Navigating Queenstown and the Otago Region is easy with a wide range of transport options to choose from. Hire a car, take a taxi or water taxi, jump on a public bus – or grab a ski or airport shuttle to take you where you need to go.
Queenstown Airport Transfers
You have three options for wheeled transport from Queenstown Airport:
- Take Bus 11 downtown
- Take a taxi, or
- Organise a shuttle service with a shared or private option to drop you off directly at your hotel.
Public Transport in Queenstown
Bus services and routes
The Otago Regional Council’s local buses are the most affordable way to get around Queenstown with flat-rate fares of just NZ$2 across the network (a $5 bus card is required to receive this price). For more public transport information on routes and timetables head to the Otago Regional Council website.
Taxis
Taxis are ideal when the bus services stop after hours, or your destination is too far from the Queenstown public transport bus route. Taxi prices average about NZ$4 per kilometre.
Popular Taxi companies in Queenstown include:
- Blue Bubble Taxis Queenstown
- Green Cabs
- Corporate Cabs
Shuttles
For ski and walking track transport, you can’t beat the convenience of a shuttle service. You’ll need to book online or over the phone in advance to save your seat. Shuttles provide a cost-effective option for Queenstown Airport transport to or from your hotel, delivering you straight to the door.
Ferries and water taxis
Jump on a Queenstown ferry for just NZ$10 one way, NZ$15 return. Ferries depart from Queenstown Bay’s Steamer Wharf on Beach Street and stop at Queenstown Golf Course, Bayview, The Rees, Marina and Hilton Hotel. Another option is to book a Queenstown Water Taxi to any wharf on Lake Wakatipu.
Rental Transport Options in Queenstown
Renting a vehicle is your best option for transport in Queenstown to get off the beaten track and explore on your own. Take in the stunning countryside and stop as many times as you like, for as long as you like.
Car Hire
All the most popular rental car agencies are available at Queenstown Airport and in the city centre. To book car hire from the Airport, search online for a model that suits your budget and your needs.
Luxury Transfers
Enjoy luxury transportation in Queenstown and travel in style on the road, or in the air around the Otago Region:
Heading out for an anniversary, birthday, stag do, hen’s night, or just a special celebration trip? Hire a limousine for transfers to and from Queenstown Airport to your hotel, a private limousine tour, or transport to an event in style. Limousine Services Queenstown, Limousine South, and Scenic Limousines are three of your options.
- Charters and Helicopters for Scenic Flights
Take scenic flights over the South Island for a stunning bird’s-eye view of Queenstown, Middle Earth, Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Park – you’ve never seen lakes and mountains as awe-inspiring as this. Check out The Helicopter Line and Milford Sound Scenic Flights for more information.
Campervans and Motorhomes
Take the family on an adventure in your very own campervan or motorhome. Enjoy the unforgettable natural beauty and tranquil settings of one of the many holiday parks around Queenstown, and bring your chosen transportation to the facilities.
Biking Options in Queenstown
After you’ve enjoyed the gorgeous scenery at New Zealand’s first Gondola-assisted bike park, take up your mountain bike to explore the countryside and traverse unrivalled terrain around the rest of Queenstown. With your own mountain bike or bike hire, you can enjoy over 130kms of trails including lakeside tracks, backcountry trails, jump parks and road rides. This network of off-road trails winds through exquisite locations such as Lake Wakatipu, Lake Hayes, Kelvin Heights, Gibbston and Arrowtown.