Discover the Cost: A Week-Long Adventure Trip to New Zealand for Over $7,000
An incomplete guide, skipping over visa fees (I’ve covered the visa process and necessary documents in a previous post, and I highly recommend handling it yourself) and souvenirs (I splurged on nearly 2000 RMB worth of gifts to bring back home).
Having already explored most cities in the South Island, this trip was a quick revisit to a few favorite spots. My itinerary: Auckland ✈️ Queenstown 🚌 Tekapo 🚌 Christchurch ✈️ Wellington 🚗 Auckland. I booked my international flights three months in advance with a layover, and the domestic New Zealand flights one month ahead. Traveling solo, I stayed in hostels throughout my journey.
1️⃣ Total for flights: ¥3247
– Shanghai to Auckland (layover in Haikou) with Hainan Airlines: ¥2519
– Auckland to Queenstown with Jetstar (including 20KG baggage): ¥501
– Christchurch to Wellington with Jetstar (including 15KG baggage): ¥227
2️⃣ Total for accommodation: ¥1576
– March 9 & 10: Auckland at Haka Hostel: ¥434
– March 11 & 12: Queenstown at Lylo Hostel: ¥500
– March 13: Tekapo at Lake Tekapo Lake Lodge Edge: ¥249
– March 14: Christchurch at Drifter Hostel (including luggage storage fee): ¥243
– March 15: Wellington at Trek Hostel: ¥150
3️⃣ Total for transportation: ¥739
– Intercity: Queenstown to Tekapo: ¥187 + Tekapo to Christchurch: ¥120
– Purchased a Flexipass from a fellow traveler, which is more cost-effective than individual tickets. No ID check on the bus; the driver just verifies the name.
– Car rental: ¥42 + insurance $53.
01 (about ¥222) + fuel about ¥168
– Renting a car from Wellington to Auckland was like a transfer, with a full tank of fuel. I drove a Mazda SUV, and faced some congestion in Auckland over the weekend, adding $40 worth of fuel.
4️⃣ Total for activities: ¥1136
– Queenstown Skyline + 6 Luge rides: $93 + one photo print: $19 (about ¥470)
– TSS steamship BBQ dinner + farm tour: ¥666
5️⃣ Total for meals: about ¥818
– Enjoyed daily brunches at local coffee shops, with a packed daytime schedule, leaving room for a proper meal only in the evening. Mainly dined at Auckland’s Redemy Coffee, Queenstown’s Mackenzie Coffee + Saigon, Tekapo’s Dolce Pizza, Christchurch’s Sesame Noodles + Grizzly Baked Goods + Church Pub, and Wellington’s The Hangar, all chosen based on Google Map ratings.
6️⃣ Other expenses: about ¥336
– SIM card: Skinny $22 ($2 card fee + $20 for a one-week 10GB plan)
– Auckland airport shuttle: Skydive $20
– Public transport: AT card $15 + Bee Card $15 + Christchurch $8
Make Each Penny Count
This New Zealand adventure has come to a perfect end, and I can’t wait to return in 2027/28. Queenstown, I will be back, and the Jet Boat, get ready for me to board! 🇳🇿
