Budget Tours to New Zealand
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10 best Budget New Zealand tour packages
Compiled by
SteffNew Zealand travel expert at TourRadar
- Budget North Island Adventure - 7 days
- New Zealand's North to South Island Adventure
- Best of New Zealand: Mountain Biking & Black-Sand Beaches
- Ski Voyager
- Sheepdog Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass
- South Island Snow Safari
- 8-Day Northern Secrets Small Group Tour
- New Zealand Adventure
- New Zealand's South to North Island Adventure
- Budget Christchurch Loop - 7 days
Costing approx. $250 daily, the tour covers 6 nights hostel accommodation, breakfasts, and transport. Hobbiton tours and Waitomo caving are available as optional activities. Free activities include Huka Falls walks and Hot Water Beach visits.
Duration 7 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Hahei, Rotorua, Taupo, Tongariro, Waitomo, Raglan Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $441 Operator On The Go Tours From
- NZ$3,085
New Zealand's North to South Island Adventure
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great value for money and had the best time ever. Would recommend to anyone.”
Katie, traveled in December
The package includes 10 nights in hostels, transport, 9 breakfasts and cultural experiences for around $2,500. Optional activities like skydiving ($293) and river rafting ($109) available. Includes major highlights across both islands with expert local leader throughout.
Duration 11 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Murupara, Taupo, Wellington, Kaikoura, Christchurch Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $318 Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$3,495
Best of New Zealand: Mountain Biking & Black-Sand Beaches
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The accommodation is one of the best parts because you get the opportunity to stay at some really cool places.”
Haylee, traveled in November
Priced at approx. $200 per day, this budget-friendly tour provides 20 breakfasts, 5 dinners, and multi-share hostel accommodations. The package includes Raglan surf lessons, Te Puia cultural experience, and Milford Sound cruise. Free activities feature hiking in national parks and city exploration.
Duration 21 days Destinations Auckland, Raglan, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Abel Tasman National Park, Westport, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Te AnauSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Price Per Day $222 Operator G Adventures From $5,479
15% Off- NZ$4,657You save $821
For approx. $180 per day, guests get shared hostel accommodation and daily breakfasts. New Zealand's best ski fields await, with optional activities like Franz Josef heli-hiking from $470. The package includes luxury transport with WiFi, one group dinner, and guided adventures across four major South Island destinations.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Franz Josef Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Price Per Day $309 Operator Wild Kiwi From
15% Off- NZ$2,164+$325 upfront costs
This flexible hop-on-hop-off pass, at approx. $50 per day, covers Cook Strait ferry crossing and driver-guided commentary. First-night accommodation bookings are guaranteed, with optional activities like Hobbiton visits and white water rafting in Rotorua available.
Duration 16 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Kaiteriteri, Westport, Ruatapu, Franz JosefSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Price Per Day $87 Operator Kiwi Experience From
15% Off- NZ$1,399
South Island Snow Safari
36 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A good tour to do, value for money.”
Kim, traveled in August
For approx. $220 daily, guests receive lift passes at 6 mountains, daily breakfast, and expert guides. Accommodations include hostel/lodge stays with private room upgrades available. The first day in Christchurch features dining at Little High Eatery, while Queenstown offers a free day.
Duration 8 days Destinations Christchurch, Mount Hutt, Lake Tekapo, Lake Ohau, Lake Wanaka, Wanaka, Cardrona, Queenstown, The Remarkables Age Range 18 to 65 year olds Price Per Day $375 Operator Haka Tours From
15% Off- NZ$2,999
This approx. $150 daily package includes 7 nights accommodation, 4 breakfasts, and traditional hangi dinner. Karangahake Gorge walks, Te Mata Peak hikes, and Hot Water Beach visits are free activities. The base price includes boutique experiences like Weta Workshop tours and beekeeping.
Duration 8 days Destinations Wellington, Martinborough, Napier, Taupo, Tauranga, Coromandel, Auckland Age Range up to 45 year olds Price Per Day $266 Operator Kiwi Experience From
15% Off- NZ$2,129
Duration 13 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Waitomo, Taupo, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Queenstown Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Price Per Day $258 Operator TruTravels From $4,190
20% Off- NZ$3,352You save $838
New Zealand's South to North Island Adventure
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was exactly as advertised. Harry made it the best!”
Marian, traveled in December
Duration 11 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Wellington, Taupo, Murupara, Rotorua, Coromandel, Auckland Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $318 Operator Intrepid Travel From
20% Off- NZ$3,495
Priced at approx. $260 daily, this package includes 6 nights in well-equipped hostels across New Zealand. Wine tasting in Marlborough, seal watching at Cape Foulwind, and guided tours are included. Luxury transport comes with complimentary Wi-Fi and USB charging.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Punakaiki, Lewis Pass, Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson, Marlborough, Kaikoura Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $441 Operator On The Go Tours From
20% Off- NZ$3,085
What people love about Budget Tours in New Zealand
- Best of New Zealand: Mountain Biking & Black-Sand Beaches
This is the best tour I have done so far in my travelling. It is very well organized and everything works seamlessly. The accommodation is one of the best parts because you get the opportunity to stay at some really cool places that are very different and definitely not places you would get to go if you were a solo traveller. The only thing I would recommend is to budget a little extra for this tour. The included activities are great, but there are a lot of optional activities that are amazing and you will end up really wanting to do them. Plus, since you are moving around so much, buying groceries is difficult so you end up eating out quite a bit which gets expensive if you are doing it for three weeks. Overall, the tour was amazing and you will meet so many great people :)
- New Zealand's South to North Island Adventure
We had a great New Zealand North Island Tour. Our guide Harry was the best- caring, helpful, knowledgeable. The tour was exactly as advertised. Harry made it the best!
- New Zealand: Best of the North Island
Fantastic guide and awesome tour.
What our customers ask about Budget Tours to New Zealand
What is the average daily cost for budget tours in New Zealand?
Budget tours in New Zealand cost between USD 44-200 per day with most options around USD 150 daily. The Sheepdog Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass provides basic transportation for USD 50 per day while fuller packages like the Coasts & Culture Tour include places to stay and activities for USD 188 daily. One TourRadar traveler shared: "This was an efficient way to see a lot in a short time while keeping costs reasonable - just make sure to budget extra for optional activities." Remember that many tours don't include extra activities or food costs in their base price.
What type of accommodation can I expect on a budget tour in New Zealand?
Most budget tours put you in shared hostel rooms or basic lodges with 4-6 people sharing a space. Places like Hotel Give in Christchurch and Nomads in Queenstown offer multi-share rooms with common bathrooms. Want more privacy? Private rooms usually cost an extra USD 50-80 each night. A TourRadar traveler notes: "The accommodation varied between good dorms and basic hostels - if you want more privacy definitely consider upgrading to a private room." Some routes like the Southern Secrets tour mix things up with stays at places like the Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef.
When is the most affordable time to visit New Zealand for budget travelers?
The best deals come during shoulder seasons: March-May (autumn) and September-November (spring). Tours like the Northern Round Up often cut prices by up to 20% during these months. Summer (December-February) brings the highest rates while winter (June-August) stays affordable except near ski areas. According to one TourRadar traveler: "We went in April and got great weather plus better deals on activities and accommodation."
What are the most budget-friendly areas to explore in New Zealand?
Smaller towns like Lake Tekapo Punakaiki and Franz Josef help stretch your budget with cheaper places to stay and eat. The Canterbury region near Christchurch and the West Coast give good value with many free walking trails and natural sites. As one TourRadar reviewer put it: "Smaller towns like Tekapo and Franz Josef were great for keeping costs down while still experiencing amazing scenery and activities."
How much extra money should I bring for optional activities?
Plan for USD 400-600 in spending money for extra activities. Popular choices cost from USD 150 for jet boating in Queenstown to USD 450 for skydiving in Wanaka. A helpful tip from a TourRadar traveler: "Setting aside USD 500 allowed me to do several bucket list activities like bungy jumping and a scenic flight over Mount Cook."
What free activities are available on budget tours in New Zealand?
New Zealand offers plenty of no-cost activities. You can hike the Tongariro Crossing near Taupo walk through Cathedral Cove in Coromandel or explore the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. Wellington's Te Papa Museum and Mount Victoria lookout cost nothing to visit. One TourRadar traveler noted: "The natural attractions and hiking trails were the best part - completely free and absolutely stunning."
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