Budget Tours & Trips to New Zealand North Island
Discover a varied offer of New Zealand North Island budget adventures that will take you through some of the most renowned destinations such as Auckland and Wellington. Each affordable tour will provide you with great experiences for some of the lowest prices on the market.
10 best cheap New Zealand North Island tour packages
Compiled by
NadineNew Zealand North Island travel expert at TourRadar
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
This North Island adventure runs approx. $180 daily featuring Hobbiton Movie Set tour, Ruakuri Cave exploration, and traditional Māori overnight stay. Highlights include Bridal Veil Falls walk and Mount Victoria lookout, with optional Rotorua adventures available.
Duration 7 days Destinations Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $139 Operator Kiwi Experience From $1,213
20% Off- US$971You save $243
North Island's highlights await at approx. $250 per day. The trip features Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park, Mount Tarawera treks, and relaxing Huka Falls walks. Comfortable hostels provide included breakfasts and one group dinner.
Duration 7 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Hahei, Rotorua, Taupo, Tongariro, Waitomo, Raglan Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $265 Operator On The Go Tours From
20% Off- US$1,855
The North Island beckons at NZ$60 daily with highlights like Karangahake Gorge walks and Mount Victoria lookout. Stays include Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park and Waitomo Homestead Cabins. Optional activities feature Hobbiton and Te Puia visits.
Duration 6 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range Ages 18-35 Price Per Day $52 Operator Kiwi Experience From $390
20% Off- US$312You save $78
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
Priced at around $1,500, this North Island journey features shared dorm stays in Rotorua, Taupo, and Wellington. Highlights include Hobbiton tour, Waitomo caves, and Māori cultural experience. Package includes 4 breakfasts and transport.
Duration 9 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $169 Operator INTRO Travel From
20% Off- US$1,519
North Island's adventure costs approx. $150 daily with accommodation and activities. Guests stay in 4-6 bed hostel dorms and spend one night at authentic Kohutapu Lodge. The tour includes Weta Workshop visits, Hell's Gate geothermal park, and National Aquarium entry.
Duration 8 days Destinations Wellington, Martinborough, Napier, Taupo, Tauranga, Coromandel, Auckland Age Range Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $121 Operator Kiwi Experience From $1,213
20% Off- US$971You save $243
North Island's gems unfold at approx. $170 daily including Ruakuri Cave tour in Waitomo, Hobbiton Movie Set visit, and Hell's Gate geothermal experience. Accommodations include 4-6 bed hostel dorms and cultural lodges, with 8 breakfasts and 3 dinners included.
Duration 14 days Destinations Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Martinborough, Napier, Tauranga, Coromandel Age Range Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $132 Operator Kiwi Experience From $2,312
20% Off- US$1,849You save $462
This budget-friendly North Island trip includes 6 breakfasts and 3 dinners, with places to stay in Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington. Free time lets you wander through Te Papa Museum of New Zealand and take walks around Mission Bay and Bastion Point in Auckland. Cultural activities are part of the package like the Te Pā Tū Māori dinner with forest kai horotai canapés and aperitifs, plus scenic stops at Lake Taupo and the Kapiti Coast at no extra cost.
Duration 7 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Taupo Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $444 Operator AAT Kings From
20% Off- US$3,105
New Zealand: Best of the North Island
22 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I couldn't believe how much we packed into 7 days! 100% recommend Waitomos glow worms cave to anyone that visits!”
Caitlin, traveled in October
Priced at approx. $190 daily, this North Island tour includes hostel stays and key activities. Bridal Veil Falls and Wellington's CBD walks complement included experiences like Raglan surfing and Lake Taupo sailing. Optional Rotorua rafting ($125) available.
Duration 7 days Destinations Auckland, Raglan, Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, Wellington Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $137 Operator G Adventures From $1,279
25% Off- US$959You save $320
Travel New Zealand's North Island for around $140 per day across 8 days, staying in budget multi-share dorms at partner hostels from Coromandel to Wellington. Included walks take you to Huka Falls' thundering cascades, Ruakuri Natural Tunnel's limestone formations, and native bush trails near Tongariro National Park. Buy your own meals at local supermarkets and bakeries along the route, keeping food costs flexible. Check out Hot Water Beach's geothermal springs, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and Wellington's Mount Victoria lookout without expensive entry fees, with hop-on hop-off flexibility.
Duration 8 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $66 Operator Kiwi Experience From $664
20% Off- US$531You save $133
NZ Adventure North
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This tour is a perfect introduction to New Zealand! You get to experience trademarks like Hobbiton and the Mitai Maori village.”
Reese, traveled in April
Your North Island adventure costs approx. $160 daily including Hobbiton's movie set tour, Waitomo cave exploration, and Mitai Māori village experience. Package includes 8 nights in shared hostel rooms, 4 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and transport between locations.
Duration 9 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $161 Operator INTRO Travel From
20% Off- US$1,449
What our customers ask about Budget Tours & Trips to New Zealand North Island
Are meals typically included in budget North Island tours?
Budget tours in New Zealand's North Island usually cover basic meals with daily breakfast and select group dinners. Take a standard 7-day tour which provides 6 breakfasts and a few dinners including cultural experiences like the Māori hāngi feast at Kohutapu Lodge. TourRadar travelers suggest setting aside USD 30-40 each day for extra meals especially in tourist spots like Rotorua and Wellington where food costs tend to be higher.
What's the typical accommodation like on budget tours in New Zealand's North Island?
Expect shared rooms in hostels and lodges with 4-6 people per room on budget tours. Popular spots like Base Backpackers Wellington and Lylo Auckland provide clean dorm-style rooms with communal bathrooms and common areas. As one TourRadar traveler notes "The hostels were very nice for hostels Lylo and Fins were really perfect with pods and space to be alone and decompress or be social if you're feeling it."
What are the most budget-friendly months to visit New Zealand's North Island?
Visit during May-June or September-November to find better deals on rooms and fewer crowds at popular destinations like Rotorua and Lake Taupo. A TourRadar traveler notes "Traveling in May meant lower prices and we still had great weather for activities like kayaking at Cathedral Cove and hiking at Mount John."
Which budget-friendly activities are included in North Island tours?
Standard tour packages cover key experiences such as Waitomo Glowworm Caves visits Huka Falls walks and guided city tours in Wellington and Auckland. According to a TourRadar review: "The included activities like Lake Taupo sailing Te Puia geothermal valley visit and Māori cultural experiences at Mitai Village were amazing value and showed the best of the North Island."
How much should I budget for optional activities on North Island tours?
Set aside USD 200-300 for extra activities. Popular options include bungy jumping in Taupo at USD 150 white water rafting in Rotorua for USD 95 or zorbing at USD 45. One TourRadar traveler notes: "The activities can quickly rack up especially in the North but it is absolutely worth it. I suggest budgeting more than you think."
What's the most economical way to experience Māori culture on a budget tour?
Most affordable tours include stops at cultural centers like Te Puia or Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua where you'll find hangi dinners and traditional performances. A TourRadar traveler reports: "The Māori cultural experience at Kohutapu Lodge was incredible value including traditional food performances and authentic cultural exchange."