How to travel from Rotorua to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
The distance between Rotorua and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is around 949km (589 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 5hrs.
7 routes found
We've found 7 different ways to get from Rotorua to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park by plane, bus, taxi, train, ferry and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Aoraki Mount Cook National Park → Rotorua if you're planning a return trip.
Fly
Fly from Rotorua (ROT) to Timaru (TIU).
- Duration5hrs
- Flight time2h 30m
- Typical costNZ$230($140)
Multiple plane operators
3 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Ferry
Take the bus to Wellington - Central then take a ferry to Picton then take the bus to Nelson then Greymouth and then to Franz Josef YHA.
- Duration24h 35m
- Departs3 times a week
- Typical costNZ$240($145)
Multiple operators
Bus, Train and Ferry
Take the bus to Hamilton - Central then take the train to Wellington then take a ferry to Picton then take the train to Christchurch then take the bus to Tekapo.
- Duration24h 35m
- Departs3 times a week
- Typical costNZ$550($335)
Multiple operators
Car and Ferry
Drive to Wellington then take a ferry to Picton.
- Duration16h 60m
- Departs4 times a day
- Typical costNZ$165($100)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Rotorua and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Rotorua to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park by plane, bus, taxi, train, ferry and car. The cheapest option is to drive and then take a ferry which costs around NZ$165 ($100) and will take around 16h 60m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 5hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately NZ$230 ($140).
The distance between Rotorua and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is around 949km (589 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 795km (494 miles)
It takes around 5hrs to get from Rotorua and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park by plane.
The quickest way to get from Rotorua to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is to fly which takes around 5hrs and will set you back approx NZ$230 ($140).
The cheapest way to travel between Rotorua and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is to drive and then take a ferry which will typically cost around NZ$165 ($100) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Rotorua and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. We recommend that you fly from Rotorua (ROT) to Timaru (TIU). instead which will take 5hrs.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Rotorua and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. We recommend that you fly from Rotorua (ROT) to Timaru (TIU). instead which will take 5hrs.
Flights and Airlines
Yes you can fly from Rotorua and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Flights depart from Rotorua (ROT) and arrive at Timaru (TIU) - via Wellington (WLG). The flight takes around 2h 30m.
There is no direct flight from Rotorua to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. There is however a flight that goes via Wellington (WLG). This services will take at least 5hrs (not including layover time).
The flight from Rotorua to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park typically takes around 2h 30m. Flights depart from Rotorua (ROT) and and arrive into Timaru (TIU).
The closest major airport to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is Timaru Airport (TIU) (TIU) which is approximately 117km (73 miles) from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Christchurch International Airport (CHC) (CHC) and Queenstown Airport (ZQN) (ZQN) 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 Rotorua to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. We recommend that you fly from Rotorua (ROT) to Timaru (TIU). instead which will take 5hrs.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Rotorua to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is to fly which takes, on average, 5hrs and will usually cost around NZ$230 ($140).
Compare travel optionsbetween Rotorua and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 3 similar | 5hrs | NZ$230($140) | every 2 hours | 949km (589 miles) |
| Plane and Bus | 5h 45m | NZ$255($155) | 3 times a week | 1,001km (622 miles) |
| Fly to Christchurch (CHC), Bus | 7h 20m | NZ$380($230) | 4 times a week | 979km (609 miles) |
| Taxi, Plane and Bus | 8hrs | NZ$620($380) | 4 times a week | 1,076km (669 miles) |
Bus and Ferry | 24h 35m | NZ$240($145) | 3 times a week | 1,244km (773 miles) |
Bus, Train and Ferry | 24h 35m | NZ$550($335) | 3 times a week | 1,396km (868 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 16h 60m | NZ$165($100) | 4 times a day | 955km (594 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Rotorua and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Bus companies
GreatSights
Ferry operators
Airlines
Train operators
Airports near Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
The following major airports near Aoraki Mount Cook National Park offer regular flights to various popular destinations within New Zealand and internationally.
Timaru Airport (TIU)
- Distance
- 117km (73 miles) from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
- Distance
- 194km (120 miles) from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
- Distance
- 194km (121 miles) from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park