While New Zealand is a wonderful place to visit, it isn’t the cheapest of travel destinations. Aside from the cost of your flights, the main problem with New Zealand is the cost of accommodation. Many hotels and hostels can be quite expensive, taking up a large amount of your budget.
However, just because money is tight, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a fantastic time in New Zealand. It is such an amazing country, and you shouldn’t let something as small as money cause you to miss out on experiencing everything it has to offer.
To help you get the most out of visiting New Zealand while on a budget, here are a few handy tips:
Hire a car
Okay, so this might sound counter-productive, but hiring a car will save you money. Instead of having to pay for taxis and tour buses, you will have your own form of transport to get around.
There are various car hire companies you can use to get hold of a vehicle for your trip. However, if you are flying in via Auckland Airport, it makes sense to hire a car from there. Car rental in Auckland Airport is affordable and offers a great choice of vehicles – just make sure to book in advance.
Camp
If you choose to hire a car, you can then camp instead of paying for hostels and hotels. To be able to access all of New Zealand’s best campsites, many of which are in the middle of nowhere, you will need a vehicle.
While cheap most of the time, campsites can get very busy and expensive during the school holidays. So if you are traveling during this time, it’s a good idea to book your pitch at each campsite in advance, so that you get the best deal.
Buy food from the supermarket or bakery
While it’s nice to eat out now and then, if money is tight, it’s a good idea to get the majority of your food from the supermarket or bakery.
Of all the supermarkets in New Zealand, the cheapest is Pak-n-Save, there tends to be one of these in each large town. Local bakeries are also cheap and sell lots of yummy food. When food shopping, make sure to bring your own bags or boxes to store your food in, as you have to pay for them in most supermarkets.
Grab a takeaway
Instead of going out for dinner, grab a takeaway. In New Zealand, there are thousands of takeaway restaurants, all of which are incredibly cheap. Even though the takeaway is cheap, the food always tends to be delicious. Of all the foods on offer, fish and chips is one of the best takeaway foods.
New Zealand might be an expensive country to visit, but there are plenty of ways you can make it more affordable. From choosing to camp instead of staying in hostels to opting for a takeaway over a restaurant meal, your trip can be affordable.