New Zealand Trip Planner – updated 2024/25

This comprehensive New Zealand trip planner includes information about:

• Flights to New Zealand
• New Zealand tours
• New Zealand itineraries
• New Zealand road trip maps

In addition, we answer commonly asked questions, such as:

• How do I plan a trip to New Zealand?
• How much does it cost to vacation in New Zealand?
• How many days do you need to see New Zealand?

Read on for our most useful travel advice in this New Zealand trip planner.

How do I plan a trip to New Zealand?

We recommend working with a travel consultant to create an itinerary and book your full vacation package. All you need to decide is how much time you have to see New Zealand and what your priorities are, and after that, your travel consultant will take it from there.

Whether you are traveling independently or with a private guide, booking a holiday package and taking out travel insurance is the safest way to travel. For instance, if your vacation is impacted by unforeseen circumstances, your travel consultant will be able to make all necessary changes. You can then claim back any losses against your travel insurance.

Flights to New Zealand

Our tour packages do not include flights to New Zealand, as most travelers can find better deals through booking directly with the airline. Therefore, we recommend looking at flights with the following airlines:

• Air New Zealand
• Virgin Australia
• Emirates
• Etihad
• Jetstar
• United Airlines
• Qantas Airways
• Hawaiian Airlines

Find New Zealand trip planner inspiration on our New Zealand travel blog

Read our New Zealand travel blog as you plan your holiday. Along with this New Zealand trip planner, our blog is a great source for ideas, inspiration, and recommendations. For instance, you will find information on family travel, Lord of the Rings tours, winter travel, luxury experiences, and much more.

Common New Zealand Road Trip Itineraries

As you begin planning your New Zealand tour, take a look at the New Zealand road trip map that matches your interests. This comprehensive guide includes suggestions for New Zealand tours lasting from 7 days to 1 month so you can choose the itineraries that best match your schedule.

How many days do you need to see New Zealand?

Seven days is the minimum we would recommend if you want to enjoy a whirlwind tour of just one island. And if you hope to see both islands, 14 days is a good starting point.

This depends, of course, on your interests and how far you have flown. For example, if you are traveling from the US or Europe, and you are dealing with jetlag and long flights, the more time you can spend in New Zealand, the better.

What can you see in New Zealand in 10 days?

Ten days gives you enough time to explore the highlights of one island. Therefore, you can check off the major destinations without rushing too much.

If you want to see both islands, we recommend a domestic flight between the two.

The same is true if you have just 7 days in New Zealand. However, your travel pace will be quicker if you want to squeeze everything in.

What can you see in New Zealand in 14 days?

In 14 days, you can visit both islands at a comfortable pace. Moreover, you can drive between the two rather than taking a domestic flight.

If you choose just one island, you can venture off the most popular tourist route to see hidden gems.

And finally, if you have more than 14 days, you can visit almost all major destinations around New Zealand. A New Zealand itinerary for 3 weeks will cover plenty of ground at a relaxed pace, while a month-long itinerary allows you to dig deep.

How much does it cost to vacation in New Zealand?

New Zealand tourism caters to travelers of all budgets, from backpackers to celebrities.

Our guided tour packages are priced depending on the number of travelers. In other words, traveling as a couple with a private guide can be expensive (though an amazing, well worth it experience), while traveling with a group sharing a guide won’t cost much more than self-driving. However, the pricing will change if we upgrade accommodation, add or remove activities, or change the length of travel. We recommend browsing the available tours so you gain a good idea of what to expect from a privately guided tour.

Self-drive holidays are typically less expensive than privately guided tours, and for solo travelers, coach tour packages can be cheapest of all.

On the other end, New Zealand offers an extensive range of luxury experiences and accommodation, from luxury lodges to exclusive helicopter tours.