For budget-friendly travel lenses for your Nikon Z5 II, several excellent options offer versatility without breaking the bank. The Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR is a highly recommended all-in-one superzoom. It covers a vast range from wide-angle to telephoto, making it ideal for travel where you want to avoid changing lenses frequently. It's compact and lightweight for its capabilities. Another strong contender is the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8. While not as wide or long as the 24-200mm, its constant f/2.8 aperture offers better low-light performance and pleasing background blur, all at an affordable price. For a compact prime, consider the Nikon Z 40mm f/2 or the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8. These are very small, lightweight, and affordable, great for street photography or when you want a minimalist setup. Third-party options like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.8 or Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 also provide good image quality at a more budget-conscious price point.

For budget travel lenses, you've got some great options. Another strong contender is the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8. While not as wide or long as the 24-200mm, its constant f/2.8 aperture offers better low-light performance and pleasing background blur, all at an affordable price.

If you want to go even more minimal, consider the Nikon Z 40mm f/2 or the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8. These are very small, lightweight, and affordable, great for street photography or when you want a minimalist setup.

The 40mm f/2 is particularly nice as a pancake lens - you can slip it in your pocket and the Z5 II becomes incredibly compact for travel.

To add to the point above: I know those small primes are tempting because they're light, but I'd be a bit cautious about relying on them as your only gear. I had a bad experience a few years back where a budget lens's focus motor just gave up while I was trekking through humid forests in Costa Rica. It basically turned my camera into a paperweight for half the trip because I didn't have a backup. I would suggest looking at the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S instead of the superzooms. Even though it's technically a kit lens, it's part of the S-line, so the sealing is way more dependable. People overlook it, but the build quality is night and day compared to the non-S stuff. It's much less likely to suck in dust when you're zooming, which is a real risk with those long-range lenses like the 24-200. I've found that having those extra gaskets gives me so much more peace of mind when the weather turns. Also, you might want to consider the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S. It's incredibly sharp and, more importantly, it feels like it could survive some real world use. I've always felt that for travel, one solid, weather-resistant lens is better than three cheap ones that might fail you when you're miles from home. Just make sure to check the mount seals before you head out... better safe than sorry, ngl.

Z 14–30mm f/4 S. Great for architecture, tight interiors, and landscapes. It takes front filters (rare for an ultra‑wide), is small, and plays nicely with IBIS for handheld shots at slower shutter speeds. Add the Z 40mm f/2 for people and food.