How to plan the perfect New Zealand honeymoon from India
- Henna Shah
- May 2, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 25
New Zealand is the best place to visit abroad for a honeymoon from India. Know more about New Zealand visa, flights to New Zealand from India and how many days are recommended for that ultimate New Zealand road trip.
We have documented our New Zealand experience in 5 chapters covering the practicality and accessibility of the place from India, a detailed itinerary, food options in NZ for vegetarians and things to do in NZ for a slow traveller as well as for an adventure junkie. We have also broken down a local Maori concept of Turangawaewae and how it makes sense to us as Indians.
We have covered our trip to New Zealand in 5 Chapters from the lens of travelling from India, best time visit New Zealand, experiences to include in your itinerary across New Zealand cities, adventure activities to include in your travel plan, availability of vegetarian food in New Zealand and exploring the indigenous Maori culture with takeaways for our own wellbeing.
You are reading Chapter 1.
Chapter 4: A Vegetarian’s Food Guide to New Zealand
Table of contents
Is a honeymoon to New Zealand from India a good idea?
If you are wondering where is New Zealand located, almost 12,000 kms away from India, a country that sees the first sunrise in the world is New Zealand. The local New Zealand time (NZST) is 6.5 hours ahead of Indian Standard Time (IST).
With its pristine landscapes and a December summer that coincides with the wedding season in most parts of India, it is one of the ideal destinations for a honeymoon. If you have financially planned for an international honeymoon and do not want to wait for too long after your year end wedding for the European summer, then New Zealand is the best place for a honeymoon in December. Being in the southern hemisphere, New Zealand experiences summer in December and January and you can take advantage of the extended daylight to enjoy the scenic drives in the country. During this time, the sunsets around 8 PM in the North Island while it sets around 9:45 PM in the South Island.
After the immense chaos of an Indian wedding, all you would desire is time away from civilization as well as from all the social expectations as you change your status from Single to Married in a country that is at the edge of the world and the closest to resemble heaven on earth.
Is getting a New Zealand Visitor Visa easy for Indians?
Indian passport holders need to apply for an e-visa in advance which can take anywhere from a week to about 3 months and you may be granted a visa from anywhere between one to three years. But be sure to apply a couple of months well in advance of your scheduled trip.
Are there any direct flights from India to New Zealand?
While there is no direct flight from India to New Zealand, you can check out one-stop flights. The best flight route from India to New Zealand would be a code share between Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand with a stopover in Singapore. We took a flight from Mumbai to Singapore with a stopover in Singapore and then flew from Singapore to Fiji. After spending a week in Fiji, we flew from Nadi to Auckland. However, you can also fly directly to Auckland from Singapore. Auckland has the best connectivity to flights from India and Asia in New Zealand. The aerial views of New Zealand are breathtakingly gorgeous and I’d strongly recommend landing on the North Island and then gradually making your way to the south either by road or by an internal flight to save the best most untouched treasures of nature for the end.
How many days is it ideal to visit New Zealand?
If you're planning an epic New Zealand road trip covering both the North Island and South Island, a 3-week itinerary is ideal to fully explore the country’s diverse landscapes and attractions. This timeframe allows you to experience everything from the vibrant cities in the North Island to the breathtaking fjords and mountains of the South Island without rushing.
However, if you prefer to save time, consider taking an internal flight from Auckland to Queenstown. This lets you cut down your travel time and still enjoy the best of both islands. With this option, a well-planned 2-week New Zealand trip becomes entirely doable, focusing on key highlights without missing out.
While traveling the South Island, a common road trip route is from the West Coast to the East Coast. Instead of driving the long 10-hour stretch through Arthur’s Pass National Park, you can opt for the scenic TranzAlpine train ride. This world-renowned train journey covers the route in a single day, offering stunning views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps and making your trip more relaxing and picturesque.
For travelers on a budget, especially Indian passport holders, New Zealand can be an expensive destination. Considering both costs and limited vacation time, I recommend planning for a 10 to 15-day New Zealand itinerary. This timeframe balances exploring the must-see destinations while keeping expenses manageable.
Can I bring Indian food to New Zealand? Will this cause a problem at NZ airport immigration?
New Zealand immigration is very conscious about preserving the biodiversity of the country and thus, we as Indians if we carry any Indian snacks with spices/ masalas we should declare it while entering the country. It is also best to avoid carrying any fruits (not even from the flight) or food with seeds and any accessories with feathers/ shells etc.
Can I drive in New Zealand with an Indian driving license or do I need an international driver’s license?
We found over ten landscapes in just one country and each one gave us a jaw-dropping moment. New Zealand is best explored by wheel, so if both the partners can drive, it is definitely a plus! All you would need is a car on hire, an international driving license (although an Indian Driving license valid for one year from the date of arrival into NZ also works), Google Maps and you’re all set for your summer road trip with your beloved. I’d also recommend downloading the offline maps for New Zealand in case you do not get internet access in some areas as you would not find a single soul for hundreds of miles and only sheep on both sides of the road. However, while you are exploring bigger cities like Auckland or Christchurch, I would recommend exploring the city by foot and staying in a hotel near the downtown as parking is both a challenge and really expensive in these cities. Driving is strongly recommended while you are exploring the smaller towns and taking day trips from the bigger cities.
Is it expensive to go to New Zealand from India?
New Zealand is definitely not a budget friendly destination, especially for Indians. A major chunk of your travel budget will be dedicated to flight tickets (especially in the post pandemic world). Accommodation, car rentals, and fuel costs will only add up as it is advisable to spend atleast 2 weeks in New Zealand (if not three weeks) considering how far you have come from your home country. Food is not as expensive as Europe or US but it is as expensive as decent cafes and restaurants in an Indian metro city. Overall account for a budget of anywhere between INR 4,00,000 to 6,00,000 per person for two weeks in New Zealand which will vary based on your choice of flights, hotels, mode of internal transport, choice of experiences and food preferences.
New Zealand for honeymooners: Last word
Whether you are a hopeless romantic in search of fragrant lavender, alpine villages, valleys and meadows along with a sprinkle of some city views or you are an adventure junkie seeking soaring heights, speeding jet boats, hissing volcanoes and geysers spitting steam - New Zealand won't disappoint either one of you.
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