When is the best time to fly to Queenstown?
Peak season
Queenstown experiences two peak tourist seasons - one coincides with the summer holiday period of December through to February when both New Zealanders and Australians are on their long annual break, and the other with the winter ski season which stretches from the start of July through to the end of August. Cheap flights to Queenstown are hard to come by at these times of the year so be sure to book well ahead of your travel dates to secure the best deals.
Off season
Both spring and autumn are beautiful times to visit Queenstown, with mild temperatures and changing foliage creating magnificent landscapes ideal for outdoor exploration. Cheap flights to Queenstown can often be found during this off season period, although the Easter break sees a slight peak in prices and demand, so be if you are planning to visit during that time, make sure you book well in advance.
When is the best time to book a flight to Queenstown?
The lead up to Christmas and Easter both see an increase in demand for flights to Queenstown but outside of these times you can get some good deals, particularly from Sydney where there is the highest competition between airlines.
How long is the flight to Queenstown?
Flights from Auckland to Queenstown - 1h 50m
Flights from Wellington to Queenstown - 1h 50m
Flights from Christchurch to Queenstown - 1h 05m
For flights to Queenstown from other New Zealand cities, you will need to connect through one of these airports first.
Which airlines operate to Queenstown?
There are 6 flights to Queenstown per day from Auckland, operated by either Air New Zealand or Jetstar. Jetstar generally offers the cheapest flights although Air New Zealand offers some competitive flight deals throughout the year if you book in advance. Flights to Queenstown from Christchurch are operated 4 times a day by Air New Zealand and they also fly once daily from Wellington.
How to get from the airport to the city centre?
The Queenstown airport is located in the suburb of Frankton, around 8 kilometres from the centre of town. There are shuttle buses that operate every 15 minutes from the airport to all major hotels in Queenstown, taking around 25 minutes to complete the journey, and tickets are available on board. Taxis are a faster, but more expensive option, and passengers should always allow plenty of time if traveling to the airport for departures in case of traffic.
A number of different car rental companies are also available at the airport for those doing self-drive tours, and pre-booking your car before arrival is highly recommended to get the best deals.