Affordable 12-Day Solo Trip in New Zealand: Budget Under $20k Adventure

In March, I embarked on a thrilling 12-day solo adventure to the South Island of New Zealand (excluding flight time before and after). This travelogue is primarily aimed at providing valuable insights for women planning a similar solo journey, covering transportation, itinerary, and expenses. I will be updating this with more detailed recommendations for activities and accommodations soon. For DIY visa information, please refer to my previous notes.

✨【Is it safe to travel alone?】
The South Island is remarkably safe! Throughout my stay in hostels, I felt entirely at ease, and every person I encountered was wonderfully friendly. However, as a precaution, it’s wise for women to avoid going out alone late at night.

✨【Is transportation convenient?】
Absolutely! The main modes of transport are Intercity Bus and public buses.
🚌For Intercity Bus, you can purchase tickets via their official website or opt for a flexipass, which is sold by the hour. If your schedule is tight, buying by the hour can be more economical.

Simply check the duration of each segment on the website and buy the corresponding flexipass based on the total hours.
🚏There are two ways to buy bus tickets (cash): one is to pay the driver directly when boarding, costing 4 NZD per person; the other is to buy a Bee Card from the driver (5 NZD) and top up at least 5 NZD.

With the card, a single trip costs 2 NZD per person, and transfers within a certain time frame are free.

✨【Can you get by without English?】
Having basic listening, speaking, and reading skills in English is highly recommended. Otherwise, traveling with a companion or in a group might be more comfortable. Although there are many Chinese speakers and translation apps available, having some English proficiency can make your trip smoother. In case of emergencies (such as missing a flight or losing luggage), being able to communicate immediately is crucial.

✨【Lazy Itinerary🚎】
Here’s a glimpse of my relaxed itinerary, which I found incredibly satisfying and perfect for those who prefer a slower pace.
▫️D1-2: Discover the charming city of Christchurch
▫️D3-4: Lake Tekapo + Mount Cook (Stay in Tekapo for breathtaking stargazing🌌)
▫️D5-9: Explore the scenic areas around Queenstown (Wanaka, Arrowtown, and Glenorchy are fantastic options)
▫️D10-12: Unwind in the historic city of Dunedin

✨【Expense Details💸】
My total expenses amounted to about 20,000 RMB💰 (hostel + bus + no extreme sports), excluding shopping, the total cost was around 18,000 RMB.
Approximately:
✔️Transportation (flights + bus + shuttle, etc.) ≈ 8,900 RMB
✔️Accommodation: 5,150 RMB
✔️Supermarket + SIM card: 820 RMB (Spark card📶)
✔️Daily meals: 2,900 RMB
✔️Shopping: 2,790 RMB
✔️Insurance: 234 RMB

⚠️【Suggestions】
▪️Carry no more than 100 NZD in cash! I brought 500 NZD and found it difficult to spend it all.
▪️If you’re not driving, be cautious when choosing day trips to Milford Sound or Kaikoura, as they can be quite challenging.