Looking for Affordable Dec-Jan International Family Holiday Suggestions

Cheapkiwi on 14/09/2025 - 08:42

Hey everyone — need travel brainpower! 🇳🇿✈️

Looking for cost-effective international holiday ideas for a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids) for 10–15 days sometime over the peak Dec → Jan period. We want a decent, relaxing break (beach or family-friendly city) but keeping costs reasonable — thinking of using NZ stat days to stretch the trip.

Has anyone done this recently and found good value? Any recs for where to stay, when to book, or travel hacks to save (best airlines, package deals, kid-friendly tips)?
Examples we’re considering: Bali, Fiji or the Gold Coast — happy to be swayed.

Appreciate any honest recs — flights/accommodation budgets you paid would be super helpful. Thanks!

General Discussion

Comments

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  • Asset on 15/09/2025 - 07:30
    +1

    We loved Bali in April. Was cheap once there not but a bit pricey to get to.

    • Avatar on 17/09/2025 - 18:33

      Dec - Jan is like peak wet season for Bali don't go then. Bali has some nice places but overall it's a shit hole.

  • raceygirl on 15/09/2025 - 08:10

    Apparently Japan and Vietnam have good exchange rates atm

  • AleBeerenhoff on 15/09/2025 - 08:54
    +2

    Do you have any guidance on what your budget is - as ones person's 'affordable' is different to another.

  • gcnz on 15/09/2025 - 10:21

    Last year in Jan (from 16th) we got a House of Travel package holiday to Fiji. Was $4360 for 2 adults 2 kids, rtn flights chc to Nadi, 5 nights Plantation Island (inc kids eat free), 1 night before and after PI and transfers. We had a great time. I don't see anything similar advertised at the moment though. Our kids were 2 and 5, I'm sure they would have loved to stay longer but that was enough for us, might be different with older kids that want to join the kids club so the adults can relax a bit more. With 10 to 15 days I'd be looking at AU and having a few different bases, so maybe Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and further North. We haven't been to Bali though.

  • kiwijunglist on 15/09/2025 - 10:36
    +2

    We spent about 8k for 8 days at intercontinental Fiji 2 adults 2 children. That includes taxi and food and drinks etc. Flights are cheap (and quick, 3.5hr direct) but accommodation can be quite pricey. We also spent one night in denaru at Radisson. Denaru sucks the beach is poor it doesn't have tropical vibes either.

  • vorman on 15/09/2025 - 11:04
    +1

    We travelled to Bali in May (2 adults, 2 kids - 3yo and 8mo baby).
    Spent ~6k all up for ~13 days/14 nights, including everything (Flights, accomo, eVisa, taxi fares there, food spend, activities, shopping). I can break this down in further detail if you PM me. I used Wise mostly so it was helpful that it categorised all my spend in respective categories - food, travel, activities, withdrawals etc.
    All hotels provided breakfast.
    We stayed in Seminyak, Ubud and Sanur. Total price above includes internal travel.
    We wanted a mix of beach and city vibe so Bali provided just that. Well, depending how you want to spend your time.

    • Asset on 16/09/2025 - 08:50

      We spent over 6k just on flights to Bali fam of 4 from Nelson - but it was April school holidays but it was no frills Jetstar. Cheap once there.we went right up north to Pemuteran which was so lovely and peaceful. My tips use wise and use shop back for money back on accommodation.

  • moxpearl on 15/09/2025 - 12:02
    +1

    Basically anywhere but Aussie, they share the same (roughly) school holidays as us, so things there are far more expensive during those times.

    Wherever you got thou, the main cost will be the flights… given how they are often 2-3x the price during school holidays.

  • kiwijunglist on 15/09/2025 - 21:51
    +1

    We also did Vietnam recently for 5 weeks. Some really nice resorts were quite cheap in the region of $250-350 ish per night for the family with breakfast.

    Amiana Resort in camh ranh was amazing value for half board (bfast dinner afternoon tea) I'm not sure if they are still running opening special as it is a brand new resort. Great beach and great food. Booked directly with hotel website.

    We also loved the wyndhm resort hoi an we had a 3bdrm villa with it's own pool for about $450/n. That was via airbnb. Was quite fancy it had 4 bathrooms and a full lounge and kitchen. It was right on the edge of the beach was about 20m walk from the rear garden/pool to the beach.

    We got cheap meals via grab delivery (uber eats Vietnam version). Delivery is about $2-4 nzd and meals are about $3-15ea depends on what you order. Typically about $4-8.

    My wife is Vietnamese so we go every year or alt-year.

  • jackvdbuk on 16/09/2025 - 09:01

    covers Christmas period - pizza in Italy?
    https://www.cheapies.nz/node/53098

  • Avatar on 17/09/2025 - 18:44

    I am seeing Bali and Fiji come up. Check the seasonal weather. Bali wet season then. The islands like Fiji could be ok but I wouldn't risk going to the islands in summer as it is cyclone season. I would suggest the lower half of Australia that time of year. Talking south of Brisbane. As for saving money don't pick a destination and go from there instead base the trip around cheap flights or accommodation you can get. I took family to gold coast last year and accomadation prices varied huge amounts between days and weeks. I got a two bedroom apartment for around $150 a night Sunday to Friday but the same place cost around $400 a night to for the pre and post weekend.

  • stuart10009 on 28/10/2025 - 20:11
    +1

    go onto sky scanner. type in orgin as Auckland and destination as Anywhere. type in dates and sort by price. low to high. take your pick :)

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