My Best New Zealand Travel Tips 2024
Shot at Mudbrick Vineyards on Waiheke Islands, 40 minutes away from Auckland
Are you dreaming of exploring the unbelievably beautiful country of New Zealand?
Andrew and I just returned from our honeymoon trip there and had an amazing time. We spent 12 days exploring the country (both the north and south islands) in January 2024.
The whole country literally looks like a desktop screensaver—it truly is one breathtaking landscape after another.
With its stunning natural beauty and friendly locals (affectionately called Kiwis!), it's no wonder why this destination is on the bucket list of many travel lovers.
Whether you're planning a summer escape or a winter adventure, here are some tips to make your journey to Aotearoa (the Maori language name for New Zealand) unforgettable.
My Best New Zealand Travel Tips 2024
Planning and Timing
Summer vs. Winter
If you’re reading this from the northern hemisphere, first and foremost when planning your trip remember that the seasons are reversed.
New Zealand's summer is December through February, offering warm weather and longer daylight hours—we saw the sun set behind the horizon at 10pm in Queenstown, the southernmost city we visited!
The summer months are perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and exploring.
From June to August is winter, which brings cooler temperatures and opportunities for skiing and snowboarding in the Southern Alps, if that’s your vibe.
Getting There from the United States
I’m sure this is no surprise to most of you, but getting to New Zealand is a multi-day process.
If flying from the US, you’ll be crossing the international date line and lose a day, but you’ll get it back on your return trip.
Plan your journey to New Zealand by booking flights well in advance to secure the best deals. I would recommend looking at least 4-5 months ahead of your trip, but really the earlier the better.
Direct flights from the US to New Zealand are available from major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston, with flight durations averaging around 12-14 hours.
Pro Tip: We actually flew non-stop on our flight back from Auckland to JFK, a journey that took 16 hours. We booked a SkyCouch on Air New Zealand which I really recommend! I made a TikTok about it.
On our way to New Zealand, we stopped in Fiji for a few nights and connected in San Francisco from New York. And speaking of that…
Time Adjustments
Prepare for time adjustments when traveling to New Zealand, as it is several hours ahead of the US. We found ourselves 18 hours ahead of our family in Eastern Standard Time.
Allow yourself time to adjust to the new time zone and combat jet lag by staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest.
I know not everyone will want to do this, but I would highly recommend stopping in Fiji first as an add-on if you have the time.
It gave us a few days to get adjusted to the time change while just relaxing on the beach versus kicking our New Zealand trip into high gear and being all thrown off.
It was absolutely beautiful there and every single person we met was extremely kind and helpful.
Flights from Fiji to New Zealand happen daily and it allowed us to check another country off of our global bucket list.
Travel Visa
Be sure to check the visa requirements for your nationality before traveling to New Zealand.
Most visitors from the US can enter New Zealand for up to 90 days without a visa under the country's visa waiver program.
North Island vs. South Island
Decide whether you'll explore the North Island, known for its geothermal wonders and Maori culture, or the South Island, renowned for its dramatic landscapes and outdoor adventures.
If time allows, consider visiting both islands to experience the diversity of New Zealand's scenery.
Some of the top locations you can visit on the North Island include Auckland, Rotorua and Wellington.
Some of the top locations you can check out on the South Island include Christchurch, Wanaka and Queenstown.
There are plenty more incredible stops in between the big ones I’ve mentioned above, but I just wanted to throw out some of the biggest cities and most popular recommended destinations.
Getting Around
Flights Within New Zealand
Once you arrive in New Zealand, flying within the country is very easy. When we first flew in from Fiji we arrived in Auckland and then flew to Christchurch which was about an hour and a half long flight.
We also flew from Queenstown to Auckland which took just under two hours. The country is relatively small so flying between cities is simple to do.
New Zealand Multi-Day Group Tours
If you want to minimize the logistics of getting from place to place within New Zealand, there are lots of full-service tours you can join to get you around.
We even enjoyed doing a few one-off day tours where we’d get picked up in a van from a location near where we were staying to let a local guide take the lead and show us the best of the best.
But you could also potentially join a tour where they take you all throughout the country too!
Driving in New Zealand
If you want to be more independent and on your own schedule, you can rent a car. Just like in the US, they have Budget, Avis, Hertz and more car rental services in New Zealand.
Be sure to bring a valid driver’s license and see if you need to complete any other tasks in order to rent a car.
They did ask us if we had ever driven on the left-hand side of the road before when we first got our rental car so just know that question could come up when you go to rent a car yourself.
Tips for Driving in New Zealand:
Check yourself: before you start driving make sure your windows are adjusted properly and your seat is where you want it. Also check the controls by the steering wheel—one of our cars had the blinker on the right and the windshield wiper on the left.
Go slow: When in doubt, go slow! New Zealand's roads can be narrow and winding, especially in rural areas. Take your time to enjoy the scenery and drive safely
Left-side driving: Adjust to driving on the left side of the road, which may be unfamiliar for visitors from countries with right-side driving. The South Island is overall more friendly to first-time left-side drivers since there are fewer multi-lane highways.
Passing on the right: Remember that in New Zealand, the left lane is the slow lane. When passing other vehicles, always overtake on the right.
Rental car with AirPlay: Request a rental car equipped with AirPlay or GPS navigation so you can connect your phone and share your map to the screen to more easily navigate New Zealand's roads.
Budgeting Tips
Peak Travel Season
Summer is New Zealand's peak travel season (it’s easy to see why, especially with those from the northern hemisphere trying to escape the winter), with higher demand for accommodations and activities.
Plan and budget accordingly, and consider visiting during the off-peak seasons for lower prices and fewer crowds.
On-Site Laundry
Pro Tip: Save money on baggage fees by choosing hotels or accommodations with on-site laundry facilities.
This allows you to pack lighter and wash your clothes during your stay.
We actually did laundry twice on our trip—once at Grand Suites Lake Tekapo (they had machines that took coins, and it cost less than $10 NZD to do laundry) and once in Queenstown (at the Queenstown House they actually had free laundry for guests which was major!)
Inclusive Packages
Look for hotels that offer complimentary breakfast or tour packages that include meals.
This can help you save money on food expenses while exploring New Zealand's attractions.
Our hotels in Christchurch, Queenstown and Auckland all came with breakfast, which made it really easy to eat before heading out for the day.
My Top 3 Can’t-Miss Activities
After spending 12 days in New Zealand exploring all of the beauty that the country had to offer, if I had to narrow it down to my top 3 recommendations, these would be them.
In no particular order, be sure to check out:
1. Milford Sound Day Tour (South Island)
Explore the stunning fjords of Milford Sound on a day tour from Queenstown or Te Anau. Cruise through the majestic landscape in Fiordland National Park, marveling at waterfalls, towering cliffs, and native wildlife including sleepy fur seals. I couldn’t help myself and took so many pictures on this day. We booked ours through Cheeky Kiwi Tours.
2. Wanaka Wine Tour (South Island)
Discover the boutique wineries of the Wanaka region on a guided wine tour. Sample award-winning wines, enjoy scenic vineyard views, and learn about the art of winemaking from local experts. We highly suggest booking with Michelle from Living the Dream Wine Tours, we had a blast with her.
3. Zorbing in Rotorua (North Island)
Experience the thrill of zorbing, a unique adventure activity where you roll down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball. Located in Rotorua, the zorbing capital of the world, this activity is guaranteed to add some fun to your New Zealand itinerary. We did the VIP experience (duh) and were able to do four rides and get a t-shirt.
What to Pack
Layers
Pack clothing suitable for layering, as New Zealand's weather can be changeable. Even in the summer months, bring a mix of lightweight and warm layers to stay comfortable in varying conditions. The temperature got pretty chilly in Lake Tekapo in the evenings.
Extra Socks and Undergarments
You can never have too many socks and undergarments, especially if you'll be engaging in outdoor activities. Pack extras to stay dry and comfortable throughout your trip.
Comfortable Sneakers
Opt for comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes for exploring New Zealand's scenic trails and urban streets. New Zealand is a pretty casual place, so prioritize comfort over style.
Sunscreen
Protect your skin from the strong New Zealand sun by packing a high SPF sunscreen. Apply regularly, especially if you'll be spending time outdoors.
My New Zealand Travel Essentials:
Inflatable Neck Pillow: Stay comfortable during long flights with an inflatable neck pillow for support and rest. It fits in a tiny pouch so doesn’t take up too much space in your carry-on.
Power Converters: Ensure your electronic devices stay charged with power converters compatible with New Zealand's electrical outlets. (These are also compatible with Australia, Fiji, China and Argentina for any future trips!)
Cute Athletic Zip-Up: Stay stylish and comfortable on hikes with a cute athletic zip-up jacket that's perfect for layering.
Rain Jacket: Invest in a quality rain jacket for your excursion to Milford Sound, where weather conditions can be unpredictable.
Apple AirTags: This was the first time in a while I brought checked luggage with me since we were gone for so many days and having the AirTags gave me peace of mind that my bag was always with me.
Light-Up Travel Mirror: This mirror folds up and lights up so if you need to take your contacts out or do skincare in your seat on the plane you don’t need to get up to go to the bathroom to do so. It was also helpful to always have a mirror for makeup no matter what our hotel or AirBnB setup was.
With these tips in mind, you're all good to go and have an unforgettable adventure in New Zealand.
We keep calling it the trip of a lifetime because it truly was. And if you’re looking for a full two week itinerary in New Zealand, check out my other recent post.
I hope you enjoyed this post and have a blast exploring Aotearoa!
yours,
Austen