The Prices of Self Drive Tours to New Zealand
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For travelers who love the freedom of the open road, self-drive tours through New Zealand offer the perfect way to explore the region on your own terms. These tours allow you to rent a car or campervan and set your own itinerary, giving you the flexibility to stop wherever and whenever you want. Whether you're cruising along scenic coastal highways, exploring hidden gems off the beaten path, or enjoying the freedom to take spontaneous detours, self-drive tours are all about flexibility and adventure. In this article, we'll explore the costs of self-drive tours in New Zealand, highlight some of the best options, and share the destinations that are ideal for a road trip adventure.
To help you find the perfect self-drive experience through New Zealand, we've thoroughly researched a range of tours. By comparing price ranges, tour quality, included routes, and the overall experience, we've identified the best value options for those who prefer to navigate their own journey. Whether you're seeking a short scenic drive or a longer road trip across multiple regions, these tours offer the perfect balance of independence, exploration, and adventure. So, grab your keys, start the engine, and get ready to hit the road on an unforgettable journey.
Why does New Zealand appeal to self-driving visitors?
New Zealand's scenic routes and varied attractions make it a perfect destination for self-drive tours. Exploring at your own pace allows stops at charming towns, wilderness areas, and smaller interesting spots that you come across along the way. Fiordland National Park is known for its world renowned hiking trails and stunning natural environments. Queenstown, Paihia, and Auckland are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. The well-maintained roads and breathtaking landscapes create an unforgettable driving experience.
How much do self drive tours in New Zealand cost?
The average price per day for self drive tours in New Zealand is $212, based on our analysis of 10 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $128 to $263 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $175 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $244 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in New Zealand
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable self drive tours in New Zealand average $175 per day, with daily prices from $128 to $200. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Milford Sound Spectacular - 7 Day Self Drive tour here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical self drive tours in New Zealand that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $216 per day. Daily prices range from $203 to $224. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is West Coast Explorer (with TranzAlpine) - 3 Day Self Drive Tour.
Luxury Tours
Luxury self drive tours in New Zealand average around $216 per day, with daily costs ranging from $231 to $263. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is New Zealand Grand - 14 Day Self Drive Tour.
Which tour companies offer self drive tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer self drive tours in New Zealand. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company that focuses on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.
See All Tours from Discover New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand Travel Company
Focusing on Australia and New Zealand, Australia and New Zealand Travel Company is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Australia and New Zealand Travel Company
Self Drive Destinations in New Zealand
Wondering where self drive tours visit in New Zealand? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island. It's a nice city with amazing hikes and biking trails. There are beautiful outdoor spaces, parks, and gardens. Many visitors enjoy the city's rich English heritage, and punting along the Avon River is a favorite activity.
Queenstown
Queenstown is located on the banks of Lake Wakatipu near the Southern Alps in New Zealand. It is a high adventure destination with many activities for thrill seekers. There are also vineyards in the area, bungee jumping, and world class hikes. Whether you want to enjoy skiing in the winter or boating in the summer, there is no shortage of activities here.
Wellington
Wellington is the small and vibrant capital city of New Zealand. It's located on the southern end of the North Island, and many visitors pass through it on their way from one island to the other. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and there are many beaches in the area.
Auckland
Auckland is a waterfront city that is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand. It's spread out between the Manukau Harbour and the Waitemata Harbour, and there's a compact city centre with a number of landmarks and attractions. For many visitors, it's the point of arrival or departure to the country.
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Other popular destinations for self drive tours through New Zealand include Franz Josef, Greymouth, Wanaka, Coromandel, and Masterton.
Which is cheaper?
Are guided self drive tours worth the money compared to independent travel? It depends on the specifics. Tours combine accommodations, meals, transport, tickets, and activities into a single cost, while independent travelers manage and pay for these individually. To determine which is more affordable, compare the tour's total price with what you'd spend booking everything separately. Preferences like staying in low-cost lodging or indulging in fine dining can influence whether a tour costs more or less. Make sure to check out the tour package to see what is included, or not, very carefully before deciding.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Historical Tours in New Zealand, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in New Zealand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in New Zealand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in New Zealand, The Best Cultural Tours in New Zealand, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in New Zealand, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in New Zealand, The Tours for Animal Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Photography Tours in New Zealand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, The Best Walking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, or The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Christchurch, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Wellington, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Queenstown, The Best 10-Day Tours from Christchurch, The Best 10-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Wellington, The Best 2-Week Tours from Auckland, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Christchurch for more package tour options.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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