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Is New Zealand expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
New Zealand is expensive, with prices similar to Australia and a little below Scandinavia; activities, car hire and food in tourist towns add up fast. A budget traveller needs about NZ$155 (roughly €80) per person a day sharing a room, mid-range about NZ$350 and comfort about NZ$740. Free hiking, cheap holiday parks and self-catering keep costs down.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | NZ$50 | NZ$110 | NZ$250 |
| Food & drink | NZ$45 | NZ$90 | NZ$170 |
| Sights & tickets | NZ$30 | NZ$90 | NZ$200 |
| Local transport | NZ$30 | NZ$60 | NZ$120 |
| Per person, per day | NZ$155 | NZ$350 | NZ$740 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our New Zealand day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Fergburger in Queenstown | about NZ$18-25 |
| Restaurant main in Auckland | NZ$30-45 |
| SkyDrive bus Auckland Airport to city | about NZ$20 |
| Waiheke ferry return | about NZ$50-60 |
| Hobbiton Movie Set tour | about NZ$120-140 |
| Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park | about NZ$45 |
| Skyline Gondola, Queenstown | about NZ$60 |
| Milford Sound coach tour from Queenstown | NZ$200-280 |
| Rental car per day | from about NZ$60-100 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Transport and activities dominate: a rental car or campervan is almost essential, fuel is expensive, and tours such as Hobbiton, Milford Sound cruises, Māori cultural evenings (NZ$140-220) and adventure sports cost a lot. Motels with kitchens cost NZ$170-260 a night, Queenstown more. Supermarket food is reasonable, so self-catering saves a lot compared with cafés and restaurants.
When it is cheaper
April to May and October to November (outside school holidays) are shoulder seasons, with lower car and campervan rates and easier bookings, often roughly 20-40% below December-February. Queenstown is expensive in the ski season too.
How to spend less
- Self-cater: motels and hostels have kitchens, and supermarkets like Pak'nSave and Countdown are much cheaper than cafés.
- Do free hikes such as Mount Eden, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (shuttle extra) and the Hooker Valley Track.
- Use free geothermal spots like Kuirau Park in Rotorua and Spa Thermal Park in Taupō.
- Book cars or campervans months ahead for summer; late bookings cost far more.
- Look for relocation deals on rental cars and campervans for cheap one-way trips.
- Use the SkyDrive bus from Auckland Airport instead of a taxi.
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Common questions
Is New Zealand expensive?
Yes. Budget travellers need about NZ$155 (roughly €80) a day and mid-range about NZ$350; activities and car hire are the big costs.
Car or campervan in New Zealand?
A campervan saves on beds but costs more to rent and fuel and needs booked sites; a car with motels is often similar in price.
How much is a Milford Sound tour?
Coach and cruise tours from Queenstown cost about NZ$200-280.