BootsnAll Travel Community

Hey guys! I want to go to NZ this coming Dec- Jan, but as it is summer over there and most probably the high season, the airline tickets are super expensive!! I was wondering if any one has ideas about the cheapest airline (is it air new zealand or is there a cheaper one) Also, would it be cheapest to go directly to NZ or maybe get a flight to Australia, and then check a flight on a discount airline (if there is one) to New Zealand. Once there, how is getting aorund, is there alot of buses, or public transportation? I hear hitching is okay, I am a 19 year old female though. Also, what about getting to any nearby islands...Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks so much! Peace, Janelle

hey there! I got a pretty cheap flight from air pacific goin to NZ about 900 or so return from LA, I went mid-jan this year through late june, yep just got back I think you'd probably be better off just going to NZ, if that is your main destination. I hitched everywhere, North and South island, getting out of the cities can be a stinker, I suggest getting a city bus/train to the farthest point on the motorway and hitchin from there... just have a big sign, and people (only kiwis) are well willing to give you a lift. (also make for sure peeps have a place to stop otherwise you are screwed) Being a single female traveller myself I did get alot of "wow! I have NEVER seen a girl hitchin by herself" I may have gotten a few rides that way..Oh and never take a lift from a trucker who has a bunk in the back. Also keep in mind that NZ is not cheap! food, piss(beer) you are legal there,tobacco, accomadation, everything is expensive even if you are travelling on the cheap like self catering and staying in hostels. I would suggest wwoofing, couchsurfing, anything that can get you in to meeting locals and cutting costs. I have no idea about local islands abeit waiheke $15nz one way and great barrier ?? probably 40or more from auckland.. Have fun, good luck , and stay longer than two months, Nz deserves more than that . you will see.

cheers
miss jess

Thanks so much for all your advice, I really appreciate it! I am definintly in a dilemena over when to go because If I go over when its winter here, I can only stay for that time frame, but if I go in the summer I can stay quite a bit longer, I just don't realy want to go there when its winter hahaha. Thanks for all your suggestions though, its going to help me leaps and bounds. Couchsurfing, I'm planning on utlilzing, and WWOOFing is a great suggestion to. Thanks again, good to hear you enjoyed your trip so much!
-Janelle

I wouldn't be afraid to go during their winter. I went last year and the weather was pretty nice. I live in the Pacific NW, so it was comparable to our winter--pretty mild, some rain at times, colder in the mountains. I still got to see and do almost everything, without all the crowds and the high-season prices. (Although Jessielynn is right about the price of food!)

As for flight prices, you probably won't save any money stopping over in Australia, unless you find a ridiculously cheap fare. Flights between Australia and NZ aren't cheap.

If you're not up for hitch-hiking, there are cheap, independently operated buses (Naked Bus is one that comes to mind). I bought a ticket around the North and South Island on a hop-on hop-off backpacker bus (Magic Bus) and thought it was a good value and a fun way to meet people.

Have fun and definitely take at least 6 weeks to get a proper look around!

We booked our tickets, one way from Portland, OR to Auckland, about a month ago and after loads of searching it really came down to Priceline and Vayama having the best deals. Ended up booking two tickets in October for a little over $800 apiece.

I'm Australian and I found that NZ prices were cheaper than over her. Prices would have seemed lower over a year ago because the Australian Dollar was weaker. AS the (AUD) Dollar strengthens you get less when converting. At the moment our dollar is AUD 98cents to US$1 almost equal. So you're getting far less than when our dollar was 79c to US$1. It's not so much that Australian goods and services are expensive it's the currency exchange rate.

If you do come and you're a YHA/Hi member you get better rates exchaning with Travelex. Just don't make the mistake of exchanging at airports, like I did.

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to NZ this coming

Virgin Blue from Aussie to NZ is cheapest. Otherwise its going to cost a bundle - Air NZ is not cheap - Singapore Airlines offers cheaper and better grade seating. We have regular public transport running until around 11pm but there are great shuttle services at most anytime.. Be careful hitching - even in NZ - if it doesnt feel right - dont do it - we recently have had a spate of hitch hikers being attacked although by spate I mean 3 or 4 in last 4 years. DO NOT WONDER AROUND SOUTH AUCKLAND or the NORTH SHORE at night - several widely publicised muggings and random bashings have taken place. South Auckland is considered a decile 1 area (lower socio-economic status) and North Shore is a decile 7/8 (middle class to upper middle class). NZ is pretty good however we are not heaven on earth -