NZ’s surprising rank in top 10 cheapest travel destinations

In Aprili Pure Turoa was granted a 10-year concession to operate Turoa skifield as the new owner and despite a being a low-snow season have had good feedback on their new business direction.
New Zealand Herald photograph by Mike Scott 14 August 2024
Travelling can be expensive but knowing where to go can save you a pretty penny.
A steady growth in living costs is making it harder to travel.
From backpacking in Southeast Asia to skipping touristy spots, more and more globetrotters are taking an interest in ‘budget-friendly travel’ – in order to travel the world without breaking the bank or going into debt.
Read more: Are you willing to go into debt for travel?
A recent study by overseas comparison service company Go.Compare studied Travelpac’s 2023 data on British holidaymakers’ expenses and calculated where travellers spend the most (and the least) during their trips, specifically on overnight accommodation.
The researchers then compared the findings for Europe with those for the rest of the world.
Perhaps surprisingly, New Zealand sneaked onto the list and was ranked fourth overall, sitting in between Turkey and Thailand.
The average cost per night stay in New Zealand was $183 (£85.94).
Travellers, especially nature lovers, are drawn to Aotearoa’s majestic landscapes, diverse cultural experiences, adrenaline options, and good food.
While the flight alone might cost a small fortune for anyone travelling from further afield than Australia, Go.Compare’s budget-friendly list has highlighted that New Zealand’s accommodation prices are surprisingly low – no doubt a positive for anyone keen to travel here.
More importantly, some of the country’s most popular attractions such as hiking in national parks, visiting beaches, and exploring the countryside come at little cost.
Topping the list for the most budget-friendly accommodation is India.
The cost for a two-week stay in India is about $1866 (£878), averaging at $133 (£62.73) per night.
People seeking a cheaper European holiday should visit Poland and Spain, which followed India on the list with $154 (£72.02) and $182 (£85.51) average costs per night respectively.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, travellers on a tight budget should steer clear of Nordic countries such as Iceland and Finland, since these top the list for the most expensive countries to visit, with accommodation averaging more than $425 (£200) per night.