Cheap Flights to Queenstown
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Cheap Flights to Queenstown
Queenstown is a place in New Zealand, but it isn’t really — or not just that. Featuring mountain peaks, lakes and adrenaline-producing activities, it is one of the most coveted travel destinations throughout the year. Whether you are there to track the snow in winter, hike and bike in summer or just need a place distant from everything for a while, flying into Queenstown is a Pandora’s box of possibilities. Bookmytrip offers cheap flights to Queenstown NZ. Explore all the options, compare prices and read journey planning features.
Why Fly to Queenstown?
Set on New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown (ZQN) is an alluring mix of natural beauty, adventure sports, fine wines and breathtaking views. With its stunning alpine setting (check out the dramatic Remarkable range) to the jewel-colored Lake Wakatipu, it has something for all types of travelers. But for most visitors getting there is half the adventure. Queenstown flights give you festive first impressions and nature inspiration, even when you step off the plane.
Airlines & Routes – To and from Queenstown
Domestic Flights
Travelling within New Zealand? Queenstown is well served by domestic airlines to and from all main centers with daily services, year round, on their schedule including:
- Air New Zealand offers regular flights to Queenstown from Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and other hubs. It’s not insane long flight times — e.g. Auckland to Queenstown flights 1 hour 45-2 hours.
- Jetstar also offers non-stop flights on several domestic routes.
These short hops ensure that you can step off your flight and into exploring with little downtime.
International & Trans-Tasman Flights
Direct International and trans-Tasman flights to Queenstown (available year round):
- The commercial services; Regular scheduled air services into Queenstown directly from Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne) with Air New Zealand & other major airlines as seasonal demand requires.
- Flights are available between Brisbane and Queenstown; the flying time is 3 hours 30 minutes.
From there, you’ll have to transfer through Auckland, Sydney or another hub before getting in your connecting flight and arrive into Queenstown.
Finding Cheap Queenstown Flights
Everyone loves a good deal. Here are a few travel hacks and tips about booking cheap flights to Queenstown?
- Book in advance: Prices usually go up the closer you book to departure, especially over high season (winter ski season and summer school holidays). If you can plan months ahead, you’ll often get a better deal.
- Be Flexible About Dates: Midweek flights are generally cheaper than anything on a weekend. And where possible, avoid travel days around the holidays.
- Consider off-peak seasons: The winter (except during peak ski weeks) and shoulder seasons (fall, spring) might result in cheaper fares and less people.
- Monitor airline sales & promotions: Air New Zealand and a few other airlines periodically have sales on air NZ flights to Queenstown. Sign up for alerts.
- Utilize LCC fares for the domestic legs: If you are flying internationally into a hub (say, Auckland or Christchurch), look at booking one of those long-haul segments and the domestic leg separately.
- Look for ‘from Queenstown” fares on the return: The return legs can sometimes be priced differently: for ‘flights from Queenstown’ in the returns direction. Watch out for singles and splits
Examples of Fares & Flight Times
Just an idea of what to expect:
- Auckland to Queenstown flights are also relatively short and typically only 1h – 2h.
- Return fares from Auckland to Queenstown vary by airline, season and how far in advance you book. Jetstar generally will be cheaper, and Air New Zealand will have a more regular schedule.
- On international flights (out of Australia), time in the air to Queenstown is approximately 3-4 hours again depending on which airport and if making any stop-overs.
Air New Zealand Flights to Queenstown
For those who seek a full-service airline experience, Air New Zealand operates an effective network into Queenstown:
- It provides several air NZ flights to Queenstown from numerous cities in NZ on a daily basis.
- On a lot of routes, the domestic flights are non-stop so it’s easy.
- If you are flying Air NZ on international travels that involve these particular destinations, ANZ also offers connections through its hubs.
Choosing Air New Zealand could mean having more seamless baggage rules, more flight options or greater protection if any changes or disruptions occur.
Arrival: Queenstown Airport and Moving Around
Queenstown Airport (IATA code ZQN) is the portal to adrenaline and escapism.
- The airport is a 10-minute drive from town, Queenstown township, for reference.
- Buses (e.g. Orbus service), shuttles, taxis and rental cars are available to enable intermodal connections. It’s the least expensive, taxis and shuttles are more convenient.
- Landing in Queenstown can be a little scary because of the mountains and valley approach. For instance, the weather (wind, snow and visibility) can affect arrivals and departures similarly. It’s also always smart to build buffer time into your travel schedule to accommodate for potential delays.
Flights from Queenstown – Where Can You Go?
Queenstown is not just a place on the map; it’s also a portal. Queenstown flights also provide access to other parts of New Zealand (and beyond):
- Domestic (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch etc.) → regular vs. Air NZ (sometimes somebody else), often Great Walk if only to get more baggage allowance.
- Some international routes particularly trans-Tasman are seasonal or with flights connected via our partner airlines’ hubs.
Travelers often use Queenstown as a base for adventure tourism, heading farther south or catching connecting flights through Auckland or elsewhere.
Trip Planning: Best Time & Seasonality
- Summer (December-February): Warming, long hours of sunshine. Great for hiking, boating, wine tours, relaxing. Peak tourism.
- Autumn (March-May): Beautiful views, fewer people on the trails, and generally better prices for flights and accommodation.
- Winter (June-August): Peak of ski season. Huge draw for snow lovers. Queenstown flights are popular, particularly with school holiday traffic.
- Spring (September-November): Melt-off, blooms and less people. Now is a great time if you’re looking for flight deals to Queenstown.
Tips to Ensure Smooth Travel
- Be sure to check the weather forecasts – it can be difficult to get in and out of Queenstown at times as a result of its alpine setting.
- Review airline policies on schedule changes, cancellations and baggage.
- Pad sometime between connecting flights in your journey (esp. International + Domestic).
- It’s a good idea to have travel insurance, especially in winter when snow and wind can put flights off schedule.
- Pack appropriately: Layers of clothes; gear for rain, or to keep you warm if it gets cold (depending on time of year).
Ready to Book?
A flight into Queenstown reveals an extraordinary landscape, and a wealth of thrilling experiences. Whether you want leisure and relaxation or flesh-ravaging adrenalin, Queenstown has it. For the best deals:
- Use BookMyTrip to search and compare cheap flights to Queenstown, including Air NZ.
- Travel on different dates and at odd hours, if you can.
- Book in advance for popular connections such as flights to Queenstown NZ from Auckland or other hub.
Start your journey now — search our deals, pick your preferred airline (Air New Zealand is often a reliable choice), and get set to explore one of New Zealand’s crown jewels.
Fresh Inspirations for Your Next Journey
Expert travel tips and captivating destination guides.
Frequently asked questions:
Yes. Air New Zealand provide regular, non-stop domestic services from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to Queenstown (ZQN).
Renowned for its spectacular alpine views, year-round adventure sports and vibrant wine scene, Queenstown is a destination with endless appeal for all kinds of travelers.
Domestic and international services are provided to Queenstown by Air New Zealand, Jetstar, and Qantas.
We suggest booking ahead if you can, flexibility with dates and time of travel, look towards off-peak period, look for airline promotions to get best deal.
Summer (Dec–Feb) for outdoor pursuits, Autumn (Mar–May) for less people, Winter (Jun–Aug) for skiing, and Spring (Sep–Nov) when the flowers are blooming.