New Zealand and how to save money while you are travelling in the most expensive countries in the world.
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Katerina, I am originally from Ukraine and my husband from England. A while ago we moved together to Cyprus and after some time of hard work, we decided to go travelling and see the world. We chose New Zealand, as we read before it is an amazing and magical country where people can travel around by Van. So we always wanted to try this style of travelling. New Zealand and Australia the most removed and some of the most expensive countries. So what is the best way to travel on a tide budget and not waste time waiting for your transport to arrive, accommodation to check in? Ready? Then listen, the secret is “BUY A DREAM VAN”😊
Before we went travelling we started to make plans and booked our flights, about six months ahead. Cost of our flights was not that cheap as to travel that far you have to pay. For two people we paid a 1000 euro, but it was directly 3 days and 2 nights travelling on the plane. So if you up to not be able to sleep couple nights then do that, if not, I would suggest you make small stops on the way, actually as we did on our way back to Cyprus.
After our long journey to New Zealand, we had arrived at the Auckland airport (North Island) but our plan was to start the trip from Christchurch (South Island). After taking some rest, on the next day we took another flight to Christchurch, where we started our hunting for our first ever Van (home) together 😋 To find a Van it is not an easy thing to do, many people in New Zealand and Australia try to sell very bad vehicles, which are old or got many problems. They bought them for the high price from dealers without knowing anything about vehicles and how much things should coast. So is everywhere you go, people try to lie and get benefits from you. The most important thing to tell you that in New Zealand by the law of freedom camping you have to buy a vehicle with self-contained. Which means that you need to have inside the van a portable toilet and a sink which built by special technology and got a certificate which you also can see on the vehicle. Sellers without “Self-Contained” will try to convince you that you do not really need that, but do not trust them!
Bits of Advice I can give you while choosing a Van is:
- Check properly a vehicle before you buy (in case you do not have a clue how to - invite a friend who knows better). Buy only “Self-Contained” Van!
- Ask as many questions as you can to make sure you are satisfied with answers (Every Van have problems! If Seller tells you that is no problems at all, probably you will find them after you will buy and drive away from civilisation :) So make sure you know everything!)
- Check online or by calling to the special organization (Road Tax Department or others), if Vehicle had any fines. Otherwise, it will stay with you!
- Make sure you have some sort of contact and copy of passport from the seller.
- Just be extremely cautious with people. Do not forget that they want to sell the vehicle and not make friends!
Haggle on price, there is no such thing as a fixed price.... it is also wise to find out when they are going to leave the country, as you will know how desperate they are to sell it and you can haggle an even better deal! if you do not do this, then you are guaranteeing that you will lose money, as the next person will haggle!
Hopefully, you will find my tips useful for you. Safe travels and happiness.
