Trying to go New Zealand & visit as many places as I can. Is theKiwi Experience a good &cheap option?Another suggestion?
You're Missing the Rest of the Conversation
This community has even more stories, questions, tips, and plans being shared. Join Couchsurfing to read every thread and be part of the conversation.
Kiwi Ex is pretty cool. Although it's a standart tourist program, the drivers are nice, the places you'll see are great (just like anything in NZ) and it's fun. It can get very boozy there and most ppl travelling on kiwi ex are 17-25 years old - so party all over! It's not cheap, but it's a good option to see a lot...
If you're looking for something a little bit different I would recommend Haka tours or Stray bus. Or just hire a car, search for a travel buddy and hit the road by yourself?!
Thank you very much for your advice. I think has to be a very nice experience, and I thought the price was "all right" due to all the different places they take you. But I´m afraid of that. just partying is not my plan. Of course I like party as well, but not all the way. Somebody suggested me to do the North Island with them, and then maybe meet some people and hire a car for the South Island, cause I´m going on my own and hire a car can be quite expensive just for me. Anyway, I´ll have a look on Stray or Haka tours. Thanks very much!!
do you have an idea how much can I spend per day in New Zealand? I mean, to make an idea about how much do I need for my travel. Thanks in advance :)
How much you may spend will vary, based on food and activities you plan to do.
Food - Easiest options are go to supermarkets and live off food from them, local markets and fast food. Depending on how much you eat/drink could be looking at about 15-30$ a day but just a guess. Going with others to restaurants/pubs/bars will also increase the cost per day.
Activities - A lot of things are free to do in regards to going and seeing things for photos and general sight seeing. Its more the "tourist" this like hot pools, bungee jumping, jet boating, boat cruises which will add up quickly. Going for beach walks, city walks and things like that of course will keep costs down. Also travel to and from activities will add up your daily costs.
If you are ok making food after buying ingredients, car pooling for travel, hitch hiking, spending time at beaches and forests, camping, couch surfing hehe then those are they ways to reduce costs.
Also some people just buy a car, use it then sell it before going which can work out a cheap way to travel rather than renting or doing bus. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors is a NZ buy/sell site but I am sure some NZ travel sites may also have other visitor forums where they are selling cars after they visit. So buy cheap vehicle, use it, sell it and then cost is only fuel, insurance?, warrant/rego? and difference in buy/sell price. You could still be looking at maybe 20-30$ fuel a day for driving (Assuming you are doing short trips every day)
You could also look at trains for travel from Auckland to Wellington with stop overs. Would see a few sights on way south and then take a better look when returning north after your south island trip?
Oh and the ferry between north and south island is a great trip on its own so have your camera handy and I would try and do that during the day to see they most of the view.