Options compared
| Option | Price | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbus (Bee Card) | NZD 2.50 | ~20–30 min | Budget, solo travellers |
| Orbus (cash) | NZD 10 | ~20–30 min | No card |
| Taxi / Uber | ~NZD 40–60 | 15–20 min | Groups, luggage, late arrivals |
| Shuttle to Wanaka | Varies | ~1 h 15 min | Going straight to Wanaka |
| Rental car | Varies | — | Road trips, Glenorchy, Milford |
Orbus public bus
Buses leave from outside the terminal for the town centre and Frankton, roughly every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening. Change at Frankton for Arrowtown and other routes. A Bee Card costs NZD 5 plus a minimum NZD 5 top-up and gives you cheaper fares and a free transfer within 45 minutes. Timetables: Orbus Queenstown.
Taxi and Uber
Taxis wait outside arrivals, and Uber operates from a signposted pick-up area. Prices rise at busy times, especially during ski season.
Find tours & tickets in QueenstownCar hire
Rental desks are in the terminal. Remember New Zealand drives on the left, roads are narrow and winding, and winter driving may require snow chains on alpine roads.
Tips
- Complete your NZeTA and visitor levy before flying. See NZeTA guide.
- Declare food and clean your hiking boots for biosecurity.
- Choose your base: where to stay in Queenstown.
More Queenstown guides
- Queenstown travel guide
- 15 best things to do in Queenstown
- Queenstown itinerary: 3, 4 or 5 days
- Where to stay in Queenstown
- Best time to visit Queenstown
- Milford Sound day trip
- New Zealand ETA (NZeTA) and visitor levy
FAQ: Queenstown Airport to town
How far is Queenstown Airport from town?
About 8 km, or 15–20 minutes by car.
Can I pay cash on the Queenstown bus?
Yes, but cash fares are much higher than with a Bee Card.
Is there Uber in Queenstown?
Yes, Uber operates in Queenstown, including at the airport.
Plan your trip to Queenstown
The trusted services we use to plan our own trips.
