Is 30,000 RMB Enough for an Average Traveler to Explore New Zealand in Detail?
New Zealand Travel Expense Review, 8 Days for 28K RMB~
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I went with my best friend on a small group tour organized by a local agency. We originally planned to go on a self-guided trip with friends but got stood up. I’ve encountered quite a few pitfalls and gathered some useful tips, all of which are in this post.
I hope it can help everyone!
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💰【Expenses】
✅Local Tour Agency Fee: 18K RMB per person
Includes star-rated hotels + business car + Chinese-speaking driver and guide + buffet breakfast + fjord + penguin return VIP tickets [cable car included as a gift]
✅Airfare: 4.7K RMB round trip
✅Meals: 2.8K RMB
✅Other expenses: Miscellaneous souvenirs 3K RMB
✅Total cost: Approximately 28K RMB (including airfare)
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🚫【Tips to Avoid Pitfalls】
① Domestic travel agencies are too expensive!
Consider finding a local ground handler (middlemen really do make a lot from the price difference).
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② Don’t believe those “super value” small groups that are too cheap!
The guides will insist on taking you to shopping places or force you to sign up for additional paid activities through them.
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③ Make sure to read the contract carefully!
It should clearly state the accommodation standards (we stayed in star-rated hotels with breakfast included).
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🌄【Worthwhile Experiences】
💕Lake Pukaki is perfect for photos!
Who hasn’t taken pictures at the famous glass house? Whoever takes a photo there will get a great shot!! It’s so beautiful I posted it on my social media right away hahaha~ And the salmon was so fresh and delicious TT I still miss it even after coming back for a long time!
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🚠Highly recommend the Skyline Gondola!
Our gondola tickets were a gift from the tour package~ The gondola ride offers a stunning view of Queenstown, it’s really beautiful! (I suggest trying the luge, it’s a bit thrilling but super fun)
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🍔Fergburger is already very popular, but I still want to recommend it!
It’s really big, I was getting full after eating half of it, but because it was so delicious, I finished it hahaha! The meat quality is really good 👍
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PS: Our guide was super reliable!
When our flight was delayed, he waited for us at the airport the whole time and even brought us welcome gifts!
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And his driving was really smooth, I didn’t feel carsick at all!
One thing that left a deep impression was on the second day when we were heading to Lake Tekapo, my best friend fell asleep in the car, and he quietly adjusted the air conditioning vent upwards so she wouldn’t catch a cold. At that moment, I felt that having him on this trip was really reassuring!
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New Zealand is truly a place where once you visit, you’ll want to come back [crying emoji] If your budget allows and you don’t want to plan, I think joining a small group tour is a great choice!
(But I recommend finding a licensed local ground handler!)
