🇳🇿 New Zealand · Oceania

Travel to Queenstown & Milford Sound

Milford Sound, Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables. Things to do, costs, the best time to visit and nearby day trips, with approximate prices and open data sources.

€162per day · budget€273per day · standard4 daysrecommendedJan · Feb · Marbest months
Milford Sound, Queenstown & Milford Sound
Milford Sound

Things to do in Queenstown & Milford Sound

  • Milford Sound
  • Lake Wakatipu
  • The Remarkables
  • Lake Wānaka
Milford Sound in Queenstown & Milford Sound

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. It has been judged the world's top…

Wikipedia ↗
Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown & Milford Sound

Lake Wakatipu

Lake Wakatipu is an inland lake in the South Island of New Zealand. It is in the southwest corner of the Otago region, near its boundary with Southland.

Wikipedia ↗
The Remarkables in Queenstown & Milford Sound

The Remarkables

The Remarkables are a mountain range and part of the Remarkables Conservation Area that includes Kawarau/The Remarkables and Tāpuae O’Uenuku/Hector Mountains and Te Papapuni/Nevis River valley. Located on the southeastern shore of Lake Wakatipu, Otago in the South Island of New…

Wikipedia ↗
Lake Wānaka in Queenstown & Milford Sound

Lake Wānaka

Lake Wānaka is New Zealand's fourth-largest lake and the seat of the town of Wānaka in the Otago region. The lake is 300 meters above sea level, covers about 198 km2, and is more than 300 m deep.

Wikipedia ↗

How much does a trip to Queenstown & Milford Sound cost?

Approximate prices per person, in euros. We estimate them from World Bank price levels and our own research; use them for planning and always double-check before booking.

Accommodation per night
Hostel bed€56
Private room, shared bathroom€88
Private room with bathroom€118
Standard hotel€184
Daily expenses
BudgetStandard
Food€35€74
Local transport€9€15
Total per day€162€273
Entrance fees
Main sights (estimate)€47
Optional tours and excursions (estimate)€66

💶 4 days in Queenstown & Milford Sound: ≈ €761 on a budget or ≈ €1,205 at a standard level, entrance fees included and flights excluded. Work out your whole trip →

🚇 Public transport and walking. Estimate based on the country's price level (World Bank).

Best time to visit Queenstown & Milford Sound

The most pleasant months are January, February, March, December. Monthly averages 2016–2025 (Open-Meteo, ERA5 reanalysis).

Jan21°13°💧12
Feb21°12°💧11
Mar19°11°💧11
Apr15°8°💧12
May11°6°💧14
Jun7°3°💧11
Jul7°2°💧14
Aug8°2°💧13
Sep10°4°💧15
Oct14°6°💧16
Nov17°8°💧14
Dec19°11°💧16

Frequently asked questions

How much does a trip to Queenstown & Milford Sound cost?

On a budget, about €162 per person per day (private room with bathroom, food and local transport); at a standard level, about €273. For 4 days, including the main entrance fees, budget ≈ €761 to €1,205, not counting flights.

When is the best time to visit Queenstown & Milford Sound?

Based on average weather over the last 10 years, the most pleasant months are January, February, March, December.

How many days do you need in Queenstown & Milford Sound?

We recommend 4 days to see the essentials without rushing.

What are the best things to do in Queenstown & Milford Sound?

The must-sees: Milford Sound; Lake Wakatipu; The Remarkables; Lake Wānaka.

Where to stay in Queenstown & Milford Sound?

Compare on Booking, Hostelworld or Airbnb: look for well-connected neighbourhoods outside the centre. A private room with bathroom costs around €118 per night and a hostel bed €56.

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons (each photo with its licence and author on Commons). Place descriptions: Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA. Prices are approximate; we are not a travel agency.