Sleeping in Airports

Queenstown Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Queenstown Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

Queenstown airport in New Zealand is one of the most scenic airports and one of the smallest international airport. – a guest reviewer

ZQN Airport Overview

queenstown airport guideTo help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Queenstown Airport.

What to Expect

The scenic Queenstown Airport (code: ZQN) has a small terminal that handles domestic and international flights. Amenities include a couple of eateries and cafes and several shops. WiFi is free for up to 2GB per 24 hours. Economy class passengers can pay to enter an airport lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for location and access information.

Sleeping in Queenstown Airport

The airport closes nightly from 10:30 PM until 5:00 AM, so overnight stays are prohibited. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer free shuttle service. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations, or read traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information.  For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Queenstown Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Air New Zealand Lounge – Location: Landside. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
  • Manaia Lounge – Location: Airside, International Departures. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.

Related Pages: Queenstown Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Queenstown Airport:

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Queenstown, search for deals and read traveller reviews.

wifiAirport WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Queenstown Airport for up to 2 GB per 24 hours. Additionally, there is an internet lounge with 16 computers beside the International Arrivals area. Internet time can be purchased ($2 for 15 minutes) from the information desk. Printing services are also available.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

Communications

Family Services

  • Baby Care Facilities – Baby changing facilities are available in most of the toilets throughout the airport.
  • Children’s Play Areas – There are no children’s play areas.
  • Family Services – Parents’ Rooms are available free of charge and include change tables, microwaves and toys. Locations: Landside, next to the Information Desk • Airside, International Gate Lounge. There are also changing tables in most of the bathrooms.

Food & Drinks

  • Food & Drink – All restaurants open half an hour before the first flight and close half an hour after the last scheduled flight, seven days a week. Airside, there is an Airspresso Kiosk located in the international departure area. Landside, there is the Airspresso Café and Bar, Patagonia Café and the Savoury Corner.

Information

  • Information desk – The Airport Information Desk is open 30 minutes before the first scheduled flight of the day and 30 minutes after the last scheduled flight. Location: Near International Arrivals.

Luggage

  • Luggage Carts – unknown.
  • Luggage Storage & Lockers – Charges for a locker are $7 for a small locker, $10 for a medium locker, and $15 for a large locker per 12-hour period. Oversized items can be stored at the Airport Information Desk for $20/12 hours per item. Location: Outside of the terminal, near Check-In.

Medical Services

  • Medical Services – A First Aid Room is available for urgent medical issues. Stop at the Airport Information Desk first for assistance. The First Aid Room is next to the Spark Store at the International Arrivals Exit.
  • Pharmacy – TravelPharm is located between Paper Plus and Airspresso Café in the international departure area. Hours: opens half an hour before the first flight and closes half an hour after the last scheduled flight, seven days a week.

Mobile Charging

Money

  • ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. An ANZ ATM accepts New Zealand and foreign Visa (PLUS), Mastercard (CIRRUS) and Diners Cards. Travelex dispenses both NZ and AUD. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: International Arrivals • Main Terminal.
  • Currency Exchange – Travelex provides currency exchange, wire transfers and traveller’s cheques. They have an office in the check-in hall. Hours: opens half an hour before the first flight and closes half an hour after the last scheduled flight, seven days a week.

Rest & Relaxation

Shopping

  • Duty Free & Shopping – The airport has three duty-free stores, located in departures, arrivals and the main airport terminal. There are also a few other shops selling local art, books, sweets, phones, souvenirs, and outdoor wear throughout the terminals. All retailers open half an hour before the first flight and close half an hour after the last scheduled flight, seven days a week.

Showers, Salon & Spa

  • Showers – Showers are not available.

Smoking

  • Smoking Area – Smoking areas are not available inside the terminal. There is a designated smoking area outside in the forecourt.

Other Airport Services & Facilities

  • Disabled Services – Services include automatic doors, braille keys, accessible toilets, wheel-chair friendly spaces and elevators.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The terminal is open daily from 5:00 AM – 10:30 PM. Overnight stays are not permitted in this airport.

airlinesAirlines

Queenstown Airport is served by the following airlines: Air New Zealand • Jetstar • Qantas • Virgin Australia.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Buses

  • Ritchies Wannaka – Provides a connection to Wanaka via Cromwell.
  • Orbus – easiest connection to Queenstown, with a flat-rate fare of $2.00 (June 2019).
  • Airport Super Shuttle – Shared and private micro coach shuttles that connect the airport with major accommodations.
  • Buckley Track Transport – Shuttles between all tracks in the Wakatipu area
  • Glenorchy Journeys – Shuttles between the airport, Glenorchy and the Mt Aspiring National Park walking tracks. It also provides a shuttle service from the airport to Divide.

Car Rentals

The following companies have car rental offices near the arrivals/baggage claim exit doors in the airport terminal. Ace • Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Europcar • Ezi Car Rental • Hertz • Jucy • Thrifty.

Hotel Shuttles

At the time of this update, no hotels were offering an airport shuttle.  See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

Taxis are available in front of the arrivals hall.

Last updated: 2024-01-30

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.