Cheap flights to Queenstown

Peak season

Located in New Zealand’s South Island, the resort town of Queenstown nestles on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. This is a popular holiday destination with travellers from all over the world seeking cheap flights to Queenstown. Queenstown is not only incredibly photogenic with its serene lakes and snow-capped mountains, it’s a hot spot for thrill seekers offering adventure sports such as bungy jumping, jet boating, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, paragliding and more. Referred to as ‘a skiers paradise in winter and a hiker’s heaven in summer’, these two seasons are the busiest for booking flights to Queenstown. From June to October is ski season, and the annual Winter Festival takes place at the end of June attracting around 45,000 people and running over 10 days. If you’re planning on attending the festival it is advised to book flights to Queenstown and accommodation well in advance. December to March is the warmest time of the year in Queenstown and when New Zealanders typically take their annual holidays. Walking and hiking is a popular activity at this time of year when the trails are clear of snow and there are longer daylight hours.

Off Season

Queenstown doesn’t really have an off season, it’s a popular place to visit all year round, however, some times of year are less busy than others. From March to May you may be able to find the cheapest flights to Queenstown. This time of year there are still plenty of activities, both indoor and outdoor, to be had but fewer tourists around.

How long is the flight to Queenstown?

Flights from Sydney to Queenstown – 3 hrs

Flights from Melbourne to Queenstown – 3 hrs 20 mins

Flights from Brisbane to Queenstown – 3 hrs 25 mins

Flights from Perth to Queenstown – 9 hrs 35 mins

Which airlines operate flights to Queenstown?

Air New Zealand operates direct flights to Queenstown from Sydney, Melbourne and a seasonal flight from Brisbane. Jetstar has direct flights to Queenstown from Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast. Brisbanites can fly direct to Queenstown with Virgin Australia a couple of times a week or indirectly via stopovers Sydney, Wellington or Auckland. Qantas operates seasonal flights from Brisbane, and year round flights from Sydney and Melbourne.

How to get from the airport to the city centre?

Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is considered to have one of the most scenic approaches in the world, for the best views of the Southern Alps sit on the left side of the plane from Auckland to Queenstown, and on the right from Queenstown to Sydney. Once you land you’ll be approximately 10 km (20 minutes drive) from the town centre. Queenstown Airport has good public transport connections from early morning until late at night. Airport shuttles and taxis are available outside the terminal and will take you directly to your accommodation. The Connectabus is a public bus service that leaves every 15 minutes from the airport and services many of the major hotels in the town; a one way ticket costs NZ$12.

What is good to know if travelling to Queenstown?

• Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s top ski spots, find out which places have the best powder for your New Zealand ski getaway.
• One of the coolest adrenaline activities you can do is a canyon swing in Queenstown and in other places around New Zealand.
• With every kind of landscape you can imagine, unique wildlife, adrenaline-pumping activities, fresh food and world-class wine, these top 30 things to do in New Zealand will keep you busy.

What airport do you fly into for flights to Queenstown?

Travelers will need to book flights to Queenstown Intl (ZQN) if they wish to fly to Queenstown. The Queenstown airport is 6.3 km from the city center.