Queenstown Region Transport

Transport options in Queenstown

Whether you arrive in Queenstown by road or air, the journey will be memorable. Flying into Queenstown airport is a rare experience - the sheep on the hillsides are uncannily close. The road approaches from north, east or south are all famously scenic. Once you've established your base in Queenstown, self-drive is the easiest way to explore the region.

Getting to and from Queenstown

By Air:
Queenstown international airport is well served by Air New Zealand and Qantas. Air New Zealand flies direct from Sydney and Melbourne year round and extends this service to encompass Brisbane in winter. Qantas also offers winter services out of Sydney and Brisbane.
Domestically, there are several connections each day from New Zealand's main centres.
By Road:
State Highway 6 runs through Queenstown, bringing traffic from the south, north and east. Hire a rental car or campervan, catch a scenic coach tour or hop aboard a shuttle bus. There are several shuttle options daily from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Wanaka.

Getting around Queenstown

Once in Queenstown, getting around is easy. If you've arrived at the airport you can catch a bus or minivan to town for just a few dollars. Tell the minivan driver where you're headed and he's likely to obligingly drop you at the door. The bus has prescribed stops throughout the town. A taxi is slightly quicker but more expensive.

Out-of-town accommodation properties generally offer courtesy transport, as do adventure operators.

The town is compact. If your accommodation is close, you can generally walk anywhere you want to go.

If independence is important and you plan to visit outlying towns such as Glenorchy or Arrowtown, a rental vehicle is the best option. Every major car rental company is represented in Queenstown.

The town's bus service operates regular shuttles to and from the airport, between the shopping precincts of Queenstown and Frankton and into suburban areas. There are also bus services linking Arrowtown, Glenorchy and Wanaka with Queenstown.