A honeymoon in New Zealand can sound like a luxury that requires a massive budget. Flights from India, expensive accommodation, car rentals and adventure activities can quickly push the cost into several lakhs. One Indian couple, however, has shown that careful planning can make the trip considerably more manageable.
The couple recently shared a detailed account of their 13-day New Zealand honeymoon, revealing that they spent Rs 5.93 lakh in total. Their original research suggested that a similar holiday could cost more than Rs 9 lakh for two people. They had set themselves a maximum budget of Rs 7 lakh. In the end, they managed to stay more than Rs 1 lakh below that limit. Their experience has now caught the attention of social media users, particularly those planning an international honeymoon or a New Zealand holiday.
Couple Had A Rs 7 Lakh Budget
We did a 2-week New Zealand honeymoon for ₹5.93 lakh as an Indian couple — here’s the full breakdown
by
u/travelplanninglab in
InternationalTravelIN
The couple travelled from India to New Zealand in late March and early April this year. Before making their bookings, they came across several estimates suggesting that a two-week New Zealand trip for a couple could cost Rs 8-9 lakh or even more. That figure made them question whether they could experience the country in the way they wanted. Instead of abandoning the idea, they decided to plan the trip carefully and make deliberate choices about where to spend and where to save.
“We did a two-week honeymoon in New Zealand from India in late March-early April this year,” the couple wrote in a social media post.
They explained that they had initially kept their expectations within a Rs 7 lakh budget.
“Before the trip, we kept seeing estimates of Rs 8-9 lakh+ for a couple, while our budget was capped at Rs 7 lakh. So we weren’t sure we’d be able to do the trip the way we wanted. With a lot of planning and some deliberate trade-offs, our final spend came to Rs 5.93 lakh.”
Flights Were The Biggest Expense
International airfare accounted for a significant portion of the overall spending. The couple spent Rs 2.24 lakh on flights during the trip. Their airfare covered the journey from Delhi to Auckland and the return journey from Queenstown to Delhi. They also took a domestic flight between Auckland and Christchurch.
For an international honeymoon covering both New Zealand islands, flights can quickly become one of the largest expenses. The couple’s itinerary involved multiple cities and regions, making the flight cost an important part of their planning.
They also spent Rs 30,000 on their New Zealand visa. Interestingly, the couple chose not to purchase non-refundable flight tickets before their visa was approved. They said they followed the guidance provided by Immigration New Zealand and instead submitted supporting documents with their application.
“We weren’t sure whether to book flights before applying. We followed Immigration New Zealand’s guidance and didn’t purchase non-refundable tickets before the visa was approved. Instead, we submitted a detailed one-page itinerary with our application along with a cover letter,” they said, adding the visa was delivered in five working days.
They Explored Both Islands
The 13-day itinerary covered several popular destinations across New Zealand’s North and South Islands. Their journey included places such as Auckland, Christchurch, Mount Cook, Waitomo and Milford Sound, among other locations. Covering such a wide range of destinations in less than two weeks required considerable planning.
Accommodation was another major component of their budget. Rather than choosing expensive hotels throughout the trip, the couple stayed in Airbnbs. Their accommodation cost came to Rs 87,000. The decision helped them manage their overall expenses without completely cutting back on the travel experience.
They Did Not Skip Experiences To Save Money
One of the more interesting aspects of their trip was their approach to budgeting. The couple said they did not want to turn their honeymoon into a trip where they avoided experiences simply because they were expensive. Instead, they focused on making several smaller decisions that collectively helped them stay within budget.
“We didn’t try to make the trip “budget-friendly” by skipping experiences. For us, staying under Rs 6 lakh was more about the cumulative effect of a lot of planning decisions than finding one magical deal,” they said.
This approach offers an important lesson for travellers. Saving money on an international trip does not necessarily mean eliminating the activities that make the journey memorable. Accommodation choices, flight planning, itinerary design and food expenses can all influence the final bill.
Couple Carried Food From India
Food was another area where the couple planned ahead. They carried items such as Maggi, snacks and ready-to-eat food from India. However, they also highlighted an important point about travelling with food to New Zealand. The couple said they declared the items honestly through the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD).
“Declaring an item doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t bring it into New Zealand. It means you’re being upfront about what you’re carrying and allowing a biosecurity officer to assess it,” they added.
Their advice attracted attention because New Zealand has strict biosecurity rules. Travellers carrying food and other potentially restricted items need to declare them rather than assume that an item is automatically permitted. For the couple, being transparent was an important part of their travel preparation.
Social Media Users Praise Their Detailed Breakdown
The detailed post received a positive response online. Several users appreciated the couple for sharing the actual cost of their trip instead of simply posting pictures from the honeymoon. One user commented, “Very reasonable trip. Kudos,” while another said, “Thank you for sharing such an informative travel guide on New Zealand. The details you included were really useful, and I appreciate you taking the time to put this together.”
The couple’s advice about declaring food also received support. “The advice regarding Biosecurity NZ is spot on. If in doubt, always declare, because you will definitely be caught otherwise. This also includes any food from the flight you might be carrying with you,” a third user commented.
Another traveller spoke about their own experiences in the country, saying, “It’s an extremely beautiful country. We actually went multiple times (across multiple seasons) because of how much we liked it. While the North Island is quite nice and all, the South is something else entirely. All our subsequent trips have been South Island only.”
What Their Rs 5.93 Lakh Trip Shows
The couple’s New Zealand honeymoon is a useful example of how international travel budgets can vary significantly depending on planning. Their final spending of Rs 5.93 lakh was considerably lower than the Rs 8-9 lakh estimates they had initially encountered.
They did not rely on one extraordinary discount. Instead, their savings came from a combination of choices. They planned their itinerary carefully, stayed in Airbnbs, considered flight bookings around the visa process and managed their food expenses. At the same time, they travelled across both islands and visited several major destinations. They also made it clear that saving money did not mean removing experiences from their honeymoon.
For Indian couples dreaming of a New Zealand honeymoon, their experience offers a simple takeaway. A trip that initially looks unaffordable may become more achievable when every major expense is planned in advance. Their Rs 5.93 lakh, 13-day New Zealand trip may not represent the cost for every traveller, but it shows how thoughtful planning and realistic trade-offs can make a major difference to the final holiday bill.
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