How Much Does Queenstown Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Queenstown is a premium adventure hub where costs can escalate quickly due to the high density of world-class outdoor activities. A solo traveler can expect to spend between $69 / NZ$115 per day on a modest budget and $749 / NZ$1,254 per day for a high-end luxury experience. While basic food and public transport are relatively accessible, the true expense lies in "adventure premiums" like skydiving or jet boating. Costs are notably higher than in larger New Zealand cities like Christchurch, primarily driven by the intense demand for central accommodation and guided tours. Planning around the dual peak seasons of summer and winter is essential, as prices for lodging can fluctuate significantly based on demand for hiking or skiing.
Is Queenstown expensive to visit?
Queenstown is an expensive adventure destination with daily costs ranging from $69 / NZ$115 to $749 / NZ$1,254 depending on how many adrenaline-fueled activities you book.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Queenstown
$69
per person /day
$323
per person /day
$749
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $207 | $970 | $2,246 |
| 5-Day Trip | $345 | $1,617 | $3,744 |
| 7-Day Trip | $483 | $2,265 | $5,241 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15% budget buffer is recommended to cover the mandatory International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) and the 15% surcharge often applied at cafes on public holidays. Many local businesses also apply a 1.5–3% credit card surcharge, which can add up quickly over a stay.
How Does It Compare?
See how Queenstown stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Queenstown
Food & Drink (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| The Fergburger (Standard) Wait times can exceed 45 minutes; order by phone to skip the queue. | $9.89 NZ$17 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Orbus Public Bus Fare (with Bee Card) Without a Bee Card, cash fares are ~$3 / NZ$5.03 ($5 / NZ$8.38). The card itself costs ~$3 / NZ$5.03 ($5 / NZ$8.38). | $1.2 NZ$2.01 |
| Airport Bus Transfer (Route 1) If using a Bee Card, the fare drops to ~$1.2 / NZ$2.01 ($2 / NZ$3.35). | $5.99 NZ$10 |
| Taxi (Airport to Town Center) Ride-sharing apps like Uber operate but have limited availability; prices are similar. | $27 NZ$45 |
| Mountain Bike Rental (Full Day) Electric bikes are much more expensive, typically ~$53–$71 / NZ$89–NZ$118 ($90–$120 / NZ$151–NZ$201) per day. | $27 NZ$45 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard Dorm Bed (Nomads Queenstown) Typical budget rate for a 6–8 bed mixed dorm. Central location near the lake. | $33 NZ$55 |
| Mid-Range Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Queenstown) Includes breakfast. Rates fluctuate ~$29–$47 / NZ$49–NZ$79 depending on weekend demand. | $171 NZ$286 |
| 4-Star Luxury Hotel (The Rees Hotel) Price for a standard hotel room with lake views. Apartments cost significantly more. | $291 NZ$487 |
Activities (6)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Skyline Gondola & 3 Luge Rides Gondola entry only is ~$38 / NZ$64 ($64 / NZ$107). Family packages are available. | $49 NZ$81 |
| Shotover Jet Boat Ride Includes shuttle from the town center. Pre-booking is highly recommended. | $96 NZ$161 |
| NZONE Skydive (15,000ft) The 9,000ft jump is cheaper at ~$179 / NZ$300 ($299 / NZ$501). Photos/videos are extra. | $359 NZ$601 |
| Kawarau Thrillogy Combo Includes the world's first commercial bungy jump site. | $326 NZ$547 |
| TSS Earnslaw Lake Cruise Only A 90-minute cruise on a vintage steamship across Lake Whakatipu. | $69 NZ$115 |
| Gibbston Valley Wine Cave Tour Includes tasting of 3 premium wines inside the wine cave. | $12 NZ$20 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local SIM Card (Spark NZ 10GB) Spark has the best coverage in rural areas like Glenorchy. | $29 NZ$49 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape offers a mix of iconic budget-friendly eats and high-end lakeside dining, with the famous Fergburger costing $9.89 / NZ$17 for a standard order. Quick meals at places like Fergbaker or Eriks Fish and Chips provide affordable fuel for hikers, while sit-down dinners in the town center typically require a mid-range budget allocation.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Eriks Fish and Chips
$11–$15 / NZ$18–NZ$25Earl Street · Street food area
Grab your food and sit by the lake; it's the best 'view' for a meal under ~$12 / NZ$20.
Fergbaker
$4.5–$8.98 / NZ$7.53–NZ$15Shotover Street · Bakery
Their meat pies are legendary and much cheaper than a full meal at a sit-down restaurant.
Devil Burger
$8.98–$13 / NZ$15–NZ$22Church Street · Local chain
A great alternative to Fergburger with much shorter lines.
Slice Pizza
$3.59–$7.19 / NZ$6.01–NZ$12Shotover Street · Street food area
Perfect for a quick, cheap snack between adventure activities.
Vudu Cafe & Larder
$7.19–$14 / NZ$12–NZ$24Rees Street · Bakery
Pick something from the cabinet (sandwiches/quiches) to save ~$5.89 / NZ$9.86 over ordering from the kitchen menu.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the region is most affordable via the Orbus public bus system, which charges just $1.2 / NZ$2.01 per fare when using a Bee Card. Without the card, cash fares rise to $3 / NZ$5.03, while a taxi from the airport to the town center costs approximately $27 / NZ$45.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging ranges from social hostels like Nomads Queenstown at $33 / NZ$55 for a dorm bed to luxury stays like The Rees Hotel starting at $291 / NZ$487 for lake-view rooms. Mid-range value is best found at properties like the Holiday Inn Express Queenstown, which averages $171 / NZ$286 per night including breakfast.
Accommodation Budget in Queenstown
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase a Bee Card for $3 / NZ$5.03 at the airport or i-SITE to lower bus fares from $3 / NZ$5.03 down to $1.2 / NZ$2.01 per trip.
- 2 Opt for the 9,000ft jump at NZONE Skydive for ~$179 / NZ$300 instead of the 15,000ft version which costs $359 / NZ$601.
- 3 Call Fergburger ahead to place a phone order and skip the 45-minute physical queue on Shotover Street.
- 4 Rent a standard mountain bike for $27 / NZ$45 per day rather than an electric bike, which typically costs ~$53–$71 / NZ$89–NZ$118.
- 5 Visit the Gibbston Valley Wine Cave for a $12 / NZ$20 tour that includes a tasting of three premium wines.
- 6 Buy groceries at the Pak’nSave in Frankton near the airport, as prices are much lower than the small convenience stores in central Queenstown.
- 7 Check the Bookme New Zealand website for last-minute discounts on the TSS Earnslaw cruise or Shotover Jet boat rides.
- 8 Travel in May or October during the shoulder seasons when accommodation rates are lower and crowds are thinner.
- 9 Walk the 5km Frankton Arm track to get from the Frankton area to town for $0 instead of paying for the airport bus.
- 10 Refill water bottles at the various public fountains around the lakefront to avoid paying high prices for bottled water.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug
+30–50%
May, Oct, Nov
-20–30%
Mar, Apr, Sep
Queenstown has two peaks: Summer (Dec–Feb) for hiking and Winter (June–Aug) for skiing. May and October offer the best discounts but some activities may close for maintenance.
Events to Watch
- ● Queenstown Winter Festival (Late June): +50% hotels
- ● New Year's Eve: +100% hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Hiking the Queenstown Hill Time Walk for 360-degree views of Lake Whakatipu.
- 2 Walking through the Queenstown Gardens and along the lakefront peninsula.
- 3 Trekking the Ben Lomond Track (allow 6–8 hours for the full summit hike).
- 4 Exploring the historic Arrowtown Chinese Settlement and river walkways.
- 5 Visiting the Glenorchy Wharf and the iconic red steamship shed.
- 6 Hiking the 12km Lake Hayes Loop track for reflections of the mountains.
- 7 Stopping at the Bennett’s Bluff Lookout on the scenic drive to Glenorchy.
- 8 Relaxing or swimming at Sunshine Bay beach.
- 9 Hiking the Mt Crichton Loop Track to see the historic Sam Summers Hut.
- 10 Walking across the Kawarau Falls Bridge to see the turquoise river outlet.
- 11 Exploring the Moke Lake loop track, located a 15-minute drive from town.
- 12 Stargazing from the shores of Lake Whakatipu away from the town center lights.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Day Trip
It's an 12-hour journey but the scenery on the road to Milford is as spectacular as the cruise itself.
Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining & Cruise
Combines a lake cruise with one of the best buffet meals in NZ at a historic farm station.
Heli-Hike Franz Josef (from Queenstown)
The ultimate NZ experience: flying over the Southern Alps to hike on a glacier.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Queenstown
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Queenstown and what they cost
Arrowtown
$2.4 / NZ$4.02 by bus
Free
$27 / NZ$45
Glenorchy
$36 / NZ$60 by shuttle bus
Free
$72 / NZ$120
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
1 $ ≈ 1.68 $
No
Everywhere, including food trucks and buses (via Bee Card).
Tipping is not expected or required. For exceptional service in high-end restaurants, a 10% tip is appreciated but never mandatory.
ATMs are plentiful in the town center. Avoid 'independent' ATMs in convenience stores which charge fees of ~$2.94–$4.71 / NZ$4.93–NZ$7.89 ($5–$8 / NZ$8.38–NZ$13); use major bank ATMs (ANZ, BNZ, Westpac).
Connectivity
eSIM: $10 for 3GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $29 / NZ$49 for 10GB at the airport
WiFi: Good in central cafes and hotels, but very limited in public outdoor spaces.
Buy an Airalo eSIM for data and a local Spark SIM if you need to make calls for activity bookings.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Queenstown.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Where to Stay
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Complete Cost Guide
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