How much money should one budget per day when backpacking around New Zeland.?

Question

Only in terms of all meals and hostel prices on average (meals in hostel and supermarkets. I just would like to know the living cost per day so I can budget how long I can be over there before it's time to find a job.

Answer 1

It really depends on how frugal you want to be. I went to New Zealand with $1000 USD and was able to live for about a month before I had to find a job (before I learned to be frugal). The hostels can be quite cheap, especially if you pay a long term fee (monthly if you are going to be staying in the same city for a long time). For example, I think I paid about 80 USD per week for a hostel I was living at in Wellington which was around 140NZD (if I remember correctly). I also found that if you were moving to a different city and the hostel company you were staying with had a hostel in that city location you were headed, you could sometimes receive a discount for booking through them. In addition, you can save a ton of money by purchasing your food from the grocery store. Cooking meals saves a lot of money! Also I packed things from home that I knew would be expensive overseas (since they are an island things are more expensive), such as toothpaste and razors. I also packed food I had at home to save on a little money (ex.. microwave popcorn, granola bars, etc. ). Another way to save money would be to buy beer at the grocery store before you go out! Or find the happy hour in town and stick to that for having a good time!

Anyways, your living cost per day completly depends on how frugal you are! I would say, I spent no more than 10 dollars a day (not including my hostel). I would suggest you hook up with a temp agency as soon as you find the city you want to stay in, and just work a few days a week. This will allow you time to enjoy the city without completly depleting your nest egg. Wouldnt you rather work just a few days a week than have to work 6 days a week because you spent all your money in the first month??

Answer 2

If you do not drink or smoke allow at least £10 per day, if you like an odd tipple, packet of f**s, music concert etc make it £15 per day.

Answer 3

If you are going to do it on the cheap, $50 bucks a day would be more than enough. It just depends what you want to do really, but you could get by on $30 if you were frugal.