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Queenstown on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Queenstown on a budget is possible at about NZ$155 per person per day if you stay in a hostel, cook, use buses and do free hikes. Adventure activities are the budget-breakers, so choose them carefully.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | NZ$60 | NZ$160 | NZ$450 |
| Food & drink | NZ$40 | NZ$80 | NZ$180 |
| Sights & tickets | NZ$40 | NZ$150 | NZ$400 |
| Local transport | NZ$15 | NZ$40 | NZ$100 |
| Per person, per day | NZ$155 | NZ$430 | NZ$1,130 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Queenstown day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Climb Queenstown Hill to the 'Basket of Dreams' sculpture
- Walk the Tiki Trail up Bob's Peak
- Stroll the Queenstown Gardens and the lakefront
- Watch jumpers at the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge viewing platform
- Walk the Glenorchy Lagoon boardwalk
- Explore Arrowtown and its restored Chinese Settlement
Cheap eats
- Fergburger, about NZ$15-20
- Meat pie from a bakery, about NZ$6-9
- Fish and chips on the lakefront, about NZ$15-20
- Supermarket picnic for a hike, about NZ$15
- Takeaway noodles or curry in town, about NZ$15-22
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels in central Queenstown, with dorm beds from about NZ$40-60 and doubles at about NZ$120-200. Campervans and holiday parks are popular alternatives.
Getting around cheaply
Orbus buses run from the airport to town and to Arrowtown for a few dollars with a Bee Card. Walking covers the town centre. For Glenorchy, Milford Sound and wineries, a shared rental car is usually cheapest.
A sample budget day
- Morning: climb Queenstown Hill, free
- Lunch: Fergburger, about NZ$18
- Afternoon: bus to Arrowtown and the Chinese Settlement, about NZ$10 return
- Evening: cook at the hostel and a drink on the waterfront, about NZ$25
- Total: about NZ$155 per person including a shared room
More ways to save
- Visit in October-November or May for cheaper rooms.
- Use a Bee Card on Orbus buses for lower fares.
- Share a rental car for the Glenorchy and Milford Sound days.
- Choose the Shotover Jet or bungy, not both, if money is tight.
- Bring hiking gear from home; outdoor shops in town are pricey.
- Look for last-minute activity deals at booking offices in town.
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Common questions
Can you visit Queenstown on a budget?
Yes, at about NZ$155 a day with hostels, cooking, buses and free hikes, choosing only one or two paid adventures.
What are the best free things to do in Queenstown?
Queenstown Hill, the Tiki Trail, the lakefront and gardens, and Arrowtown.
How do I get from Queenstown Airport to town cheaply?
Take the Orbus bus, a short ride for a few dollars with a Bee Card.