Are you planning to visit New Zealand soon? That’s great! With stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and a diverse range of adventurous activities, New Zealand is a very common place available on everyone’s travel bucket list.
However, while you might be on the seventh cloud thinking of your next international gateway to New Zealand, you need to be aware and informed enough to ensure having the best trip of your life.
So, make sure to read this blog to the end and learn some essential travel tips for New Zealand.
11 Essential Travel Tips for Your Getaway to New Zealand
Before you embark on your beautiful journey to New Zealand, you must consider a few crucial tips to have the most amazing international gateway with your loved ones. So go through the following points to learn about the same:
1. Initiate the Visa Process Early
Individuals holding valid Indian passports must have a visa to enter the jurisdiction of New Zealand. Every year the place witnesses thousands of tourist footfalls and hence processing a New Zealand tourist visa can be time-consuming. In some cases, the process can last up to several weeks. Thus, it is always wise to start your visa application for New Zealand early once you ensure the travel dates.
2. Best Time to Visit
Speaking of the best time to visit New Zealand, you must remember that the seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore, New Zealand experiences winter from June to August, while the peak season is summer, which runs from December to February.
Needless to say, the prices go higher during summer, which is also the holiday season there. So, based on your preferences and places you wish to explore in New Zealand, you can decide when you would like to visit the place.
3. Research and Shortlist Places
New Zealand might be a small country, but there is so much more to explore than what you can expect. Therefore, no matter how much time you will have in this dreamy destination, you need to plan and shortlist the places you want to explore. Also, try to make a realistic travel itinerary that would enable you to have a memorable trip without getting overwhelmed.
4. Learn the Road Rules
To witness the mesmerising landscapes of New Zealand, you will have to go on a road trip. Thus, in case you rent a car for your family road trip, you must learn about the road rules followed in the country. This majorly includes driving on the left side of the road, and hence the steering wheel remains on the right side of the car. Apart from these, there are separate driving requirements for visitors including the kind of licence they should have, checking the driving conditions beforehand etc.
5. Enjoy the Local Cuisines
New Zealand features rich agricultural resources and diverse cultures that give rise to a range of delicious foods. While restaurants in a foreign land will always attract you, you must try some of their local cuisines to experience the multicultural food scenario. Some of the best places to try the local dishes of New Zealand include Rotorua, Auckland, West Coast, Queenstown, Kaikoura etc.
6. Get a Travel Insurance
Travel insurance should be a part of your travel arrangements. It is essentially true in the case of international trips, when unforeseen events like accidents, health issues, flight delays etc. can cost you a fortune. Thus, having travel insurance can provide you with adequate coverage to prevent you from facing financial loss, allowing you to focus on your trip.
7. Opt for Pre-Bookings
New Zealand is one of the most popular destinations in the world, which receives numerous people across the world during the holiday season. Therefore, it becomes quite difficult to book accommodations or caravans near the major attractions of the country. Thus, it is always advisable to opt for pre-bookings, which also allow you to settle at appealing rates.
8. Check Currency Exchange
The currency that works in this country is the New Zealand dollar. While credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted in different regions of the country, it is always wise to carry some cash, especially when you are travelling in remote areas. You can exchange funds in the airports, or else you will find several currency exchange bureaus in New Zealand, offering better exchange rates than airports.
9. Pack the Essentials
You should be prepared for the unpredictability of weather conditions when you are in New Zealand. Likewise, summer in New Zealand is essentially summer elsewhere in the world. Therefore, make sure to pack layers of dresses, including both short and long sleeves. Also, carry boots and necessary shoes for hiking. Apart from these, do not forget to bring the required gadgets like your mobile phones, portable chargers, cameras etc.
10. Plan the Commutes
Choosing the best means of transport to travel across New Zealand is a personal choice. The ideal transport option depends on factors like budget, timeframe and travel style. Thus, depending on these factors, you can go for public transport, like intercity buses and trains that connect the major cities of the country.
You can also opt for flights if you wish to cover long distances in a short period. Or else, you can go for guided tours, which is a stress-free way to explore the country.
11. Do Not Overplan
It is important to understand that you cannot visit or explore all the attractions in New Zealand. Regardless of the validity of your tourist visa, it won’t be possible to cover all the tourist destinations of the country. Therefore, you must consider making a realistic travel plan to ensure you explore and enjoy the places you have shortlisted.
The Bottom Line
To wrap it up, visiting New Zealand for the first time is a unique yet enhancing experience. However, this experience can be even more peaceful and hassle-free when you have everything properly planned. For that, you need to ensure you have researched the place well, opted for pre-bookings and most importantly bought a travel insurance plan. Nevertheless, do not forget to ensure the reliability of your shortlisted travel insurance providers and pack only the essentials with you on the trip.
