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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.
Quick Links
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
To 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 few 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.
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.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. 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.
Airport Hours
The terminal is open daily from 5:00 AM – 10:30 PM. Overnight stays are not permitted.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Queenstown Airport:
- Ramada Suites by Wyndham Queenstown » Check Rates
- DoubleTree by Hilton Queenstown » Check Rates
- Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa » Check Rates
- Wyndham Garden Remarkables Park » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Queenstown, search for deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport 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.
- 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 passes • Lounge membership programs.
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does Queenstown Airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Food and drink options operate in line with flight schedules, generally opening about 30 minutes before the first flight and closing after the last departure.
- Airside: Airspresso Kiosk (International Departures).
- Landside: Airspresso Café and Bar, Patagonia Café, Savoury Corner.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Lockers are available outside the terminal near Check-in. Fees are $7 (small), $10 (medium), and $15 (large) per 12-hour period. Oversized items can be stored at the Information Desk for $20 per item (12 hours).
Mobile Charging
At the time of this update, we had no information about mobile charging availability. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers
No showers are available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available for up to 2 GB per 24 hours.
An internet lounge with 16 computers is located near International Arrivals. Access costs $2 for 15 minutes, payable at the Information Desk. Printing services are available.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Note: Locations, hours, and rates may change. Information is provided for general reference only.
- Accessible Facilities – Includes automatic doors, braille keypads, accessible toilets, elevators, and wheelchair-friendly spaces.
- ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available, including machines from ANZ and Travelex dispensing NZD and AUD. Fees may apply.
- Baby Care Facilities – Baby changing facilities are available in most washrooms.
- Children’s Play Areas – No play areas are available.
- Currency Exchange – Travelex offers currency exchange and related services in the check-in hall.
- Duty Free & Shopping – Three duty-free stores are located in departures, arrivals, and the main terminal. Additional shops sell local art, books, souvenirs, electronics, and outdoor wear. Retail hours generally follow flight schedules.
- 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.
- Information desk – Located near International Arrivals. Staff can assist with general enquiries and airport services.
- Luggage Carts – Information unavailable.
- Medical Services – A First Aid Room is available for urgent medical issues. Contact the Information Desk for assistance.
- Pharmacy – TravelPharm is located in the international departures area.
- Postal Services – A mailbox is available near the Paper Plus store.
- Smoking Area – Smoking is not permitted inside the terminal. A designated smoking area is available outside in the forecourt.
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: 2026-03-24
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.