New Zealand is a bucket list destination. It’s a country defined by mammoth national parks, captivating Māori culture and an up-for-anything attitude. If you’re looking to book a dream holiday to New Zealand, there are a couple of things to remember. Here are some tips to help you plan the trip of a lifetime, from when to book to the different types of expenses to consider.
How to plan your dream holiday to New Zealand
Planning a holiday to New Zealand requires careful consideration, especially when it comes to booking flights and accommodation. The timing for booking your trip depends on various factors such as when you want to visit, how much you want to spend and what you want to do when you get there.
Choose the right time of year to visit
The high season for tourism runs from December to March. Prices during this period tend to be more expensive and accommodation options can book up quickly. If you’re planning to travel during this time, we recommend booking at least 12 months ahead to secure the best deals and availability.
During the summer season, the days tend to be sunny and bright with temperatures hitting between 16°C and 24°C. This weather is ideal for exploring the lovely coastal towns and beaches or enjoying different outdoor activities including hiking and mountain biking.
During the winter months from May to September, the weather conditions in New Zealand can be both beautiful and challenging. As the temperatures cool most areas of the North Island will experience rainfall, and mountain ranges on both islands will become snow-capped. This makes the winter months (or low season) fantastic for skiers while offering travellers a chance to see the country when it’s less crowded.
If you’re flexible with your travel dates, consider booking your holiday to New Zealand during the ‘shoulder seasons’. March to May and September to November offer beautiful weather, fewer crowds as well and lower prices. In these cases, we’d suggest booking your trip around nine months in advance to ensure you get your pick of accommodation.
Choosing the right flights and transport in New Zealand
It’s a good idea to book your air travel as far in advance as you can. Typically long-haul flight schedules are released 11 months in advance, however, Silver Travel Advisor can often secure your flights earlier than this with advanced registration.
When you arrive in New Zealand, there are several transport options to help you see the most of this beautiful country. If you’re considering a campervan or car hire – great for getting off the beaten track – it’s wise to book these early as well.
For anyone interested in a cruise holiday around New Zealand, there are some wonderful tours that will take you from port to port. One can book cruises quite far in advance – some 2025 dates are already on sale.
Researching transport options and comparing prices will help you to gauge what will work best for you. If you have any questions or queries, Silver Travel Advisor can take the stress out of pre-planning – just speak to one of the team.
Planning, research and time to enjoy yourself
Half the fun of booking your holiday to New Zealand is in the planning. And being organised will guarantee you a spot if you want to take a popular tour like hiking the Milford Track or visiting Hobbiton.
Since you have to really go the distance to get to New Zealand, do make sure that once you’ve taken the time to get there, you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy yourself. We recommend spending at least two weeks exploring both the North and South Islands but ideally, to really make the most of your time and see things in a more relaxed way we’d advise spending three to four weeks in New Zealand.
Making your dream trip to New Zealand a reality
Planning your dream holiday to New Zealand might feel both exciting and a little overwhelming, particularly when it comes to booking your trip well in advance. However, if you work out what time of year you want to visit, how you want to get around and the experiences you want to tick off your bucket list, you’re halfway to making your dream holiday to New Zealand a reality.
If you’d like some help planning or booking your dream holiday to New Zealand many of the Silver Travel Advisor team have travelled there themselves and would be happy to share their expertise.
Call 0800 412 5678.
