While Queenstown is one of the most popular spots on the South Island of New Zealand, its remote location makes it tricky to reach. The city does have an airport with quite a few flights, not just to domestic destinations, like Auckland or Christchurch.
You can also fly internationally to Melbourne or Sydney from Queenstown. Unfortunately, these options are often quite expensive. Traveling overland is often the best option; here are some suggestions to help you decide.
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Tour Bus Options
The Kiwi Experience is one of the best travel options if you want to travel to Queenstown, because of the variety of passes they offer; for example, you can start in Christchurch, Auckland, or Wellington and visit other attractions and sights along the way before arriving in Queenstown (or to visit after you have enjoyed Queenstown).
There are two primary benefits of travelling by a tour bus as opposed to other transportation options.
Tour Guide
Bus drivers provide commentary on sights and can answer any questions, help you make other tour or hotel bookings, or even give you directions if you're looking for a memorable hike or view.
Additional Discounts
Tour bus providers often have free or discounted access to attractions along their route. They also have agreements with other providers to offer extra discounts even when you are off the bus - anything from a meal deal to bungy jumping.
Tour buses are not as quick as driving yourself or taking a flight, since you're stopping along the way - but as they say, getting there is part of the adventure.
Local Bus Transport
New Zealand doesn't have a national bus line, per se, but Intercity services offer what one would expect. They have various routes connecting all South Island cities, but there is typically only one scheduled departure per day.
Direct connections to Queenstown include Te Anau, Invercargill, Dunedin, Fox Glacier, Franz Josef, and Christchurch. Book ahead as many popular routes (especially Christchurch) sell out in advance.
Queenstown Transport Tips
Travelling by tour bus in New Zealand isn't that much different than elsewhere, but some good rules to follow:
1. In most - if not all - cases, bus schedules only have one or two departures per day, and because of the potential for delays travelling long distances, buses leave their origin promptly.
It's always good to be at least 15-30 minutes early, even if your bus leaves very early in the morning. Your provider will likely issue a suggested arrival time for you, so pay attention to the departure point, as sometimes there is no formal bus depot.
2. Print out your confirmation emails for check-in; some buses just need your name, but others require a confirmation number. Make sure to note down the phone number, so you can call if you have a problem finding the bus (or if you are late - but don't be, as they will likely leave without you).
3. Pack snacks and water to bring with you, just in case; stops can be quite far between.
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This post was written and brought to you by Kiwi Experience. Look at our bus tickets and plan a Kiwi bus tour today.
