New Zealand? Shall I or shan't I?

So, I'm about to commence a 6 month career break, starting September, first destination in Sri Lanka and then I'll do the remainder of SEA..... Rough budget is £6000 for the 6 months. I would love to go to NZ because I've heard such amazing things but my dilemma is budget. I hope to buy a house in the uk when I return, so hoping not to break the bank traveling...........

Question:

Roughly how much would I need to budget for 3-4 week stay doing both islands? I'll do hostels and bus....few activities.....

Second I presume according to the visa website that I can get a visa on arrival as from the uk? So I could decide to go mid travel dependant on funds......

Lastly...... If I was able to afford it, what bus companies do you recommend for a young solo traveler? And how far in advance do these need to be booked?

Thanks in advance......

Your £1,000 per month translates into $NZ500 per week, which is skinny but not unrealistic, and will require sleeping in hostel dorm rooms, self-catering almost all the time, and travelling by bus.

Fortunately, both the hostel network (YHA and BBH) and the bus system are very good. Buses include InterCity, Naked, Newman's, and Atomic Shuttle. I don't know the details of passes and other deals they have ... will just take some research.

If this trip is likely to happen between January and March, then it is peak season, and hostels do fill (we've had three NZ holidays in summer in the last eight years, and we always used hostels where available - they were busy). I can't advise on the need to make reservations for bus seats.

If you can make it four weeks, that would be good, with about 8/10 days in the North Island, and 18/20 days in the South. It is a beautiful country indeed, and I would recommend it strongly.

UK passport holders can enter NZ for up to 6 months WITHOUT a visa. Not the sesame as visa on arrival.

If you miss out on going to New Zealand, you are doing yourself a disservice. Only the blissfully ignorant can skip that place without regret. If I could only go to one more country for the rest of my life it would be NZ without a doubt

<what bus companies do you recommend for a young solo traveler? >
Have you tried the usual suspects -Kiwi Experience, Stray & Haka Tours? All offer passes over a fixed route of varying length. Try to choose a pass that is 1/2 to 3/4 as long as the time you have (e.g. 15-20 days) so you can spend 2 N in places you like.

Once you decide to come to nz (you really should!) definatly start booking, i.e. hostels, buses ! November to March is peak tourist season but this years tourist flow hasn't really cut off.

As i assume you are not working and you hold a UK passport, you come under the visa waver and can enter and travel New Zealand for up to 6 months without a visa (You'll need to have a ticket out of new zealand and enough money to support yourself while in the country. more visa info.

The Abel tasman in the south island is a must see!

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