New Zealand travel checklist
A travel checklist can help you get organised, the preparation is already part of the trip and if you don't wait until the last moment it can get you into the right travelling spirit with lots of exciting anticipation.
Our best advice is to pack your bags as light as possible (unless all your transport and transfers are organised), it will give you more independence and freedom when you move around. After all you'll have to feel comfortable and secure, but don't forget that if you forgot something you can buy most goods in New Zealand after your arrival.
Organise early
- Health insurance cover
- Travel insurance (theft, cancellations)
- Valid passport (valid at least until 3 months after leaving New Zealand)
- International driver's licence (if needed)
- Pre-book hotel accommodation
- Pre-book transport and transfers
- Reservations for special events (ferries, concerts, sports events)
- Check conditions to alter tickets etc.
- Medical prescriptions
- Prescriptions for glasses or lenses
- Necessary vaccinations for stopovers
- Visa, also for stopovers (if needed)
- Make a spending plan for cash & credit (see Money, cost and prices)
- Travellers’ cheques, numbers separately
- Credit cards
- Cash for all stopovers and the first day
- USD, EUR or other cash for airports
- Check your ATM fees for withdrawals
- Check your government’s travel recommendations for all destinations
- Organise webmail access
- Send scanned documents to your webmail address
- Start a travel blog (or Facebook, Twitter etc.) and test making entries
- Access to emergency funds in case you‘ll need them (eg. via online banking)
- Take care of pets, plants, the house etc.
- Organise mail and newspaper deliveries
- List of valuables and serial numbers in case of theft for insurance claims
- Get a dental or doctor’s checkup
- Learn some Kiwi slang and Maori greetings
- Plan your NZ travel itinerary (see our Recommended itineraries)
- Check the NZ passenger arrival card
- Think about sustainable travel
Before you leave…
- Passport, transport tickets and reservations, additional passport photos
- Driver's licence, translation if needed
- Credit cards, cheques, cash, proof of funds and return ticket for immigration
- Copies of all important documents
- Leave document copies and the New Zealand travel itinerary with someone at home
- Pay outstanding bills
- Travel itinerary
- Emergency numbers and contacts
- Directions to places (hotels, rentals…)
- Reconfirmation details (if needed)
- First-aid (medicine, band-aid, diarrhea pills, thermometer etc.), toilet paper
- Address book for postcards and emails
- Important access codes and passwords
- Membership or discount cards, PADI
- Guide books, copies of articles
- Dictionary, language course book
- Books and other reading material
- Pens and paper, diary or notebook
- Alarm clock
- Check the weather forecast, be prepared for any climate
- Rain gear, umbrella
- Flip flops, hiking boots
- Swimming gear, towels, dry towel
- Thermals, socks, t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, jumpers and sweaters, pants, underwear, jackets
- Small and light daypack
- Shampoo, creams and soap
- Toothbrush and toothpaste, floss
- Sunglasses, sun cream, lip balm, after sun cream, sun hats and caps
- Hairbrush, comb, hairspray
- Deodorants and perfume, tampons
- Shaver and shaving cream
- Nail clipper
- Name tags on luggage
- Eye mask and ear plugs to sleep
- Prepare for lost luggage
- Download ebooks about New Zealand (e.g New Zealand travel, New Zealand Animals, Maori Language etc.)
- Activate timed lighting system
- Load your mobile and camera batteries
- Program DVD or HDD recorder
- Empty the fridge
- Unplug appliances, turn off heating
- Turn off water heater and garden faucets
- Organise trash, recycling and compost
- Put valuables in safe storage
- Lock all doors and windows
- Leave a key in safe hands
- Check for traffic and airport delays
- Information on the next flight if you’re getting late
Other travel items
- Mobile phone and charger
- Camera and camcorder, tripod, lenses
- Batteries, chargers, film or memory sticks
- Notebook or handheld PC
- MP3 player, radio or favourite CDs for car
- Hairdryer
- Converters & adapters for your tools
- Small torch or headlamp
- Binoculars
- Sewing kit, mini scissors
- Super glue, adhesive tape
- Compass, altimeter, GPS
- Clothes line
- Washing powder
- Swiss Army knife, toothpicks
- Compression bags for tight packing
- Sarong or blanket
- Money belt, padlocks
- Travel pillow
- Safety pins and needles, condoms
- Insect repellent
- Watertight bags for water activities
- Swimming goggles, wetsuit, dive gear
- Tent, sleeping bag, mat, tent pegs
- Knife, fork, spoon, plate, cooking stuff, matches
- Water bottles and treatment
- Songbooks and music instruments
- Games and toys, little gifts
- Photos from home and family
Organise in New Zealand
- Get cash at the airport
- Accommodation guides
- Maps and guide books
- New Zealand SIM card for mobile phone
- Mobile router for PC (wireless surfing)
- Telephone calling card
- Rent or buy a GPS for the rental car
- Tea tree oil for sandfly bites
- New Zealand memberships and discount cards
- Postcards and stamps
- Souvenirs and gifts
- Download some New Zealand travel apps: see our app recommendations!
