New Zealand South Island road trip from India: 10 days, cost & visa
A 10-day New Zealand South Island road trip from India: the visitor visa, a rupee budget, Tekapo to Milford Sound, driving on the left and vegetarian food.
New Zealand
Alpine lakes, fiords and empty roads on the South Island, reached with a visitor visa applied for online.
Entry rules for Indian passports
| Entry | Visitor visa, applied for online before travel; Indian applicants have their own checklist |
|---|---|
| Stay | Up to 6 or 9 months depending on the visa; the visitor visa page says a maximum of 9 months in an 18-month period |
| Government fee | From NZD 441 per the visitor visa page, which doesn't say whether the visitor levy is included; any application centre charge is separate |
| Processing | The page says 80% of applications are decided within 2 weeks |
| Official site | www.immigration.govt.nz |
When to go
The best months are December, January, February, March. Flights from India: No non-stop from India; usually one stop, for example via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Sydney. Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD); check the day's rate. Clocks: IST + 6:30 (IST + 7:30 in NZ daylight time, late September to early April).
Trip guides
New Zealand guides