The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the most popular day hikes in New Zealand. Located in Tongariro National Park, this 19.4 km track passes over the volcanic ground of Mount Tongariro, further passing the eastern base of Mount Ngauruhoe.
If you’re interested in exploring this spectacular trail, there are plenty of budget accommodation options available so you can experience its wonders without breaking the bank.
So pack your bags, and choose one of these 11 budget Tongariro National Park hotels, lodges, motels, and resorts near Tongariro Crossing.
Mountain Heights Lodge
The Mountain Heights Lodge is an ideal option for backpackers and families. It is a 20-minute drive from the Tongariro Crossing and a 3-minute drive from the National Park Village.
The lodge offers various accommodation options, including family rooms with bunk beds and large double beds, deluxe queen suites, and twin rooms. Some rooms come with private bathrooms, whereas others have shared bathrooms. Moreover, all the rooms have a toaster, an electric kettle, and free WiFi.
The property also provides free parking, complimentary breakfast, and a pet-friendly environment.
Mountain Heights Lodge is the perfect place to stay when you’re planning on hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Things to Do Nearby Mountain Heights Lodge
- Take a 9-minute drive from the lodge to the scenic Mounds Walk.
- The Schnapps Mini Golf is just 2.5 km from the Mountain Heights Lodge and is a perfect place to spend your evening.
The Park Hotel
The Park Hotel is located in the heart of Tongariro National Park, providing guests with stunning alpine views and easy access to hiking and skiing trails.
The hotel offers affordable accommodation, with each room featuring an en suite bathroom, tea/coffee-making facilities and a refrigerator. Guests can enjoy free WiFi access throughout the property and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
The Park Hotel offers its guests a range of additional facilities, including outdoor hot tubs, free parking, and shuttle service to the start of the Tongariro Crossing.
Things to Do Nearby The Park Hotel
- Visit the nearby restaurants like The Station Cafe and Restaurant, Schnapps Bar, The Spiral Restaurant & Bar, etc.
Pipers Lodge
The Pipers lodge is a 20-minute drive from the Tongariro crossing and a 10-minute walk from the National Park Railway Station.
The lodge offers budget-friendly double rooms, twin rooms, quadruple economy rooms, and six-bed bunk rooms with shared bathrooms. It also provides an ensuite bedroom and 6 berth ensuite rooms. And, of course, free WiFi is available everywhere on the property.
In addition to the comfortable rooms, Pipers Lodge has an on-site bar and restaurant, a shared lounge, and a fireplace. The lodge also offers a game room with billiards, table tennis, and arcade games.
Things to Do Nearby Pipers Lodge
- The spectacular Mt. Ruapehu is within a 20-minute drive.
Plateau Lodge
Plateau Lodge is a 15 minutes drive from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and is perfect for families and couples.
The property offers two-bedroom apartments with an ensuite bathroom, a dishwasher, and a microwave. Double or twin rooms are available with private bathrooms and shared bathroom facilities our King Studio Pods have an outside bath.
In addition, the lodge provides free WiFi, parking, a large communal lounge and a shared kitchen. Laundry facilities are also available on-site.
Plateau Lodge is travel-sustainable, promotes recycling, and avoids using single-use plastics.
Things to Do Nearby Plateau Lodge
- Enjoy horseback riding in Horsemtrails, a 16-minute drive from the lodge.
Tongariro Crossing Lodge
The Lodge is located in the heart of National Park Village, making it the perfect spot for budget-minded travellers and backpackers.
Accommodation at Tongariro Crossing Lodge is nothing short of luxurious. The suites are spacious and affordably priced, with private balconies that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. In addition, each suite comes equipped with a refrigerator, television, electric kettle, and coffee and tea maker.
The lodge also offers BBQ facilities, free WiFi, and complimentary tea and coffee to all its guests.
Things to Do Nearby Tongariro Crossing Lodge
- Take a scenic 13-minute drive to visit Tupapakurua Falls.
Turangi Bridge Motel
Turangi Bridge Motel is situated on the banks of the Tongariro river. It is a 20-minute drive to Tongariro Crossing and offers a spectacular view of the mountains at its doorstep.
Accommodation options include standard double rooms, twin rooms and family rooms that can accommodate up to 5 people. All rooms have a refrigerator, microwave, electric blanket and a private bathroom. Some suites also have fully equipped kitchens.
Free WiFi is available all over the property, and free parking is available on-site. Coin-operated laundry and heating facilities are also available.
In addition to the standard amenities, the motel also offers a spa bath in some suites.
Things to Do Nearby Turangi Bridge Motel
- The Turangi Climbing Gym is within walking distance.
Creel Lodge
Creel Lodge is located in Turangi, a 20-minute drive from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
The lodge offers accommodations, including one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites that are perfect for couples or families. All rooms feature AC, a private bathroom, and a patio.
The Creel Lodge also offers guests complimentary breakfast, free WiFi and parking.
A fully equipped kitchen with an oven, stove, microwave, and tea and coffee maker is also available.
Things to Do Nearby Creel Lodge
- Visit Te Kapua park, located within walking distance of the Creel Lodge.
The Alpine Chalets
The Alpine Chalets is just a 24-minute drive to the Tongariro Crossing. The property offers panoramic views of the national park and provides a peaceful environment to the guests.
It offers family studios, queen studios, and twin rooms. All units have a kitchenette, microwave, and a balcony with dining and seating spaces.
In addition, all the units have private bathrooms, a TV, a fridge, and a toaster. There are also coin-operated washing machines and dryers in the laundry room.
Things to Do Nearby The Alpine Chalets
- Walk through scenic areas of Meads Wall, which is 22.4 km from The Alpine Chalets.
Skotel Alpine Resort
Skotel Alpine Resort is situated in the heart of Whakapapa Village. It is a 40-minute drive to the Mangatepopo, where the Tongariro trail starts.
Skotel Alpine Resort offers the Ngauruhoe room, Ruapehu room, and Tongariro room with spectacular views of the volcanic mountains. All the rooms feature en suite bathrooms and amenities like TVs, refrigerators, and patios.
Backpacker bunk rooms are also available with shared bathrooms. Backpacker rooms are bunk (3 bed own room) and doubles (queen bed).
The resort offers buffet breakfast and packed lunches, free WiFi, free parking, and facilities like a fully equipped shared kitchen and wheelchair access.
Moreover, the property is travel sustainable as they promote recycling and avoid using single-use plastics. The entire property is run on energy-efficient led bulbs, and the food provided is locally sourced.
Things to Do Nearby Skotel Alpine Resort
- Enjoy the beauty of Taranaki falls, within a 2-minute walk from the resort.
Adventure Lodge and Motels
Adventure Lodge and Motels is a 25-minute drive from the Tongariro crossing. It is situated in a quiet location away from the rush of the national highway.
The hotel offers a freedom package with a queen-sized bed, including breakfast and lunch. Economy and budget rooms with shared bathrooms and family apartments with ensuite bathrooms are available. Moreover, studio rooms with disability access are also available.
Additionally, the property offers a shared kitchen facility, provision for coin-operated laundry, free WiFi and parking.
Things to Do Nearby Adventure Lodge and Motels
- Enjoy a game at Schnapps Bar Mini Golf, just a 5-minute walk from Adventure Lodge and Motels.
Parklands Motor Lodge and Holiday Park
Parklands motor lodge and holiday park is situated in Turangi, the nearest town to Tongariro national park, and is a 25-minute drive from the Tongariro crossing. The stay is ideal for families and couples.
The lodge offers studio rooms and bedroom units with private bathrooms. Chalets are available at lower rates and have shared bathroom facilities.
The lodge provides shared kitchen facilities with a refrigerator, microwave, electric kettle, and toaster.
In addition, the property has a swimming pool and an indoor game room.
Things to Do Nearby Parklands Motor Lodge and Holiday Park
- Enjoy a hot bath in the Tokaanu Thermal Pools, a 5-minute drive from the property.
Getting to Cheap Accommodation Tongariro Crossing
Conclusion
We hope these 11 budget accommodations will bring you closer to enjoying all that Tongariro Crossing and the National Park Village has to offer.
Happy hiking!
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