New Zealand · When to go
When Is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?
The best time to visit New Zealand depends on what you want to do. A season-by-season and month-by-month guide for planning, with regional differences explained.
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Travel Insights
Clear answers to the questions travelers ask when planning New Zealand, Australia and Asia.
Our editorial standards
Travel Insights is a planning library, not a news feed. Each guide answers a specific question, gives the short answer first and then explains the detail. We separate three kinds of information: researched facts, drawn from official tourism, government and transport sources that we cite; professional advice, based on our work as travel advisors; and illustrative examples, such as sample routes. We do not describe first-hand experiences unless we say so. Every guide shows when it was published and last updated. Entry rules, schedules and prices change, so we flag where you should check current official information.
New Zealand
New Zealand destination guide
New Zealand · Comparison
North Island vs South Island: Which Should You Visit?
How New Zealand's North and South Islands differ, which suits your interests, and how to divide your time on a one- to three-week trip.
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Australia destination guide
Australia · When to go
When Is the Best Time to Visit Australia?
Australia's climate varies hugely by region. Learn the best time to visit Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and Tasmania, and how to combine them.
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Australia · Planning guide
How to Plan a First Trip to Australia
A step-by-step guide to planning a first trip to Australia: how long to go, which regions to combine, Sydney vs Melbourne vs Brisbane, timing and logistics.
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Japan · Planning guide
How Much Time Do You Need in Japan?
How many days to spend in Japan on a first trip, with sample splits for one week, ten days, two weeks and three weeks, and advice on planning your itinerary.
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Japan · Comparison
Tokyo vs Kyoto: Understanding the Differences
How Tokyo and Kyoto differ in character, sights, food, stays and crowds, and how to divide your time between Japan's two essential cities on a first trip.
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Vietnam destination guide
Vietnam · When to go
When Is the Best Time to Visit Vietnam?
Vietnam has three distinct climates. Learn the best time to visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong, and the best months for a full trip.
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Vietnam · Comparison
Northern vs Central vs Southern Vietnam: Where Should You Go?
How Vietnam's north, center and south differ in landscapes, history, food and weather, and how to plan a two-week Vietnam itinerary that includes the right regions.
Read the guideThailand
Thailand destination guide
Thailand · Planning guide
Thailand for First-Time Visitors: Where Should You Go?
Where to go on a first trip to Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the north, and how to choose between Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui by season and travel style.
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Thailand · Comparison
Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket: How to Choose
Comparing Thailand's three most popular bases, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, by character, experiences, season and traveler type, and how to combine them.
Read the guideSouth Korea
South Korea destination guide
South Korea · When to go
When Is the Best Time to Visit South Korea?
The best time to visit South Korea by season and month, including cherry blossom and autumn foliage timing, monsoon season, holidays and Jeju Island weather.
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South Korea · Planning guide
How to Plan a First Trip to South Korea
A practical guide to a first South Korea trip: how long to stay, where to go beyond Seoul, a sample 10-day route, getting around by KTX, and essential tips.
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