Traveling Solo in New Zealand

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Last Updated on April 20, 2024 by sydabroad

 

Are you thinking about traveling solo in New Zealand? Then keep reading! 

So, should you travel solo in New Zealand? The short answer, yes! New Zealand is one of the best solo travel destinations in the world. It’s easy to navigate and extremely safe, and there are countless activities to enjoy. All and all, it’s a friendly and welcoming country. 

In this guide, I’ll share some of the most frequently asked questions about traveling solo in New Zealand. Essentially everything you’ll need to know before you go. I’ll share safety tips, how to make friends, the best way to get around New Zealand solo, bucket list activities, and more.

I spent a month traveling the North and South Island of New Zealand. This was one of the most welcoming places I’ve ever visited and certainly the most beautiful. Traveling solo in New Zealand is a great way to make lifelong travel friends. Alright, let’s get into the guide! 

Looking for more New Zealand guides?

• The Ultimate North Island New Zealand Itinerary

This post is all about traveling solo in New Zealand. 

Facts About New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country consisting of two main landmasses – the North Island and the South Island. It’s considered the most beautiful country in the world, renowned for its unbelievably picturesque natural landscapes. With about 600 islands and 13 national parks, there is no shortage of places to explore as a solo traveler. 

Travelers can visit the highest peak in New Zealand, Aoraki/Mount Cook, experience the country’s renowned wine regions, and if you are a Lord of The Rings fan, make sure to visit landscapes featured in the series. 

Is New Zealand Good for Solo Travel? 

Yes! Many people travel solo to New Zealand so meeting friends is bound to happen along the way. Hostels, group tours, and guided activities are great ways to meet people while solo traveling. 

In my opinion, one of the best ways to solo travel to New Zealand is through the Kiwi Experience. Kiwi Experience is a hop-on hop-off bus with a variety of different routes you can choose all over New Zealand. 

The Kiwi buses are great for solo travelers because many people will end up taking similar routes so you’ll be doing guided tours and staying in the same places with many of the same people for the duration of your trip. I did Kiwi Experience’s North Island round-up tour and it was incredible! I’ll share about my time on the big green Kiwi bus later in this guide.  

Kiwi Experience was kind enough to give me a promo code to share with you guys. You can use the code, “SYDABROAD” for 10% off bus passes that are 7+ days long.

Is it Safe to Travel New Zealand Alone? 

New Zealand is considered one of the safest countries in the world. It’s safe to visit and safe for solo travelers. New Zealand is ranked as one of the best countries for solo female travelers to visit. 

Always use common sense safety precautions such as keeping your bags close in crowded areas. During my entire month in New Zealand, I never felt unsafe. It’s a very welcoming country with incredibly kind people. 

Read here for the ulimate hostel packing list

The Best Way to Travel Around New Zealand Solo 

As mentioned above I suggest Kiwi Experience for traveling solo in New Zealand. This is a hop-on hop-off bus pass you can book and from there you can book all of your accommodation and activities from their trip planner. 

They make traveling around New Zealand easy and affordable. They have all sorts of different routes you can book – North Island tours, South Island tours, or you can do the entire country. No matter how much time you have in New Zealand, there is a tour that will work for you. Browse the routes here.

I traveled around the North Island with Kiwi Experience and it was so much fun. I did a loop around the North Island, starting and ending in Auckland. Along the way, I got to experience Rotorua, tour the Hobbiton Movie Set, go black water rafting in Waitomo in the glowworm caves, explore the capital city of Wellington, and more. 

You’ll spot the big green Kiwi buses all around New Zealand. They are nice, comfy coaches perfect for getting around the country. 

The Best Solo Travel Destinations in New Zealand

There isn’t anywhere that’s not a good place to visit. You can’t go wrong with wherever you end up in New Zealand. I suggest visiting both the North and South islands if you have the time. They are both so different but just as amazing. 

Planning a trip to the North Island? Check out my North Island New Zealand itinerary here!

Bucket List Experiences in New Zealand 

• Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Rotorua Maōri Experience 
• Wineries on Waiheke Island 
• Bay of Islands 
• Milford Sound 
• Mount Cook National Park 
• Explore Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland
• Lake Tekapo 
• Hobbiton Movie Set 
• Tongariro Alpine Crossing  
• Abel Tasman National Park

Best New Zealand Tours for Solo Travellers

Below, I’ve listed a few Kiwi Experience tour itineraries

• Northern Highlights: Start in Auckland and finish in Wellington 
• Queen Bee: Start in Queenstown and finish in Auckland 
• Northern Round Up: Start anywhere and finish anywhere on the North Island 
• Southern Round Up: Start anywhere and finish anywhere on the South Island
• Funky Chicken: Start and finish anywhere. Unlimited travel 

There are many other options on their site so check out more New Zealand itineraries here. And don’t forget to use the code, “SYDABROAD” for 10% off bus passes 7+ days long.

Traveling Solo in New Zealand: FAQ’s

Currency in New Zealand? 

The currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar. 1 USD is equal to about 1.67 New Zealand Dollars. 

Essentially everywhere you go will accept card payments. I barely used cash in New Zealand but it is good to have some on hand just in case. There are ATMs readily available throughout the cities.

How is The Phone and Internet Service in New Zealand 

For the most part, the phone and internet service in New Zealand is pretty good. It’s great in bigger cities such as Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. 

In more remote parts of New Zealand, the phone service can be quite spotty. I suggest having offline Google Maps downloaded so that you can still use your maps if you end up losing service. 

For international phone data, I suggest using Airalo. Airalo makes it easy to access data almost anywhere in the world. Try Airalo here. 

How Much Does Traveling Solo in New Zealand Cost? 

Although New Zealand can be quite expensive, it is possible to travel on an affordable budget. A daily budget of around 150 to 200 New Zealand Dollars per day is possible if you are backpacking New Zealand. 

Personally, I budgeted $100 USD per day during my trip and stayed within my budget. 

Tipping in New Zealand 

Tipping is not customary in New Zealand and it’s not expected. 

Is The Tap Water Drinkable? 

Yes, you can drink tap water in New Zealand. 

When is The Best Time to Visit New Zealand?

December through March are the summer months in New Zealand and the best time to visit the country. You’ll get long, bright sunny days, perfect for outdoor activities and beach days. 

I hope you enjoyed this article all about traveling solo in New Zealand. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or DM me on Instagram.

Recommended Tours in New Zealand

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