Travel Planning Step by Step

New Zealand is at the other end of the world — good preparation makes the difference between a good and a great trip. Here is the proven planning process:

12–6 Months Before

• Set travel time: New Zealand summer (Dec–Feb) for guaranteed weather, autumn (March–May) for the best value, winter (Jun–Aug) for skiing. Consider New Zealand school holidays and public holidays: Christmas to the end of January is peak season.
• Book flights: 4–6 months in advance for the best prices. Check open-jaw tickets (e.g., Auckland in, Christchurch out) — saves a domestic flight and the return trip.
• Book Great Walks: Milford Track and Routeburn Track are bookable from June for the next season and sell out quickly. Tongariro Northern Circuit and Abel Tasman Coast Track are less crowded. Booking on doc.govt.nz.
• Apply for NZeTA: Apply for the electronic travel authorization (52–58 NZD) at least 72 hours before departure, ideally when booking flights.

6–3 Months Before

• Book campervan or rental car: Popular models (self-contained campervans with shower/WC) are quickly snapped up in peak season. Keep an eye on relocation deals (Transfercar.co.nz) — from 1 NZD/Day if you transfer a vehicle in the right direction.
• Book accommodations for the first and last nights: At least book the arrival night in Auckland and the departure night — after 24+ hours of flying, you don't want to search for a hostel.
• Get travel insurance: ABSOLUTELY get international health insurance with repatriation. New Zealand's ACC (accident insurance) only covers accidents, not illnesses. Adventure activities (bungy, skydive) must be included in the policy — some standard insurances exclude them!
• International driver's license: Apply at the citizen's office (approx. 15 €, issued immediately). Mandatory in New Zealand as a supplement to the German driver's license — without it, the insurance won't pay in case of an accident.

3–1 Month Before

• Book activities: Heli-hikes (Franz Josef, Fox Glacier), Whale Watch Kaikōura, Hobbiton, and Milford Sound Cruises are often fully booked in peak season — reserve online. Bungy and jetboat in Queenstown are more flexible (bookable on the day).
• Book Interislander ferry: Wellington ↔ Picton with vehicle in peak season book early — early bird prices are 30–50% cheaper.
• Download apps: CamperMate (campsites, dump stations, gas stations), Maps.me or Google Maps (offline maps for areas without reception), DOC app (trails, huts, weather warnings), MetService (New Zealand's most reliable weather app).

1 Week Before

• Clean hiking boots: New Zealand has the strictest biosecurity in the world — dirt and soil from other countries on shoes will be confiscated and can result in heavy fines. Clean soles thoroughly!
• Check credit card: Check foreign fees, remember PIN, inform the bank about the trip (so the card is not blocked).
• Download offline maps: Large parts of the South Island (Fiordland, West Coast, Arthur's Pass) have no mobile reception. Download Google Maps offline maps for both islands.

Route Planning — How Much Time Do I Need?

Duration	What's Possible?	Pace
10 Days	One island intensively OR both islands in a rush	Sporty, little buffer
2 Weeks	Both islands with the top highlights (Auckland, Rotorua, Tongariro, Wellington, Kaikōura, Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound)	Good if you plan efficiently
3 Weeks	Both islands relaxed with side trips (+ Abel Tasman, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Coromandel, Bay of Islands)	Ideal — the perfect duration
4+ Weeks	Everything + Great Walks, Stewart Island, remote West Coast, Chatham Islands	Luxurious — you miss nothing

The golden rule: Plan less distance than you think. The roads are winding, the scenery is so beautiful that you constantly stop, and the weather can require spontaneous plan changes. 200–300 km per day is a realistic driving distance — not 500 km like on German highways.