Written by Callum Taylor, Camille Laurent, Marika Maslanka
25/08/2025
Elizaveta Vinogradova, Pexels
Queenstown features a well-connected airport, Queenstown Airport (ZQN), as its primary air gateway, conveniently located a short drive from the town centre in Frankton. For ground transport, the main InterCity bus terminal is situated in Athol Street, while a comprehensive local public bus network, Orbus, serves the town and surrounding areas, including the airport and Frankton bus hub. Additionally, Queenstown Ferries provide scenic water transport across Lake Wakatipu.
By Air:
One can fly directly into Queenstown Airport (ZQN) from major New Zealand cities such as Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, with airlines like Air New Zealand and Jetstar. Domestic one-way fares can start from approximately NZD $78 - $109, with flight times ranging from about 1 hour (Christchurch) to 1 hour 55 minutes (Auckland).
Direct international flights are available from Australian eastern cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Gold Coast, offered by carriers such as Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Australia. A flight from Sydney typically takes around 2 hours 55 minutes.
By Bus:
InterCity provides long-distance bus services connecting Queenstown to various South Island destinations. For example, a journey from Christchurch takes approximately 8 hours 10 minutes, and from Dunedin, about 4 hours 40 minutes, with fares for Dunedin to Queenstown ranging from NZD $35 - $65.
From Queenstown Airport, the Orbus public bus (Route #1) offers frequent service to the town centre via the Frankton bus hub, typically taking 10-25 minutes. A single adult fare is NZD $2 with a registered Bee Card, or NZD $4 cash without one. A Bee Card costs an additional NZD $5.
By Car Rental:
Car rental is a popular option for exploring the region independently, with major rental companies operating from Queenstown Airport. Booking in advance is highly recommended. Daily rental costs vary widely, but one might find options from around NZD $9 to $99 per day, with intermediate vehicles averaging about NZD $44 per day. Additional costs for fuel (approx. NZD $2.50-$3.20 per litre) and optional insurance should be considered.
By Shuttle:
Shared shuttle services are available from Queenstown Airport to the town centre and accommodations, costing approximately NZD $10 per person, with potential discounts for groups. Travel time to the town centre is typically 20-30 minutes.
By Taxi:
Taxis are readily available at Queenstown Airport, offering a direct route to the town centre in about 15 minutes. The fare for this journey is approximately NZD $40 - $50.
By Ferry:
Local ferry services connect Queenstown Bay with Frankton, Bayview, and Hilton jetties. A single trip costs NZD $5 with a Bee Card, or NZD $7 when paying with a bank card. A return journey covering these stops takes approximately one hour.
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