The Guide to Planning a Two-Week Trip to Niue for Budget Travellers
A secluded coral atoll in the South Pacific, Niue offers an easy getaway from New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere Downunder. Unlike other South Pacific nations, Niue is just one island, making it cheap and easy to get around and experience its free natural attractions. Travellers can effortlessly spend two weeks here soaking up the tropical sun, exploring the dramatic coastal arches and caves, and snorkelling in crystal clear waters. All you have to do is organise a two-week budget trip to Niue.
In this guide to planning a two-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.
Two Weeks 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: 14 Days. In the below itinerary, you will be staying in the same accommodation. Plus, 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
- Day 8 – Relax at Hio Beach and the Hio Cafe
- Day 9 – Explore Avaiki and Palaha Caves
- Day 10 – Experience a Niuean church service then enjoy an evening of stargazing in a Dark Sky Sanctuary
- Day 11 – Rent a bike and hit the cycle trails
- Day 12 – Enjoy Niue Primary School’s Friday cultural assembly for visitors
- Day 13 – A free day to do one of the more expensive activities on your bucket list, like swimming with whales, scuba diving, etc. – see the 10 Must-Dos in Niue for inspiration
- Day 14 – Visit some of the historic sites, like Laufoli Umu Pit and Taue I Fupiu on the east coast
- Departure day – Get prepared for departure on an exciting and unusual Niue plane day
Two Weeks in Niue (An Active Itinerary)
If the above itinerary doesn’t appeal to you or doesn’t have enough going on, then check out our detailed itinerary below for a more active trip.
See the full itinerary: Niue Budget Itinerary: 14 Days
© PixabayWhere to Stay
Budget accommodation in Niue comes in the form of guesthouses, similar to lodges or 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 accommodation featuring private rooms, a shared lounge, a garden and a modern kitchen.
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.
Kumar Enterprise / Guest House – One of the closest accommodations to the airport and the Swanson Supermarket complex. The guesthouse has 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 and others in the 10 Best Budget Accommodation in Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.comHow to Get Around
With not much of a public transport selection, the most convenient and cost-effective ways to get around Niue are by car, bicycle or e-bike.
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. 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 getting around. Bear in mind, however, 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.
Stargaze – Did you know that Niue is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary? In fact, it’s the only place in the world where an entire country has been given this status. Simply kicking back and gazing up at the stars is a free and mesmerising activity.
Start browsing the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Niue to explore more options.
© NiuePocketGuide.comWhere 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. Nevertheless, if you fancy treating yourself, there are some restaurants that won’t set you too far back, including:
Gill’s Restaurant – Get your curry fix in Niue at this Indian restaurant in the Alofi Commercial Centre. Their vegetarian menus include 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.
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.
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