Can you do New Zealand in 11 days?

This self-drive tour covers the North and South islands, ideal for travelers who want to see a lot in 11 days while maintaining control of their schedule. You'll explore New Zealand's largest, most diverse city, Auckland, and slowly make your way down to Queenstown, surrounded by The Remarkables.



People Also Ask

For a 10-day trip, we recommend visiting up to four or five different destinations. Our 10-day itinerary locations are some of the most popular: Auckland the City of Sails, Wellington the cultural, art and food capital, and Queenstown the home of world-class adrenaline activities.

MORE DETAILS

How long does it take to travel New Zealand? New Zealand is a relatively compact country, so you can see most of the country's highlights in two weeks. To explore more of the regions and get off the beaten track, you could easily spend three weeks or more exploring.

MORE DETAILS

Five days may seem short, but allows for an eventful adventure through New Zealand. Since there is not much time, it is ideal to travel within the South Island or the North Island—which budgets for a successful road trip with a few scenic stops.

MORE DETAILS

As a multiple journey visa holder you can visit New Zealand as a tourist for up to 6 months in a 12-month period. The 12-month period is calculated backwards from the last day you intend to be in New Zealand.

MORE DETAILS

Is New Zealand expensive to visit? New Zealand isn't cheap! Activities, car rentals and accommodations can really add up, making a trip to New Zealand very expensive. Eating in Aotearoa, whether in restaurants or even buying things from the grocery store, can be pricy as many of their goods are imported.

MORE DETAILS

Seeing New Zealand in 1 week is possible, but it will require early starts and long days. Personally, I'd ditch the car idea and fly between four major stops - Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown - to save time.

MORE DETAILS

Generally speaking, if you want to engage with city culture or explore Maori history, the North Island is for you. If you want to deep-dive into nature, the South Island has plenty of lakes, mountains, fjords, and glaciers to discover.

MORE DETAILS

You don't need to drive to see New Zealand. Take the bus or train and you can enjoy the same scenery without the responsibility of driving in an unfamiliar environment. In some places you can travel by ferry. Travelling by plane is quick and convenient.

MORE DETAILS

Do US citizens need a visa to visit New Zealand? No, USA citizens do not require a traditional visa from New Zealand from USA and may instead apply for an ETA. for purposes of tourism. If traveling for purposes other than tourism or those listed for the New Zealand ETA you will need to apply for the appropriate Visa.

MORE DETAILS

Allow a minimum of three weeks. Any less than that, and I encourage you to focus on only one country. Five weeks would give you time to see three different areas of Australia without feeling rushed — Sydney, Uluru/Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef is a popular grouping.

MORE DETAILS

The cost of living in New Zealand, for one person in a major city, is between NZ$3,000-NZ$4,000 per month. A family of four can expect to need NZ$5,000-NZ$6,000 per month to live.

MORE DETAILS

  • One-week New Zealand South Island travel itinerary at a glance.
  • Destination 1: Queenstown and its surroundings.
  • Destination 2: Fiordland National Park.
  • Destination 3: Wanaka, Hawea, and Mount Aspiring National Park.
  • Destination 4: Mount Cook National Park.
  • Important tips for your New Zealand road trip.


MORE DETAILS

The South Island is very different from the North Island. For starters it's larger than the North Island and generally considered more beautiful. It also has gorgeous coastline, though it's best known for the many mountains and fjords that define its inland.

MORE DETAILS