We understand that you probably have many questions about your dream journey to New Zealand. Below you can find answers to frequently asked questions for friends travelling to New Zealand. Have a read and get in touch with our travel specialists to answer any further questions you may have.
New Zealand is best experienced when you stay with the locals. Imagine a cottage on a rural vineyard. A charming bed and breakfast. A beachfront house. A modern holiday house perched on a hill. A lakeside lodge. Glamping in the midst of nature.
Our carefully selected down-to-earth hosts will make you feel at home with their welcoming Kiwi hospitality. Get to know them over dinner. Or join them for a tour of the farm or vineyard. Sometimes dinner is included and breakfast is often supplied. We can also recommend the best restaurants and cafes in each region or organise accommodation with a fully equipped kitchen or barbecue.
We have a range of accommodation available from comfortable to pure luxury. Choose from a quirky bed and breakfast from £150 per night to a luxury lodge from £500 per night. We don’t recommend staying in hostels. We can ensure that you will always have your own private bathroom.
We can select accommodation that has enough bedrooms and bathrooms to suit your group of friends.
To make the most out of your holiday, we recommend a self-drive holiday in New Zealand. You have complete freedom to travel wherever you want and discover hidden gems, far away from mass-tourism. It allows you to stay in small-scale accommodation and meet the locals. Wanting a break from driving? We can organise domestic flights or scenic train journeys for parts of your trip.
To travel to 99% of our accommodation in New Zealand, you won’t need a 4WD. But there are plenty of roads within national parks that can be only visited with a 4WD. If you enjoy driving across dirt roads, then a 4WD could be a good option for you.
Yes, New Zealand roads are simply beautiful and easy to drive. There isn’t a lot of traffic so you can enjoy a relaxed pace, have time to soak up the spectacular scenery and stop by the river for a picnic lunch.
The driving distance between each accommodation is generally 2 to 4 hours and you will generally stay at each place for 2 to 4 nights. This enables you to completely enjoy the best of New Zealand while travelling at a relaxed pace. There are too many amazing things to see and you don’t want to be stuck in a car for hours and hours.
We normally recommend a large SUV for groups of four. However, if two couples are travelling together, you might want to have two small SUVs. This can be for the whole time or for sections of your journey. Sharing one car is cheaper but having two cars provides more flexibility.
Yes, in our standard rate, two drivers per car are included. Extra drivers can be arranged when collecting the car, at an extra cost.
The average flight time to New Zealand is between 25 and 30 hours including a short stopover but this depends on the airline.
This depends on you. We can make it as fast as possible with a short connection in Asia or add a couple of days' stopover in a metropole like Singapore, Hong Kong or Dubai. We can select the best flight times for you with only one stop on your way to New Zealand.
Generally, we choose to travel with Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Air New Zealand. However, we have contracts with all the major airline companies. We will ensure you fly with a suitable airline to enhance your journey.
Yes, you can. We also can arrange a New Zealand holiday without flights.
Our two favourite and most popular stopover destinations are Hong Kong and Singapore. This is because of the convenient location of both cities. You’re already half-way to your destination and both cities offer plenty of opportunities for exploring, sightseeing, shopping and relaxing. If you have more time, you can consider stopping over in Bali, the Cook Islands or Fiji. Each a tropical haven with friendly locals, exotic cuisine and stunning beaches.
As a tour operator, it’s only possible to book return flights on fixed dates. If you want to book an open date return flight, we recommend to book it directly with your preferred airline. Please note: You will not be able to enter New Zealand on a one-way ticket on a tourist visa.
Yes, we can reserve your seats next to each other well in advance. We recommend booking early for the best options.
We will select the best suitable flight schedule. During your stopover, we will organise a hotel stay or a day room at the airport, so you can shower, rest and relax. We will ensure that you arrive relaxed in New Zealand. This will all help you get used to the time difference.
It very much depends on your interests and fitness level. From authentic cultural experiences, wildlife encounters, meetings with the locals, kayaking, wine tours, cycling and sailing trips, sightseeing flights and more. Our focus is on nature conservation and small-scale locally owned companies. We can also arrange private tours if you wish. Check here for more suggestions.
Yes, we have a 24/7 emergency number you can call in case of an emergency. Our local hosts are also there to assist you if you need. We work directly with all of our hosts in New Zealand, so if anything were to happen, we can act fast if necessary.
Yes, overall it’s a safe destination to visit. New Zealand has a low crime rate and generally, New Zealanders live a safe lifestyle. And Kiwis are renowned for being friendly. Of course, we still recommend using your common sense as you would if you were at home.
Yes, we recommend Fiji and the Cook Islands as a tropical ending of your journey Down Under. The best time to visit these beautiful and remote islands in the South Pacific is between April to October.
New Zealand is well known for its native birds including the iconic Kiwi, Kea and Albatross. You can also have close encounters with marine life such as whales, dolphins, seals and penguins.
You need at least three weeks in New Zealand to make your journey worthwhile. Travelling for 5 to 6 weeks allows you to see both islands. If you have less time, you can choose one island or see a few regions of both islands.
We recommend a relaxed travel pace, instead of rushing past all the highlights and returning home exhausted. Spend 2-4 nights at each location and discover each place through the eyes of the locals.
Yes! Winter in New Zealand is beautiful. It is less crowded and the snow-capped mountains are stunning. Go skiing in the South Island and in the North Island, you might even find yourself walking outside in a t-shirt. We can help you select regions and activities that are best suited to the wintertime.
Christmas time is New Zealand's peak season, Kiwis are enjoying their 6-week summer school holidays during this time. You can expect it to be more crowded and expensive than in other months. It’s strongly recommended to book 9-12 months in advance if you would like to travel during this period.
If you book your holiday in advance, we can organise the best route, accommodations and activities for the best price. We will do all the work for you to create your dream holiday. If you travel on the go, you will stay at the last choice/leftover accommodations and often there is no availability.
You may also not be able to join an activity because it is full. Booking last-minute domestic flights are also generally more expensive than pre-booked flights. If you want to make the most out of your holiday, please contact us.
We work with small-scale accommodation and activity suppliers, therefore, they are generally fully booked very quickly. We recommend booking your journey to New Zealand 9 to 12 months in advance. Of course, we can organise a trip 3 months before departure but the options might be limited and ticket prices may be higher than expected.
Every holiday we create is personalised to individual wants and interests. Providing small-scale, hand-selected accommodation and personal activities, all tailored into wonderful and perfectly organised journeys. We are New Zealanders, or have lived and worked there and have plenty of experience travelling New Zealand with our own children. Our local knowledge makes the difference.
Yes, please take a look at our destination day page here.
Please be aware that some remote accommodations, Downunder have limited WiFi access or none at all. In some places, you may also need to pay for WiFi and internet access. This, of course, varies from accommodation to accommodation.
We specialize in personalised journeys. We don’t offer group holiday packages, however, we can include day trips or multi-day activities with small groups within your itinerary.
This depends on your choice of level of comfort, flights and time of travel. Please take a look at some of our suggested journeys to get an idea of the possibilities.
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 0900 until 2100. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.
020 36 95 95 69
