New Zealand. Aotearoa. Middle-Earth. Whatever you wanna name it, one factor is similar: it’s a spectacular vacation spot. And for many people, it’s a place we now have been dreaming of visiting. But how do you begin planning a visit to this real-life fantasyland? In this video, we’ll stroll you thru the necessities —from timing and transportation to must-visit spots. Because sure, it might be an epic vacation spot, nevertheless it additionally takes a little bit of technique.
Step 1: Decide how lengthy your journey can be.
Size-wise, New Zealand is a bit tough when seen on the map. It does appear like simply a few droplets within the ocean, particularly when the big Australia is in the identical body. But it’s not that small. And even when it had been, there’s only a lot to see and do. It’s acquired glaciers, glowworm caves, snow-capped peaks, iconic filming places, and charming cities. And chances are high, you’d wish to see all of them.
Our first recommendation is to keep longer. We stayed for 10 days, and it felt actually brief. Getting to New Zealand isn’t simple or low-cost, so take advantage of out of it by staying longer and seeing extra, particularly in case you plan on making a cease at a number of cities.
But in case you can actually allocate a couple of days, that’s high quality, nevertheless it’s going to be tougher except you’ll be specializing in only one or two locations.
Step 2: Build your itinerary.
Once you determine what number of days you’ll be spending in New Zealand, it’s time to start out constructing your itinerary. The first step is to establish what locations are non-negotiable for you. For instance, in case you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, I’m positive you’ll not forgive your self in case you don’t set foot in Hobbiton. Right?
So record them out. In our case, we solely had a couple of: Hobbiton, Christchurch, and Queenstown.
And simply by trying on the map, I noticed early on that they’re fairly far aside. So from right here, we tried to provide you with a route that might join all of those and may realistically be loved in 10 days.
From the get-go, we knew our entry level could be Auckland. As New Zealand’s largest metropolis, it has the nation’s largest airport and is essentially the most traditional jumpoff level to Hobbiton. But as a substitute of going again to Auckland, we determined to remain for a few days to Rotorua, since it’s also a well-liked vacationer vacation spot.
Rotorua has an airport, which serves direct flights to Christchurch, so we opted to fly for this leg. But from Christchurch to Queenstown, we needed to journey by land so we may admire the landscapes alongside the way in which. So we’ll solely be reserving 4 lodges, one every in Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, and Queenstown.
But as we continued researching, we realized that we may additionally go to different points of interest. For instance, from Christchurch to Queenstown, as a substitute of reserving a direct bus, we found that there are one-way excursions on Klook. One-way as a result of it’ll choose you up in Christchurch, make a number of prolonged stops at vacationer spots alongside the way in which together with Lake Tekapo and the areas near Mt. Cook, after which drop you off in Queenstown. It’s like a bus switch and group tour in a single!
On Klook, they’ve Christchurch to Queenstown and Queenstown to Christchurch through Lake Tekapo and Mt. Cook, and Auckland to Rotorua through Hobbiton.
✅ Auckland to Rotorua through Hobbiton
✅ Christchurch to Queenstown through Mt. Cook & Lake Tekapo
✅ Queenstown to Christchurch through Mt. Cook & Lake Tekapo
Step 3: Figure out transportation.
One factor that grew to become obvious early on whereas researching for this journey was that public transportation choices between cities in New Zealand had been fairly restricted. This is why, many on-line publications will let you know that one of the best ways to get round is by renting a automotive or a campervan.
I agree. By driving, not solely do you might have whole management of your time, you additionally don’t get restricted by inflexible bus or tour schedules. But earlier than you lock it in, be sure you have a sound driver’s license and that you just’re assured driving on the left facet of the street.
But in case you’re touring alone or a pair, you may find yourself spending extra. It’s extra ultimate in case you’re a part of a bunch so you might have companions to separate the associated fee with.
If driving is out of the image for no matter purpose, you possibly can take InterCity Buses. But once more, know that departures are few and much between. For instance, from Auckland to Rotorua, there are solely a handful of journeys out there. But you possibly can completely make it work in case you plan your journey nicely.
Another choice is by becoming a member of the one-way excursions that I discussed within the earlier part of this video.
You may also fly. Domestic flights in New Zealand are delightfully cheap, so don’t depend them out simply but. For instance, after we flew from Auckland to Christchurch, we solely paid round 108 NZD (P3640) per particular person.
Originally we needed to fly straight from Rotorua Airport to Christchurch, however this route was twice or thrice dearer so we determined to journey again to Auckland Airport as a substitute.
Speaking of flights…
Step 4: Compare flight costs.
New Zealand is fairly distant, so it’s no shock that flights going there are costly. Its nationwide flag provider is Air New Zealand, which has direct flights to and from Taipei, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Vancouver and numerous cities throughout Australia, the United States, and the Pacific. Other airways like Qantas, Jetstar, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Air, Qatar Airways and Emirates fly to New Zealand too. So do a variety of American and Chinese carriers.
We’re primarily based within the Philippines and there are not any direct flights out there. Philippine Airlines used to supply direct Manila to Auckland flights, however that route has been discontinued. So we needed to join elsewhere. But this journey is a part of our larger Australia-New Zealand journey so we flew from Melbourne.
If you e-book prematurely, a roundtrip flight from Manila normally prices PHP 40,000 to 50,000 in off-peak season and round PHP 60,000 in peak season.
As a lot as attainable, attempt to e-book each legs of the journey with the identical airline or no less than airways with code-share agreements, so that you gained’t have to clear immigration at your layover airport and choose up and examine in your luggage once more. Especially in case you’re connecting in Australia, which would require you to acquire a Transit Visa first.
Anyway, in case you see fares and preparations that you just like, don’t e-book simply but. Just examine and canvas. Don’t finalize something.
Step 5: Check lodging choices.
Another factor it is advisable to contemplate is lodging. The excellent news is, most New Zealand metropolis or city facilities will not be that massive. Even Auckland, which is the nation’s largest metropolis, isn’t as bustling and is definitely fairly chill in comparison with different massive cities in different international locations. So in principle, so long as you’re inside the metropolis middle or city middle, you need to be high quality.
But one factor it is advisable to be ready for is the associated fee. While planning our journey, we shortly realized that lodging charges in New Zealand are fairly steep particularly in the summertime months.
- In Auckland, we booked a room at SkyCity, which is simply subsequent to the Sky Tower, Auckland’s most iconic landmark. We paid round NZD 170 (P5740) per evening. Great location, and the Sky Drive, which is the airport bus terminates simply across the nook. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- In Rotorua, we stayed at Rock Solid Backpackers, a hostel proper within the metropolis middle inside strolling distance of main points of interest. It was only a fan room, however New Zealand summers are fairly delicate so we didn’t thoughts. It’s geared up with all the essential facilities, a TV, a desk, toiletries, and all. And sure, it has an ensuite rest room and bathtub. We paid USD 87 (NZD 147, PHP 4950) per evening. Yes, for a fan room. That’s how costly rooms are right here. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- In Christchurch, we booked a non-public room at Haka House, which I feel can be categorised as a hostel, nevertheless it didn’t really feel prefer it in any respect. It was newly renovated and our room had ensuite rest room and bathtub and all the things was squeaky clear, so it felt like we had been staying at a boutique lodge. Awesome location, too, near most factors of curiosity together with the Botanical Garden and Riverside Market. They had no elevator although, so it may be difficult when you have heavy baggage. This room set us again NZD 183 (USD 109, PHP 6145) per evening. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- But Queenstown was the priciest of all of them. We stayed at one other hostel referred to as BLACK SHEEP Backpackers Hostel, in a fan room with out its personal rest room and bathe. The place was neat and good, and it’s not too removed from the middle of the motion, however we shelled out NZD 215 (USD 128, PHP 7240) per evening for this. And this was the most affordable that we discovered even when we booked this fashion prematurely. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
By the way in which, you don’t have to memorize all these particulars. We compiled all of the NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL ESSENTIALS together with a listing of all of the lodges and hostels we tried within the TPT Masterlist. Just go to and scroll till you see the part about New Zealand. We even have a compilation for different locations all over the world. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
So yeah, New Zealand lodging is tremendous costly. Just hold it in thoughts when budgeting to your journey. That’s most likely why some vacationers select to only lease a campervan.
Anyway, similar to with flights and transpo, don’t decide to your lodge reserving but. Instead, select properties that supply FREE CANCELLATION. Both Klook and Agoda have these choices.
- If you e-book with Klook, please use our promo code THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK for as much as P300 OFF or TPTKLOOK5 for as much as P500 OFF. These codes may change sooner or later so greatest to only go to thepoortraveler.internet/klook to redeem up to date low cost codes!
- If you favor AGODA, use our promo code AGODATPT for 10% low cost.
Whatever you select, ensure it’s FREE CANCELLATION as a result of there’s one essential factor that it is advisable to deal with first earlier than you make any reserving remaining…
Step 6: Apply for a New Zealand visa.
You is perhaps questioning why I’m mentioning the visa simply now. Well, 2 causes:
First, a New Zealand visa isn’t low-cost. It prices NZD 100 (PHP 3300), as of this writing. And it’s normally legitimate for simply 1 12 months. It’s not just like the US or Canada visas which may give you as much as 10 years. No, simply 1 12 months. So in case you’re not but 100% sure that you just’re New Zealand-bound, don’t apply. You’ll simply be losing cash if you find yourself not utilizing it.
Also, earlier than you begin the visa software course of, it’s greatest that you’ve got a powerful grasp of your journey plans. When making use of for a New Zealand visa, you’ll be requested to your journey dates and lodge addresses, and you may even submit an in depth day-to-day itinerary to bolster your case. Having a stable journey plan will vastly improve your probabilities of approval. You may also add your lodge bookings as supporting paperwork, though it’s elective.
I’m not going to delve deeper into the method as a result of we now have mentioned it intimately in our complete NEW ZEALAND VISA GUIDE! ✅
If you favor it in Tagalog or Filipino, simply watch this video.
According to the official New Zealand Immigration web site, visa processing normally takes 4 weeks or 1 month. I acquired mine after solely 2 days however don’t depend on it. It’s all the time greatest to use no less than 2 months earlier than your goal departure date.
Step 7: Finalize all of your bookings.
Once you’re granted a visa, finalize all of your bookings! Book these flights, excursions, transfers, and different stuff that you just had been eyeing. Or if issues change, modify accordingly.
Again these are all of the promo codes that you should utilize. We have reductions for lodges, excursions, and eSIM for web connection. We even have particular charges for journey insurance coverage, unique for TPT subscribers.
Make positive to additionally accomplish and submit the New Zealand Traveller Declaration Form inside 24 hours earlier than your departure flight. It needs to be of their system by the point you arrive in New Zealand.
That’s all for now. Remember, plan sensible, journey protected, and make each journey WORTH IT!