Whether you want to bungee-jump from the Kawarau bridge or relax on the sandy coasts of Northland, New Zealand has something for everyone. But, as students know, travel in this wonderful country can eat into your bank balance pretty quickly. So if you want your dollars to go the extra mile, it’s important to know the deals available to you as a student. Here’s 8 surprising student travel hacks that you can use on your next New Zealand trip.

Not studying at Otago? If you’re at another university, you can probably find equivalents – enquire at your student support centre.

Contents

1. The $1 Intercity bus
2. Get a bike – for cheap
3. Bus card perks
4. Hiking and camping gear
5. University clubs
6. Wild Dunedin festival
7. Cash-saving apps and websites
8. Student discounts

1. The $1 Intercity bus fare: yep, it’s for real

A dollar bus fare. Sounds too good to be true, right? But yep, it’s for real. This is probably one of the best student travel hacks in New Zealand. I remember scoring my miracle dollar ticket with Intercity a few years ago. What made me laugh was that although the seat fare was $1, they stung me with a $6 booking fee. Still pretty good though 🙂

How can I get a $1 Intercity fare?

Sometimes you’re just lucky. But if you want to score one, I recommend booking far in advance with flexible timing. Choose your destination, visit the Intercity website, and scroll through dates until a $1 fare appears. They only have one $1 seat per bus trip, so it’s first in first served. Good luck!

2. Want to hit the trails but don’t have a bike?

Travelling without your own car around New Zealand can be tricky, but there are solutions. Biking is one of them and can be heaps of fun, whether you simply want to meander around town or embark on an ambitious 5-day trail ride (learn about my crazy Otago Rail Trail adventure here). In Dunedin, bike hire from most cycle stores is about ~$50+ per day, but if you head to Unipol Gym you’ll find amazing student rates from $25pd.

Where can I buy cheap bikes?

If you want to buy a decent bike on a budget, check out the Community Bike Workshop in North East Valley, which sells second-hand bikes that have been repaired. Already have a bike that needs work? Bring it along to the helpful volunteers at The Crooked Spoke on Moray Place and they can help you fix it for a koha.

Note: the Community Bike Workshop and Crooked Spoke are not open every day – check ahead before you visit.

3. Claim your bus card

Getting a local bus card gives you heaps of much mileage. If you’re in Dunedin, make sure your Bee Card is loaded with your student discount and travel around Dunedin AND Queenstown for as little as $1. Explore as far as Palmerston and the quaint seaside villages of Port Chalmers and Portobello, or catch a ride from Queenstown to the beautiful streets of Arrowtown.

4. Discover affordable camping & hiking gear

Certain Dunedin op shops are good for finding travel gear like hiking backpacks, camping chairs, and skis. These include the Salvation Army Family store (both the one in North East Valley and Mosgiel). You can also search on Facebook Marketplace and Trademe. For a convenient op shop near campus, it’s worth visiting Te Oraka which stocks a lot of second-hand goodies.

Where can I hire items?

I mentioned that Unipol Gym in Dunedin has sweet bike-hire deals. But did you know that they also hire out snow sports gear, camping equipment, surfboards, and much more? Hire items per 24hrs.

5. Join a club

Happiness is doubled when shared. Joining a club is a great way to learn new skills and meet adventurous friends. Plus, with this student travel hack you can save on accommodation by splitting the cost with others. University clubs often have active social calendars, with opportunities to travel. At Otago, the Tramping Club (OUTC) and Snow Sports club are popular choices. Check out the Otago clubs list over at OUSA.

6. Get onboard the Wild Dunedin Festival

Discounted wildlife cruises and free entry to Dunedin’s neatest places… Sounds good?

Anyone visiting Dunedin during the annual Wild Dunedin Festival (in April) can get in on this one. Wild Dunedin celebrates the city’s unique wildlife and natural heritage. There’s usually lots of discounted wildlife activities that you can book online, along with neat events and presentations at the Otago Museum.

7. Cash-saving travel websites and apps

Now, we come to the essentials of travel: food, fun, and accommodation. Well, and petrol if you’re travelling by car. Looking for ways to save? There’s an app for that.

For tourist activities at bargain prices, check out Bookme which lists a variety of deals from spa days to water rafting. Craving a tasty dish from one of New Zealand’s top restaurants? Save 50% for 2+ diners by booking ahead with First Table.

Petrol costs can add up, and Gaspy is a handy app for finding the cheapest fuel in your area.

For accommodation, it pays to vary your strategy:

Sometimes you get the best value by booking directly with the hotel or host. For an easy booking process and offers, I use expedia.com because of their sweet members perks. Alternatively, if you’re after the peace and privacy of an entire home, bookabach offers a range of authentic, Kiwi accommodation options.

8. The value of your student ID

You likely use your Student ID for discounted movie tickets, food, and other local discounts. But being a student can unlock other awesome deals that aren’t as widely known…

These include:

• Bus card fares for cities across NZ
• Spotify Premium (get those road trip tunes sorted)
• Get a student discount on flights with Flight Centre
• Present your ID on entry to most zoos, aquariums, museums, movie theatres etc. for a discount.

Conclusion: student travel hacks

If you’re eager to make the most of your travels while keeping expenses in check, these student travel hacks are invaluable. From snagging ultra-cheap bus fares to finding budget-friendly gear and hidden discounts, these tips ensure you can explore New Zealand without breaking the bank. After all, you won’t be a student forever, so make the most of these perks while you can!

Want another way of saving money longer term? Vanlife can be a fun and cost-effective way to explore New Zealand. To learn more, start here.

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