Queenstown is located in Central Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It surrounds an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu.
New Zealand is located in the South Pacific, around 1930km (1200mi) southeast of Australia.
The most convenient route to Queenstown is by air to Queenstown Airport (ZQN), located around 9km (6mi) from the Queenstown CBD.
From most international destinations, this first requires flying into Auckland Airport (AKL), followed by a connecting flight to Queenstown Airport (ZQN).
We answer the most commonly asked questions (FAQs) about how to get to Queenstown.
Within New Zealand: Air New Zealand and Jetstar offer the most convenient daily flights to Queenstown.
Auckland to Queenstown is 1 hr 55 min, direct flight
Wellington to Queenstown is 1 hr 20 min, direct flight
Christchurch to Queenstown is 1 hrs 10 min, direct flight
From Australia: Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar offer the most convenient flights to Queenstown.
Brisbane to Queenstown is 3 hrs 30 min, direct flight
Melbourne to Queenstown is 3 hrs 15 min, direct flight
Sydney to Queenstown is 3 hrs, direct flight
Adelaide to Queenstown is 5 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ
Perth to Queenstown is 7 hrs, 40 min, connecting flightˆ
The following are the most convenient and quickest routes to Auckland Airport (AKL), New Zealand.
From United States: Delta Air Lines, Air New Zealand, American Airlines and United Airlines operate the most convenient daily flights to Auckland.
Los Angeles to Auckland is 12 hrs 50 min, direct flight
San Francisco to Auckland is 12 hrs 55 min, direct flight
Atlanta to Auckland is 18 hrs 49 min, connecting flightˆ
Boston to Auckland is 20 hrs 3 min, connecting flightˆ
Chicago to Auckland is 16 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
Dallas-Fort Worth to Auckland is 17 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
New York to Auckland is 20 hrs 5 min, connecting flightˆ
From Canada: Air Canada, Air New Zealand and United Airlines offer the most convenient flights to Auckland.
Vancouver to Auckland is 13 hrs 55 min, direct flight
Toronto to Auckland is 19 hrs, connecting flightˆ
Montreal to Auckland is 20 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
From China: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand offer the most convenient flights to Auckland.
Beijing to Auckland is 12 hrs 25 min, direct flight
Shanghai to Auckland is 11 hrs 20 min, direct flight
Hong Kong to Auckland is 10 hrs 50 min, direct flight
From Singapore: Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines operate regular direct flights to Auckland.
Singapore to Auckland is 9 hrs 35 min, direct flight
From UAE: Emirates offers the most daily direct flights to Auckland.
Dubai to Auckland is 15 hrs 45 min, direct flight
From United Kingdom: Air New Zealand, Emirates and Singapore Airlines offer the most convenient flights to Auckland.
London to Auckland is 23 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
Manchester to Auckland is 23 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
From France: Air New Zealand, Emirates and Singapore Airlines offer the most convenient flights to Auckland.
Paris to Auckland is 24 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
From Germany: Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and Air New Zealand offer the most convenient flights to Auckland.
Berlin to Auckland is 24 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
Dusseldorf to Auckland is 24 hrs 30 min, connecting flightˆ
Frankfurt to Auckland is 23 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
Hamburg to Auckland is 25 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ
Munich to Auckland is 23 hrs 15 min, connecting flightˆ
From Ireland: Aer Lingus and Emirates offers the most convenient flights to Auckland.
Dublin to Auckland is 24 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
(ˆincludes transfer time.)
Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is located around 9km (6mi) from the Queenstown CBD. Taxis, hire cars and buses are available.
Taxi: The taxi stand is located outside the arrivals area. Fares start at around NZ$35, and the journey time to Queenstown centre is about 15-20 minutes.
Companies serving the airport include Corporate Cabs (tel: +64 800 789 789; www.corporatecabs.co.nz), Queenstown Taxis (tel: +64 3 450 3000; www.queenstown.bluebubbletaxi.co.nz) and Green Cabs (tel: +64 4 803 4978; www.greencabs.co.nz).
Shuttle: Super Shuttle Queenstown (tel: +64 800 748 885; www.supershuttle.co.nz) offers shuttle services from the airport to Queenstown taking around 20 minutes, with a fare of NZ$20.
Bus: Connectabus (tel: +64 3 441 4471; www.connectabus.com) services the airport and Queenstown every 15 minutes, taking around 20 minutes with a fare of NZ$12.
ConneXions (tel: +64 3 443 9120; www.alpineconnexions.co.nz) operates regular bus services to and from Wanaka.
There are also daily bus services to and from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Greymouth.
Car hire companies at Queenstown Airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty, plus several local agencies.
Money: There are ATMs within the main concourse. There are also services for all foreign currency sales and purchases, traveller's cheques, credit card cash advances and international money transfers.
Food: There are cafés in arrivals, departures and the main concourse of the airport.
Shopping: The duty-free shop sells tobacco, alcohol, perfumes and toiletries. There is also a New Zealand gift shop, a book shop, a pharmacy and a retailer specialising in outdoor clothing.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout Queenstown Airport. Public telephones are also available to passengers.
Other: Baby changing facilities and a first aid room are located in the terminal building. The terminal is also equipped with an AED (defibrillator). The Air New Zealand Koru Lounge is located on first floor.
Adapted toilet facilities, lifts, and designated car parking spaces (in the set down area outside the terminal building) are available to disabled passengers.
Any passengers who may require additional assistance are advised to contact their airline in advance of travel.
A passport valid for at least one month beyond intended period of stay as well as a ticket for return or onward travel and proof of sufficient funds to cover expenses while in the country.
No visa is required for stays of up to three months for US, Canadian, Irish and South African citizens. UK citizens do not need a visa for a stay of up to six months. Australian citizens do not need a visa and may stay indefinitely.
On foot, taxi and local bus service. A bus service also links the nearby tourist centres of Wanaka and Arrow town. During winter, a mountain shuttle bus links Queenstown to the ski resorts of Treble Cone, Cardrona, the Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Snow Farm and the Snow Park.
Latest update: How to get to Queenstown: 12 September, 2025
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