New Zealand: Two Islands. Infinite Adventure
Mountains, fjords, Hobbits, and the world’s best hiking. Here’s how to do it properly.
New Zealand doesn’t ease you in. You land, drive ten minutes from the airport, and immediately start wondering why you don’t just live here. Two islands that somehow contain everything, glaciers and geothermal mud pools, fjords so dramatic they look fake, beaches you’ll have entirely to yourself, and cities that are genuinely world-class. Oh, and Hobbits. The North Island gives you culture, geothermal landscapes, and the Bay of Islands. The South Island is pure, almost overwhelming natural beauty. Most people who come say they wish they had more time. Most of them come back. This guide covers everything.
24–26 hrs
From the UK
Dec–Feb
Best time (South)
English
Main language
NZD
Currency
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit New Zealand is December to February, the summer high season, for golden weather that makes hiking and wildlife-watching absolutely blissful. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are generally mild and dry, the landscapes bursting with colour, though the shoulder months can get pretty miserable down on the South Island. December and March is the best time to spot orcas off Kaikoura (dolphins can be seen year-round). The grape harvest in New Zealand’s wine regions starts in February, while the autumn is also a very popular time for scenic cruises in Fjordland.
For a month by month look click here
What To Expect
Capital: Wellington
Language: New Zealand has three official languages: English, Maori, and New Zealand Sign Language.
Currency: The currency in New Zealand is called the New Zealand Dollar. 1 USD = 1.5 NZD or €1 = 1.6 NZD. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: You won’t have a problem using your credit or debit card in New Zealand. As long as it’s a Visa, MasterCard, or Maestro you can use it for purchases or cash withdrawals. You will also be able to use Apple or Google pay in most places.
Plugs: The plugs in New Zealand are type I. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world and is one of the best destinations for solo travellers. However, petty theft is a reality here. Make sure you practice common sense and keep an eye on your things to avoid any problems while you’re abroad.
Random useful tip: Book Well in Advance if Travelling in Summer.
Dont’s: Don’t Disrespect Maori Culture and don’t Expect The Hustle-Bustle Of The City.
Explore New Zealand
Fjords, Hobbits, thermal springs, and the world’s best hikes – here’s everything you need to plan your trip.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does New Zealand Cost?
New Zealand isn’t cheap – but there’s a way to do it at every budget. Here’s the honest breakdown.
🎒
Backpacker
~£47 | €54 | $64/day
- Hostel dorms from ~£15 – ~€17 – ~$20/night
- Supermarkets and food trucks
- Public transport and walking
- Free hikes, beaches, national parks
🍜
Mid-Range
~£120 | €138 | $163/day
- Private rooms and motels
- Cafés, restaurants, local wine
- Mix of buses and rental car
- Wildlife tours, day trips, wine trails
🏨
Upscale
~£215+ | €247+ | $292+/day
- Boutique lodges and luxury hotels
- Fine dining and premium wine tastings
- Private transfers and scenic flights
- Helicopter rides, luxury Milford cruises
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £15–25 (~€17–29 / ~$20–34)/night
- DOC campsite: £7–18 (~€8–21 / ~$9.5–24)/night
- Budget motel: £45–80 (~€52–92 / ~$61–109)/night
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: £75+ (~€86+ / ~$102+)/night
- Boutique hotel: £100–200 (~€115–230 / ~$136–272)/night
- Luxury lodge: £300+ (~€345+ / ~$408+)/night
City Travel
- Bus/train: £1–2.50 (~€1.1–2.9 / ~$1.4–3.4)/ride
- AT HOP card (Auckland): daily cap applies
- Uber short trip: £5–20 (~€5.7–23 / ~$6.8–27)/trip
Long Distance
- Intercity bus (Auckland–Wellington): £15–45 (~€17–52 / ~$20–61)/one-way
- Domestic flight (Auckland–Queenstown): £60–150 (~€69–172 / ~$82–204)/one-way
- Car rental per day: £30–75 (~€34–86 / ~$41–102)/day
Eat Cheap
- Supermarket meal prep: £3–6 (~€3.4–6.9 / ~$4.1–8.2)/meal
- Food truck / takeaway: £5–10 (~€5.7–11 / ~$6.8–14)/meal
- Coffee (flat white): £2.50–3.50 (~€2.9–4.0 / ~$3.4–4.8)/cup
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: £12–25 (~€14–29 / ~$16–34)/meal
- NZ seafood dinner: £25–55 (~€29–63 / ~$34–75)/meal
- Pint at a pub: £4–7 (~€4.6–8.0 / ~$5.4–9.5)/pint
Budget Fun
- National park entry: Free (most)
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Free
- Beach and hiking: Free
Big Experiences
- Milford Sound cruise: £50–150 (~€57–172 / ~$68–204)/person
- Hobbiton Movie Set tour: £60–100 (~€69–115 / ~$82–136)/person
- Bungee jump Queenstown: £75–125 (~€86–144 / ~$102–170)/person
- Scenic helicopter: £150–300+ (~€172–345+ / ~$204–408+)/person
10 Ways to Save Money in New Zealand
💧 1. Bring a reusable bottle — tap water is safe everywhere in NZ
🥾 2. Hike everything — most national parks are free to enter
🛒 3. Shop at Pak’nSave — cheapest supermarket chain in NZ
🚌 4. Use AT HOP and Snapper cards in Auckland and Wellington
🏕️ 5. DOC campsites — free or near-free, and often the best locations
🚐 6. Consider a campervan — cheaper than hotels for road trips
⛽ 7. Use the Gaspy app to find cheapest fuel on the road
🍺 8. Skip bar rounds — craft beer in NZ is great but not cheap
🛫 9. Book domestic flights early — Auckland to Queenstown doubles in price last-minute
🗓️ 10. Avoid December/January — school holiday prices hit everything
Getting Around New Zealand
New Zealand is small enough to feel manageable, big enough that distances surprise you. Here’s how to actually get around it.
Domestic Flights
Best for: Getting between islands fast – Auckland to Queenstown would otherwise be a full day’s drive plus the ferry
✅ Fast, frequent routes
✅ Budget airlines from £55 (about €63 / $75)
❌ Adds up if not booked early
Car & Campervan
Best for road trips and national parks. Absolute freedom — and you can sleep in it.
✅ Total flexibility
✅ Access to remote spots and national parks
❌ Left-hand drive – remember this if you’re from the UK, actually fine; if you’re American, takes a day to adjust
Public Transport
Best for getting around Auckland and Wellington. Both cities have solid bus and train networks – just get the right card.
✅ Cheap with an AT HOP or Snapper card
✅ Reliable in both main cities
❌ Useless for reaching rural areas or national parks
Intercity Rail
Best for scenic, sit-back travel between a handful of key routes. New Zealand doesn’t really have a big intercity rail network, but KiwiRail’s Great Journeys services (think Auckland to Wellington, plus South Island scenic routes).
✅ Proper “window seat” vibes: big scenery.
✅ Fares can start around ~£111 (about €127 / $150) on the main scenic routes if you book smart
❌ Limited routes and fewer departures in winter.
Intercity Bus
Best for budget travel between cities. InterCity and Skip Bus cover most of the main routes – slower but much cheaper than flying.
✅ Cheapest long-distance option from ~£15
✅ FlexiPasses let you bundle multiple trips at a discount
❌ Auckland to Wellington is a long day. Pack snacks.
Ferries & Boat Travel
Best for: Crossing between North and South Island – and it’s genuinely scenic through the Marlborough Sounds
✅ Takes your car or campervan with you
✅ The scenery in Cook Strait is worth it
❌ Can be rough in bad weather – check conditions
Which Is Right For You?
One city base
Use the local bus card — AT HOP or Snapper
Full South Island road trip
Rent a car or campervan — non-negotiable
Tight budget, long distances
InterCity bus or budget domestic flight
North + South Island both
Fly one way, take the Interislander the other
Quick Tips
📅
Book Ferries Early
Especially in December–January — sailings fill up
🚗
Drive on the Left
If you’re American, yes this needs to be said
🌙
Travel Overnight
Intercity night buses save a hotel night
⛽️
Use Gaspy
NZ app that shows cheapest fuel nearby — saves real money on road trips
Travel Resources
Travel Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?
Most visitors need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they arrive — you apply online, it takes minutes, and it costs around NZD $23 (roughly £10). UK, US, EU, and most other Western passport holders qualify. Apply through the official Immigration New Zealand site — don’t use third-party sites that charge extra for the same thing.
Is New Zealand safe for tourists?
Genuinely one of the safest countries in the world. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare and petty theft is low by global standards. The risks that do exist are mostly environmental — strong surf, changeable mountain weather, and river crossings that catch unprepared hikers out. Always check local conditions before heading into the backcountry.
How long do you need in New Zealand?
Two weeks is the minimum to do it justice — and that’s moving at a fair pace. Most first-timers focus on the North Island or the South Island and save the other for a second trip. If you want both, three weeks is more realistic. And yes, most people who go once plan to go back.
What's the best way to get around New Zealand?
A rental car or campervan for the South Island — full stop. Public transport doesn’t reach the places you actually want to go down there. The North Island has decent intercity buses and you can manage without a car in Auckland and Wellington. Flying between the two islands is fastest, but the Interislander ferry through the Marlborough Sounds is scenic enough to be worth it.
Is New Zealand expensive to visit?
Honestly, yes — it’s one of the pricier destinations in the Pacific. Budget travellers can manage around £47/day with hostels and self-catering. Mid-range is more like £120/day with private accommodation and eating out. The big costs are accommodation, car hire, and major experiences like Milford Sound cruises and Hobbiton. Plan for those and the rest is manageable.
When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
For the South Island — November to March is peak summer and the best conditions for Fiordland and the Milford Track. For the North Island it’s fairly year-round, though summer (December–February) is warmest. Shoulder seasons (March–May and September–November) are often the sweet spot — fewer crowds, lower prices, still beautiful. Avoid school holidays if you can, prices jump sharply.
Do I need travel insurance for New Zealand?
Yes — and the NZ situation is actually unique. New Zealand has the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) scheme which covers accident-related injuries for everyone, including tourists, free of charge. But it doesn’t cover illness, trip cancellation, or lost luggage. Good travel insurance is still essential for the gaps ACC doesn’t fill.
Can I drink the tap water in New Zealand?
Yes, everywhere. Bring a reusable bottle and skip the bottled water entirely.
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