How To Travel Cheap in New Zealand

Transport and accomodation are going to be your two greatest expenses. As well as international flights from Australia, domestic flights can be expensive too. This is where Imoova comes in, combining travel and accomodation costs into one!

At Imoova we offer car, campervan, and motorhome relocations from only $1 per day, all across New Zealand. You might be wondering 'what's a relocation?' Essentially, rental companies need their fleet moved after one way trips. Instead of putting the vehicles on a truck they put customers behind the wheel, giving them access to a luxury motorhome or vehicle at a fraction of the cost of a rental. It's a win-win for everyone involved!

We upload hundreds of listings daily on our website and they always get snapped up quickly. Depending on the urgency of the relocation the rental company can also offer fuel allowances so you can get anything from $50 to $800 reimbursed after your trip. You could visit Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington, Greymouth, Nelson, Picton & more. On the majority of listings the rental company will also reimburse the cost of the ferry crossing for the vehicle and driver. A road trip is hands down the best way to see New Zealand, with so many hidden gems unable to be accessed by public transport.

Another transport related tip is to use PetrolSpy when on the road, this site shows you all of the fuel stations near you along with the cost so you can always make sure you're getting the best possible price for your money.

Buses are the most common form of public transport used in New Zealand so be sure to utilise these wherever possible. They offer a 7 day fare cap where you can get unlimited travel by bus, train and inner-harbour ferries for no more than $50 a week.

If you do need a taxi download the DiDi app, it's similar to Uber but the prices are often lower and they offer regular discount codes and promotions.

If you do need to take a domestic flight, make sure to use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights for your chosen dates.

At Imoova we also have a free rideshare platform for travellers who are looking to hitch hike or pick up passengers. You can post a listing detailing where you want to go to & from along with your desired dates and drivers can also post their planned roadtrips. If you see a listing that looks like a good fit you can get in contact with each other via email. Check it out HERE.

If you're coming to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa or planning to stay for a few months, it could be worth signing up to supermarket rewards programs such as Everyday Rewards so that you can make the most of member prices on groceries.

For eating out, we recommend downloading apps such as Bookme, where you can get discounted rates at restaurants and bars in most New Zealand cities. Restaurants list deals throughout the day and you can pay as little as $2 for a 50% off coupon.

The app also works on attractions such as sky diving and boat tours. We also recommend sites like Klook who offer flash discounts on activities.

A lot of New Zealand's best attractions are natural and therefore free! With an Imoova relocation you can tick off attractions like Franz Josef Glacier, Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook. When in towns and cities make the most of free museums and art galleries! Auckland Art Gallery, City Gallery Wellington and Christchurch Arts Centre are a few good ones.

As always, booking as far in advance as possible is going to get you the best rates. AirBnb's will usually offer discounts if you are staying for longer than a week. Booking.com also offer mobile only discounts. Also check out Hostel World, if you're not keen on being in a dorm room then private rooms are usually priced reasonably too, especially when splitting costs as a pair.

You could also look for work for accommodation arrangements (also known as WWOOFing), for example working for a few hours a week at a hostel in return for a free room. You could also give couch surfing a go, but exercise caution and ensure you're in a safe environment. House sitting is becoming increasingly popular, with locals looking for someone to look after their pets/home while they are away in return for free accomodation. If you're an animal lover this could be a win-win!