Budget Tours & Trips to New Zealand South Island
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10 best cheap New Zealand South Island tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaNew Zealand South Island travel expert at TourRadar
- Ski Voyager
- South Island Snow Safari
- New Zealand South Island Express
- 15-day Southern Kiwi Small Group Tour
- 8-day Southern Secrets Small Group Tour
- South Island Snow Safari in reverse
- 8-day Southern Crossing Small Group Tour
- Southern Round Up Hop-On Hop-Off
- Budget Christchurch Loop - 7 days
- Budget South Island Explorer - 14 days
South Island getaway priced at approx. $180 daily includes shared hostel stays and daily breakfasts. Optional add-ons feature ski passes from $120, Franz Josef heli-hiking, and Southern Alps skydiving from $300. Comfortable transport comes with WiFi and leather seating.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Franz Josef Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Price Per Day $177 Operator Wild Kiwi From
- US$1,241+$186 upfront costs
South Island Snow Safari
36 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great itinerary, group size is small, accommodation all clean and cosy, gear renting was easy and affordable.”
AnnaSeibert, traveled in September
Ski enthusiasts' South Island tour at approx. $220 daily includes 6 lift passes and breakfast. Mt Hutt's extensive terrain and Queenstown's peaks await, with guided mountain access and accommodation in key ski towns.
Duration 8 days Destinations Christchurch, Mount Hutt, Lake Tekapo, Lake Ohau, Lake Wanaka, Wanaka, Cardrona, Queenstown, The Remarkables Age Range 18 to 65 year olds Price Per Day $215 Operator Haka Tours From
- US$1,720
Duration 8 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Hokitika, Greymouth Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $194 Operator Intrepid Travel From
- US$1,555
South Island tour at approx. $130 daily features multi-share stays at Rainforest Retreat and Hawea Hotel. Activities include Hanmer Springs thermal pools, Marlborough wine tasting, and Milford Sound cruise. Daily breakfasts with dietary options available.
Duration 15 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park, Hanmer Springs, Franz Josef, Lake Hawea, Queenstown, Milford Sound Age Range 18 to 49 year olds Price Per Day $130 Operator Kiwi Experience From
- US$1,949
South Island adventure costs approx. $120 daily with stays at Hotel Give and Dusky Lodge. Featuring Marlborough wine tasting, Hanmer Springs thermal pools entry, daily breakfasts, plus guided tours of Tawanui Farm and Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park.
Duration 8 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park, Hanmer Springs Age Range 18 to 49 year olds Price Per Day $122 Operator Kiwi Experience From
- US$974
South Island Snow Safari in reverse
36 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing Tour...it is such a great way to discover the Aotearoa snow without the hassle. Best way to do a snow holiday in New Zealand in my opinion.”
Marie, traveled in August
Premium ski tour at approx. $220 daily covers South Island's best ski fields. Package includes lift passes for The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cardrona, Treble Cone, Ohau, and Mt Hutt. Shared accommodation with breakfast and expert guiding provided.
Duration 8 days Destinations Queenstown, The Remarkables, Cardrona, Wanaka, Ohau, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch Age Range 18 to 65 year olds Price Per Day $215 Operator Haka Tours From
- US$1,720
Affordable South Island tour at approx. $140 daily includes stays at Rainforest Retreat and Hawea Hotel. Visitors enjoy Lake Matheson walks, Church of the Good Shepherd visits, and Devils Punchbowl hiking trails.
Duration 8 days Destinations Christchurch, Franz Josef, Lake Hawea, Queenstown, Milford Sound Age Range 18 to 49 year olds Price Per Day $136 Operator Kiwi Experience From
- US$1,089
Budget-friendly South Island tour at approx. $50 daily includes Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Cape Foulwind seal colony visits. Accommodations at Kaiteri Lodge and Nomads Queenstown, with Lake Matheson and Mount John walks included.
Duration 10 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park, Westport, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo Age Range up to 45 year olds Price Per Day $47 Operator Kiwi Experience From
- US$467
This 6-night South Island tour runs approx. $260 per day with social hostel stays. Highlights include Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks, Abel Tasman National Park, and Marlborough wine region. Luxury transport with Wi-Fi, 6 breakfasts, and expert local guide included.
No departure dates availableDuration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Punakaiki, Lewis Pass, Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson, Marlborough, Kaikoura Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $0 Operator On The Go Tours 
South Island adventure costs approx. $260 daily, with dorm accommodations and guided transport. Highlights include Church of the Good Shepherd visits and Cape Foulwind seal watching. Optional add-ons await in Queenstown and Franz Josef.
No departure dates availableDuration 14 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Punakaiki, Abel Tasman National Park, Marlborough, Kaikoura Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $0 Operator On The Go Tours
Budget Tours & Trips to New Zealand South Island Reviews
- South Island Snow Safari
Incredible experience, Burto was an amazing guide who went above and beyond for the whole group, would definitely go back again and recommend haka tours for anybody wanting a great tour
- New Zealand South Island Express
Great tour! We got to see so many places in such a short amount of time, and I had a great time. Made some friends during the whole time! Will be heading to see the North Island next year! I’m already looking forward to exploring! ??
- NZ Adventure South
Not too bad, just Nomad’s hostel was bad
What our customers ask about Budget Tours & Trips to New Zealand South Island
When is the most affordable time to visit New Zealand South Island on a budget tour?
The best deals for South Island tours emerge during May-June or September-October. These shoulder seasons bring lower prices for both tours and places to stay. Winter (June-August) offers good value for non-skiing activities around Queenstown and Wanaka. A TourRadar traveler shared: "I went in September and it was perfect - fewer tourists lower prices and still got to see everything while saving money." Expect peak rates during the summer months of December through February.
Which regions offer the best value for budget travelers?
Lake Tekapo Franz Josef and Wanaka stand out for their mix of free activities and reasonably priced places to stay. Budget travelers can find good deals at spots like the Hawea Hotel in Lake Hawea or Lakefront Lodge in Tekapo. A TourRadar reviewer noted: "Wanaka was perfect for budget travelers - we could hike Mount Iron and enjoy Lake Wanaka without spending much." These areas combine natural attractions with wallet-friendly amenities.
How much should I budget for optional activities?
Set aside 200-400 USD for extra activities. Popular choices include bungy jumping in Queenstown (180 USD) glacier heli-hikes at Franz Josef (350 USD) or kayaking on Lake Wanaka (75 USD). From a TourRadar traveler: "Having an extra 300 USD for activities was perfect - allowed me to do skydiving in Wanaka while keeping other days budget-friendly."
What's the average daily budget needed for meals not included on tours?
Plan to spend 40-50 USD daily for meals outside your tour package. While tours usually cover breakfast and some group dinners you'll need money for other meals. Budget-conscious travelers often mix dining at places like Queenstown's Fergburger with supermarket meals. A TourRadar traveler shared: "there are plenty of affordable food options in towns like Wanaka and Franz Josef with meals ranging from 10-25 USD."
What type of accommodation is typically provided on budget tours in New Zealand South Island?
Budget tours typically put travelers in shared dorm rooms at hostels and lodges. Places like Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef and Hotel Give in Christchurch offer clean shared spaces with good amenities. A TourRadar traveler confirmed: "the hostels were clean and cozy with great facilities for drying ski gear." Some tours let you upgrade to private rooms for an extra cost.
What essential activities are typically included in budget tour packages?
Standard inclusions cover the main attractions: Milford Sound cruise Christchurch city tours hiking in national parks and visits to landmarks like Lake Tekapo's Church of the Good Shepherd. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The included Milford Sound cruise and Franz Josef Glacier valley walk were absolute highlights that didn't require extra spending."