How to Plan a 5-Day Budget Trip to Niue

The Guide to Planning a 5-Day Trip to Niue for Budget Travellers

Whether you’re looking for an affordable island holiday or want to complement backpacking in New Zealand or Australia with a South Pacific trip, Niue offers an ideal 5-day getaway. Unlike other South Pacific nations, Niue is just one island, making it cheap and easy to get around. What’s more, exploring the dramatic coastal arches and caves and snorkelling in crystal clear waters are 100% free to do. All you have to do is organise a 5-day budget trip to Niue.

In this guide to planning a 5-day trip to Niue on a budget, you’ll find a proposed itinerary (or two), where to stay, how to get around, what to do and where to eat.

Note that due to Niue’s reduced flight schedule, this itinerary may no longer be compatible with current flights – check the flight schedule in Which Airlines Fly to Niue?

5 Days in Niue (A Relaxed Itinerary)

Below is an overview of a laidback budget itinerary for Niue as an alternative to our more active Niue Budget Itinerary: 5 Days. With Niue being a small island, bear in mind that this itinerary has you staying in the same accommodation for the full five days.

Day 1 – Arrive in Niue and check-in at your accommodation
Day 2 – Swim at the Limu Pools and trek to the Matapa Chasm and Talava Arches
Day 3 – Explore the east coast sights, like Togo Chasm and Anapala Chasm
Day 4 – Visit Alofi and experience the culture of the Niue Market and Niue Council of Women’s weaving group
Day 5 – Get prepared for departure on an exciting and unusual Niue plane day.

5 Days in Niue (An Active Itinerary)

If the above itinerary doesn’t have enough going on or simply doesn’t appeal to you, then check out our detailed itinerary below for a more active trip.

See the full itinerary: Niue Budget Itinerary: 5 Days

Where to Stay

Niue has plenty of budget accommodations, which come in the form of guesthouses, similar to backpacker-style accommodation that you would find in New Zealand and Australia. Our top picks include:

Turtle Lodge – Close to top attractions like the Avaiki and Palaha Cave, Turtle Lodge is a contemporary guesthouse featuring private rooms, a shared lounge, a garden and a modern kitchen.

Kumar Enterprise / Guest House – One of the closest accommodations to the airport and shopping complex, this guesthouse has a small selection of private single and double rooms. Features include free WiFi, a communal kitchen and lounge and a spacious garden.

Heleni Jessop’s Fatahega – Super central in Alofi, this budget accommodation has double and triple rooms with the choice of ensuite or a shared bathroom. There is also a communal kitchen, a lounge and a dining area.

Kololi’s Motel – Located in Alofi, the motel offers three self-contained units with full kitchen facilities, as well as guesthouse rooms in the main building with communal facilities.

Learn more about each accommodation and others in the 10 Best Budget Accommodation in Niue.

How to Get Around

With not much in the way of public transport, the most convenient and cost-effective ways to get around Niue include renting a car, bicycle or e-bike.

Car rental – Niue has 123km (76 miles) of paved roads so renting a car is the most popular way of getting around. Car rental companies offer pick-up/drop-off anywhere on the island, usually free of charge. However, there are other costs to consider, such as fuel and buying a Niue driver’s license. Find out more in The Guide to Car Hire in Niue.

Bike rental – Bicycle and e-bike rentals are available in Niue, providing a cheaper and more eco-friendly way of travelling the quiet roads. Bear in mind, however, that it typically takes 4 to 5 hours to cycle around the entire island, so cycling tends to be best for exploring just one coast (unless you’re super fit). Learn more in The Guide to Mountain Biking in Niue.

The Taxi – The closest thing you’ll find to public transport in Niue is its one-and-only taxi, affectionately called “The Taxi”, charging approximately NZ$2 per kilometre. Learn more in The Guide to Taxis in Niue.

For a more detailed look at Niue’s transport options, check out How to Get Around Niue.

What to Do

The beauty of Niue, apart from the fact that it’s a beautiful country, is that its most iconic sights and snorkelling spots are 100% free to visit! All you need is your own snorkelling gear and reef shoes. There are also many cultural activities to enjoy free of charge. Free and cheap things to do in Niue include:

Walking the sea tracks – Niue’s coastline hides many small coves, magnificent caves, dramatic chasms, picturesque beaches, limestone pinnacles, huge arches and more. All of these are accessed down short sea tracks. Check them out in the 10 Best Sea Tracks in Niue

Snorkelling – Admittedly, this point comes hand-in-hand with the one above, as many of the sea tracks lead to sensational snorkelling spots too. Niue benefits from crystal clear waters due to limited run-off from the island, making coral and tropical fish viewing all the more vivid. See the free snorkelling spots in the 10 Best Places to Snorkel in Niue

Cultural activities – There are weekly events in Niue that visitors are welcome to join, providing an insight into the Niuean culture. Watch the weavers at the Niue Council of Women, visit the Niue Market, attend the visitor assembly at Niue Primary School, go to a local church service, and more! Check out 10 Best Ways to Experience the Niue Culture for more ideas.

Need more ideas? Check out the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Niue.

Where to Eat

With most of Niue’s accommodation having self-catering facilities, it’s easy to stick to a food budget by cooking your own meals. Nevertheless, if you fancy treating yourself, there are some restaurants that won’t set you back too far, including:

Crazy Uga Cafe – The rustic cafe overlooking a quiet bay serves up salads, pasta and paninis for around NZ$13, while fish and chips are around NZ$20.

Cafe Tavana – In the Alofi Commercial Cente, this is your one-stop shop for fish and chips! A plate of fish and chips and/or salad will only set you back around NZ$20, while burgers are around NZ$10-$16.

Wok on the Rock – The Asian-inspired restaurant has an ever-changing menu throughout the night, including the likes of beef noodles, tuna poke, fish curries and more. Meals are typically NZ$16-$20.

Washaway Cafe – Exclusively open on Sundays, this casual beachfront cafe offers some of the most affordable burgers and pizzas on the island, costing around NZ$14-$15. It also has an honesty bar to serve your own drinks and write down your own food order for the kitchen.

Check out more recommendations on where to eat in our guide to the Top Cheap Eats in Niue.

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Niue Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Niue. She knows the island inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Niue’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page