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Get $50 off flights with code
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Available from 24 June 2022 – 30 March 2023 on Australia and New Zealand flights. Minimum spend of $99 required. T&Cs apply.
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Queenstown International Airport (ZQN) is the gateway to the adventure capital of New Zealand. Snow sports, extreme sports, winery tours – you name it, you can probably do it in Queenstown.
Flights in and out of the resort town offer spectacular views, and once you've had your fill of thrills and spills there, the rest of the spectacular South Island is yours to explore.
Today's Queenstown flight deals
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I Want That Flight
Flights to New Zealand from $283 return
Ends
Available on flights until April 2023 to Queenstown, Christchurch and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Auckland with Jetstar. Other airlines include Air New Zealand from $575 and more.
Air New Zealand
New Zealand flights from $316 each way
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Available on select flights dates in 2022 to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Queenstown. T&Cs apply.
Skyscanner
Flights to New Zealand from $374 each way
Ends
Available on Qantas flights from 6 June – 9 December 2022. Sample fare is Melbourne-Auckland.
TL;DR: Queenstown flights
Queenstown's airport:
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
Book in advance by:
35 days
Best airline (price):
Jetstar
Frequently asked questions about flights to Queenstown
How much does it cost to fly to Queenstown?
Flights from Melbourne to Queenstown are cheapest with Jetstar from around $300 direct return. You can find direct return flights from Sydney from about $400 with Air New Zealand.
From Queensland, direct return flights can cost at least $350 from Brisbane with Virgin Australia or from $400 via the Gold Coast. Return flights from Adelaide to Queenstown will set you back at least $420. From Perth, a good deal can be found for less than $600 for a return fare.
We've seen Queenstown flights on sale most often from Jetstar.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Queenstown?
The cheapest time to fly to Queenstown from Australia is in May. This falls before snow season, but you can definitely expect chilly weather and autumn to be in full force.
May is a great time to hire a car or caravan and make your way around New Zealand, as there are fewer tourists on the roads and there's less competition when booking accommodation.
We think summer is the best time to visit Queenstown for wine tours and extreme sports. However, November to January is also the high season and the most expensive time to visit.
Cheapest months to fly:
May
Priciest months to fly:
November to January
How long does it take to fly to Queenstown?
There are 4 cities in Australia with direct flights to Queenstown. You can find the approximate fastest flight times listed below:
- Adelaide: 5 hours, 25 minutes with a stopover
- Brisbane: 3 hours, 30 minutes direct
- Gold Coast: 3 hours, 15 minutes direct
- Hobart: 5 hours, 55 minutes with a stopover
- Melbourne: 3 hours direct
- Perth: 8 hours, 15 minutes with a stopover
- Sydney: 3 hours, 5 minutes direct
Which airlines fly direct to Queenstown?
There are 4 airlines that provide direct flights from Australia to Queenstown. We've listed these airlines and the cities they depart from below:
- Jetstar: Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney
- Qantas: Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney
- Air New Zealand: Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney
- Virgin Australia: Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney
Flights are not as frequent to Queenstown as they are to other New Zealand airports. Depending on your departure airport, there may only be one flight a day, so you will need to schedule your travel plans according to what's available.
What's the best airline to fly to Queenstown?
- Best for price: Jetstar typically offers the cheapest base fare but has the least inclusions.
- Best for extra inclusions: Qantas and New Zealand both include checked bags, a meal and entertainment in their trans-Tasman fares.
- Best for frequent flyer rewards: You can earn frequent flyer points with Air New Zealand (Airpoints), Qantas (Qantas Frequent Flyer) and Virgin (Velocity Frequent Flyer). You can also earn Qantas points with Jetstar on certain fares.
How many points do I need to fly to Queenstown?
| Departure city | Points required for a return Qantas flight | Points required for a return Virgin flight |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | 36,000 | Not available |
| Alice Springs | 45,500 | Not available |
| Brisbane | 36,000 | 35,600 |
| Cairns | 36,000 | Not available |
| Darwin | 40,600 | Not available |
| Gold Coast | 36,000 | Not available |
| Melbourne | 36,000 | 35,600 |
| Perth | 40,600 | Not available |
| Sydney | 36,000 | 35,600 |
Want to earn a free flight to Queenstown?
These frequent flyer credit card offers can give you more than enough bonus points for a complimentary flight (minus applicable taxes) to Queenstown Airport (ZQN) from major cities across Australia.NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
Up to 120,000 bonus Qantas Points
Discounted $295 first year annual fee
Offer may be withdrawn at any time
Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply
American Express Velocity Platinum Card
Receive 100,000 bonus Velocity Points
Offer may be withdrawn at any time
Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply
How far in advance should I book my flights to Queenstown?
If you know when you want to travel, it is best to book your flights from Australia to Queenstown 5 weeks in advance, according to KAYAK's pricing data.
Where is the airport in Queenstown?
Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is located in Frankton, just 10 minutes (8km) from the city centre.
To get to your destination, you can take a taxi from outside the airport. This will cost approximately $35 if you are travelling to the city centre, where many hotels and hostels are located. Uber is also available and shuttles provide a door-to-door service. There is a public bus that costs just $2 from the airport to the city centre with a Bee Card. Without one, it will cost you $10.
If you are staying in Arthurs Point, Arrowtown or Wanaka and you won't be hiring a vehicle, contact your accommodation to see if it provides a shuttle service for its guests.
How long does it take to get to the airport from Queenstown?
- Queenstown city centre: 10 minutes (8 kilometres)
- Fernhill: 20 minutes (10 kilometres)
- Arthurs Point: 18 minutes (13 kilometres)
- Arrowtown: 20 minutes (15.5 kilometres)
- Wanaka: 1 hour (63 kilometres)
Do I need a visa to travel to Queenstown with an Australian passport?
So long as travel between Australia and New Zealand is allowed, a visa is not required for travel to Queenstown if you hold an Australian passport. If you are a permanent resident of Australia, then you will need to obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). This authority is also required by citizens of countries indicated on the visa waiver list, including the US, the UK, Italy and Canada. Similar to an ESTA for the US, the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority enables you to travel, but you are still subject to border security checks upon arrival. You can apply for it online and pay the appropriate fee at least 72 hours prior to departure.
If you are not eligible for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, you will need to apply for a visa before you can travel to Queenstown.
Am I required to book an onward or return flight to Queenstown?
Australian passport holders do not need a return flight when visiting Queenstown, but anyone entering with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority will need to show proof that they have onward travel arrangements.
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