Busse Backpacking on a Budget
New Zealand
Scaling mountains in Switzerland, relaxing in the turquoise waters of the sultry Mediterranean Sea, driving through the winding Irish countryside and most recently, conquering the adventure mecca of New Zealand, my family and I have not held back on our travel dreams. Managing each trip with a realistic time frame, roll with the punches schedule, and most importantly, a sensible budget. If you and yours want to incorporate travel into your yearly repertoire, let us offer a few pointers. From our family to yours, this is, “Backpacking on a Busse Budget”.
First step of every trip, establish a family kitty. The concept is simple. If every person in your family “kitty’s up” the same quantity of money to a collective coin purse, the sum can be spent on those activities costing everyone equal amounts of money. Contributions could be small daily amounts or large weekly sums. Whatever your family, and more importantly, the person carrying the purse, feels comfortable with. Not only will the kitty eliminate the annoying multiple transaction scenario, “Can we split the bill 5 ways please?”, it will help your family monitor and maintain your overall budget.
Once the kitty is in place, 3 main purchases will come from it: Accommodation, Food, and Transportation. These 3 purchases also happen to be the easiest ways to save money whilst on a trip. Let’s start with accommodation. Hostel dormitories, budget hotels, rental apartments, 5-Star Pents, you name it, New Zealand has it! But, for a family of 5 on a budget, the search for an ideal nights rest is never easy.
Our quest usually begins at the most popular backpacker establishments around, hostels. Typically offered in increments of 2 to 8 bed dormitories, rooms range between 18 to 25 NZD per person/night (15-20 USD). Just as diverse as your family, some rooms sport sterility, simplicity and private en-suites (bathrooms), others are a step away from being condemned. Greeting you with creaky bunk beds, worn linens, and a strange odor wafting from the communal bathroom. We strongly recommend a ‘try before you buy’ protocol.
Yes, during high season, booking hostels in advance through websites such as hostelworld.com, can be extremely beneficial but there is also something to be said about seeing a place in person. A large kitchen, for instance, is a must for our exciting editions of Iron Chef Family. C’mon, we need room to work if our deluxe Spaghetti dinners or complex Shaker Pancake Brekkie’s are to be completed. Large comfortable lounge rooms are another must. Perfect for a night of Family Texas Hold’Em or a rainy afternoon of reading our circulated family novels. Relaxed, fun environments also play a large hand in our decision but sometimes environments can be too fun! The loud post-bar debauchery does not mix well with a family of light sleepers. In this case, seek out those Mom/Pop hostels instead of the massive commercial style 500-bed establishments. Or, if you can’t avoid it, join it! Seriously, I couldn’t keep my mom away from all that partying ;)
|
End of the day, choosing a hostel is like drawing straws. If your family is up for the challenge, the experience will enhance and diversify your overall trip. Just remember to never set expectations too high. It’s better to be pleasantly surprised, then severely let down.
Along with hostels, we sampled a few budget hotels. Deals can be snagged on a variety of websites, such as hotels.com, but must be booked in advance. Therein lies the first problem. It is extremely difficult to book in advance when you hardly know your schedule today, let alone tomorrow, or next week. Another issue grumbles to the surface around supper time. What to eat? Limited to a hot water kettle, miniature microwave, and that over priced mini-bar, hotels don’t provide much in the way of culinary assistance, often leading to nights of cheap, greasy take-away meals. What hotels do offer, however, is a reprieve from involuntary social interaction. You no longer have to wait in line for a shower, or share a stove top with 3 other people. You can instead relax in the comfort of your very own space.
Along with hostels, we sampled a few budget hotels. Deals can be snagged on a variety of websites, such as hotels.com, but must be booked in advance. Therein lies the first problem. It is extremely difficult to book in advance when you hardly know your schedule today, let alone tomorrow, or next week. Another issue grumbles to the surface around supper time. What to eat? Limited to a hot water kettle, miniature microwave, and that over priced mini-bar, hotels don’t provide much in the way of culinary assistance, often leading to nights of cheap, greasy take-away meals. What hotels do offer, however, is a reprieve from involuntary social interaction. You no longer have to wait in line for a shower, or share a stove top with 3 other people. You can instead relax in the comfort of your very own space.
What’s better then hostels and hotels combined? Drum Roll Please….Holiday Parks! Holiday Park lodgings include campgrounds, RV hook up’s, basic dormitories and a variety of self-contained units, i.e cabins. The obvious best choice for a family of 5 were the cabins, ranging between 90 and 100 NZD/night (75-85 USD). Split by 5 and you’re averaging 20 NZD (16 USD) per person/night for a quaint little cottage. “Little”, being the operative word here. Comparable in size to a child’s bedroom or office space, there is hardly enough room to fit 5 beds, let alone 5 adults and their luggage. Bags stacked one on top of the next, recently washed laundry hanging from every available bunk, and shoes, jackets and empty peanut butter jars impeding what little floor space there is left. Oh yeah, not a lot of families could survive these cramped conditions and still emerge a family.
If you can move past the “cozy” quarters, Holiday Parks provide great amenities. Large kitchen facilities (inclusive of pots, pans and cutlery), clean and tidy bathrooms and on-site washing machines. Cabins are usually equipped with small refrigerators, hot water kettles and a welcoming selection of tea and instant coffee. Perfect for keeping your wine cool in the evening and your tea hot in the morning. Finally, cabins add that extra sense of privacy that big hostel dormitories lack.
As with any accommodation generalization, there will be those establishments that fall short. Train tracks running directly overhead, locked bathrooms and showers after 8 pm, and a satanic receptionist whose main goal in life is to make yours miserable, oh yeah, they’re out there. Weigh on the side of caution and try booking at one of New Zealand's, “Top Ten Holiday Parks”. Located all over the New Zealand tourist circuit, the top ten proved time and time again, the BEST all-around parks! Friendly receptionists, clean rooms, wi-fi enabled, and yes, even hot showers that remain hot for more then 4 minutes.
As with any accommodation generalization, there will be those establishments that fall short. Train tracks running directly overhead, locked bathrooms and showers after 8 pm, and a satanic receptionist whose main goal in life is to make yours miserable, oh yeah, they’re out there. Weigh on the side of caution and try booking at one of New Zealand's, “Top Ten Holiday Parks”. Located all over the New Zealand tourist circuit, the top ten proved time and time again, the BEST all-around parks! Friendly receptionists, clean rooms, wi-fi enabled, and yes, even hot showers that remain hot for more then 4 minutes.
With accommodations sorted, let’s move onto another big money saver, grocery shopping. Instead of eating out every meal, how about making a quick trip to the local corner mart. Although I must forewarn you, sticker shock may set in upon grocery store entry. 6 dollars for cereal? One liter of milk costs 4? And frozen chicken? 13 dollars for 2 breasts! Now before you get your knickers in a twist, take a moment to relate those costs to what they equal at home. Consider this:
|
To purchase one New Zealand dollar only costs you .80 U.S. cents (as of February 20th, 2011). In other words, for every US dollar spent, you receive 1.20 NZD. Let’s say your grocery bill was 30.00 NZD. Divide that by 1.20 and you’re at a more reasonable, 25.00 USD for groceries. Great, you’ve just saved 5 bucks without even knowing it. And it gets better. There is no hidden sales tax waiting to be tacked on when the young, pubescent checker hits, “Payment”. Tax is already included in the listed price. In other words, what you see is what you pay. And, I haven’t even touched on the best part yet. Divide that sum by, you guessed it, 5! 5 bucks each wouldn't even buy you half a greasy hamburger at a local restaurant. Here you’re purchasing an entire days brekkie, lunch and dinner! I can’t say it enough, there is financial strength in numbers. Families that spend together, save together.
The grocery store is not the only cheap meal in New Zealand though. “Take-away” restaurants can be found around every corner and offer up a smattering of reasonably priced meals. Who would have thought Burgers, Fish n’ Chips and Asian fares could meld together so seemlessly? Perfect for a family of extremely indecisive eaters, these "all-cuisine inclusive" restaurants grew in our popularity books. Fish with a large helping of fried rice? Maybe a burger with wontons on the side? Options are unlimited. |
Another cheap eat, which has become synonymous with “Kiwi” cuisine, are their famed PIES. Now these aren’t Grandma’s standard apple or cherry. They are warm, flaky pastries bursting with creamy, savory fillings. From the traditional steak and cheese to the more gourmet varieties of, Butter Chicken, Venison, and Oyster, there is a meat pie to tantalize everyone’s taste buds! Bakeries, Corner Shops, heck even Gas Staitons serve up these little beauties and for only a couple bucks, they come virtually guilt free (monetarily anyways, not so sure about bodily).
A final cheap night out, Pub’s! Offering great nightly specials such as 4 dollar pizza’s and 2 dollar pints. Or, half-priced entrée’s after 8. It’s like being in college all over again.
These are just a few of the cheap eat’s available but don't forget about the slightly pricier, yet gastronomically necessary, fares that must be indulged in too. Gelato ring a bell Busse’s? It was love at first bite (or lick). Our infatuation with this creamy, smooth treat was justification enough to spend upwards of 6 NZD for two scoops dolloped into a freshly baked waffle cone. The perfect ending, and middle, to every day.
Another edible splurge, lamb. One cannot leave New Zealand without sampling a rack, a chop, or a roast. Restaurants often charge an arm and a leg for this seemingly abundant fare, but if you take the time to price around, a reasonable plate can be found. Like the quaint Irish Pub in Picton. Who knew the Irish could cook a Kiwi lamb so beautifully? Corned beef and cabbage, eat your heart out!
About the only item we could not justify splurging on was pop. Seriously, 3.30 NZD for a small bottle of coca-cola? Curb your fizzy fixations for the trip and drink good ol’ H2O straight from the tap. That’s right…the tap! New Zealand has some of the safest and best tasting water on the planet. You’re trying to save money right? So why pay for overpriced bottles of imported agua? Hydration is free in New Zealand. Your body, and wallet, will thank you.
A final method for saving money is transportation. Reputed as one of the easiest countries to get around, New Zealand backpackers have buses, trains, rental cars, van sales and yes, even hitch hiking, as viable options. We strongly considered the last option, but decided hitching 5 people at once could be tricky…and Mom would never agree to it. Instead, we tried our luck at driving on the wrong side of the road.
These are just a few of the cheap eat’s available but don't forget about the slightly pricier, yet gastronomically necessary, fares that must be indulged in too. Gelato ring a bell Busse’s? It was love at first bite (or lick). Our infatuation with this creamy, smooth treat was justification enough to spend upwards of 6 NZD for two scoops dolloped into a freshly baked waffle cone. The perfect ending, and middle, to every day.
Another edible splurge, lamb. One cannot leave New Zealand without sampling a rack, a chop, or a roast. Restaurants often charge an arm and a leg for this seemingly abundant fare, but if you take the time to price around, a reasonable plate can be found. Like the quaint Irish Pub in Picton. Who knew the Irish could cook a Kiwi lamb so beautifully? Corned beef and cabbage, eat your heart out!
About the only item we could not justify splurging on was pop. Seriously, 3.30 NZD for a small bottle of coca-cola? Curb your fizzy fixations for the trip and drink good ol’ H2O straight from the tap. That’s right…the tap! New Zealand has some of the safest and best tasting water on the planet. You’re trying to save money right? So why pay for overpriced bottles of imported agua? Hydration is free in New Zealand. Your body, and wallet, will thank you.
A final method for saving money is transportation. Reputed as one of the easiest countries to get around, New Zealand backpackers have buses, trains, rental cars, van sales and yes, even hitch hiking, as viable options. We strongly considered the last option, but decided hitching 5 people at once could be tricky…and Mom would never agree to it. Instead, we tried our luck at driving on the wrong side of the road.
Thanks to a friend, our family was loaned a vehicle for the duration of our trip, but even if you don’t have that luxury, rental costs can be extremely economical. Costing around 60 NZD/day (50 USD), including full insurance, our 12 day trip total would have totaled 720 NZD. An amount that pales in comparison to the not so economical, gasoline prices. At about 6 USD/gallon, gasoline (or petrol) prices are easily neglected by travelers until that first traumatic trip to the pump. 100 bucks to fill her up? Renting a diesel car can help cut this price, over a dollar cheaper/gallon, but the best way to decrease your driving overhead is, yep you guessed it, walking. Use your vehicle for transport between major destinations but within townships, utilize the cheapest options, your two legs.
|
Despite these astronomical prices, we were able to travel over 1,200 miles from the South to the North Island for right around 400 NZD. For an accurate trip estimation, let’s add the 720.00 a rental car would have cost and you’re at 1,120 big ones. Thank goodness, yet again, for the power of 5. 224 NZD (187 USD) a piece for 12 days of road trip fun!
So you’re probably sick of saving, saving, saving. Well, we’ve been saving for a reason. To splurge on our excursions! After all, what good is a trip if you can’t partake in some of it’s famed activities? My Grandma always said a penny saved is a penny earned, but in this case our pennies amounted to 60-Second free fall skydives, majestic boat cruises, and glacier treks! Just think, by staying in hostels, instead of hotels, you’ve easily saved a couple hundred dollars…there’s your skydive.
|
Now these trips are not for every family (or close group of friends). Living in 6 X 6 accommodations, sharing one bathroom, driving in cramped, pint-size vehicles, making daily decisions based on 5 not 1…oh yeah, these budget trips are definitely not for lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
Some may consider our travels frugal, but we just call them fun! Every dollar saved heightens our overall satisfaction in the simple pleasures we have. Like biting into an ooey-gooey peanut butter and jelly sandwich at one of our, “Perfect Picnic Locations”. The refreshing breezes, diverse landscapes, and ever-changing seating arrangements always beat a cramped, interior table and overpriced menu. Or, the laughter and banter around a busy kitchen of backpackers partaking in a Busse |
Family pasta night. No restaurant can come close to providing that kind of ambiance. Every bite seems more satisfying, every room more inviting and each family vacation, that much more exciting! We have made traveling a priority in a our lives and so can you!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________ BUDGET BREAKDOWN - Per Person
Accommodation: 12 Nights X 20 NZD = 240 NZD > 200 USD
Groceries: 12 Days X 5 NZD = 60 NZD > 50 USD
Restaurants: 12 Days (1 meal/day) X 15 NZD = 180 NZD > 150 USD
Transportation: 12 Days (Car Rental + Diesel) = 224 NZD > 187 USD
Excursions: Skydive (15,000 Feet) = 400 NZD > 333 USD
Milford Sound Boat Cruise = 68 NZD > 57 USD
Franz Joseph Glacier Trek = 100 NZD > 80 USD
All Other Activities = 100 NZD > 80 USD
_______________________________
=1,144 USD
Flight (USA to NZ) + 1,100 USD _______________________________________________________________________________________
TOTAL = 2,244 USD
For just over 2 grand you can enjoy a 2 week vacation half-way across the world in beautiful New Zealand!!
From our family to yours, Safe Travels and all the Best!
Accommodation: 12 Nights X 20 NZD = 240 NZD > 200 USD
Groceries: 12 Days X 5 NZD = 60 NZD > 50 USD
Restaurants: 12 Days (1 meal/day) X 15 NZD = 180 NZD > 150 USD
Transportation: 12 Days (Car Rental + Diesel) = 224 NZD > 187 USD
Excursions: Skydive (15,000 Feet) = 400 NZD > 333 USD
Milford Sound Boat Cruise = 68 NZD > 57 USD
Franz Joseph Glacier Trek = 100 NZD > 80 USD
All Other Activities = 100 NZD > 80 USD
_______________________________
=1,144 USD
Flight (USA to NZ) + 1,100 USD _______________________________________________________________________________________
TOTAL = 2,244 USD
For just over 2 grand you can enjoy a 2 week vacation half-way across the world in beautiful New Zealand!!
From our family to yours, Safe Travels and all the Best!