Do You Need a Car in Queenstown for Your Adventure?

If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand’s adventure capital, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: do you need a car in Queenstown? With its stunning lakeside setting, and endless day trips within reach, figuring out the best way to get around is key to making the most of your visit.

The challenge is that while Queenstown has some public transport options and plenty of tours, they don’t always give you the same freedom as having your own car. On the other hand, car hire can be pricey, parking is limited, and driving those winding mountain roads might not appeal to everyone.

That’s where I can help. In this post, I’ll break down the pros and cons of hiring a car in Queenstown, what you can expect if you rely on public transport or tours instead, and my honest take on whether a car is worth it for your style of trip. By the end, you’ll know exactly what works best for your Queenstown adventure.

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Do you need a car to get around Queenstown?

First and foremost, I personally think you need a car to get around Queenstown. While I often find it intimidating to drive around a strange city for the first time, Queenstown is relatively easy to navigate, and you will definitely see a lot more phenomenal sites by doing so. But, know that you don’t need Car hire for the entire time!

Overall, car hire always gives me the ultimate freedom and flexibility to travel at my own pace and time. I also find that I can tick off way more activities in Queenstown without waiting for other transport options.  

➡Find your favourite brand & compare prices for your Rental Car HERE

Will you need a car for the whole time? Definitely NOT, especially if you’re staying somewhere close to the city. This means you can incorporate other aspects into your trip, such as walking, using public transport, Uber and taxis, or finding some tours with hotel pickup.

Therefore, plan your days out and only use car hire for the important sites, where you have no other option. With that said, if you’re trying to stick to a budget, please toss up the difference between staying in the suburbs with a car, or staying in the city without a car.

Honestly, you’ll find them comparable, but also know there are still plenty of things to see outside of the city that you’ll need transport to.

On the other hand, activities like the Shotover Jet, skiing packages and some bungy jumping, all leave from The Station Building. This is on the corner of Camp and Shotover Street in central Queenstown.

Most of these provide free transport, or essentially paid for with your tickets or packages.

Pros of Hiring a Car:

• Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom to explore remote locations and scenic routes at your own pace.
• Convenience: Easily access attractions and nearby towns (eg Arrowtown, Glenorchy) without relying on public transport schedules.
• Adventure: Drive to off-the-beaten-path destinations like the Blue Pools hiking trail and discover hidden gems that may not be easily accessible by public transportation.
• Local Exploration: Discover local eateries, viewpoints, and attractions beyond the city center for a more authentic travel experience.

Cons of Hiring a Car:

• Parking Challenges: Limited parking spaces in busy areas of Queenstown, or your hotel can be a hassle, especially during peak tourist seasons.
• Costs: Expenses for car rental, fuel, parking fees, and potential tolls can add up, impacting the overall travel budget.
• Traffic Congestion: Queenstown can experience traffic congestion, particularly in popular tourist areas, leading to delays.
• Unfamiliar Driving Conditions: Visitors may encounter unfamiliar road rules, mountainous terrain, and narrow roads that require cautious driving.

What Car Rental Company’s are available?

All your major Car rental companies are widely available in Queenstown. This includes convenient pickup at the International and Domestic Airport or near the centre of the town for pickup at each depot.

After several visits to the city myself, I tend to side with AVIS for reliability and worldwide options (Including in my home Australia). But on some of my more recent visits, the local GoRental brand has been really amazing, friendly, and a little cheaper in price.

Apart from that, most of your other major brands are here too, including Budget, Eurocar, Alamo, Hertz and Thrifty (among plenty of others). Not only that, you can hire anything from the standard two-wheel drive, SUVs, four-wheel drives, Mini-Vans and even Campers to combine with your accommodation.

But, before you reserve one for your trip, let me share with you first the basic requirements and price of hiring a car in Queenstown, New Zealand!

What documents do you need to hire a car?

To be able to drive and hire a car in Queenstown, you must at least be 21 years old and have a Driver’s License valid for minimum 12 consecutive months prior to contract signing. And, no, learner’s or provisional licenses are not acknowledged.

However, if you are a foreign visitor, here are additional documents you should present:

• For licenses not in the Roman alphabet: You should bring your International Driving Permit (IDP) or official translation together with your domestic driving license.
• For Australians with Digital Driver’s Licenses: You must present the physical Driver’s License.
• For Chinese citizens: Full English translation from an approved translator, and it must be notarized in China.

How much does Car Hire cost?

Personally, I’ve found the prices here relatively inexpensive, with an average of around $50NZD per day. But, this varies on several factors, including the company you hire from, the type of vehicle you choose, length of rental, and insurance coverage package selected.

➡Find your favourite brand & compare prices for your Rental Car HERE

Plus, the optional extras, such as fuel charges, Excess Reduction (ER) Coverage, and Zero Excess Coverage.

Depending on the car rental company, a Young Driver Surcharge may be applied for drivers ages 21 to 24 to cover the rental liability. Plus, note that rental companies offer different prices for different locations, so make sure to look for one that fits your budget and preferences.

In most cases, you will have to pay upon booking to secure your rental or at least a deposit. And you can pay your bill using a credit card (mostly Visa, MasterCard, and American Express) or Visa/Debit card.

Does Queenstown have public transport?

Queenstown has a pretty reliable public transport, making getting around easy, especially if you are just travelling within the town. Public buses and ferry boats operate regularly and follow certain timetables. Taxis and rideshares, like Uber and Ola, are also available for hire, as well as shuttle buses that transport visitors to out-of-town attractions.

If you want a more affordable and lower-emission transport option, using public transport is the way to go.

Read on below to learn more about these transport options!

1. Public Bus (Orbus)

The cheapest way to travel in Queenstown is by riding a public bus, especially if you are just staying within the town centre.

As you can see from this Map, several public buses, or Orbus, as the locals call them, travel across the town on certain schedules (except on Christmas Day). Depending on the route and stop, they typically run from 6:00 a.m. to midnight. Among all the public transport options in Queenstown, this is the most affordable and has lower emissions.

And yes, there is free Wi-Fi, wheelchair access, and bike racks in all Orbus buses. You can even bring your domestic pet on board during off-peak times as long as it is in a fully-enclosed pet carrier.

While you can pay cash for your bus fares, I highly recommend getting a Bee Card to save money. You can buy one from the Paper Plus store at the airport, the iSite Visitor Centre in the town centre, or on board the bus for just $5. With the Bee Card, you can ride a bus for only $2 instead of $4 in cash, plus you can use it to pay for multiple passengers!

2. Water taxi (Queenstown Ferries)

For a more scenic and relaxing transport experience, hop on a water taxi operated by Queenstown Ferries. These small ferries operate daily (except on Christmas Day) every hour from 7:45am to 9:45pm at Queenstown Bay.

And they pass by and stop at Bayview and Frankton Marina before they dock at Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa.

You can bring a child stroller and a leashed pet dog (even if not in pet carrier) on board, just be mindful of the space since each ferry sits only 25 to 40 passengers at a time. You can also tap your Bee Card and pay only $10 per person instead of $14 via Credit Card, since cash is not accepted.

3. Shuttle Buses

There are Free and Paid shuttle buses that transport visitors to and from the Airport and other locations nearby. Try to take advantage of the free options as much as you can, and save the paid options when you’ve exhausted all your other options.

➡ Find other Shuttles Services HERE with Get Your Guide

Some of the big out-of-town attractions, like the Coronets Peak, The Remarkables, Onsen Hot Pools, and Shotover Jet. These buses pick up and drop off passengers in Queenstown Central at scheduled hours. And tourists with reservations to the attractions typically can ride these buses for free.

The Ski Buses that travel to Coronet Peak and The Remarkables depart from Duke Street in Queenstown Central as early as 7:30am. Before you hop one of the buses, you have to book a reservation indicating your timeslot, pickup location, and destination. And, yes, you can bring your ski equipment along with you.

If you want to go bungy jumping at AJ Hackett Bungy Centre near Kawarau Bridge, look for the Bungy Bus in Queenstown Central, which departs at select time slots daily. The ride is free, but you must request transport upon booking.

There is also a Shotover Jet Shuttle that runs every hour from 10am to 3pm. This is also free, but you must check-in on The Station first located on the corner of Camp and Shotover streets.

Last but not least, Onsen Shuttle Bus is also available for free for those who have reservations. They pick up passengers 30 minutes before the scheduled departure at Marmolada Café at 43 Camp Street. The shuttle only seats nine passengers at a time, so make sure to book your transport as part of your package to secure your slot.

4. Uber

If I don’t have a car, Ubers are always my next best option for short distances, one-off trips or nights out when you want a few drinks. They can be a great alternative to riding a regular taxi, especially regarding price.

Uber Green, allows passengers to ride a hybrid or electric vehicle. Or, another popular option is Uber Pet, which allows passengers to carry their lovely pets on board.

Although it is also relatively expensive compared to public transport, this can be a perfect option if you are, for example, travelling in a group, has lots of luggage, or with kids, elderly, or persons with disabilities.

5. Taxi

If riding a public bus, shuttle bus, or ferry isn’t convenient for you, there is always a taxi service. This will provide you with ultimate convenience and quick transport, especially when travelling to out-of-town attractions, such as ski areas.

The only downside is that the taxi fare is significantly pricier than other suggestions. As an example, from Queenstown Airport to the city would cost anything between $30 to 50NZD, depending on where you are going.

Booking online or over the phone is also possible if you want to have a ride ready before you get out of your accommodation. Two of the taxi companies you can ride are Blue Bubble and Green Cabs.

FAQ’s – Common Questions?

What’s Queenstown like to Drive around?

As an Australian, I don’t find it very difficult at all to drive around Queenstown or New Zealand. But, I have a few things listed below that you might like to know before doing it.

• Unlike the USA, always keep to the left side of the road when driving in Queenstown.
• Adhere to the legal speed limits, which can vary between urban areas and open roads (maximum of 50km/h in urban areas and 100km/h on open roads).
• Ensure you wear your seat belt at all times while driving.
• Observe and follow the road signs diligently to avoid fines and ensure safety on the roads.
• Exercise caution and patience when overtaking slow or large vehicles, especially on narrow mountain roads in Queenstown.
• Take note of the Sign post when trying to cross one-lane bridges. Look for a red circle meaning you must give way, or a blue rectangle means they give way to you – but, I also look at who has the larger arrow!

➡  Find Queenstown accommodation HERE with Booking.com

Is the city easy to walk around?

The main city areas of Queenstown via around one corner of Lake Wakatipu. I’ve often stayed a block or two behind Shotover Street, and it’s literally taken about 10 minutes to get to all the shops and restaurants, or 20 minutes to access the Botanic Gardens on the other side.

➡  Find Queenstown accommodation HERE with Booking.com

The main tourist attractions, such as the Skyline Gondola, Hydro Attack, TSS Earnslaw Steamship, and Minus 5° Ice Bar, are just within walking distance from each other.

Therefore, if I were staying in the city and not venturing too far away, I wouldn’t hesitate to make walking my main mode of transport.

Surprisingly, on my very first stay in town, I walked 5 kilometres (about 1 hour) along the Queenstown Trail to get to my accommodation too. While I wouldn’t do this every day, it was a fantastic view bordering the lake, with a full view of the Remarkables.

How far is the city from the airport?

The main central area of Queenstown is about 7.5 kilometres away from the Airport (ZQN), which is about 15 to 20 minutes of travel time.

I find it more convenient to collect your rental car at the Airport and use for the entire time. Otherwise, you can Uber or take public transport into the city and pick up a car rental from one of the depots later.

I would also enquire at your accommodation and see that you have somewhere to park it. This could come at an extra charge, or find out how much on-street parking is around.

Wrap Up!

To sum up, hiring a car in Queenstown depends heavily on the place you want to visit, your budget, and availability. However, If you love travelling at your own pace and time, hiring a car may be the best choice. Otherwise, you can always rely on the alternative options available.

Want to know what other places you shouldn’t miss when travelling the South Island? Then, check out my other New Zealand features for more travel tips and guides!

• Things to do on the South Island of New Zealand?
• 3 Day Queenstown Itinerary in New Zealand
• Hiking the Hooker Valley walking Track?
• Tasman Lake River walk & Glacier Viewing in Mount Cook National Park
• How to get to Hokitika Gorge on the South Island
• Find the Fox Glacier Glow Worms on the Minnehaha Walk