Travel Tips


Welcome to Travel Tips New Zealand, where our mission is to source the very best travel tips for traveling around NZ with style, but very affordably.

From last minute accommodation deals, cheap bus tickets and car rental, to “must do" attractions and activities while in the region, our goal is to support your travel needs and budget.

Our team regularly travels the length and breadth of the country to source up to date, great places to wine, dine and stay, or interesting and fun things to do and see.

We also welcome other travellers who would like to share some of their experiences and travel tips, while travelling New Zealand.

We thank you in advance for your support given to the Travel Tips website, enabling us to be your ultimate visitor guide.

If you would like to leave a comment, please use our contact form.




Travel Tips

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Travel Tips Before you arrive

When to come

New Zealand is suitable to visit all year round. Travelling is more pleasant, however, during the warmer summer months (November to April). The Christmas period is the busiest, with the schools holidays in the second half of December and all of January. We, therefore, recommend November, February and April as the best months to travel in New Zealand. Skiing is, of course, only possible during the winter months and is usually best during July and August.

Travel Insurance Travel Tips

We strongly recommend travel insurance for the entire time you plan to be overseas. GUEST NZ is able to assist with this insurance and recommend that your policy covers emergency medical situations, baggage loss or damage, and expenses incurred from disrupted travel plans...read more on travel insurance NZ

Passport, Visas & Vaccinations

Only a passport valid for three months beyond the intended date of leaving the country is necessary for citizens of most countries. We recommend you visit the New Zealand Immigration website for further information.
No vaccination certificates are required to enter New Zealand.

What to bring

If you plan to visit New Zealand during the colder months between May and September, bring warm clothes and a waterproof jacket. This is especially important in alpine regions where the weather can change rapidly.
It's also worth noting that the climate is colder the further south you travel - the opposite of the northern hemisphere.

Insect repellent for mosquitoes and sunscreen for the strong sunrays are also important during the summer months. Of course, these can be purchased on arrival.

Because of the importance of agriculture in the economy, strong restrictions are placed on animal products, fruit, plant material, and foodstuffs being bought into the country. Our advice is simply not to bring them. Visitors bringing in a quantity of medication are advised to have a doctor's certificate to avoid possible problems with Customs.

Getting there

New Zealand's three international airports are at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Which one to fly into is indicated when you create your itinerary on this site. Flying times are approximately 3 hours from Australia, 10 hours from Singapore, and 12 hours from the west coast of the United States.
Every person arriving in New Zealand must complete the arrival card handed out on the aircraft.

Travel Tips When you are here

What to Bring

If you are travelling around New Zealand you are bound to bump into most types of weather. The safest policy is to be equipped for all weather no matter what the season. Wear layers of clothing to strip off and replace as necessary. Wet weather gear, a wind proof jacket, woollen sweater and strong comfortable footwear are all recommended. In keeping with New Zealand's relaxed lifestyle, dress is informal on most occasions with smart casual clothes in most restaurants. A smart standard of dress will be required for better restaurants, Shows and Casinos.

Key facts

Area: 270,500 sq km
Population: 4.1 million
Capital city: Wellington (pop 368,000 )
People: 88% European (Pakeha), 12% Maori and Polynesian
Languages: English and Maori
Religion: Predominantly Christian (81%)
Government: Independent member of the British Commonwealth
GDP: US$80 billion
GDP per head: US$19,800
Annual growth: 2%
Inflation: 2%
Major industries: Food processing, wood and paper products, wool, textiles, dairy products, iron and steel
Major trading partners: Australia, Japan, the USA

Health Risks

There are no major health risks in New Zealand. However you should be aware of Giardia, which is a water-borne parasite that causes diarrhoea. To avoid it, do not to drink water from lakes, ponds or rivers without first boiling, chemically treating or filtering it.

Travel Tips Costs

Meals:
Budget US$5-15 (NZ$12-35)
Mid-range: US$15-25 (NZ$35-60)
Top-end: US$25 and upwards (>NZ$60)

Accommodation:
Budget: US$10-20 (NZ$24-48)
Mid-range: US$20-80 (NZ$48-190)
Top-end: US$80 and upwards (>NZ$190)

Banking and Foreign Exchange

All major credit cards are accepted for the purchase of goods and services. Travellers' cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores.
Bank hours are from 9.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday. International credit cards encoded with a PIN number may be used to withdraw cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs), widely available in the main shopping. Banks will give cash advances on Visa and MasterCard, but for American Express card transactions you must go to an American Express office.
Most airports and hotels have currency exchange facilities. The currencies of Australia, the UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Japan are all easily changed in New Zealand.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts (50 hertz), although most hotels and motels provide 110 volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. For all other equipment, an adapter and a converter are necessary.

Time

New Zealand is 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer, on the first Sunday in October, New Zealand has daylight saving when clocks are put forward one hour. Daylight saving finishes on the last Sunday of March.

Driving

Most foreign driver licences are acceptable in New Zealand (check with your travel agent). New Zealanders drive on the left, give way to all traffic crossing or approaching from the right. Most rental car companies will provide a short list of the more important rules.

Car Rental Travel Tips

Major international firms and local firms have offices at airports and most major cities and towns. It is recommended to hire vehicles from members of the New Zealand Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association. Read more on budget car rental New Zealand

Campervan Hire Travel Tips

Choosing campervan hire New Zealand as your travel choice of transportation, gives you a chance to see and do more on your vacation, while creating a great adventure for yourself and mates.

You can enjoy stopping at local sites and attractions that interest you. From North Island to South Island, depending on how long you want to stay and where you want to go while you're in New Zealand, you can see quite a lot with the hassle free of your own camper hire.

Bus Travel Tips

There are regional bus networks that serve most parts of the country and are on the whole friendly and cheaper than the larger companies. Read more on where can you book cheap bus fares and cheap bus pass

Taxi

There are metered taxis throughout the country.

Medical and Emergency Facilities

Dial 111 for emergency calls to police, fire or ambulance services.

Medical and emergency services are not free to visitors; it is therefore advisable to arrange for insurance coverage before your departure.

For non-emergencies, full instructions on obtaining assistance are printed in the front of all telephone directories and accommodation facilities will usually have individual arrangements with duty doctors for guests and can assist you in finding a dentist. New Zealand's medical and hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment and care.

New Zealand suffers only isolated incidences of serious crime however petty crime can be a problem in some areas. Take precautions to conceal and secure valuables and never leave them in your vehicle as tourists do seem to be targeted by thieves. 

Tipping

Tips in New Zealand are optional and are generally given in appreciation of extra good service. You should tip 5-10% of the bill in a restaurant (not in a simple café) if you feel you have received exceptional service.

Travel Tips Information Centres

New Zealand has a network of national visitor information centres that can provide comprehensive information and booking service, seven days a week.
Regional visitor information centres provide general information and booking service, seven days a week, and local information centres provide local information, usually five days a week.

Climate - NZ weather

New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere so the seasons are opposite to those of the northern hemisphere.

Summer - January or February are the warmest months with a maximum temperature range between 20 and 30 degs Celsius. Sunshine hours are relatively high - most areas having at least 2000 hours annually. The midday summer solar radiation index (UVI) is very high and we recommend that sun block be used at all times, winter and summer.

Winter - July and August the coldest with temperatures between 9 and 13 degs Celsius. Generally snow falls in the mountain areas.

The 2 long Islands and the mountain chain extending the length of the country providing a barrier for the prevailing westerly winds, divides the country into dramatically different climatic regions.

The West Coast is the wettest area, whereas the area to the East of the mountains (just 100 kms) is the driest.