New Zealand travel guide
New Zealand packs mountains, lakes, volcanoes and coast into two islands that are easy to cross by road, ferry and rail. In a single trip you can sail from Auckland to Waiheke, soak in the geothermal pools of Rotorua, ride a gondola above Queenstown and look for penguins and albatross near Dunedin. The cities help to set the pace. Auckland and Wellington give you harbours, food, galleries and museums, Christchurch is the gateway to the Southern Alps, and Queenstown and Wanaka are the bases for adventure, hiking and skiing. Taupo, Rotorua and Dunedin are rewarding stops between them, each with its own landscape and character. Summer, from roughly December to February, is the main season for walking and the coast, while winter from June to September brings snow to the ski fields. It suits road trippers, hikers, couples and families alike, and distances are short enough to see a great deal without rushing. Plan the itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Wellington.
Visa for Indian passport holders
Visa required, apply before you fly.
Before you go to New Zealand
- Currency
- NZD $
- Emergency number
- 111
- Plug type
- Type I
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Bargaining
- Not expected
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay, EFTPOS
- ATM fees
- Most NZ bank ATMs are free; some independent ATMs charge NZD 2-3 for foreign cards.
Cities in New Zealand
- Queenstown The adventure capital of New Zealand, set on Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables. Bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving, skiing and wine…
- Auckland New Zealand's largest city, built on an isthmus dotted with volcanic cones and framed by two harbours. Gateway airport, vibrant food and…
- Rotorua The heart of North Island geothermal country and living Maori culture — bubbling mud pools, geysers at Te Puia, hangi and haka, and…
- Wellington The compact, hilly capital at the bottom of the North Island — home to Te Papa, the Beehive parliament, a historic cable car and a…
- Christchurch The largest South Island city, rebuilt after the 2010-11 earthquakes into a garden city of street art, a transitional cathedral and revived…
- Wanaka A relaxed alpine-lake town near Mount Aspiring National Park, famous for #ThatWanakaTree, the Roys Peak hike and easy access to skiing at…
- Taupo A lakeside resort town on Australasia's largest lake, in a super-volcanic caldera. Base for Huka Falls, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing,…
- Dunedin A Scottish-heritage university city on the Otago coast, with Edwardian architecture, the world's steepest street, a Victorian railway…
Frequently asked questions about New Zealand
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for New Zealand?
- Visa required, apply before you fly.
- What currency is used in New Zealand?
- The currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar ($). $1 is about ₹53.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in New Zealand?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in New Zealand?
- Tipping in New Zealand: not expected.
- Is tap water safe to drink in New Zealand?
- Tap water is safe.
- What plug type does New Zealand use?
- New Zealand uses Type I plugs.
- What is the emergency number in New Zealand?
- Emergency: 111. Police: 111. Ambulance: 111.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in New Zealand?
- SIM and eSIM available in New Zealand.
- What is the capital of New Zealand?
- The capital of New Zealand is Wellington. Time there: IST + 7 h 30 min.