Budget Tours to New Zealand
Guess what? It’s possible to visit NZ on a budget! If you’ve ever thought about experiencing Middle-earth magic now’s the time. Visit Auckland, Rotorua’s bubbling geothermal wonders, Queenstown's adventure capital, the majestic Milford Sound, Franz Josef Glacier, and Wellington's charm. There’s more! Abel Tasman, Waitomo Caves, and Mount Cook offer incredible experiences without the luxury price tag. Pure New Zealand is ready.
10 best Budget New Zealand tour packages
Compiled by
SteffNew Zealand travel expert at TourRadar
Duration 17 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Abel Tasman National Park, Westport, Hokitika, Franz JosefSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $95 Operator Kiwi Experience From
- US$1,607
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 Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $261 Operator On The Go Tours From
- US$1,825
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Franz Josef Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $266 Operator On The Go Tours From
- US$1,860
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 Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $148 Operator G Adventures From $3,749
17% Off- US$3,112You save $637
NZ Adventure North
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“100% would recommend!”
Amelia, traveled in November
Priced at approx. $160 daily, the package covers airport transfers, 8 nights' hostel accommodation, and 6 meals. Highlights include Hobbiton tour, Waitomo caves, Lake Taupo sailing, and Māori cultural dinner, with time for optional activities like zorbing or skydiving in Rotorua and Taupo.
Duration 9 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $145 Operator INTRO Travel From $1,449
10% Off- US$1,304You save $145
Northern Crossing - Small Group Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The group was warm and inclusive, and we enjoyed the rest of the activities very much.”
Katie, traveled in October
Rated at approx. $180 daily, covering 6 nights accommodation in 4-6 bed hostel dorms and traditional Māori village stay. The tour features Hobbiton tour, Ruakuri Cave experience, and Lake Taupo sunset cruise. Free activities include Huka Falls visit and Wellington waterfront walks.
Duration 7 days Destinations Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $172 Operator Kiwi Experience From
10% Off- US$1,205
At approx. NZ$60 per day, visitors can enjoy Hot Water Beach, Huka Falls, and Ruakuri Scenic Walk. Accommodation is provided at Rock Solid Backpackers in Rotorua and Based By The Lake in Taupo. Cathedral Cove kayaking and Waitomo cave tours are available as extras.
Duration 6 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range Ages 18-35 Price Per Day $48 Operator Kiwi Experience From $388
26% Off- US$287You save $101
Duration 12 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park, Westport, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $91 Operator Kiwi Experience From
26% Off- US$1,090
Costing around $140 per day for 8 days with transport and accommodation included, you'll stay in multi-share dorms at budget-friendly hostels in places like Rotorua and Wellington. Free walks take you to Huka Falls and through Ruakuri Scenic Reserve, plus complimentary hikes through native bush near Tongariro National Park. Buy meals at your own pace from local supermarkets and bakeries, keeping costs down while visiting Cathedral Cove, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and Mount Victoria without spending too much.
Duration 8 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $82 Operator Kiwi Experience From
26% Off- US$660
NZ Intro North
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The hostels were very nice for hostels, and the experiences were worth the cost of the trip.”
Kiah, traveled in June
Costing approx. $170 daily, this package includes 8 nights' shared accommodation, 4 breakfasts, and 2 dinners. Highlights include Hobbiton tour, Waitomo caves, Lake Taupo sailing, and Wellington cable car, plus airport transfers and local transport.
Duration 9 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $152 Operator INTRO Travel From $1,519
10% Off- US$1,367You save $152
What people love about Budget Tours in New Zealand
- Best of New Zealand: Mountain Biking & Black-Sand Beaches
The trip was amazing!! So many things we did that were exclusive for G Adventures tours only! The tour guides were friendly and very personable. I loved every minute of it!!
- NZ Intro North
Alex was really cool and helpful, was very go with the flow and got everyone to do the activities and add ons they wanted. The hostels were very nice for hostels the one in rotarua was bleh but not the worst I’ve seen. The other two hostels lylo and fins were really perfect with pods and space to be alone and decompress or be social if you’re feeling it. The experiences that were included were worth the cost of the trip and had a good time on the way. The people in the tour group were lovely and made the time even better. Seeing karaoke on a sailboat to high school musical is a memory I won’t soon forget!
The trip was amazing. The guide -Hayley was also wonderful. All in all- 5 stars was not enough. Everything about the whole experience from Day 1 to the end is perfect.
New Zealand South Island Express
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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