How Much Does It Cost to Backpack in New Zealand?
How Much Does It Cost to Backpack in New Zealand?
New Zealand is an amazing country to explore, but it is worth planning your budget before you arrive. The cost of backpacking in New Zealand depends on how long you stay, the time of year you travel, how you get around and how many activities you want to do.
You can spend very little on some days by hiking, visiting beaches and cooking in your hostel. On other days, a long-distance journey, an overnight stay or an adventure activity can take a much bigger bite out of your budget.
The key is to plan for the essentials first, then leave yourself some money to enjoy the experiences that make travelling around New Zealand special.
How much money do you need per day?
There is no single daily budget that works for every backpacker. Someone travelling by bus, staying in hostel dorms and preparing their own meals will spend differently from someone hiring a car, staying in private rooms and booking regular tours.
As a starting point, allow for these main expenses:
- Accommodation: hostel dorms, private rooms, campsites or other places to stay.
- Food and drink: supermarket shopping, café meals, takeaway food and eating out.
- Transport: intercity buses, local public transport, fuel, vehicle hire and transfers.
- Activities: tours, attractions, outdoor experiences and adventure sports.
- Everyday extras: laundry, toiletries, mobile data and occasional unexpected costs.
Current travel guides give indicative hostel dorm prices of around NZ$30–55 per night, although location, season and availability can change the price considerably. Treat this as a guide rather than a guaranteed rate, and check prices for your actual travel dates.
Accommodation costs
Accommodation is likely to be one of your biggest regular expenses.
Hostels
Hostels are a popular choice for backpackers because they can be cheaper than private accommodation and make it easier to meet other travellers. A dorm bed usually costs less than a private room, although popular destinations and busy travel periods can be expensive.
When comparing hostels, check what is included. A kitchen, breakfast, laundry facilities or a free transfer may help you save money elsewhere.
Camping and campervans
Camping can be an option if you enjoy travelling outdoors and have suitable equipment. Costs vary between campsites, and some basic Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites are free while others charge a fee. DOC’s serviced campsites list unpowered tent sites at NZ$25 per adult per night, with other categories priced differently.
If you hire a campervan, remember to budget for more than the rental itself. Fuel, insurance, campsite fees and any applicable hire charges can add up. Check the rules for where you can legally stay before relying on freedom camping.
Booking your accommodation
Compare prices for your full stay rather than assuming that the cheapest nightly rate is always the best deal. Ask whether a hostel offers discounts for several nights, a week or a longer stay. Booking ahead can be particularly useful in busy destinations and peak season.
Food and drink costs
Food costs depend on how often you eat out and how much you prepare yourself.
Shopping at supermarkets and using hostel kitchens can help keep your budget under control. You can make simple meals, prepare packed lunches for day trips and share the cost of cooking with other travellers.
Cafés, restaurants and takeaway meals are convenient, but eating out regularly can increase your daily spending. Prices also vary between towns and tourist hotspots, so check local menus and supermarket prices when planning your route.
Allow some money for the meals and local food you really want to try. Saving money does not mean missing out on everything.
Transport around New Zealand
Your choice of transport can make a substantial difference to the overall cost of your trip.
Intercity buses
Buses can be a practical way to travel between many towns and cities without hiring a vehicle. Fares depend on the route, date, operator and how far in advance you book. Add local transport and transfers to places that are outside the main bus routes.
Organised backpacker transport
Backpacker bus services and organised trips can help you reach popular destinations and meet other travellers. Compare the total cost with independent travel, including accommodation, meals, transfers and activities that are or are not included.
Car hire and campervans
Hiring a car or campervan can give you more freedom, especially when travelling to places that are harder to reach by public transport. Sharing the cost with other travellers may help, but work out the full cost before deciding.
Include fuel, insurance, vehicle hire, parking and overnight stays in your calculation. A vehicle is not automatically the cheaper option, particularly for a solo traveller.
One thing to consider though is where you are going to park!
When I took a camper on a road trip I spent half of my time looking for somewhere to park (I soon downgraded to a car and stayed in hostels)
Roadside parking isn’t always the best option and I have a great example of this from when I stayed in Nelson.
Nelson is a biker town and we happened to park outside a biker club on a party night. Could be great night right?
We were approached by a burly biker and asked to leave but we couldn’t as the wine had been flowing. No one could drive and then Surprisingly the guy invited us in so we agreed and started chatting and playing some pool.
So we are having fun and then one of the blokes we were travelling with got a bit mouthy to the barman and was asked to leave.
We left with him and headed back to the van parked right outside the club! doh!
A couple of weeks later we discovered the bikers we met were a well known and notorious gang.
So a lucky escape really getting out of there before troop turned up despite still being parked outside…
Keep safe out there on the roads people.
How much should you budget for activities?
New Zealand has plenty to enjoy without paying for a tour every day. Beaches, many walking tracks, viewpoints and exploring towns can provide memorable experiences for little or no cost.
Paid activities can range from modest entry fees to expensive adventure experiences. Scenic flights, glacier experiences, wildlife trips, boat cruises and other specialist tours can make a noticeable difference to your total budget.
Before booking, decide which experiences matter most to you. Set aside money for those first, then see what remains for additional activities.
It is also worth checking what is included in a tour price. Transport, equipment, meals and accommodation may be included in some packages but charged separately in others.
Don’t forget the extra costs
Small expenses are easy to overlook when you are planning a long trip. Allow some room in your budget for:
- Laundry and toiletries.
- Mobile data and calls.
- Snacks, coffees and occasional meals out.
- Luggage or baggage fees.
- Travel insurance and any applicable entry or travel-authorisation costs.
- Unexpected changes to transport or accommodation.
- A contingency fund for emergencies.
Keep international flights and any major pre-trip costs separate from your everyday travel budget so you can see what money you will actually have available while in New Zealand.
How to work out your total backpacking budget
The easiest way to estimate your budget is to build it around your own itinerary.
- 1. Decide how long you will travel. A three-week trip will have different costs from a three-month adventure.
- 2. Estimate accommodation for each night. Use prices from the towns you intend to visit and account for seasonal changes.
- 3. Plan your transport. Add intercity fares or calculate the full cost of hiring and running a vehicle.
- 4. Set a daily food allowance. Decide how often you will cook and how often you expect to eat out.
- 5. List your must-do activities. Use current prices for the actual tours and experiences you want to book.
- 6. Add everyday extras and a contingency. This gives you some flexibility if plans change.
For a useful estimate, check prices close to your departure date and update your figures as you book. Costs can change, and popular destinations may be more expensive during busy periods.
Ways to make your money go further
A little planning can make your travel budget last longer. Consider staying several nights in one place, cooking some meals, sharing transport costs where practical and balancing paid tours with free outdoor activities.
You can find more practical ideas in our guide to **[saving money backpacking in New Zealand](https://backpack-nz.com/)**. Replace this temporary link with the published URL of the money-saving article once its final address is confirmed.
Final thoughts
The cost of backpacking in New Zealand comes down to your travel style, route, season and priorities. Plan for accommodation, food and transport first, choose the activities you most want to experience, and keep a reserve for unexpected costs.
With a realistic budget, you can make the most of your time in New Zealand without having to spend the same amount every day.
