Milford Sound from Queenstown, South Island of New Zealand

Milford Sound from Queenstown, South Island of New Zealand

A faster but useful travel guide for those who plan a trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound. How to come here, what awaits you and inspiring photography of one of the most beautiful fjords in the world.

The seductive Milford Sound. Imagine you drive through foggy fjords, while endless waterfalls fall down the cliffs from the Jura on both sides. What if I would tell you that you could experience these scenes by jumping into a quick bus from Queenstown to Milford Sound?

In this guide, I would like to help you plan your trip to Milford Sound by showing you the best options to get here from Queenstown.

​​How do you get to Milford Sound?

Those with a van or vehicle can drive directly to the sound. However, they have to drive around the Lake Anau and through national parks. The trip is almost 250 km long and you will definitely want to stop for several photo opportunities.

You pass glacier, waterfalls, viewpoints and epic hiking opportunities. This part of New Zealand feels as if it had come directly from the canvas. It takes about 4 hours by car to reach Milford Sound from Queenstown. So if you want to see him on a day trip, you should better leave early.

As soon as you arrive in the Milford Sound Visitor Center, you can take the chance to get a place on the busy boats, or simply book your ticket online in advance.

Best price for a cruise ticket: check price

Alternatively, you can book a full -day combination of bus and cruise on Get Your Guide, the cheapest and best rated tour to the Milford Sound from Queenstown.

Best price for a day trip by bus and cruise: check price

Also: Don't miss my Queenstown travel guide with the best activities and my accommodation leader for overnight stays!

best organized day trips to the Milford sound from Queenstown with the bus

Those who do not have the luxury of their own means of transport can purchase a Milford sound package from Queenstown. There is no shortage of tour operators, most of them offer similar packages that often take the same boat ferry on the fjord (Milford Sound is actually a fjord, no sound).

The main difference will be the bus that brings it through the national park. However, the stops along the fjordland also vary.

But to save you the double by booking the same trip via a more expensive middleman, I link to the best with the best prices below.
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Cheapest combination of bus and cruise: $ 179

This is the tour that I booked when I organized my trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound for the first time (I have returned independently several times since then). The trip is carried out by Real Journeys, the most popular and cheapest option for those who are based in Queenstown without a vehicle.

To this day I would recommend this option to most travelers because the trip is much cheaper than most others. In addition, the bus holds in some picturesque places in the Fjordland National Park to represent your legs and see the epic sights of the region.

Small group van & cruise: 212 $

For those who want to experience the beauty of the fjord on a day trip from Queenstown without feeling like a tourist, this is a great option. These small group tours become more popular from year to year and offer a more personal experience.

The most epic option: half -day helicopter flight: The price varies depending on the season, click to check this.

For those of them who see Milford sound with style and don't want to waste a day on a bus, this could be your ticket. This option is an epic half-day adventure from Queenstown, which you lead with the helicopter over the Fiordland mountains. It also includes a cruise and a helicopter to Queenstown.
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​​A boat trip by Milford Sound

Premium cruise on a glass roof catamaran: $ 76

This is currently discounted and very popular because it is only a little more expensive than the larger tourist boats. If you are looking for a premium experience on Milford Sound at an affordable price, this is your best choice.

Natural cruise: $ 69

This cruise is offered by Real Journeys, probably the most popular boat option on Milford Sound. This price only applies to the boat trip, so you have to drive here yourself.

While you drive down the fjord, you will witness some epic thunderous waterfalls, wild seals that sunbathe in the rocks, and the famous Mitre Peak, which protrudes through the cloud cover.
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Related Post: 36 best activities in Queenstown, New Zealand

When is the best time to travel for the Fjordlands?

MILFORD SOUND is usually on the list of the most visited South Islands of New Zealand. But is there really a best travel time for the Milford Sound? With an average annual rainfall of almost 6500 mm (252 inches), it is considered the most damp in New Zealand. It is also one of the most damp all over the world!

Most people who visit the Milford Sound from Queenstown experience at least a little rain. If you say that, a few showers will delight on the sund on your cruise to those who want to experience the endless electricity of temporary waterfalls.
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While it's pretty wet all year round, the hottest months in summer from January to February are. During this time the temperatures can reach up to 27 degrees Celsius. The cooler winter months drop to up to 15 degrees Celsius.

Due to the constant rains and the moderate heat, there is no best time to visit Milford Sound. It depends on what you want to see. I personally prefer the spring months for better hiking opportunities on the South Island.
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More New Zealand travel guide and inspiration for adventure

I hope that you liked this short guide how you can experience the Milford Sound from Queenstown. If you want to travel in New Zealand and find more travel and adventure inspiration, please take a look at some of my other blog posts below.

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