Cost Of Living In Queenstown For Students In 2025

Queenstown, New Zealand: a breathtakingly gorgeous city set in the Southern Alps, surrounded by pristine lakes and towering hills. Many consider it to be the perfect place for adventure, leisure, and a getaway from the daily grind. Yet, it is also a location where students face reality: how much does it actually cost to live here? If you’re contemplating this lovely city as your study-abroad stop, buckle up and get ready to discover more about the cost of living in Queenstown for students. We’ll go through everything from student housing and food to entertainment and transportation, and we’ll give you some tips on how to stretch your student budget while still enjoying everything Queenstown has to offer.

There are a number of factors that contribute to your overall expenditures in Queenstown. This is mostly influenced by lifestyle choices and financial constraints. For international students, the average monthly cost of living in Queenstown for students is between NZ$ 1,236 and NZ$ 1,276. These living costs for students depend on the choices they make when moving to the city. To help students more easily manage their budgets, we have broken down each of these elements in this guide.

What Is The Cost Of Living In Queenstown?

Have a look at this breakdown of the average monthly cost of living in Queenstown for students –

Cost Of Student Accommodation In Queenstown

Average Cost Per Month: NZ$ 720 to NZ$ 770

While Queenstown is a popular destination for students from all over the world, finding inexpensive housing might be difficult. The cost of living in Queenstown for students is largely impacted by your student accommodation. It is therefore advisable to make a wise choice when considering where and how to live. There are different types of student housing which include the following –

Shared Housing: Looking for shared housing, such as renting a room in a shared flat or flat, is one possibility. This may be a more cost-effective alternative than renting an entire flat or home on your own.

Dormitories: Another possibility is to seek student accommodation or dorms. Student accommodation choices in Queenstown include the Student Village at Queenstown Resort College and the Student Housing at Otago Polytechnic. Some choices may be less expensive than renting on your own.

Studio: If you prefer more independence and freedom, you should think about renting a studio or one-bedroom flat. But, be prepared to pay a premium for this type of housing.

Cost Of Tuition In Queenstown

Tuition for international students in Queenstown varies based on the university, course of study, and degree of education. In general, overseas students may expect to pay greater tuition rates than native students. International students should expect to spend $20,000 – $30,000 per year for undergraduate studies and $25,000 – $40,000 per year for postgraduate programmes at the tertiary level. Tuition costs vary depending on the school and the programme of study.

It should be noted that these tuition costs do not cover any additional expenditures involved with studying in New Zealand, such as accommodation, living expenses, textbooks, and other course materials. These extra expenditures may soon mount up, so it’s important to budget properly. Additional expenses, such as international student fees or insurance fees, may be levied on overseas students. These costs vary based on the institution, so check with your preferred institution for additional details.

Cost Of Transportation In Queenstown

Average Cost Per Month: NZ$ 65

Your transportation expenses in Queenstown will vary depending on how you commute, where you commute, and how much you spend on a daily basis only on transportation. If you’re looking for easy means of transportation that’ll help reduce your overall cost of living in Queenstown, here are some of the most common options in-store –

Public transportation: Connectabus operates a local bus service in Queenstown that serves around and in the surrounding areas, including renowned tourist locations such as Arrowtown and Glenorchy. A single price on the local bus is between $2 and $4, depending on the distance travelled. Discounted pricing is offered for students with approved student ID cards. You may also buy weekly or monthly passes that give you unrestricted access to the local bus network.

Taxis: Taxis are a quick way to travel about Queenstown, although they may be pricey. A taxi journey inside Queenstown costs around $15-$20 on average, with extra expenses for airport transfers and late-night travel.

Bicycles: If you’re searching for a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution, renting or owning a bicycle might be a terrific way to move around Queenstown. Bike rentals normally cost $30-$50 per day, with weekly or monthly rentals offering savings.

Walking: Because Queenstown is a tiny town, several famous attractions are within walking distance of one another. Walking is a low-cost, healthful method to explore the town and its surroundings.

Cost Of Food & Other Necessities In Queenstown

Average Cost Per Month: NZ$ 720

Food costs vary based on the type of food and where you purchase it for overseas students in Queenstown, New Zealand. If overseas students make the majority of their meals at home, they may expect to spend comparatively lesser per month on food. But, if you eat out regularly or have unique dietary requirements, you may need to set aside more money. To save money and make the most of your budget, plan your meals and grocery shopping ahead of time. Moreover, you might try joining a food co-op or bulk-buying club to save money on groceries. Check out the different options available in Queenstown for sorting out your meals within budget –

Dining out: Eating out in Queenstown may be fairly pricey, particularly at high-end restaurants. A lunch meal at a mid-range restaurant can cost between $25 and $30 per person, whereas quick food restaurants and cafés may be less expensive.

Cooking & Eating: Grocery shopping and cooking your own meals might be a more cost-effective alternative than eating out frequently. A weekly food expenditure of $80-$100 may offer a simple but healthful diet of fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta, and meat on average.

Specific dietary preferences: If you have any unique dietary requirements, such as being vegan or gluten-free, you may need to spend extra money on groceries or dining out at specialised restaurants.

Seasonal and local food: Purchasing seasonal and local produce is frequently less expensive than purchasing imported commodities.

Cost Of Books In Queenstown

The cost of textbooks and course materials for international students in Queenstown varies based on the subject of study and the institution. There are many factors that influence the cost of books and these are listed below –

Course materials: The price of course materials varies according to the subject and level of study. Certain courses may necessitate the purchase of pricey textbooks or specialised supplies, whilst others may have fewer.

Institution: In general, private institutions charge more for textbooks and course materials than public universities. So if you’ve enrolled in a private university, it is better to look for more economical options.

New or used books: Buying used books instead of new ones will frequently save you money. Numerous colleges and institutions have utilised book exchange programmes or online markets where students may purchase and sell secondhand books.

Online resources: Many textbooks and course materials are available online for free or at a reduced cost. Some universities also provide access to online libraries and resources as part of their course fees.

Cost Of Entertainment & Recreation In Queenstown

Average Cost Per Month: NZ$ 60

The cost of entertainment and recreation for international students in Queenstown can vary depending on your interests and activities. Here are some factors that can affect the cost of entertainment and recreation:

Outdoor activities: Queenstown is known for its stunning natural scenery and outdoor activities, such as hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. The cost of these activities can vary, with some options like hiking being free, while skiing and snowboarding can be more expensive.

Indoor activities: There are also a variety of indoor activities in Queenstown, such as cinemas, bowling alleys, and escape rooms. The cost of these activities can vary depending on the location and time of day.

Nightlife: Queenstown has a vibrant nightlife scene, with many bars and nightclubs to choose from. The cost of drinks and cover charges can vary depending on the venue.

Events and festivals: Queenstown hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, such as music festivals and food and wine events. The cost of attending these events can vary depending on the ticket prices.

Overall, international students in Queenstown can expect to spend a handful of their budget on entertainment and recreation, especially on weekends. This, however, largely depends on their interests and activities. It’s important to budget for these expenses in advance and prioritizes the activities that are most important to you.

FAQs

Q1. Is Queenstown an expensive city to live in?

Ans: The cost of living in Queenstown for students primarily depends on the choices you’ve made with respect to your student accommodation, food, lifestyle, and more. It can be said that Queenstown is a fairly expensive city to live in with the average monthly price ranging between NZ$ 1930 to NZ$ 1980. However, students can plan their finances well in advance and accordingly stick to a budget.

Q2. How is Queenstown as a city for international students?

Ans: Queenstown is quite likely one of the most stunning places in the country. The town itself is charming, and it is located adjacent to a lake and mountains. The surrounding environment of Queenstown is stunning, and there are plenty of instagrammable sites worth seeing.

Q3. How can I save money while living in Queenstown as a student?

Ans: There are various ways to save money while living in Queenstown, such as preparing your own meals instead of eating out, carpooling with friends instead of using taxis, and partaking in free or low-cost activities like hiking or visiting local parks. You may also book student accommodation in Queenstown to cut your housing expenditures.