How to travel from Milford Sound to Whitianga, New Zealand

The distance between Milford Sound and Whitianga is around 1,353km (841 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3h 30m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Milford Sound to Whitianga by plane, car and ferry. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out WhitiangaMilford Sound if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
3 x plane
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Fly

Fly from Milford Sound Airport,Queenstown (ZQN),Tauranga Airport to Queenstown Airport then Tauranga (TRG) and then to Whitianga Airport.

  • Duration3h 30m
  • Flight time3h 25m
  • Typical cost
    NZ$925($565)
Operated by

Multiple plane operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
2
car
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ferry
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car
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Car and Ferry

Drive to Picton then take a ferry to Wellington then drive to Whitianga.

  • Duration24h 20m
  • Departsevery 20 mins
  • Typical cost
    NZ$565($345)
Operated by

Multiple operators

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Milford Sound and Whitianga

There are several options for getting from Milford Sound to Whitianga by plane, car and ferry. The cheapest option is to drive and then take a ferry which costs around NZ$565 ($345) and will take around 24h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 3h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately NZ$925 ($565).

The distance between Milford Sound and Whitianga is around 1,353km (841 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,089km (677 miles)

It takes around 3h 30m to get from Milford Sound and Whitianga by plane.

The quickest way to get from Milford Sound to Whitianga is to fly which takes around 3h 30m and will set you back approx NZ$925 ($565).

The cheapest way to travel between Milford Sound and Whitianga is to drive and then take a ferry which will typically cost around NZ$565 ($345) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Milford Sound and Whitianga. We recommend that you fly from Milford Sound Airport,Queenstown (ZQN),Tauranga Airport to Queenstown Airport then Tauranga (TRG) and then to Whitianga Airport. instead which will take 3h 30m.

Bus travel

Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Milford Sound and Whitianga. We recommend that you fly from Milford Sound Airport,Queenstown (ZQN),Tauranga Airport to Queenstown Airport then Tauranga (TRG) and then to Whitianga Airport. instead which will take 3h 30m.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Milford Sound and Whitianga. Flights depart from Milford Sound Airport and arrive at Queenstown Airport. The flight takes around 35min.

There is no direct flight from Milford Sound to Whitianga. There is however a flight that goes via . This services will take at least 3h 30m (not including layover time).

The flight from Milford Sound to Whitianga typically takes around 35min. Flights depart from Milford Sound Airport and and arrive into Queenstown Airport.

The closest major airport to Whitianga is Auckland Airport (AKL) (AKL) which is approximately 84km (52 miles) from Whitianga. Tauranga City Airport (TRG) (TRG) and Hamilton International Airport (HLZ) (HLZ) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Milford Sound to Whitianga. We recommend that you fly from Milford Sound Airport,Queenstown (ZQN),Tauranga Airport to Queenstown Airport then Tauranga (TRG) and then to Whitianga Airport. instead which will take 3h 30m.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Milford Sound to Whitianga is to fly which takes, on average, 3h 30m and will usually cost around NZ$925 ($565).

How do I get from Milford Sound to Whitianga

Compare travel optionsbetween Milford Sound and Whitianga

Transport options from Milford Sound to Whitianga
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 1 similar
3h 30m
NZ$925($565)
once daily1,353km (841 miles)
Fly via Queenstown Airport4h 40m
NZ$1,240($760)
once daily1,356km (843 miles)
Car and Ferry
24h 20m
NZ$565($345)
every 20 mins1,842km (1,145 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Milford Sound and Whitianga

Airlines

Bus companies

Ferry operators

Airports near Whitianga

The following major airports near Whitianga offer regular flights to various popular destinations within New Zealand and internationally.

AKL
Auckland Airport (AKL)
International Airport
Distance
84km (52 miles) from Whitianga
TRG
Tauranga City Airport (TRG)
Domestic Airport
Distance
103km (64 miles) from Whitianga
HLZ
Hamilton International Airport (HLZ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
119km (74 miles) from Whitianga