Getting Here & Around

Getting to Queenstown is easy whether you decide to fly, drive or catch a coach.

Queenstown Airport receives daily direct flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and great road access on major New Zealand highways makes driving into Queenstown an easy and beautiful experience. Exploring the region once you’re in Queenstown is simple with a range of local transport options.

Where is Queenstown?

Queenstown is located in the southwest corner of the South Island of New Zealand and is very accessible with multiple daily direct flights from all New Zealand’s main centres. Direct scheduled services from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Gold Coast in Australia are also available however New Zealand’s international border is currently closed so these routes are currently paused.

Queenstown airport is located just 15 minutes from downtown Queenstown and links to the city centre with shuttles, taxi services, buses and rental cars.

For visitors that chose to drive, experiencing the beautiful Southern Scenic Route through Otago and Southland is a stunning way to arrive in Queenstown or meander down the South Island from the West Coast or Canterbury, taking your time to take in the scenery along the way.

Explore the interactive map to plan your scenic journey to Queenstown, New Zealand today.

Fly to Queenstown

Queenstown airport is the gateway to the lower South Island. Located 15 minutes from downtown Queenstown, the Queenstown Airport services the region with daily domestic flights. It receives direct scheduled services from New Zealand’s main metropolitan ports of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch which provide strong regional links throughout the country.

Air New Zealand and Jetstar both operate domestic flights to and from Queenstown. Direct scheduled services from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Gold Coast in Australia are also available however New Zealand’s international border is currently closed so these routes are currently paused.

Queenstown international airport is located just 15 minutes from downtown Queenstown and links to the city centre with shuttles, taxi services, buses and rental cars.

Queenstown Airport is also New Zealand’s busiest helicopter base and is frequently used for ‘flightseeing’ on fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. There are many great products available for visitors to explore the region by air.

Drive to Queenstown

Driving to Queenstown is a very scenic option and if you’re planning to travel by road you can drive yourself, hop on a bus or join a coach tour. Major New Zealand highways connect Queenstown to surrounding South Island regions and you’ll come across incredible natural landscapes and different attractions on the drive to Queenstown - making it an ideal trip if you have time to explore.

Roads to Queenstown are well signposted from the surrounding regions. New Zealand highways are fully sealed and well-maintained but some side-roads to activities & attractions may be loose gravel and require more time and care.  

In New Zealand we drive on the left hand side of the road and some of our roads can be narrow and winding. It is also possible to encounter sheep and cattle on rural roads in New Zealand. It pays to give yourself extra time and to understand New Zealand road rules and signs. Visit Drivesafe New Zealand for helpful tips and information if you are planning a self-drive trip to Queenstown.

There are daily buses to Queenstown from Wanaka, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch to Queenstown as well as scheduled coach tours and backpacker tour buses. There are also rental car and motor home depots based at Queenstown airport and some operators have offices in downtown Queenstown.

Getting Around

Once you arrive in Queenstown, getting around is easy, whether you hire your own car, use the $2 public bus network which links Queenstown’s main suburbs or explore the region by foot or cycle on the Queenstown Trail. Or take the lake and hop on the Queenstown ferry network from Frankton Arm to Queenstown. You can check out the ferry timetable here. 

There is also a free shuttle service from The Station in Queenstown (corner Shotover Street and Camp Street) to Arrowtown, which runs Thursday - Sunday. Find out more here. 

Many local activity operators also offer free transport from the town centre and hotels making it easy to get out and about and experience what the region has to offer. The compact downtown area of Queenstown means many restaurants, attractions and accommodation are within walking distance of each other and can be reached easily on foot so you can leave the car behind.

If you prefer to self-drive, Queenstown is home to the best known rental car brands from around New Zealand and the world. With car rental outlets at Queenstown International Airport, and in downtown Queenstown, picking up or dropping off your rental vehicle is easy and convenient. Some rental companies also provide bike racks as an add-on for their vehicles if you're looking to bring your own bike with you, or you can hire a bike when you're here.

Campervans and motorhomes are a great way to explore the Queenstown region and hiring a campervan or motorhome in Queenstown is easy, with both internationally recognised and local vehicle hire companies operating in the town centre or airport.

For the ultimate convenience there are multiple taxi and limousine services available in and around Queenstown.