow worms light up your path.
• Bay of Islands – This New Zealand enclave is home to more than 140 subtropical islands. It’s known for its pristine undeveloped beaches, big-game fishing and Maori cultural artefacts.
• Sky Tower – The Sky Tower is an observation and telecommunications tower located in Auckland. It stands at 328 metres high and provides you with some breathtaking 360-degree views and superb dining. You will be able to spot the key landmarks, volcanoes and other historical locations within the great Auckland region.
• Hobbiton Movie Set – Well this was the whole reason you came to travel New Zealand so don’t miss out on seeing Hobbiton. You can take a tour through the set and experience the amazing Hobbit Holes, the world-famous Green Dragon Inn and you’ll even be given a complimentary, hobbit exclusive and Southfarthing beverage to conclude your adventure.
  For more info visit: Hobbit Tours

South Island

• Milford Sound – This is a fiord in southwest New Zealand and it’s known for its towering Mitre Peak and its beautiful rainforests and waterfalls (e.g. Stirling and Bowen Falls). Take an amazing hike or boat ride through this picturesque part of New Zealand. Find out more at Milford Sound.
• Queenstown – Skiing, swimming, sky-diving, bungee jumping, white water rafting, the Shotover jet and more. Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand and an absolute must-see on your trip to the South Island.
• Fox Glacier – This glacier is 13 kilometres long and just 300 metres above sea level. To see the glacier, you can walk to the terminal face, take an ice-hiking adventure through the glacier, or even book a sightseeing flight (if your budget allows for it).
• Abel Tasman National Park – This is a wilder reserve and it’s well-known for the Abel Tasman Coast Track. This track is a long trail, winding over beautiful beaches and ridges. You could also see little blue penguins, bottlenose dolphins and seals.
• Lanarch Castle, Dunedin – Discover Victorian Grandeur and intrigue with a visit to Australasia’s only castle. Built in 1871, Lanarch Castle boasts a 3,000-square foot ballroom, a tower with sweeping views of the Otago Peninsular and stunning Victorian-style gardens.

These are just a few of the many “must do” activities for your travel New Zealand. Now that you know how to save money on your New Zealand travel expenses, you will be able to plan your trip to cover everything on your own personal list.

If you still can’t work out your budget then contact us at Loans NZ and find out how one of our short-term personal loans and help you cover your New Zealand travel expenses without any extra stress. Enjoy your holiday the way you should with Loans NZ personal loans.