Nothing beats finding cash inside your Nana’s birthday card. So, if you’re stuck on a Secret Santa gift this year, giving cash or a little travel booty is always a crowd-pleaser! 

That’s why we’ve broken down what a $100 Secret Santa travel booty could actually buy abroad. From Japan to Switzerland, let’s find out! 

$100 in Canada – NZD to CAD

Know someone who’s heading to the land of maple syrup? We’re super jealous. $100 NZD is equal to approximately $80 Canadian Dollars (CAD), which can go a long way! Here are just a few things it could buy:

• A national park discovery pass: the annual pass to visit all of Canada's National Parks is currently C$75 (for one adult).
• A hockey game: one or two tickets to a local or lower-tier professional hockey game, though a major NHL game ticket would likely be more.
• Maple syrup: around 10-12 small souvenir bottles (100ml) of Canadian maple syrup. 

$100 in Switzerland – NZD to CHF

Switzerland is known to be a pretty pricey destination, but $100 Kiwi Dollars (around 46 Swiss Francs) can still buy some nice goodies, including: 

• Swiss chocolates: several quality bars of Swiss chocolate (Cailler, Lindt, etc.) as souvenirs.
• Public transport pass: a 24-hour day pass for unlimited travel on trams, buses, and short ferries within a major city's local zones (e.g., Zurich or Geneva).
• Museum entry: an entrance fee to a major museum, art gallery, or a short funicular/cable car ride.

$100 in Italy – NZD to EUR

If you have a loved one heading to Italy soon, we’re sure they’ll be stoked with a wad of cash for Chrissie! Let’s see what $100 (approximately 49 Euros) could purchase: 

• Museum or gallery entry: the entrance fee for a major landmark like the Uffizi Gallery in Florence (€25) to see the Birth of Venus, or the Vatican Museums (entry starts around €20).
• Handmade pottery: a hand-painted small ceramic bowl or piece of pottery from a town like Deruta or in Southern Italy (approx. €30 - €50).
• Gelato: around 18 servings of Italian gelato – not bad in our books!  

$100 in London – NZD to GBP

London is a popular travel destination for us Kiwis, and there’s plenty of shopping to be done! Here’s what $100 NZD (around 43 Great British Pounds) could snap up: 

• Museum/tour admission: a ticket to the Tower of London (approx. £36) or a similar major London landmark.
• West End Theatre: a budget-friendly seat or a matinee ticket for a non-premium show (prices often start around £25 - £35).
• Souvenirs: around 14 small souvenirs, including keyrings, simple magnets, postcards, and small pin badges.

$100 in Hong Kong – NZD to HKD

Know someone heading to Hong Kong in the new year? A $100 Secret Santa stash could get around 450 Hong Kong Dollars, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at! Here’s what it could buy: 

• Ferry rides: around 70 to 90 rides on the iconic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour.
• Attraction entry: the entrance fee for a major paid attraction, such as the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car or a ticket to a popular museum.
• Bubble tea: 11-18 cups of bubble tea, from classic mixes to premium concoctions.

$100 in Japan – NZD to JPY

Pretty much everyone knows someone who has visited or is heading to Japan soon, especially with the AUD to JPY being quite favourable. $100 equates to around 9,030 Japanese Yen, and could cover:

• Handmade chopsticks: a traditional, engraved chopstick set from a local vendor – a one-of-a-kind souvenir!
• Attraction entry: a ticket to an exhibition, a museum, or a moderately priced theme park like Universal Studios Japan or Tokyo Disneyland.
• Gachapon toys: 11-39 Gachapon capsule toys, depending on the cost per play.

$100 in Australia – NZD to AUD

Got a pal hopping across the pond to Australia? Pop $100 (approximately 87 Australian Dollars) in their Christmas stocking to help cover: 

• Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb (express/short option): a shorter climb (around 2 hours) for breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the city skyline.
• Museum or gallery entry and special exhibit: visit the Australian Museum (Sydney) or the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne) and explore a special exhibition. Adult tickets are often $20–$40, leaving budget for a café snack or gift shop purchase.
• Harbour or city sightseeing cruise: enjoy a 1–2 hour scenic cruise around Sydney Harbour, Brisbane River, or Melbourne’s Yarra River for stunning city and waterfront views. Prices are typically $40–$60 per adult.

$100 in South Africa – NZD to ZAR

Whether it’s for work or play, South Africa is also a top destination for Kiwi travellers, and you’d be surprised how far $100 (around 970 South African Rand) could buy: 

• Table Mountain cableway: two adult return tickets for the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (return ticket costs around R395 - R420 each).
• Half-day guided tour: the cost of a half-day guided cultural tour (e.g., in Soweto or a walking tour of Bo-Kaap/Cape Town).
• Wine tasting: A full day of self-guided wine tasting (tastings typically cost R50 – R150 per vineyard) and transportation using a ride-share service between a few Stellenbosch or Franschhoek farms.

$100 in New York – NZD to USD

Welcome to New York! From Times Square to Broadway to Central Park, the Big Apple is a goldmine for tourist attractions. Here’s what $100 New Zealand Dollars (around 58 United States Dollars) could grab: 

• Museum entry: The admission price for one major museum, like The Met or MoMA, is typically US$25 - $30 for non-New York residents.
• Broadway show: while the average Broadway ticket is much higher, you can sometimes snag Rush, Lottery, or Standing Room tickets for popular shows at or below $65.
• Bagels: score around 24 classic New York bagels to stay fuelled for all those adventures.

$100 in Singapore – NZD to SGD

Kiwis love Singapore, whether it’s for a direct holiday or just as a layover on their way to another travel destination. Here’s what $100 (approximately 75 Singapore Dollars) could get: 

• Universal Studios Singapore: a 1-Day adult ticket starts around S$76 – S$85. S$82 would cover the entrance fee and maybe a small snack.
• Gardens by the Bay: the combined ticket for the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest is around S$46, leaving about S$36 to spend on food and transport.
• Historical Singapore bicycle tour: a guided historical bicycle tour can cost around S$80, which is a fantastic way to cover a lot of ground and learn about the city's history.

$100 in Thailand – NZD to THB

Thailand is another hot destination for New Zealand travellers, especially with the AUD to THB being pretty strong – meaning more bang for your buck. $100 converts to around 1830 Thai Baht, and can go a long way: 

• Island day trip: a popular full-day tour to a destination like the Phi Phi Islands (from Phuket or Krabi) or a trip to James Bond Island often costs between ฿1,500 – ฿3,500.
• Full-day cooking class: a comprehensive Thai cooking class, including market visits and multiple dishes, is usually around ฿1,200 – ฿1,800.
• Multiple massages: the cost of a traditional 1-hour Thai or Foot massage at a reputable shop is typically ฿250 – ฿400 (though cheaper street-side spots exist). 

$100 in United Arab Emirates – NZD to AED

From futuristic skyscrapers to luxury shopping to trending Dubai Chocolate, the United Arab Emirates has so much to offer travellers. Here’s what a $100 (around 210 United Arab Emirates dirham) Secret Santa stash could buy: 

• Burj Khalifa entry: an off-peak, standard admission ticket to the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa is often around AED 159 - AED 179.
• Dubai Museum/Old Dubai: entry to cultural sites like the Al Fahidi Historical District and museums is very cheap (often AED 5-10).
• Theme Park half-day: the entry fee for some smaller, non-premium theme park experiences or a specific zone within a larger complex.

Secret Santa cash stash sorted? Visit your local Travel Money NZ store for fast, festive foreign cash today! Better yet, don’t forget to make use of our Price Beat Guarantee to get even more bang for your buck.

_{Currency conversion according to retail rates as of December 17, 2025, and is subject to change. This blog is provided for information only and does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider whether the information and suggestions contained in any blog entry are appropriate for you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation, and needs. While we take reasonable care in providing the blog, we give no warranties or representations that it is complete or accurate, or that it is appropriate for you. We are not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise, arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information and/or suggestions contained in this blog. Terms and conditions apply to Price Beat Guarantee.}