SYD - ZQN

$220 Find Cheap Flights from Sydney to Queenstown - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$357
Typical prices: $384-$577
Jetstar
Sun 10/14Sat 10/27
SYD - ZQN • Non-stop
Cheapest one-way
$220
Typical prices: $230-$339
Jetstar
Sun 11/25
SYD - ZQN • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia and others. Average duration is 3h 00m.
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 85% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 22 weeks in advance save around 34% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 14% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $434 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 7h 59m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Queenstown!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Sydney to Queenstown (SYD-ZQN)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Sydney to Queenstown

Wed, Oct 14 - Tue, Oct 27
Jetstar Logo
6:15 am - 11:10 amSYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-ZQN Queenstown Intl
2h 55mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
8:50 pm - 10:10 pmZQN  Queenstown Intl-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
3h 20mnonstop
$357Jetstar
Mon, Feb 15 - Mon, Feb 22
Jetstar Logo
6:15 am - 11:10 amSYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-ZQN Queenstown Intl
2h 55mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
8:50 pm - 10:10 pmZQN  Queenstown Intl-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
3h 20mnonstop
$370Jetstar
Tue, Oct 27 - Wed, Nov 4
Qantas Airways Logo
6:15 am - 11:10 amSYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-ZQN Queenstown Intl
2h 55mnonstop
Qantas Airways Logo
8:50 pm - 10:10 pmZQN  Queenstown Intl-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
3h 20mnonstop
$424Qantas Airways
Tue, Oct 27 - Wed, Nov 4
Qantas Airways Logo
6:15 am - 11:10 amSYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-ZQN Queenstown Intl
2h 55mnonstop
Qantas Airways Logo
8:50 pm - 10:10 pmZQN  Queenstown Intl-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
3h 20mnonstop
$436Qantas Airways
Tue, Nov 3 - Tue, Nov 3
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:15 am - 11:10 amSYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-ZQN Queenstown Intl
2h 55mnonstop
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:50 pm - 10:10 pmZQN  Queenstown Intl-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
3h 20mnonstop
$439Multiple Airlines
Wed, Oct 14 - Tue, Oct 27
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:15 am - 11:10 amSYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-ZQN Queenstown Intl
2h 55mnonstop
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:40 pm - 7:50 amZQN  Queenstown Intl-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
21h 10m1 stop Christchurch
$440Multiple Airlines
Wed, Oct 14 - Thu, Oct 29
Air New Zealand Logo
7:20 pm - 7:55 amSYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-ZQN Queenstown Intl
10h 35m1 stop Auckland Intl
Air New Zealand Logo
7:00 am - 9:50 pmZQN  Queenstown Intl-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
16h 50m1 stop Auckland Intl
$511Air New Zealand
Mon, Nov 16 - Wed, Nov 25
Air New Zealand Logo
11:50 am - 9:15 pmSYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-ZQN Queenstown Intl
7h 25m1 stop Auckland Intl
Air New Zealand Logo
7:00 am - 12:50 pmZQN  Queenstown Intl-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
7h 50m1 stop Auckland Intl
$513Air New Zealand
Wed, Oct 7 - Wed, Oct 14
Virgin Australia Logo
8:30 am - 4:45 pmSYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-ZQN Queenstown Intl
6h 15m1 stop Melbourne
Virgin Australia Logo
5:40 pm - 10:10 pmZQN  Queenstown Intl-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
6h 30m1 stop Melbourne
$533Virgin Australia
Sun, Oct 25 - Wed, Oct 28
Virgin Australia Logo
9:15 am - 2:15 pmSYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-ZQN Queenstown Intl
3h 00mnonstop
Virgin Australia Logo
3:05 pm - 4:25 pmZQN  Queenstown Intl-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
3h 20mnonstop
$537Virgin Australia
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Sydney to Queenstown flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Sydney to Queenstown with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Sydney to Queenstown?

Round-trip flights from Sydney to Queenstown start at $357. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $384 to $577. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $357 on Jetstar.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Sydney to Queenstown?

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Sydney to Queenstown, it is 4% cheaper than the average day. Thursday is the most expensive day with flight prices 7% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Sydney to Queenstown?

  • May is the cheapest month to fly from Sydney to Queenstown at $400 round-trip.
  • December ($565) and July ($512) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 41% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Sydney to Queenstown the cheapest?

Flights from Sydney to Queenstown are cheapest 22 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 34% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Sydney to Queenstown

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Jessica Macdonald

Jessica Macdonald

Expert on Air New Zealand

Currently based in Scotland after living in South Africa and the United States, Jessica has been writing travel and aviation content for more than 10 years. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure and TripSavvy, and has had work published by Condé Nast Traveller and The Independent. She has traveled to more than 50 countries across six continents.

Bill Fink

Bill Fink

Expert on Qantas Airways

Bill is an award-winning travel writer with extensive credits covering airlines and the aviation industry for publications including AARP, AFAR, The Points Guy and Yahoo. Based in Portland, Oregon, Bill has traveled to more than 75 countries - and been late for his flight in most of them. He once achieved top-level frequent flier status for all of American, Delta and United Airlines during a single year.

Key details for Sydney to Queenstown flights

Low season

March

Cheapest flight

$220
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 2% lower on average.
Flight from Sydney to Queenstown

When to book flights from Sydney to Queenstown

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Sydney to Queenstown based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Sydney to Queenstown flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Can I buy a New Zealand SIM card at Queenstown Airport?

    Yes, there are prepaid SIM cards available for mobile phones and wireless devices at Paper Plus in the main terminal. There is also Vodafone, who can get your service connected and online straight away, they generally have cheap prepaid services.

  • Is Sydney Airport wheelchair accessible?

    Yes, Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is well equipped for travellers who are disabled or mobility impaired. There are designated parking and drop-off zones for passengers requiring assistance, as well as lifts, ramps and travelators throughout the airport. Disabled toilets and ATMs are provided throughout the airport, and there is also a Hidden Disability Program for those needing to signal to staff that they may need additional time or support.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Sydney to Queenstown flights?

    Among airlines operating Sydney to Queenstown flights:

    • Virgin Australia: offers free seat selection
    • Air New Zealand: offers free seat selection
    • Qantas Airways: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • What airlines are available from Sydney to Queenstown?

    4 airlines operate flights between Sydney and Queenstown. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • Qantas Airways
    • Virgin Australia
    • Jetstar
    • Air New Zealand

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Sydney to Queenstown?

    Flights from Sydney to Queenstown usually depart from Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) and arrive at Queenstown Intl (ZQN).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Sydney to Queenstown flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Jetstar: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Virgin Australia: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Air New Zealand: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so travelers should check the fare details before booking.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Sydney to Queenstown?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Sydney to Queenstown:

    • Economy Class
    • Business Class

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Sydney to Queenstown?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $434 round-trip via Christchurch (CHC), compared to $465 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Sydney to Queenstown?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $27–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Sydney to Queenstown?

    The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Qantas Airways and Emirates. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320-100/200 variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Sydney to Queenstown pass through?

    One-stop flights from Sydney to Queenstown most commonly connect through:

    • Brisbane (BNE) - 38% of one-stop connections
    • Melbourne (MEL) - 35% of one-stop connections
    • Auckland Intl (AKL) - 19% of one-stop connections
    • Christchurch (CHC) - 6% of one-stop connections

    Brisbane (BNE) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Sydney to Queenstown?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 10% on the Sydney to Queenstown route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $451 round-trip on average, while Thursday is the most expensive at $499, a difference of $48. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from Sydney to Queenstown?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Sydney to Queenstown route, 17% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1 hour 37 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from Sydney to Queenstown spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Sydney to Queenstown flights, with 80% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 20%, evening flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Sydney to Queenstown?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Sydney to Queenstown:

    • Earliest: departs at 6:15 am and lands at 9:15 am
    • Latest: departs at 4:15 pm and lands at 7:15 pm.

    The flight takes about 3h 00m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Sydney to Queenstown flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 27% above the route average of $466. Book 22 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Sydney to Queenstown?

    A nonstop flight from Sydney to Queenstown takes 3h 00m, covering 1,204 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Sydney to Queenstown?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • Have flight prices from Sydney to Queenstown changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $357 to $1,780. That means the highest observed fare was about 5x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Sydney to Queenstown looking right now?

    One-way fares from Sydney to Queenstown are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $257, which is 7% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does Qantas Airways’s on-time performance compare to other airlines on Sydney to Queenstown flights?

    Qantas Airways is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while Jetstar has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on Sydney to Queenstown flights are:

    • Qantas Airways: 85% on time
    • Jetstar: 83% on time
    • Virgin Australia: 80% on time

    Overall, flights on this route are on time 83% of the time on average.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Sydney to Queenstown?

    Afternoon flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Sydney to Queenstown?

    Flying via Melbourne (MEL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 7h 59m, compared with 11h 00m via Auckland Intl (AKL) and 12h 04m via Brisbane (BNE).

  • What is the time difference between Sydney and Queenstown?

    Queenstown is 2 hours ahead of Sydney (New Zealand Time vs Eastern Australia Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What car rental options are available at Queenstown Intl Airport (ZQN)?

    Queenstown Intl Airport (ZQN) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $6 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · EZU Car Rental
    · Mode
    · Snap Rentals
    · New Zealand Discount Car Rentals
    · Yes Rentals

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Sydney to Queenstown flight?

    Round-trip flights from Sydney to Queenstown range from $384 to $577, with an average of $466 over the past 12 months. Anything below $384 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Sydney to Queenstown flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure instead of Thursday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $451 - about $48 less than Thursday (10% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 22 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 34% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Sydney to Queenstown trip for May. Fares historically average $400 round-trip in that month - typically $165 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Qantas Airways is the strongest pick on this route. 85% of Qantas Airways flights from Sydney to Queenstown arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 83%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 1 hour 37 minutes, so choosing a carrier with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Christchurch Airport (CHC) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $434 round-trip on this route - about $31 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Queenstown Intl Airport.
    - Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park By IHG
    - DoubleTree by Hilton Queenstown
    - Ramada Suites by Wyndham Queenstown Remarkables Park
  • If you want to send a postcard home once you’ve landed at Queenstown Airport (ZQN), you will find them available in multiple convenience and gift shops across the airport, and there is a mailbox right by the Paper Plus shop.
  • If you need any assistance on arrival at Queenstown Airport, there is an Airport Information Desk with friendly, helpful staff in the main terminal, next to Global Culture. The opening hours are 08:30-17:00 every day.
  • Getting to Sydney Airport (SYD) from the city is usually fastest by train; the journey from Sydney City to the airport takes about 13min. Airport Link trains run roughly every 10min, and the station is located at the northern end of the main terminal.
  • When collecting your luggage at Queenstown Airport, just keep an eye on the monitors for your flight number, but you will generally either need to be at Carousel 2 or 3. Trolleys are available free of charge. Oversized items like bikes or snowboards will be ready for collection at the oversize area next to the carousels.
  • If you need a moment without your luggage at Queenstown Airport, there are storage lockers available in a number of sizes, ranging in price from NZ $ 7 to 20 (A $ 6.50-18.50) per 12h.

Prefer to fly direct from Sydney to Queenstown?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Queenstown Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Sydney Kingsford Smith to Queenstown Intl

Monday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

Tuesday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia, +1 more

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +2 more

Wednesday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

Thursday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

Friday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

Saturday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

Sunday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Queenstown Intl to Sydney Kingsford Smith

Monday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

Tuesday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia, +1 more

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +2 more

Wednesday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

Thursday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

Friday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

Saturday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

Sunday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +2 more

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Sydney to Queenstown

Complete your trip to Queenstown with a hotel stay or car rental