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Is New Zealand Affordable?: See our cost calculator for 2025

  • karenconnolly59
  • Apr 14
  • 3 min read

Updated: May 24

" Budgeting for Your Dream Trip to New Zealand: Essential Tips and Insights"


"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and double the money."
— Susan Heller

Karen and Michael taking a selfie with the backdrop of Queenstown from the Skyline
View from the Skyline Queenstown

How Much to Budget for New Zealand


Planning a trip to New Zealand is exciting! It's essential to think about how much to budget. Many people wonder about the costs involved. However, the answer can vary widely. Your budget will depend on your preferences regarding accommodation, transport, and meals.


Some travelers may view their holiday expenses as private matters. We understand this perspective. Yet, by sharing our spending with you, we hope to offer valuable insights. This can help you gauge prices in New Zealand and plan your activities accordingly.


In this post, we'll break down the expenses we incurred during our journey. If you link this to our previous post detailing our 27-day tour, you'll have a comprehensive guide for your planning.


Overview of Our Costs


Our expenses began before we even arrived in New Zealand. We incurred costs such as visas and necessary travel items. For detailed insights, check our post about the 7 Essential Planning Tips for the Mature but Young at Heart Traveller Off to New Zealand.


To streamline your understanding, we’ve compiled our complete expenses in the table below. It highlights individual experiences, accommodations, and dining choices.


Summary of Major Expenses


| Item | How Many | Cost (£) |

|------------------------------|------------|-----------|

| Legal/Passes | 2 | 52.00 |

| Jucy Campervan | 24 nights | 5180.00 |

| Public Transport | - | 326.00 |

| Luggage & Packing | 2 | 164.00 |

| Accommodation | 17 | 490.00 |

| DOC Pass | 30 nights | 95.00 |

| Tourist Attractions | - | 1521.00 |

| Cafes/Restaurants | - | 941.40 |

| Fuel | - | 851.80 |

| Supermarket | - | 518.80 |

| Parking | - | 9.00 |

| e-Sim | 27 days | 72.38 |

| TOTAL | - | 10,221.38 |


Breakdown of Specific Expenses


Legal Costs


| Item | Number | Cost (£) |

|----------------|--------|-----------|

| NZeTA | 17 | 17 |

| IVC&TL | 35 | 35 |


Public Transport


| Mode | Cost (£) |

|-------------------------------|-----------|

| Airport to Auckland (Taxi) | 30.00 |

| Auckland to Campervan Pick Up | 25.50 |

| Auckland buses | 20.60 |

| Interisland Ferry | 250.00 |


Luggage and Packing


| Item | Number | Cost (£) |

|------------------|--------|-----------|

| Wheel holdalls | 2 | 88.00 |

| Holdall Straps | 2 | 7.59 |


Accommodation


| Hotel/Campsite | Nights | Cost (£) |

|-------------------------------|--------|-----------|

| Imagine Beach | 2 | 156.00 |


Exploring New Zealand's Attractions


Traveling through New Zealand, you’ll encounter breathtaking scenery and exciting activities. Attractions are varied and cater to everyone’s interests.


Whether hiking among stunning landscapes or indulging in cultural experiences, you find something worthwhile at every stop. Always plan ahead. Ensure you know which attractions fit your interests and budget.


You can save by deciding which activities to splurge on. Focus on those that promise unforgettable memories while staying within your limits.


Conclusion: Is New Zealand Affordable?


In answering the question, "Is New Zealand affordable?", this post examined everything we spent, excluding flight costs. Flight prices can vary greatly based on your origin, season, and class of ticket.


Now, you can decide if this itinerary suits your lifestyle and budget. If you found this post helpful, please give it a like and share it with others. To stay connected and receive more tips, subscribe on our home page for monthly updates. We promise not to flood your inbox with spam!

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Karen and Michael in a hot air balloon at sunrise in the Napa Valley

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