Save Money When Travelling in New Zealand
Make the most of this precious gold! With so many fun adrenaline-pumping activities, vibrant eateries and bars, and souvenir jade necklaces to buy for all your family, it is easy to see those dollars slip away from your bank account. Backpacking is quite often a change of lifestyle for many of us but saving your money for the more important things in life will soon become the only way you want to live. Making small sacrifices to save money is well worth it in the long-run, so here are our ways to save money while backpacking in New Zealand.
Of course, to help you save more while travelling New Zealand, be sure to check out our other budgeting articles, such as the 11 Backpacker Tips to Save Money on Food and 15 Ways to Cut Down Your Expenses So You Can Afford to Travel.
1. It’s Who You Know
We don’t want to say sponge off other people but splitting groceries or laundry with a friend, using the perks of a friend’s job at a bar for a sneaky free drink, knowing someone with a car there are these little perks of making new friends while you are backpacking or staying somewhere in New Zealand for a working holiday. As any decent human being would do, try to return favours.
© Rawpixel.com2. Make Your Own Meals
While you eat away at your restaurant and takeaway food, the food is eating away at your bank account. Buying from a supermarket and cooking in your hostel or flat is much cheaper. For inspiration on what to cook, see: 10 Meals Easy to Cook in a Hostel.
© Pixabay3. Use Discounts
When you stay somewhere for a while make sure to keep an eye out for discounts in leaflets, newsletters, loyalty cards and more. There are even discount cards that you can benefit from by being a backpacker! Find out more in the 7 Discount Cards for Backpackers in New Zealand.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. WWOOFing
A way of experiencing New Zealand while mingling with some locals is through WWOOFing. With WWOOFing you get free accommodation and meals in exchange for work. Check out Everything You Need to Know About WWOOFing in New Zealand.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Take Cheaper Transport Options
Using the inner city bus links, national coaches and flights can be cheaper than taxis and fuelling a car for long journeys, as the average price of petrol is NZ$2.15 per litre and diesel NZ$1.41 per litre (2018). See more typical prices associated with transport and more in How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand?
© Pixabay6. Save Megabytes and Save Money
Free WiFi spots are hard to come by in New Zealand, so make the most of it when you have it. Otherwise, keep an eye on mobile data and use megabytes sparingly. Choose a cost-effective cellphone plan by taking a look at Cellphone Networks in New Zealand.
© Pexels7. Do You Really Need to Do Every Activity?
New Zealand has so much to offer in terms of activities, it’s hard to not sign up for everything (especially if you are on a hop on hop off bus). Make a plan of things you really want to do and stick to it. (And we’ll help you with that hop-on hop-off bus issue with How to Budget for a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Trip Around New Zealand).
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Go for a Walk
Trust us, going for a walk in New Zealand is a really good and free way to spend your time. Have a browse through our hiking section for inspiration. Plus, check out more activities in the 50 Best Free Things to Do in New Zealand.
© NZPocketGuide.com9. Find a Travel Buddy
Having someone to travel with means you can split the cost of food, transportation, get a cheaper shared room when flatting just flatting, in general, tends to be a cheaper accommodation option for a long-term stay. Additionally, make the most of 2-for-1 deals on activities.
© PocketGuide.com10. Work for Accommodation
Most hostels in New Zealand look for people to work in the hostel in exchange for a bed. This might include housekeeping, cleaning or working at reception. Find out more in How to Find Work for Accommodation in New Zealand.
© Pexels11. Find a Hostel with Good Perks
Perks might include free cycle hire to go exploring. A few hostels in East Cape, North Island will let you borrow a kayak, so take your exploration to the waters. Look out for those little extra comforts such as free breakfast and dinner or steam room and spa.
© NZPocketGuide.comMore About Travelling New Zealand on a Budget
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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