How to travel from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Wanaka, New Zealand

The distance between Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Wanaka is around 281km (175 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus which takes around 6h 15m.

1 routes found

We've found 1 different ways to get from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Wanaka by bus. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out WanakaAoraki Mount Cook National Park if you're planning a return trip.

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💰 Cheapest
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Bus

Take the bus to Wanaka.

  • Duration6h 15m
  • Departs3 times a week
  • Typical cost
    NZ$43($26)
Operated by

GreatSights

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Wanaka

There are several options for getting from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Wanaka by bus. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around NZ$43 ($26) and will take around 6h 15m.

The distance between Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Wanaka is around 281km (175 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 146km (91 miles)

It takes around 6h 15m to get from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Wanaka by bus.

The quickest way to get from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Wanaka is to take the bus which takes around 6h 15m and will set you back approx NZ$43 ($26).

The cheapest way to travel between Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Wanaka is to take the bus which will typically cost around NZ$43 ($26) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Wanaka. We recommend that you take the bus to Wanaka. instead which will take 6h 15m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Wanaka. It typically takes around 6h 15m and departs 3 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Wanaka. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Fox Glacier. These services run 3 times a week and will take a minimum of 6h 15m.

GreatSights run regular bus services between Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Wanaka. Buses run 3 times a week and take around 6h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Wanaka. We recommend that you take the bus to Wanaka. instead which will take 6h 15m.

The closest major airport to Wanaka is Wanaka Airport (WKA) (WKA) which is approximately 9km (6 miles) from Wanaka. Queenstown Airport (ZQN) (ZQN) and Dunedin International Airport (DUD) (DUD) 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 Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Wanaka. We recommend that you take the bus to Wanaka. instead which will take 6h 15m.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Wanaka is to take the bus which takes, on average, 6h 15m and will usually cost around NZ$43 ($26).

How do I get from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Wanaka

Top Carriersoperating between Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Wanaka

Bus companies

Airports near Wanaka

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

WKA
Wanaka Airport (WKA)
Domestic Airport
Distance
9km (6 miles) from Wanaka
ZQN
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
International Airport
Distance
48km (30 miles) from Wanaka
DUD
Dunedin International Airport (DUD)
International Airport
Distance
160km (99 miles) from Wanaka