How to Get from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka  

Wanaka is a small town located in Otago, at the southern end of Lake Wanaka. It is framed by mountains and borders Mount Aspiring National Park which offers skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, kayaking, jet boating, boat cruising, and fishing. The town’s skies have minimal light pollution facilitating activities such as star-gazing and Aurora Australis viewing. Other family-friendly attractions include The National Transport and Toy Museum, Dinosaur Park and The Puzzling World.

There are two transport options if you’re looking to get from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka; a taxi or private transfer, and the bus. A private transfer or taxi shuttle from Queenstown airport to Wanaka is the only direct mode of transport. The cab ride takes a little less than an hour and, on average, costs €95.30 (NZD 162.74). There is no direct bus from Queenstown airport to Wanaka, so you will need to take a bus to Queenstown, and a second bus to Wanaka from there. The total travel time is around 2 hours, and the price of the tickets combined is usually €26.40 (NZD 45) per traveller.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Queenstown at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€95.30	60min	24/7
Bus	€41	105min	08:10–08:10

How to get from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka by taxi

A taxi or private transfer from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka is the only direct transport option available. The average taxi ride takes just under an hour and costs €95.30 (NZD 162.74). If you are travelling in a larger group, you can also book a spacious minivan as your private shuttle from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka.

Taxi fare from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka

The average taxi from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka costs €95.30 (NZD 162.74) and takes about an hour. It’s important to note that this is only an estimated cost, as taxi fares in Queenstown are set by individual cab companies and can therefore differ.

If you are travelling with a group, you may want to pre-book your minivan shuttle from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka, as it will be more budget-friendly than taking separate taxis and it might be harder to get a suitable vehicle upon arriving at the airport. Although the actual fare will depend on the operator, a rough estimate of a larger, minivan-style private shuttle from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka is €176 (NZD 300). In any case, to secure a competitive flat fee for your private transfer, you can book in advance with Welcome.

Cost

€95.30

Trip Duration

60 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Queenstown Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

The taxi ranks at Queenstown Airport are just outside the Arrivals terminal.

Convenience

The only direct way to get from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka is by taxi or private transfer. It is fast, comfortable, and by far the most convenient way to get to Wanaka. A private transfer or taxi shuttle from Queenstown airport to Wanaka will save you considerable time and hassle since the only alternative is to take two separate buses, one of which runs only a handful of times a week. With a private transfer, you can avoid the inconvenience of public transportation and the hassle of carrying heavy bags while transferring to Queenstown and then making your way to Wanaka. Feel the thrill of immediate adventure when you land – let us take you to your Wanaka hotel directly from the airport! For a fast and stress-free transfer from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka, book your private transfer in advance so that you can secure a flat fee at a competitive rate.

Editor’s Note

A taxi or private transfer is the only direct transportation option available for getting from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka.

Useful Tips

Private cab companies typically do not have taximeters installed, so it is recommended that customers ask about pricing prior to booking.

When taking taxis in Queenstown, it is advisable to make sure they have clear company branding and a valid licence.

It is not customary to give tips to taxi drivers in Queenstown, but you may round up the fare if desired.

How to get from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka by bus

A bus is the only public transportation option available from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka. However, as there is no direct bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka, you will first have to take the bus from the airport to downtown and then catch a connecting bus to Wanaka from the city centre. The InterCity bus to Wanaka takes 1 hour and 45 minutes, and tickets start at €20.50 (NZD 35) per traveller. The service runs four days a week and only at 8:10 am on each of those days. For more information on schedules, visit the official InterCity website. The total travel time by bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka is about 2 hours, not accounting for waiting time.

How much is the bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka?

Since there is no direct bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka, you need two services. The first bus service from the airport to Queenstown costs €5.90 (NZD 10) and takes 20 minutes to reach the city centre. The second bus from Queenstown to Wanaka takes 1 hour and 45 minutes, and tickets start at €20.50 (NZD 35) per traveller. You can purchase your ticket at the InterCity website, where there are several fare types available that may offer a discount.

Cost

€20.50

Trip Duration

105 Min.

The information relates to the bus from Queenstown to Wanaka and does not include the first bus from Queenstown Airport to the city centre.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The bus from Queenstown to Wanaka only runs 4 days a week, and only once on those days.

Where do I get the bus from?

The bus stop at Queenstown Airport is located just outside Arrivals, and the second bus to Wanaka leaves from Athol Street in Queenstown.

Convenience

As there is no direct service available, choosing to travel by bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka means you will have to get from the airport to Queenstown and then change to the InterCity bus from the city centre to Wanaka. However, the second bus to Wanaka only runs four times per week, so make sure to plan accordingly. Although taking the bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka is a more budget-friendly option, the bus to Wanaka is so infrequent that it could impact your travel plans significantly. Also, the total travel by bus is over 2 hours, whereas a taxi or private transfer can get you to Wanaka in just under an hour, and that’s not including the time you might have to wait for one bus or the other.

Timetables

InterCity: Queenstown to Wanaka

Queenstown (Athol Street) to Wanaka (Log Cabin)

Editor’s Note

There is no direct bus from the airport to Wanaka and there are only 4 bus trips from downtown Queenstown to Wanaka each week.

Useful Tips

You can buy your bus tickets online via the InterCity website.

There are discounts for seniors (NZ only), students, children, and backpackers.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How do I get from Queenstown airport to Wanaka?

A taxi or private transfer is the only direct transportation option from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka. A taxi is also the fastest, most convenient way to get there. The ride only takes about an hour and usually costs €95.30 (NZD 162.74). To secure a competitive set rate for your transfer to Wanaka, book in advance with Welcome. You can also travel by bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka, but this will require first getting to Queenstown city centre since there is no direct bus available. The bus from downtown Queenstown to Wanaka costs €20.50 (NZD 35) per person, and the journey takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.

What’s the cost of a taxi shuttle from Queenstown airport to Wanaka?

The average taxi ride from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka costs €95.30 (NZD 162.74) and takes 60 minutes. Remember that the actual cost can vary as taxis in Queenstown are run by independent companies. If you are travelling with a group and planning on using a minivan shuttle from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka, the price will usually be higher than a single taxi but less than taking two taxis. For this reason, we recommend asking for a cost estimate before booking. Alternatively, for a guaranteed flat fee, you can book your private transfer in advance for peace of mind.

Is there a direct bus from Queenstown airport to Wanaka?

There is no direct bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka. You can get to Wanaka by taking two different bus services. The bus from the airport to Queenstown takes about 20 minutes and costs €5.90 (NZD 10). The second bus from Queenstown to Wanaka takes 1 hour and 45 minutes and, on average, costs €20.50 (NZD 35). It’s worth noting that the bus to Wanaka runs only four times a week, so make sure you account for that in your travel plans.

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How to get from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka by taxi

Taxi fare from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka

Cost

€95.30

Trip Duration

60 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Queenstown Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka by bus

How much is the bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka?

Cost

€20.50

Trip Duration

105 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The bus from Queenstown to Wanaka only runs 4 days a week, and only once on those days.

Where do I get the bus from?

Convenience

Timetables

InterCity: Queenstown to Wanaka

Queenstown (Athol Street) to Wanaka (Log Cabin)

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Queenstown airport to Wanaka?

What’s the cost of a taxi shuttle from Queenstown airport to Wanaka?

Is there a direct bus from Queenstown airport to Wanaka?

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The best way to arrive in Queenstown

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