You figure you’re due for a grand adventure somewhere across the world and far away from home. You’ve researched regions of East Asia, Europe, and South America, but you’ve finally settled on one place that seems to encompass everything you’re looking for: Modern cityscapes, beautiful natural escapes, great food, a vibrant nightlife, wildly fun attractions, and plenty of cultural activities.
That’s right, welcome to wonderful New Zealand (By the way, I’m happy to let you hear it from me first!).
As you prepare for your trip, hopefully, you’ve already researched the best time to visit New Zealand and have come across a sample itinerary of how you can best spend your days in Middle Earth.
Today, let’s focus on one of the most important questions you’ll need to answer next: Is New Zealand expensive to visit?
Currency Rates in New Zealand
We’ll examine prices for 3 areas that are basic travel requirements for tourists: Accommodation, transportation, and attractions. But first, let’s go over the conversion rates for popular currencies around the world when stacked up against the New Zealand Dollar as of November 2022.
$1 US = 1.62 NZD
Euro = 1.67
CAD = 1.21 NZD
Renminbi = 0.22 NZD
Rupee = 0.019 NZD
For the sake of this article, we’ll list all prices in USD.
How are Prices in 3 Key Travel Areas?
Accommodation
Accommodation prices in New Zealand vary. There are plenty of mid-range options, however, according to Budget Your Trip, the average price for a hotel in New Zealand is around $57 for one person and $114 for two.
You shouldn’t find it surprising to find the steepest hotel rates lie in major cities in New Zealand like Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, where average daily prices can start around $90.
There are hostels in these cities, too, and though they are cheaper alternatives, don’t expect significant drops in the prices. If you search hard enough you can find hostels with daily rates of $30-$40, but you’ll most likely come across decent hostels that are in the $50-$80 range.
Furthermore, AirBnB does operate in New Zealand, so if you’re looking for a healthier budgeted lodging option during your stay, you may want to consider booking through the app.
Transportation
New Zealand is loaded with various types of transportation. You’ve got public buses, taxis, trains, trams, ferries, E-scooters, and more. Let’s breakdown pricing.
Public Buses: Prices for public buses in New Zealand depend on how many zones you’re traveling in and to/from. There are discounts for using various card systems versus cash, such as Beecard. InterCity is New Zealand’s largest bus network. Expect to spend anywhere from $1 to $4 depending on length of travel.
Train: KiwiRail is the public railway system in New Zealand. It’s popular for transporting passengers along the Great Journeys of New Zealand, which includes travel between major cities, along coastlines, and across lush mountain ranges. Prices will vary depending on your destination, but expect to spend around $80 just for a one-way trip.
Taxis: Taxi fares in New Zealand are pretty standard. They’ll start at $2 and the meter will have you at about $2.50 per mile.
Attractions
New Zealand is teeming with wonderful attractions at every turn. Here’s what you’ll spend on a few popular attractions in the country.
Sky Tower (Auckland) – $21+
Hobbit Movie Set Tour – $55+
Wellington Cable Car – $6
Auckland Zoo – $15
Whale Watching in Hauruki Golf – $100
I can list prices for popular things to do and attractions in New Zealand all day. While there are plenty of free things to do and exciting nature escape that you won’t need to spend a dime on, if you want to truly experience the best that the country has to offer, you’ll need to shell out some serious cash.
What’s the Verdict?
Yes, New Zealand is expensive. If you’re converting US dollars or Euro, you won’t get any bang for your buck. Prices are generally high things, especially for accommodation. The country lacks a large metro network so you’ll have to pay for buses, taxis, trains, or rentals. And though there are lots of free options, the best adventure lies to fun activities you’ll need to pay for.
Nevertheless, will that stop you from having a good time in New Zealand? Of course not! Just make sure you’re ready to, as the saying goes, “ball out” upon arrival. Safe and happy travels!
