New Zealand Solo Trip Cost (2023)
You’ve heard that New Zealand is expensive to travel alone. But, exactly how much does a New Zealand solo trip cost?
The average cost of a New Zealand solo trip ranges from NZ$125 per day (campers and backpackers) to NZ$700 per day (luxury). Based on these figures, this is how much it costs to solo travel to New Zealand for:
- 2 weeks: NZ$1,400-9,800
- 3 weeks: NZ$2,100-14,700
- A month: NZ$2,800-19,600.
Below are 5 different budgets to suit all sorts of solo traveller. You’ll also find a detailed breakdown of the costs of a New Zealand solo trip, including; accommodation, transport, attractions, food and more.
The currency used in New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar ($ NZD). All the costs listed in this article are in New Zealand dollars.
To convert the costs into your local currency, use an online currency converter.
Planning a Kiwi adventure? Use my ultimate guide to solo travel in New Zealand.
Budget for a New Zealand Solo Trip
| $NZD | Accommodation | Food | Alcohol | Attractions | Transport | Average Daily Cost |
| Backpacker | $40 | $20 | $20 | $25 | $20 | $125 |
| Budget Camping | $15 | $15 | $10 | $10 | $50 (plus $50 petrol) | $150 |
| Standard Solo Traveller | $150 | $50 | $20 | $50 | $75 | $350 (add $50 petrol if hiring a car/campervan) |
| Luxury Camping | $50 | $25 | $20 | $50 | $400 (plus $50 petrol) | $600 |
| Luxury Solo Traveller | $300 | $75 | $25 | $100 | $200 | $700 (add $50 petrol if hiring a car/campervan) |
Almost anyone can afford a solo trip to New Zealand based on the 5 following budgets: backpacker, budget camper, standard solo traveller, luxury camper and luxury solo traveller.
I have ranked the budgets below in order from most affordable to most expensive. Each budget suits a different style of solo travel in New Zealand.
Backpacker solo budget
Solo backpackers can expect to spend about NZ$125 per day during a New Zealand solo trip.
On this budget, you would be:
- Staying in hostel dorm rooms;
- Preparing most of your own meals;
- Enjoying two or three alcoholic beverages per night;
- Visiting mostly free or low-cost attractions;
- Travelling via coach.
This is a great way to reduce your New Zealand solo trip cost. You’ll also get to socialise with lots of other young travellers (just be prepared for a bit of partying).
Extra tip: Don’t hitchhike to save money. Several backpackers have been murdered in New Zealand whilst hitchhiking. For more advice, see my article: is New Zealand safe to travel alone?
Budget solo camping
You can expect to spend about NZ$150 per day if you want to go camping on a budget during your New Zealand solo trip.
On this budget, you would be:
- Renting a small and basic campervan (2-berth);
- Fuelling up once every three days;
- Camping mostly at free or low-cost campsites;
- Preparing all your own meals;
- Enjoying one alcoholic beverage per night;
- Mainly visiting free attractions (e.g. National Parks).
This is the best way to reduce your New Zealand solo trip cost whilst also spending a lot of time amongst the natural wonders.
Standard solo travel budget
The average solo traveller can expect to spend about NZ$350 per day during a New Zealand solo trip.
On this budget, you would be:
- Staying in private rooms in hostels, motels or hotels;
- Eating out once or twice a day;
- Enjoying two alcoholic beverages per night;
- Visiting one paid attraction per day;
- Renting a small car or campervan or travelling via coach or domestic flight.
- (Optional) If hiring a car or campervan you will need to fuel it up about once every three days (adds an extra $50 per day).
For the majority of solo travellers aged 30+, this is the standard cost of a New Zealand solo trip. You’ll enjoy comfortable and private accommodation and visit more paid attractions than you would on a lesser budget.
Luxury solo camping
You can expect to spend about NZ$600 per day if you want to camp in luxury during your New Zealand solo trip.
On this budget, you would be:
- Renting a large and modern campervan or motorhome (3+ berth);
- Fuelling up once every three days;
- Camping mostly at holiday parks and paid campsites;
- Preparing most of your own meals;
- Enjoying two alcoholic beverages per night;
- Visiting one paid attraction per day.
If you want to spend a lot of time amongst the natural wonders whilst also camping in utmost comfort, this is the amount that you should budget for a New Zealand solo trip.
Luxury solo budget
Luxurious solo travellers can expect to spend about NZ$700 per day during a New Zealand solo trip.
On this budget, you would be:
- Staying in hotels or Airbnb rentals;
- Dining out for all of your meals;
- Enjoying a nice bottle of wine each night;
- Visiting two or more paid attractions per day;
- Travelling via car rental, domestic flights or train;
- Fuelling up your car rental once every three days (optional – adds an extra $50 per day).
If you want to enjoy the utmost in comfort, dining and convenience, this is the amount that you should budget for a New Zealand solo trip.
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New Zealand Solo Trip Costs
Accommodation costs in New Zealand
There are 4 main accommodation options for solo travellers in New Zealand: camping, hostels, motels/hotels and Airbnb.
Accommodation in New Zealand is most expensive during the high seasons (summer and winter (see below).
Camping
Solo travellers can find free and paid campsites across New Zealand.
There are about 50 free campsites around New Zealand (great for reducing your solo trip cost).
There are also many paid campsites (some public (e.g. local council areas) and some private (e.g. holiday parks)). The cost of a paid campsite for a solo traveller in New Zealand ranges anywhere from NZ$6 per night to NZ$100 per night.
The most expensive campsites are those that have better facilities (e.g. hot showers and flush toilets) and are often located near popular holiday destinations.
Hostels
On average, it costs a solo traveller about NZ$40 per night to stay in a hostel in New Zealand.
The cost of a single bed in a hostel dorm room ranges from about NZ$25–80 per night. The cost of a private single room in a hostel ranges from about NZ$70–250 per night.
The most expensive hostels are those that are located in major cities and tourist destinations (e.g. Queenstown, Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington).
Motels and hotels
On average, it costs a solo traveller NZ$225 per night to stay in a motel or hotel in New Zealand.
The cost of an average motel or hotel single room (3-4 stars) ranges from about NZ$100-350 per night. However, luxurious hotel rooms for singles can cost more than NZ$400+ per night.
Airbnb
The average cost of an apartment or home on Airbnb in New Zealand ranges from NZ$125 – $350 per night.
However, some rentals can cost up to NZ$500+ per night.
Food and alcohol costs in New Zealand
You can expect to spend anywhere from NZ$15-100 per day on food during your New Zealand solo trip.
How much you spend on food will depend on how often you cook your own meals or dine out.
For example, here is the cost of some basic groceries in New Zealand:
- Bread (1x loaf): NZ$3.80
- Milk (2L): NZ$3.90
- Eggs (dozen): NZ$12.00
- Bananas: NZ$4.00
- Cheese (500g block): $9.00
- Spaghetti (500g): $2.00
- Tuna (95g can): $1.60
Comparatively, here is the average cost of some takeaway and restaurant meals in New Zealand:
- Big Mac Meal: NZ$14.00
- Pepperoni Pizza: NZ$10.99
- Caesar Salad: NZ$24
- Fish and Chips: NZ$26
- Ribeye Steak: NZ$35.00
If you want to drink during your solo trip, here is the average cost of alcohol in New Zealand:
- 1x 500ml can of beer (from store): NZ$4
- 1x 475ml pint (from pub): NZ$12
- 1 750ml bottle of wine (from store): NZ$20
- 1x 250ml glass of wine (from pub): NZ$13
- 1x 700ml bottle of vodka (from store): NZ$40
- 1x shot of vodka (from bar): NZ$10
Attraction costs in New Zealand
You can expect to spend anywhere from NZ$10-100 per day on visiting attractions during your New Zealand solo trip.
Many of the natural attractions in New Zealand are free to visit (including all National Parks). This is great if you’re trying to minimise your New Zealand solo trip cost.
However, there are also many paid attractions and they can be expensive.
Below, I’ve listed the entry price for some of New Zealand’s most popular attractions and sightseeing spots.
Nature-based attractions in New Zealand:
- National Parks: Free
- Spa Thermal Park (Lake Taupo): Free
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (Rotorua): NZ$35
- Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tours: NZ$61
- Milford Sound Cruise: NZ$70
- Ski Lift Pass (1-day): NZ$150
Museums and galleries in New Zealand:
- Te Papa National Museum (Wellington): Free
- Auckland Museum: NZ$28
- Otago Museum: NZ$35
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds: NZ$60
Other attractions in New Zealand:
- Sky Tower (Auckland): NZ$25
- Zealandia Sanctuary: NZ$24
- WETA Workshop Tour: NZ$50
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour: NZ$89
- Jet Boat: NZ$130
- Bungee Jumping: NZ$200
Transport costs in New Zealand
There are 5 main transportation options for solo travellers in New Zealand. Each option has different costs.
Coach
InterCity is the only nationwide coach service in New Zealand. They offer two ticket options for solo travellers: FlexiPass (hours-based) or TravelPass (pre-planned routes).
Regardless of which option you take, it costs about NZ$500-600 to solo travel both the North Island and South Island by coach.
Some solo travellers may also be interested in paying more for premium seats (leather recliners with USB chargers and WiFi).
Car and campervan rental
The cost of hiring a car or campervan in New Zealand depends on the type of vehicle you hire, your age and your drop-off location:
- Aged 18-21: Some rental agencies may charge an additional fee (normally about NZ$5 per day).
- Aged 21-65:
- Small car: About NZ$100 per day to hire a small car.
- Medium to large car: About NZ$150 per day to hire a medium or large car.
- Small campervan: About NZ$45-450 per day for a 2-berth campervan with basic features like a gas stove, small fridge and small freshwater tank.
- Large campervan or motorhome: About NZ$300-$700 per day for a campervan with 3+ berths and additional features like a shower, toilet and kitchen.
You also have to consider the cost of fuelling up your car or campervan rental during your New Zealand solo trip.
In 2023, the average cost of petrol in New Zealand is NZ$2.61 per litre (or NZ$9.86 per gallon). Therefore, the cost of fueling up a rental car with gasoline (70L tank) is about NZ$182.70.
And the average price of diesel in New Zealand is NZ$2.31 per litre (or NZ$8.73 per gallon). Therefore, the cost of fuelling up a campervan with diesel (70L tank) is about NZ$161.70.
If you were to drive through both the North and South Island (following this itinerary), you would need to refuel about 8 times (once every 3 days). This means you would spend about NZ$1,500 in gasoline or NZ$1,350 in diesel for the entire trip.
Domestic flights (and flights to Australia)
The average cost of a domestic flight for a solo traveller in New Zealand depends on the destination, distance and season:
- Shorter flights (i.e. within the North or South Island) may only cost around NZ$70 – $200 per person one way (economy class).
- Longer flights (i.e. from the North Island to the South Island) may cost more, at around NZ$150-$300 per person one way (economy class).
You also have to consider the cost of luggage. Most domestic airlines in New Zealand do not include luggage in the ticket price and you will have to pay an extra fee of about NZ$50–$80 per flight.
Interested in also taking a solo trip to Australia? You can expect to pay between NZ$200-600 for a one-way flight from New Zealand to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
Ferry
There are two ferry services that connect the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. A ticket costs NZ$75 for a solo traveller and NZ$170 for a car (more for a campervan or motorhome).
Train
There are only three scenic railway journeys in New Zealand: TranzAlpine Express, Coastal Pacific and Northern Explorer.
Tickets for each train journey start at around NZ$160-220.
Other solo trip costs in New Zealand
You should also be aware of visa costs when planning a New Zealand solo trip.
Applying for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZETA) costs NZ$17 on the app or $23 online. At the same time, you must also pay an additional tourism levy of NZ$35.
How to Save Money on a Solo Trip Around New Zealand
- Cook your own meals
You could easily spend NZ$50 per day on food if you only ate from takes-aways or at restaurants during your New Zealand solo trip.
But you can get away with only spending about NZ$15 per day on food if you buy your own groceries and prepare your own meals.
Most camping grounds, motorhomes and hostels have communal kitchens where you can cook.
That’s a saving of NZ$35 per day, which can go a long way toward accommodation and tickets to attractions.
- Plan around free attractions
Most of the best attractions in New Zealand are free to visit – including all National Parks.
Save money by planning your trip around nature-based attractions, such as Milford Sound, Fox Glacier, Tongariro and Cathedral Cove.
There’s a tonne of awesome short walks to be found around the National Parks (and a few world-class multi-day hikes for serious adventurers)
- Buy tickets in advance
If you have a strict itinerary and know where you’ll be on certain dates, you may be able to buy tickets to certain attractions in advance.
Some attractions will offer you a slight discount (normally 5-20%) if you book online in advance.
- Fuel up in major cities
Make sure you fuel up in major cities if you plan on hiring a car or campervan during your New Zealand solo trip.
The best fuel prices are often found in areas where there are large populations (e.g. Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown).
Also, refuel the rental vehicle just before drop-of to avoid additional fees.
- Travel during autumn or spring
Summer (December-February) and winter (June-August) are the most popular and most expensive seasons to solo travel in New Zealand.
Visit during spring (September-November) or autumn (March-May) if you want to reduce your New Zealand solo trip cost.
Summary: New Zealand Solo Trip Cost
There is a budget to suit all sorts of solo travel in New Zealand.
However, I would save at least NZ$3,000 before travelling alone to New Zealand.
Whilst New Zealand may be one of the most expensive countries in the world for solo travel, it pays off with its epic landscape of glaciers, fiords, volcanoes, geysers, Hobbit Holes and more.
Make sure you don’t miss a single highlight with my comprehensive guide to solo travelling New Zealand!
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More Solo Travel Tips on Nomadic Yak
Nomadic Yak helps solo travellers to plan journeys that are adventurous and authentic.
Every article is written by me, Harry. I’ve travelled to 40+ countries over the last 5 years – alone.
For even more information about solo travel in New Zealand, see our solo travel tips.
We also have destination guides to help you plan solo travel in nearby countries such as Australia.
