Flights from Wellington to Queenstown

The best time to visit Queenstown

The time of year you choose to visit Queenstown can have an impact on the type of experience you will have. Queenstown experiences four distinct seasons, including warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Every season offers different outdoor activities.

Summer is a popular time to visit in order to take advantage of the water activities around Queenstown. During summer, you’ll experience beautiful weather with lots of sunshine–ideal conditions for hiking and exploring Lake Wakatipu. During the day, you’ll often experience temperatures of about 22°C. Summer can get busy in Queenstown, so it’s a good idea to book your hotel early if you’ll be visiting then.

Winter is actually the busiest time in Queenstown and is when hotels raise their rates the most. Because of Queenstown’s ideal location between mountain ranges, it’s a popular spot for skiers. Queenstown gets cold in the winter and experiences some snow, but offers the perfect conditions for skiing and winter sports. Temperatures average about 8°C during the day, but often drop below 0°C at night, so be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes.

For a great deal on Queenstown hotels and return flights from Wellington to Queenstown, plan a visit for the shoulder season in spring or autumn. Temperatures are pleasant, and this is a great time of year to take advantage of all the hiking trails around Queenstown.

Departing From Wellington

Wellington Airport (WLG) is the major airport serving the Wellington region. It is located 8 kilometres (5 miles) southeast of the CBD, offering several quick and affordable options to get to the airport.

Each day, there are about 20 cheap flights from Wellington to Queenstown. Direct flights are available, which will get you to your destination in 1 hour 20 minutes. Cheap airfares from Wellington to Queenstown Airport (ZQN) are available through Jetstar and Air New Zealand.

Getting to Wellington Airport

The official transport option from central Wellington to the airport is the Airport Flyer bus, which makes several stops throughout the CBD, Hataitai, and Petone. The Airport Flyer follows bus route 91 and reaches the airport from the city in less than 30 minutes. Tickets to ride the Airport Flyer bus are $9 NZD. You can either purchase a ticket individually or pay the fare with your Snapper card.

For a more budget-friendly option, you can catch a Metlink public bus to the airport from central Wellington. Bus route 2 travels through the Wellington CBD as well as Karori, Hataitai, and Miramar. Take the bus to the corner of Broadway and Hobart streets, and from there, the airport is a 10-minute walk away. If you use a Snapper card, this transport option will only cost you $2.81 NZD.

For the quickest journey to the airport, you can catch a taxi or an Uber. A taxi from the CBD will get you to Wellington Airport in about 15 minutes for a fare of $30 to $40 NZD.

Parking at Wellington Airport

Wellington Airport offers short-term, long-term, and valet parking options to accommodate all budgets. For the best parking rates, be sure to reserve your spot in advance.

Where to Park at Wellington Airport

• Long-Term parking is the most affordable option. Parks start at $29 NZD per day and get cheaper for each day parked. A week costs $105 NZD.

• Short-Term parking is located 5 minutes from the terminal. Daily rates start at $34 NZD for uncovered spaces.

• Valet Parking is available just outside the terminal, getting you into the airport in less than a minute. Rates start at $59 NZD per day.

Arriving in Queenstown

Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is located in the town of Frankton, which is 8 kilometres (5 miles) northeast of Queenstown’s CBD. The airport is one of the main entry points into New Zealand’s South Island.

How to Get from Queenstown Airport (ZQN) to Your Queenstown Hotel or Accommodation

A public bus is available from Queenstown Airport (ZQN), offering the most affordable journey into the city. The Orbus makes regular stops at the airport between 6am and midnight. The bus travels to the centre of the CBD, where it drops passengers. Since Queenstown is a compact and walkable city, you can easily reach hotels in the city centre on foot. Fare for this bus typically costs $5 NZD, but if you plan to take public transport several times during your holiday, invest in a GoCard transport card. It costs $5 NZD and decreases bus fare to $2 NZD each way.

A taxi from Queenstown Airport (ZQN) will get you into the city centre in about 10 minutes. Travelling from the airport, you can expect taxi fare to fall between $20 to $25 NZD.

For the most freedom to explore the Queenstown area, you may love the convenience of a hire car. Several major rental car companies are available from Queenstown Airport (ZQN). You can find some great prices, including cars starting from $32 NZD per day. If you’ll be visiting Queenstown in the winter, you may want to upgrade to a 4x4, which will ensure your safety if you experience any snow during the trip.

Things to do in Queenstown

Take the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak

One of the most popular attractions in Queentown is the Skyline Gondola, which travels to the top of Bob’s Peak. Bob’s Peak is just outside the CBD and offers some incredible views over the city, Lake Wakatipu, and the mountains. While riding the Skyline Gondola, the views are almost as impressive as they are from the top of the mountain. Once you’ve spent some time on top of Bob’s Peak, you can either take the Skyline Gondola back down or hike the hour-long Tiki Trail back to the city.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is located about 3 hours 30 minutes from Queenstown by car. Milford Sound is a fjord on the coast, and is one of the most iconic places to visit in the South Island. Throughout Milford Sound, there are sailing tours available and an abundance of hiking trails. Day trips from Queenstown to Milford Sound are available through some tour operators. However, if you have the time, dedicating two or three days to visiting Milford Sound will reward you with an unforgettable experience.

Lake Wakatipu

Lake Wakatipu is a large lightning-bolt shaped lake. At 80 kilometres (50 miles) long, it is the longest lake in New Zealand. Queenstown is located on the eastern bank of the lake and has plenty of lake activities to experience. Surrounding Lake Wakatipu, there are several walking and biking trails that will reward you with stunning views. If you visit Queenstown during the summer, you can have a special experience by canoeing or kayaking on the lake. On the city side of Lake Wakatipu, you can explore the Queenstown Gardens. Head to the southeastern shores, and you can see a scenic mountain range called the Remarkables.

Gibbston Valley Winery

All throughout New Zealand, there are plenty of wine regions that are internationally recognised. Just outside of Queenstown, the Gibbston Valley Winery is a popular spot to visit. The vineyard is located beside the Kawarau River and has beautiful views of the mountains that surround it. While visiting the winery, you can learn about their process of making wines and taste some local wines and cheeses. Several wine varieties are produced at Gibbston Valley Winery with the most famous being its pinot noir.

Adventure Sports

Queenstown has been referred to as the adventure capital of the world. If you are looking to get your adrenaline pumping, you have come to the right place! The Shotover Canyon offers several activities, including white water rafting, jet boating, and a canyon swing over the Shotover River. There are also several bungy jumping experiences around Queenstown. The Kawarau Bridge is outside of the city and is the location of the world’s first commercial bungy jump. Within the city, the AJ Hackett bungy offers amazing views over Queenstown and the mountains while you freefall. East of the city, the Nevis Bungy is one of the tallest bungy jumps in the world. Needless to say, adrenaline junkies who book cheap flights from Wellington to Queenstown will feel right at home!