The Guide to Planning a One-Week Trip to Niue for Budget Travellers
Swap the soft sands and archipelagos of the South Pacific’s typical island nations for the world’s largest uplifted coral atoll, the country of Niue. Niue is just one island, making it cheap and easy to explore its rugged landscape of chasms, caves and natural swimming pools. All you have to do is organise a one-week budget trip to Niue.
In this guide to planning a one-week 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.
One Week in Niue (A Relaxed Itinerary)
Below is an overview of a relaxed budget itinerary for Niue as an alternative to our more active Niue Budget Itinerary: 7 Days. In this itinerary, you will be staying in the same accommodation. Also note, there is an extra day added due to the irregular flight schedule.
- Day 1 – Arrive in Niue and check-in at your accommodation
- Day 2 – Explore Alofi, its museum, shops and sea tracks. Pick up a driver license (if needed)
- Day 3 – Visit Avatele, its beach, the Washaway Cafe and Pofitu Sea Track
- Day 4 – Swim at the Limu Pools
- Day 5 – Trek to the Matapa Chasm and Talava Arches
- Day 6 – Visit the Niue Market and Niue Council of Women’s weaving group
- Day 7 – Explore the east coast sights, like Togo Chasm and Anapala Chasm
- Departure day – Get prepared for departure on an exciting and unusual Niue plane day.
One Week in Niue (An Active Itinerary)
If the above itinerary doesn’t appeal to you or doesn’t have enough going on, check out our detailed itinerary below for a more active trip.
See the full itinerary: Niue Budget Itinerary: 7 Days
© PxhereWhere to Stay
Cheap accommodation in Niue comes in the form of guesthouses and lodges, similar to backpacker-style accommodation that you would find in New Zealand and Australia. Budget-friendly stays in Niue include:
Turtle Lodge – Close to top attractions like the Avaiki and Palaha Caves, Turtle Lodge is a contemporary guesthouse accommodation featuring private rooms, a shared lounge, a garden and a modern kitchen.
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.
Heleni Jessop’s Fatahega – Super central in Alofi, this guesthouse 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.
Kumar Enterprise / Guest House – This guesthouse is one of the closest accommodations to the airport and the main shopping complex. There is a small selection of private single and double rooms. Features including free WiFi, a communal kitchen and lounge and a spacious garden.
Find out more about these accommodations in the 10 Best Budget Accommodation in Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.comHow to Get Around
With not much of a public transport system, the most convenient and cost-effective ways to get around Niue include hiring a car, bicycle or e-bike. Here is a quick overview of Niue’s transport:
Car rental – With Niue having 123km (76 miles) of paved roads, 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. There are other costs to consider, however, 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 getting around. Bear in mind, that it typically takes 4 to 5 hours to cycle around the entire island, so this option 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 – Niue has no public transport system. The closest thing you’ll find to public transport is the island’s 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 in-depth look at Niue’s transport options, check out How to Get Around Niue.
© Niue TourismWhat 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! Just make sure you bring your own snorkelling gear and reef shoes and you’re laughing! 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 is hidden with small coves, magnificent caves, dramatic chasms, picturesque beaches, limestone pinnacles, huge arches and more. All of these are accessed down 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. Niue benefits from crystal clear waters due to limited run-off from the island. See the location of each free snorkelling spot in the 10 Best Places to Snorkel in Niue
Cultural activities – There are weekly events in Niue that visitors are welcome to join, providing a magnificent 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.
And, explore more options in the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Niue.
© Niue TourismWhere to Eat
With most of Niue’s accommodation having self-catering facilities, it’s easy to stick to your food budget if you cook your own meals. Get some tips in The Guide to Food Shopping in Niue. Nevertheless, if you fancy treating yourself, some of the more affordable eateries in Niue include:
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.
Gill’s Restaurant – Get your curry fix at this Indian restaurant in the Alofi Commercial Centre. Their vegetarian menu includes NZ$16 for curry and rice, while meat curries are around NZ$20.
Cafe Tavana – Also in the 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.
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.
Check out more recommendations on where to eat in our guide to the Top Cheap Eats in Niue.
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