Budget Tours & Trips to New Zealand North Island
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10 best cheap New Zealand North Island tour packages
Compiled by
NadineNew Zealand North Island travel expert at TourRadar
- Budget North Island Adventure - 7 days
- Walk New Zealand's Tongariro Crossing
- 7-Day Northern Crossing Small Group Tour
- 8-Day Northern Secrets Small Group Tour
- Iconic North (2027/2028)
- 14-Day Northern Kiwi Small Group Tour
- Northern Round Up Hop-On-Hop-Off
- New Zealand's North to South Island Adventure (8 destinations)
- New Zealand's South to North Island Adventure (8 destinations)
- New Zealand's North Island Adventure (Northbound)
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 $478 Operator On The Go Tours From
- NZ$3,345
Duration 5 days Destinations Auckland, Taumarunui, Tongariro, Tongariro National Park, Ohakune, Taranaki, Pipiriki, Waitomo Age Range Ages 15+ Price Per Day $547 Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$2,735
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
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 $310 Operator Kiwi Experience From
- NZ$2,169
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 $266 Operator Kiwi Experience From
- NZ$2,129
Duration 7 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Taupo Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $644 Operator AAT Kings From
- NZ$4,505
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 $286 Operator Kiwi Experience From
- NZ$3,999
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 7 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $108 Operator Kiwi Experience From
- NZ$755
New Zealand's North to South Island Adventure (8 destinations)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great value for money and had the best time ever. Would recommend to anyone.”
Katie, traveled in December
A complete North Island package with hostels, transport, and cultural experiences costs approx. $230 per day. Optional activities range from $30 Weta Workshop tours to $330 Tongariro Crossing treks, covering major sites from Auckland to Wellington.
No departure dates availableDuration 11 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Murupara, Taupo, Wellington, Kaikoura, Christchurch Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $0 Operator Intrepid Travel New Zealand's South to North Island Adventure (8 destinations)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was exactly as advertised. Harry made it the best!”
Marian, traveled in December
No departure dates availableDuration 11 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Wellington, Taupo, Murupara, Rotorua, Coromandel, Auckland Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $0 Operator Intrepid Travel 
No departure dates availableDuration 8 days Destinations Wellington, Taupo, Murupara, Rotorua, Coromandel, Auckland Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $0 Operator Intrepid Travel
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."