The best time to book your airfare depends on what you want to do when visiting Queenstown. The warmer months are perfect for hiking the Southern Alps, taking in spectacular views from the Skyline Gondola, white water rafting, mountaineering or mountain biking. Queenstown in winter is snow time, perfect for skiing and snowboarding with people from all over the world. Fly between September to November for the best of Queenstown's scenery, with snow-capped mountains, dazzling blue lakes, and stunning spring blooms all on show.
Prices will vary day by day, depending on demand. The easiest way to find the lowest flight prices is to start with our fare finder at the top of this page. When booking, bear in mind that school holidays and Christmas and Easter periods can be more expensive.
It varies, depending on where you are coming from. Our flights to Queenstown within New Zealand are quite short. From Christchurch, it takes a little over an hour's journey. From Wellington, it takes 1.5 hours while flying from Auckland would take 1 hour and 45 minutes. If you are coming from an international destination like Sydney, the flight would take about 3 hours.
Orbus buses can take you the 8km from Queenstown Airport to the centre of Queenstown from 6am until midnight. If you buy a Bee Card from the driver, the trip will only cost $2. Plus, you can use your card for cheap travel around Queenstown and Arrowtown. For more flexibility you can book a taxi when you book your Air New Zealand flight. To make the most of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps, rent a car when you book your airfare.
Queenstown Airport uses the IATA code ZQN.