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Orbus Public Bus Service

The Otago Regional Council, with support from the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the New Zealand Transport Authority, operates the $2 Orbus network.

The public bus service is an easy and affordable way to explore Queenstown and Arrowtown. All you need to do is get a Bee Card! 

• You can purchase a Bee Card online, at Paper Plus located in the main airport terminal and the Otago Regional Council in Frankton (during business hours), or with cash on the bus.
• You can take two buses as part of your trip and pay only one fare. You get one free transfer if you change buses within 45 minute of tagging off the first bus. You must use your Bee Card to tag on and off both buses to get your free transfer.
• The minimum top-up for Bee Cards is $5. Bee Cards can be topped up anywhere they're sold. You can also top up online and set an automatic top-up.
• There is a one-off cost of $5 to buy a Bee Card, but once you have it, you'll have ongoing access to the $2 fare. Your Bee Card can also be used across numerous other bus networks in New Zealand.

Buses depart Queenstown Airport approximately every 15 minutes from 6.44am to 7.44pm, and every 30 minutes from 8.14pm to 12.44am.

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Bee Card rolled out on Queenstown ferries

26th October 2022 By Staff Reporter | [email protected] | @tourismticker

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HOW TO GET FROM QUEENSTOWN AIRPORT TO THE CITY

by Jub | May 7, 2023

Asking yourself “How do I get from Queenstown Airport to the city?”

Hopefully, you are, as this post will give you all the options.

I’m like you, you hate this feeling. You’ve arrived at your accommodation, but the question floats in the back of your mind. Did I get ripped off? When it comes to taxis at least.

This post will get rid of that yuck feeling.

For each of the options, we’re going from Queenstown Airport to the Queenstown i-Site in the middle of Queenstown (and it’s close to the world-famous Fergburger ).

There are at five options departing from Queenstown Airport (if you’re not renting a car):

And yes, for the rocket scientists out there, you can take each mode of transport from the city to Queenstown Airport.

A plane taking off from Queenstown Airport, ask for the window seat!

1. WALKING FROM QUEENSTOWN AIRPORT TO THE CITY

As long as you have a backpack (it’s not great for suitcases), there’s a nice trail that runs from close to Frankton where the airport is, right to the edge of the city centre. It’s called the Frankton Track , one of the many nice walks along Lake Wakatipu , and is part of the Te Araroa Trail 🙂

You simply follow the route above (it’s on Maps.me too). At 7.8km, for the faster walkers, it’ll take you 90 minutes or so, but even if it takes two hours some of you will appreciate the walk.

The wide trail along the lakefront is more or less flat. Stick left and you’ll have no problems with the cyclists. This is potentially one of the most scenic walks from any airport worldwide. You’ve got views of The Remarkables, Frankton Peninsula, and Lake Wakitipu (you’ll love the photo below that shows the surroundings).

That’s not to say there are any better walks in Queenstown 😉

2. PUBLIC BUS

May 2023 Update: The driver shortages for the Queenstown buses isn’t so bad now and they’re usually stick to the timetable. I do recommending downloading the Queenstown buses transit app which gives real time information on when the next bus is due to arrive.

You have two options for the bus, I take the second option because I like saving money! Especially when so many of the things to do in Queenstown are expensive.

And charging people extra for using public transport from an airport is something I don’t agree with.

Option 1: You can catch the #1 orbus directly from the airport (they run every 15 minutes) at this stop and the closest bus stop is this one which is less than 200 metres from the iSite. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes ( timetable here ).

How much does it cost?

Cash: To and from the airport, costs $10.

Bee Card: If you plan on using the public buses regularly as a way get around Queenstown , you can get a Bee Card from the Paper Plus inside the airport . The card costs $5, and the minimum top-up is $10 so you’ll be paying at least $15. The fare from the airport to the city with your Bee Card is $2 ($1.20 for children).

If you’re not planning on catching any other bus rides in Queenstown, it’s cheaper to pay cash. But if you’re going to use public transport a few times buy a Bee Card.

Option 2: From Frankton Bus Hub you can catch two buses to the vcity, both #1 (Fernhill) and #2 (Arthurs Point). The walk from the airport is about 1km, which will take 10-15 minutes. And the bus journey is ~15 minutes to the city centre.

Cash: Because this is not from the airport, the cash journey is $5.

Bee Card: $2 ($1.20 for children)

Can you see why I recommend walking around the lake? It’s stunning

3. SHUTTLES

There are several shuttle companies that run via Queenstown Airport, but Super Shuttles is the market leader to get to the city as they’re the most frequently. It’s true that you might get unlucky and be the last one to be dropped off (they have 11 seats) but if you’re a group with lots of luggage they can make a good option.

• 1 person: $24
• 2 people: $30
• 3 people: $36
• 4 people: $42
• 5 people: $48
• 6 people: $54
• 7 people: $60
• 8 people: $66
• 9 people: $72
• 10 people: $78
• 11 people (exclusive use): $95

You can book in advance on the website , and entering your flight details will ensure they’ll be ready for you when you land. Alternatively, you can just get one when you land as they come through the airport every 20 minutes or so.

4. RIDE-SHARING APPS

Unfortunately YourRide, the NZ-owned ride-sharing service doesn’t serve Queenstown, so your two options are Uber and Ola.

You can get picked up by either from the airport, but for a ride under 10 km they are pricy due to the kilometre charge in Queenstown of $2.20. I’ve just done a quick look to see what kind of prices they charge.

Uber ~$25 Ola ~$30-34

With that pricing, Uber is a no brainer, unless you haven’t used Ola yet and use one of the promo codes for signing up (I wrote about ridesharing promo codes in this post ).

With no traffic, the drive will take 10-15 minutes. But with Queenstown being overtouristed, the highway between Frankton and Queenstown can be slow going in peak hours.

I don’t like catching taxis from the airport for a host of reasons. So much so that I won’t even look into how much they are.

If you’re looking for a luxury transfer and money isn’t an issue, Black NZ are for you.

I hope this helps you plan your journey from Queenstown Airport to the city. Of course, you might want to head to Te Anau, Arrowtown , Wanaka or any of the other dozen places nearby.

If that’s the case, and you aren’t sure what to do, feel free to get in touch with me below or on email [email protected]

What to read next: Milford Sound: Yes or No New Zealand travel tips The cool alternative hike to Roys Peak Things to do in New Zealand How to get from Christchurch Airport to the City

Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.

12 Comments

Hello Jub. I’m arriving at Queenstown airport 31st Aug at 9.15pm. Is there a bus service or shuttle to Arrowtown at this time of day Thankyou Paul Slako

In theory you’ll be able to get the #2 bus from the Frankton Terminus that departs at 10.20pm 🙂 Fingers crossed your flight isn’t delayed and bags turn up. It’s less than a 1.5km walk to get to the Frankton Terminus from the airport (or get a taxi). Make sure to have cash available for the bus!

Enjoy Queenstown!

Cheers, Jub

I am travelling with a 10 month old in March, we don’t want to get a taxi (as some don’t have baby car seats)! Which shuttle/mode of transport would you recommend to get to the Novotel in Queenstown?

Hey Jasmine,

I’m not sure exactly what babies do/don’t need, but there’s a new service you could look into called SkyDrive. There’s some details at the bottom of the webpage to get in contact with them for bookings etc.

https://www.skydrive.co.nz/faq

Hi Jub…

Glad to read your article. We are 3 adults, will arrive at 14.00 and bring 3 big luggage and 1 small luggage. we are going to Absoloot Motel in downtown.

plan A By public bus. I’ve read that after buy bee card, minimum top up is nzd 5 ? Can we top up in Bus ? And is it true that the cost will be nzd 2 if using bee card from airport to downtown, I didnt find the information abt this.

plan B by Shuttle. still confused, if I arrive at airport so I go to the shuttle terminal, and find out how many people will go to downtown, so the cost depend on how many people will go together ? we are 3 person, if there is 5 person join with us so the cost will be nzd 54 for 8 of us ? Or we have to pay nzd 29 because we are 3 persons ? and the shuttle will drop everybody on each their location ?

or do you have best suggestion for us not plan A or B?

many thanks. sierra

Hey Sierra,

Sorry I typed out a long reply then deleted it. In short, you’re correct on the bus…pay with cash onboard to get your Bee Card. The shuttle will be a lot more expensive and not much faster…go with Plan A to get to Absoloot, it’s a short walk from the bus stop!

Have a great trip!

Hi Jub, Four of us arrive ZQN via rental car on 6 March ’24. We’ll first check into our hotel, Brown’s, then turn in the rental car. Probably take the bus back to town. On 12 March we’ll pick up a rental car at the airport for trip to Cromwell/environs. Return rental car on 15 March. Take flight to MEL. Are there any particular considerations to think about with the plan above? Appreciate your CHUR information.

Looks pretty standard to me! If you get a Bee Card, you can get just two between the four of you.

If you’re opting to pay cash for the bus, they’ll charge you 10$ from the airport. But you can walk 10 minutes down to the Frankton Bus Hub (or near New World if you’re hungry) and pay $4.

The drive from Queenstown to Cromwell is gorgeous. Perhaps stop off at a winery in Gibbston along the way 🙂

p.s. Grab a pie from Sangas in Cromwell, delicious!

Thanks Churo, a pleasure to do business with you. Appreciate the Sangas pie tip. Any other foodie tips for Cromwell? On-On, Mike

Sanga’s for sure! I haven’t eaten too much in Cromwell, but liked the fries at the Brewery a few weeks back :p

This was super useful. Thank you. You just took some of fears away.

Thanks Micro! It’s a breeeze

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Bee Card makes bus travel smarter, easier and cheaper than cash. Bee Card is a pre-paid smartcard used throughout the Bay of Plenty (and other participating regions) to pay for your journey.

Simply tag on when you board the bus by holding your card against the card reader, wait for the beep and green light before taking a seat. When you reach your destination, you do the same to tag off. The cost of the fare and the card balance will be displayed on the card reader at tag off.

Already have a Bee Card? Access your account here .

Get a Bee Card

Bee cards are available to purchase for $5.00 from:

• beecard.co.nz
• Rotorua: Level 2, 1118 Fenton Street, Rotorua 3010
• Tauranga: Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga 3110
• Whakatāne: 5 Quay Street, Whakatāne 3120

Register your card

Bee Cards need to be registered to add a concession, to enable online top up, and to protect your balance if you lose your card. You can also manage more than one Bee Card online - your kids’ cards included!

Registration is quick and can be easily completed online at beecard.co.nz .

If you need assistance, give us a call on 0800 4 BAYBUS (0800 4 229 287) or visit us at the customer service counter at your local Regional Council office.

Top up your card

The easiest way to top up is online at beecard.co.nz , you’ll need to top up with $5.00 or more if you get started online. You can also top up at the customer service counter or with cash on the bus from the driver.

Start using your card

Have your Bee Card ready to tag on and off the bus. You’ll hear a beep and then you’re ready to go. The screen will tell you how much credit is left on your card, and when you are running low.

When you tag on and off, the system automatically calculates the lowest fare based on your travel. If you don’t tag off, the system will charge a higher default fare.

Need more information?

Check out the Bee Card FAQs for more information and Bee Card how to guides for additional support.

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Getting to Queenstown is easy whether you decide to fly, drive or catch a coach.

Queenstown International Airport  receives daily direct flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and great road access on major New Zealand highways makes driving into Queenstown an easy and beautiful experience. Exploring the region once you’re in Queenstown is simple with a range of local transport options.

Where is Queenstown?

Queenstown is located in the southwest corner of the South Island of New Zealand and is very accessible with multiple daily direct flights from all New Zealand’s main centres. Direct scheduled services from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Gold Coast in Australia are also available.

For visitors that choose to drive, experiencing the beautiful  Southern Scenic Route  through Otago and Southland is a stunning way to arrive in Queenstown or meander down the South Island from the West Coast or Canterbury, taking your time to take in the scenery along the way.

Explore the interactive map to plan your scenic journey to Queenstown, New Zealand today.

Travelling to Queenstown

Drive to Queenstown

Driving to Queenstown is a very scenic option and if you’re planning to travel by road you can drive yourself, hop on a bus or join a  coach  tour. Major New Zealand highways connect Queenstown to surrounding South Island regions and you’ll come across incredible natural landscapes and different attractions on the drive to Queenstown.

Roads to Queenstown are well-signposted from the surrounding regions. New Zealand highways are fully sealed and well-maintained but some side roads to activities and attractions may be loose gravel and require more time and care.  

If you are planning a self-drive holiday it’s good to understand that driving in New Zealand can be different to driving at home. We drive on the left-hand side of the road, meaning the driver’s seat is on the right-hand side of the car. New Zealand roads can be narrow and winding with varying conditions. It pays to take lots of breaks and leave plenty of time to reach your destination.

It is also possible to encounter sheep and cattle on rural roads in New Zealand and ice or snow on the roads in winter. It pays to give yourself extra time, check the weather forecast and understand New Zealand road rules and signs. Visit  Drivesafe New Zealand  for helpful tips and information if you are planning a self-drive trip to Queenstown.

There are daily buses to Queenstown from Wanaka, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch to Queenstown as well as scheduled coach tours and backpacker tour buses. There are also many  rental car  and  motor home  depots based at Queenstown Airport.

Fly to Queenstown

Queenstown Airport  is the gateway to the lower South Island. Located 15 minutes from downtown Queenstown, the Queenstown Airport services the region with daily domestic flights operated by  Air New Zealand  and  Jetstar . It receives direct scheduled services from New Zealand’s main metropolitan ports of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Direct scheduled services from Australia's eastern ports Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Gold Coast are also available via Air New Zealand , Jetstar , Qantas  and Virgin Australia . Getting into the town centre from the airport is easy with shuttles, taxi services, buses and rental cars available. Bus fares are just $2 if you have a Bee Card (or $4 cash) and preloaded Bee Cards can be purchased from the Paper Plus store next to domestic arrivals.

Queenstown Airport is also New Zealand’s busiest helicopter base and is frequently used for ‘flightseeing’ on fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. There are many great options available for visitors to explore the region by air .

Getting around

Getting around Queenstown is easy, whether you use the $2 public bus network , explore the region by foot or by bike on the  Queenstown Trail , or hire your own car. For an extra scenic option, hop on the Queenstown ferry network which operates scheduled daily services from Frankton to Queenstown. You can check out the ferry timetable  here . 

Many local activity operators also offer free transport from the town centre and hotels making it easy to get out and about and experience what the region has to offer. The compact downtown area of Queenstown means many restaurants, attractions and accommodation are within walking distance of each other.

If you prefer to self-drive, Queenstown is home to the best-known  rental car  brands from around New Zealand and the world. With car rental outlets at Queenstown International Airport, picking up or dropping off your rental vehicle is easy and convenient. Some rental companies also provide bike racks as an add-on for their vehicles if you're looking to bring your own bike with you, or you can hire a bike when you're here.

Hiring an EV is a great option to explore Queenstown sustainably and with a growing network of EV infrastructure around New Zealand, convenient charging is never far away.

Campervans  and motorhomes are a great way to explore the Queenstown region and hiring a campervan or motorhome in Queenstown is easy, with both internationally recognised and local vehicle hire companies operating in the town centre or airport.

For the ultimate convenience, there are multiple  taxi  and  limousine services  available in and around Queenstown.

Explore Queenstown Transport Options

The queenstown trail, public transportation information, queenstown ferries, how to care for this place, about the tiaki promise, support love queenstown, plan your trip.

Recharge this Autumn in Queenstown – a 6-day Travel Itinerary

Escape the hustle of your everyday life and recharge with an autumn break in Queenstown. Take it slow, explore hidden gems, and re-energise in nature.

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Exploring Queenstown by Bike

With almost endless riding opportunities and spectacular vistas around every corner, Queenstown is a dream destination for cyclists both on and off...

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Your Guide to Queenstown Walks & Hikes

Whether you feel like a relaxing stroll or a multi-day trek into the backcountry, Queenstown has walking tracks for all ages and abilities. Here's...

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How to Explore Queenstown by $2 Public Bus

Queenstown's bus network makes it easy and affordable to explore scenic spots like Sunshine Bay, Frankton, Kelvin Heights, and Arrowtown.

/ 7 Min Read

Fare changes are coming from 1 May. Read more here. Fares from May 2024

The best way to pay for eBus is with a pre-pay Bee Card.

You can get a Bee Card at Councils' Customer Service Centres and Libraries across the region and on the Bee Card website.

Once you have your card, you use it to tag on and off while travelling on eBus. You can also get concessions added to your card, so you can enjoy cheaper travel.

You can use the  BeeCard website to top up your card, manage multiple cards and check your balance.

Buy your Bee card

Top up your card

Bee card faqs, what is a bee card.

Bee Card is a prepay travel card that can be used on buses in the Nelson and Tasman region. It is also available in nine different regions of New Zealand. You can use your Bee Card for local public transport in Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu-Whanganui, Nelson, Otago and Invercargill.

How much does a Bee Card cost?

Cards cost $5.00 and are non-refundable.

You will need to top up your card so you can travel. The minimum top up is $5 and the maximum is $299. If you have a registered card, you can transfer money stored on the card to a new card if it is lost or stolen. We cannot do this with unregistered cards, though. There are no transaction fees for topping up your card.

Where can I get a card?

Nelson City Council, Nelson Public Libraries (Elma Turner and Stoke), Nelson SBL bus depot, Tasman District Council and Richmond Library, via the Bee Card website BeeCard.co.nz , click ‘Get a Card’ in the top menu once you have created an account.

What bus services can I use Bee Card on?

Bee Card can be used on all eBus Services; R1-R7, the new loop route in Richmond and the Late Late Bus. This excludes SBL commercial and Ministry of Education services.

Why should I use a Bee Card?

You no longer need to worry about having cash for your journey. You can register your card online to manage your account, allowing you the ability to:

• Top up the card online
• Set-up an automated top up, so you always have money on your card
• Apply and manage concessions, such as SuperGold
• View your transactions and journey history
• Link other people’s cards to your account – so you can top up family member’s cards
• Cancel lost or stolen cards – and transfer over any unused money
• For some concessions (child and Supergold) you will no longer have to show your driver your ID as the concession will be loaded onto your card.

How does the Bee Card work?

Bee Card is a tag on tag off ticketing system - when you board the bus, hold your card over the card reader to tag on. Wait for the beep and green screen, then you're ready to go. When you've reached your destination, do the same again to tag off. It's important to tag off to ensure you are charged the correct fare.

Information about your card and account is sent to the card readers via the central Bee Card system. It can take up to 12 hours for transactions and changes to show on your website account. If transactions or changes haven't appeared in your account, please check back after 12 hours.

If there's still a problem, you can contact Council on 03 546 0200 or in person at our Customer Service Centre.

How much will my trip cost?

Bee Cards allow bus users to pay less for their travel when compared to the cash fare. The information below outlines the differences in fares for each zone:

• Concession: child, student (with ID or in uniform), SuperGold Cardholder, Community Services Cardholder.
• Full: All others.
• Child: 5-18 years. Under 5s travel free.
• Super Gold Card Concessions travel free with a Bee Card between 9am and 3pm and on the Late Late Bus.

How do I register my Bee Card?

First, go to BeeCard.co.nz and set up an account – you will see the ‘Create Account’ button to click on the top right of the page. Fill in your details and choose a password. Once your account is created you will be taken to a page with an option to register your card. Click on that button and fill in the required details and you are ready to go. You can also set up your account at Nelson and Tasman Council’s Customer Service Centres.

Can I still pay for my journey with cash?

Yes, drivers will still accept cash for your journey. You can also top up your Bee Card on the bus, but drivers can only accept exact money. This means that if you have a ten dollar note, drivers will only be able to put $10 on the card and will not be able to give change.

Do I have to register my Bee Card?

You do not have to register your Bee Card, but please note that we cannot replace any remaining money on a lost or stolen Bee Card if it hasn’t been registered.

How quickly will my balance be available on my Bee Card?

Online transactions generally go through the system within 12 hours. If you top up your card at a retail outlet or on the bus, your money is loaded on to your card straight away.

Why doesn't my online transaction list show my top up?

With Bee Card, all data is stored on the card itself, but online transactions won't show on your card until it's next tagged on to a Bee Card device. In the meantime, your top up shows as pending in your online account.

Can I use my Bee Card to pay for more than one person?

We recommend that every passenger has their own Bee Card but you can pay for other passenger's fares with your card if needed. You'll need to speak to the driver, and any extra passengers will be charged the adult fare price.

Where can I top up in person?

You can top up at Nelson City Council, Nelson Public Libraries (Elma Turner and Stoke). Nelson SBL bus depot, Tasman District Council and Richmond Library.

I have a supergold card, do I need a Bee Card?

Yes, you will need to have a Bee Card to access your SuperGold free off-peak travel concession. You'll also need to ensure that your SuperGold concession is loaded onto your Bee Card. After that, you won't need to show your SuperGold Card to the driver when you board - but you will need to carry it with you to show on request.

To load your SuperGold concession onto your Bee Card, you will need to register your card at BeeCard.co.nz and click on ‘Concessions’ in the top menu. Alternatively, we can help you load your SuperGold card at Nelson or Tasman Council Customer Service Centres.

I'm a school student, how do i get my concession?

For children who are between 5 and 18 years old, the child concession will be automatically applied to your card when you register it. Children under 5 travel free.

I travel using another concession (e.g. tertiary student, community service), how do I access my discount?

You'll need to register your Bee Card and provide proof of your eligibility for the concession. To load the concession on your Bee Card, you'll need to take your card and proof of eligibility to Nelson City Council or Tasman District Council Customer Service Centre. Only SuperGold and child concessions can be loaded online through the Bee Card website as well as in person.

Are dogs in carriers allowed on the bus?

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TOP UP FAQS

Do i have to top up before i can use my bee card and is there a minimum top up amount.

Yes, you’ll need to top up a minimum of $5.00 when you order a Bee Card through this website.

If you are loading a SuperGold Concession on to a Bee Card you do not have to top up when purchasing the card but we recommend it so that you can use your Bee Card to travel during non-free periods.

How long does it take for the top up to show on my Bee Card?

Online transactions generally go through the system within 12 hours and show on your Bee Card when you tag on. In the meantime, your money is sitting under pending transactions in your online account.

How does Auto Top Up work?

Auto Top Up ensures that you’ll always have enough balance on your Bee Card to pay your fare. When your Bee Card balance drops below your selected amount, your card is automatically topped up.

We’ll send you an email each time your Auto Top Up is triggered. Please ensure you have sufficient funds to allow us to debit the correct amount. Your Auto Top Up will stay in effect until you put a hold on it or cancel it.

Click here for instructions on loading your Auto Top Up

What if my payment fails on an auto top up.

If your payment fails, you will receive an email letting you know, and encouraging you to check your associated payment card. Once the issue is resolved which caused the failed payment, you will need to restart the Auto Top Up for this to work again.

Please note that any bank fees that are charged as a result of insufficient funds in your account are your responsibility.

Get Started

Use the links below to get started. Get a Card Register your Card Check Balance

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Community Connect & SuperGold

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Catching the bus, ferry and train with the Bee Card is simple and cheap

Benefits of a REGISTERED Bee Card

• Cheaper fares on Orbus
• A simple tag-on and tag-off system
• Get a concession (youths and   SuperGold )
• Online balance checking
• Topping up online, including setting up an auto top up
• Manage more than one Bee Card with a linked account, for example topping up your children’s card.
• Valid across nine regions in New Zealand (excluding specific concessions and multi-trip products)
• Improved bus transfer processing (free transfers within a 45 minutes window)
• Better travel demand management 
• Easy replacement of lost or stolen cards

You can go to an ORC office or a Bee Card retailer to buy a Bee Card, or ask your bus driver to purchase one ( cash only if buying from the bus). You can also order a Bee Card online . remember to register it by going online here .

Register your Bee Card

Community Connect provides Community Services cardholders with half price fares on public transport from 1 July 2023. Read more

SuperGold information

If you are 65+ you are entitled to reduced fares with a SuperGold Bee Card. Read more

Have questions about your Bee Card? We've got the answers. Read more

Here’s a handy wee video on how to use the Bee Card