Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is one of New Zealand’s busiest regional airports and the main one that most travelers fly into to reach the Southern Lakes tourism region, including Queenstown, Wanaka, and the surrounding ski resorts.
The airport is located 8 km east of central Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand’s South Island. It is surrounded by mountains, which provide dramatic approaches and picturesque takeoffs.
ZQN handles between 2 and 3 million passengers yearly, with strong seasonality during both the summer and winter.
Major Airlines
Only four airlines provide scheduled commercial flights at Queenstown Airport:
Air New Zealand: The flag carrier maintains domestic routes to Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, as well as some trans-Tasman flights to Australia’s biggest cities.
Jetstar: The Australian low-cost carrier connects budget travelers across New Zealand and Australia to Queenstown.
Qantas: Flies between Queenstown and Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne.
Virgin Australia: Maintains the same routes as Qantas.
In addition, several charter and scenic flight airlines, such as Glenorchy Air and Milford Flights, offer sightseeing flights from Queenstown and Milford Sound.
Click here for Queenstown Airport’s live departures board.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Queenstown Airport has one terminal for both domestic and international flights. The building is simple, features just one level plus a mezzanine, and has 9 gates that use bus or walk boarding.
Check-in counters are located at the front of the terminal, with security leading to a shared departure area. International passengers are separated via passport control and customs after that. The only international flights are to Australia.
The terminal is open from 5:00 AM until 10:30 PM, and overnight stays are not allowed.
Free Wi-Fi and other services
Queenstown Airport offers free WiFi limited to 2 GB per 24 hours. To connect, select “Queenstown Airport Free WIFI” from the list of available networks and follow the on-screen prompts.
There is also an internet lounge with 16 computers next to International Arrivals, where you can purchase internet access for 2 NZD for 15 minutes, 4 NZD for 30 minutes, or 6 NZD for 1 hour.
Other passenger services at QNZ include:
ATMs: Three Travelex ATMs are located in the main terminal next to the Travelex counter, in International Arrivals, and in the Domestic baggage reclaim, respectively. ATMs dispense both New Zealand and Australian dollars.
Currency exchange: One desk provided by Travelerx in the main terminal.
Drinking fountains: Several, both landside and airside.
Information desk: Can help with any information about flights, tourist information, and first aid. Located next to Provenance and open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM every day.
Parenting Room: Located near International Arrivals, before Security (landside). Includes changing tables, feeding chairs, and a microwave.
Baggage storage: Located near the check-in area but outside the terminal. Costs between 7 and 20 NZD per 12 hours, depending on the size of the luggage.
Public telephone: Located outside the main terminal, near the check-in area, and accepting both cash and prepaid telephone cards.
Post box: Located next to the Paper Plus store, where you can also purchase stamps.
Smoking area: Only outside the terminal, behind the taxi shelter. All other areas of the airport are smoke-free.
Check out the best things to do in Queenstown.
Lounges at Queenstown Airport
There are just 2 lounges at Queenstown Airport:
Air New Zealand Regional Lounge is located next to Gate 4, after Security. It serves only Air New Zealand premium passengers and Koru members. Featuring unlimited buffet service, tea and coffee, seating areas with charging, and nice views of the runway with the mountains in the background.
Manaia Lounge Queenstown Airport is located above Gates 8 and 9, just after the Duty Free. It offers hot and cold food, spirits and soft drinks, and a computer area with charging points. It’s a smaller lounge than the Air New Zealand one, but it is the only option for those who don’t fly with Air New Zealand. It accepts Priority Pass, Lounge Key, Plaza Lounge, and Dragon Pass, whereas non-holders can pay 65 NZD for a 3-hour pass at the door.
Dining Options at ZQN
Dining facilities at Queenstown Airport are quite limited. You have access to just a handful of cafés and casual eateries after the Security check, as well as landside.
Before you go through Security, stop for coffee at the Patagonia Cafe or sit down for a meal at Provenance. If you are in the mood for sushi, you can try Hikari, but if you don’t have much time, grab something quick from the Food on the Run food caravan just outside.
After Security, especially if you can’t enter either lounge, the only place to have a regular meal is Skippers Eatery. The other two establishments, Airspresso and Fuel to Fly, are geared towards baked products and coffee.
Transport to and from the airport
Several public Orbus buses connect the terminal with Queenstown and other nearby towns, including Arthur’s Point, Arrowtown, and Lakes Hayes Estate.
Buses leave the Airport every 15 minutes from 6:44 AM to 7:44 PM, and every 30 minutes from 8:14 PM to 12:44 AM. Tickets from the airport are 10 NZD in cash or 2.50 NZD with a registered Bee Card, which you can purchase at the PaperPlus store in the Airport Terminal.
Several taxi companies, ridesharing providers, shuttles, and limousine services operate at Queenstown Airport:
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Ridesharing and app-based taxis |
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All of them are located directly outside the terminal building.
Renting a car is a popular way to explore the South Island. You can rent a car or a campervan directly at Queenstown Airport from one of the companies present at the terminal. These include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Ezi Car Rental, GO Rentals, Hertz, Thrifty, and SIXT.
Parking at QZN
Queenstown Airport has a Pick-up Drop-off (PUDO) Zone. This zone is located directly outside the Terminal and is for pick-ups and drop-offs only - no stopping and no parking is allowed.
If you need to park for a short time, the P20 Express Parking offers free parking for up to 20 minutes. These are signposted, dedicated short-term parking bays located nearest to the Terminal. If you stay longer, normal fees of 6 ZND per hour apply. This parking uses license plate recognition technology, so there’s no need for a ticket - just pay at the kiosks before you exit.
In the same place, there are also non-express bays where you can park for short or long stays. The daily rate is 30 NZD with discounts for stays longer than a week.
Park & Ride is the budget parking option at ZQN. It’s located on Brookes Road, connected by a free shuttle to the terminal (15 minutes). Rates start at 4 NZD for the first 4 hours and 20 NZD for the first day, then 10 NZD for each day thereafter.
Hotels near Queenstown Airport
There are no hotels within the airport’s premises, but you can pick from several within a 1 km radius, thus within walking distance.
Most nearby hotels are higher class, including the Ramada Suites by Wyndham Queenstown Remarkables Park, the Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park by IHG, the Wyndham Garden Queenstown, the La Quinta by Wyndham Queenstown, and Quest Queenstown, all 4-star accommodations near the Remarkables Market, behind the airport.
If you’d like a lakeside hotel close to ZQN, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Queenstown, located on the south banks of Lake Wakatipu and just 2 km from the terminal, is a good choice. The entire north lakeside is lined with hotels, too.
For more choices, Queenstown itself is just 7 km away and has dozens of hotels for all budgets. Click here to see more airport hotels near ZQN.
Queenstown, New Zealand
