Budget Tours to New Zealand
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10 best Budget New Zealand tour packages
Compiled by
SteffNew Zealand travel expert at TourRadar
- Best of New Zealand: Mountain Biking & Black-Sand Beaches
- Budget North Island Adventure - 7 days
- Ski Voyager
- 7-Day Northern Crossing Small Group Tour
- New Zealand Adventure
- Budget Christchurch Loop - 7 days
- Budget South Island Explorer - 14 days
- Budget Kiwi Adventure From Auckland - 14 days
- 8-day Southern Secrets Small Group Tour
- 15-day Southern Kiwi Small Group Tour
Best of New Zealand: Mountain Biking & Black-Sand Beaches
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very well organised. You get to see a lot of a place in a short amount of time.”
Georgina, traveled in July
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 $196 Operator G Adventures From $5,479
25% Off- NZ$4,109You save $1,370
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 $478 Operator On The Go Tours From
25% Off- NZ$3,345
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 Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $309 Operator Wild Kiwi From
25% Off- NZ$2,164+$325 upfront costs
7-Day 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 $310 Operator Kiwi Experience From
25% Off- NZ$2,169
Duration 13 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Waitomo, Taupo, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Queenstown Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $258 Operator TruTravels From $4,190
20% Off- NZ$3,352You save $838
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 Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $478 Operator On The Go Tours From
20% Off- NZ$3,345
Priced at approx. $260 per day, this South Island tour provides 13 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Guests rest in well-equipped hostels and participate in complimentary activities at Pancake Rocks and seal colonies. Luxury transport with Wi-Fi takes visitors through Te Waikoropupu Springs.
Duration 14 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Punakaiki, Abel Tasman National Park, Marlborough, Kaikoura Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $483 Operator On The Go Tours From
20% Off- NZ$6,765
At approx. $270 daily, guests receive 13 nights' hostel accommodation, transport, and domestic flight Auckland-Christchurch. While Huka Falls walks and Hot Water Beach visits are free, optional adventures like Hobbiton tours and Milford Sound cruises offer flexibility.
Duration 14 days Destinations Auckland, Hahei, Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo, Raglan, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford Sound, WanakaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $497 Operator On The Go Tours From
20% Off- NZ$6,955
This budget-friendly tour, at approx. $120 per day, covers 7 nights' hostel accommodation, daily breakfasts, and premium activities including Marlborough wine tasting and Hanmer Springs thermal pools. Accommodations include Hotel Give in Christchurch and Dusky Lodge in Kaikoura.
Duration 8 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park, Hanmer Springs Age Range Ages 18-49 Price Per Day $212 Operator Kiwi Experience From
20% Off- NZ$1,699
The package, at approx. $130 per day, offers 14 breakfasts and multi-share rooms at Hotel Give and Nomads Queenstown. Visitors enjoy Hanmer Springs thermal pools, Marlborough wine tasting, Milford Sound cruise, and guided street art tours in Christchurch.
Duration 15 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park, Hanmer Springs, Franz Josef, Lake Hawea, Queenstown, Milford Sound Age Range Ages 18-49 Price Per Day $227 Operator Kiwi Experience From
20% Off- NZ$3,399
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 South Island Express
Great tour! We got to see so many places in such a short amount of time, and I had a great time. Made some friends during the whole time! Will be heading to see the North Island next year! I’m already looking forward to exploring! ??
- NZ Adventure South
It was a great tour! James the host was super helpful, patient, and responsive both in-person and through messages. The itinerary was amazing and I really enjoyed stopping at certain locations to spend some time exploring and taking in the views.
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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