Milford Sound day trips from Queenstown compared

It is a long day on one of the country's great roads. DOC says Queenstown to Milford Sound takes about 4.5 hours one way without stops, and suggests leaving the nine hour return drive to a professional.

• The road

  RealNZ says its coach takes around five hours each way, with a morning tea stop in Te Anau and scenic stops along the Milford Road. Southern Discoveries also puts the coach at up to 5 hours each way from Queenstown.

• The stops

  Southern Discoveries aims to stop at places such as the Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat and Monkey Creek, and says stops are not guaranteed. RealNZ names Mirror Lakes, The Divide and Monkey Creek as possible stops, then the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel.

• The cruise

  RealNZ says its cruise runs the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea, weather permitting, and back, typically 1.5 to 2 hours. Southern Discoveries' Nature Cruise lasts up to 2 hours, with free tea and coffee and a licensed bar.

• Food

  Lunch is not in RealNZ's list of what is included. Southern Discoveries sells a picnic lunch or its To Kai buffet as an extra, and says you are welcome to bring your own food. RealNZ sells food, barista coffee and drinks on board.

• Children

  Southern Discoveries says children under seven must travel in an approved child seat, supplied by the passenger. RealNZ says car seats are not mandatory on its coaches and it has none for hire.

In our view, yes, if you want fewer people around you on a long day. A small group usually means a van in place of a big coach, and here it also means a different cruise.

• Southern Discoveries

  Its Small Group Travel & Discover More Cruise uses a glass roof Mercedes Sprinter with 12 leather seats and a maximum of 12 guests. The cruise lasts up to 2 hours 15 minutes, which it calls the longest on Milford Sound, with a Nature Guide on board and a picnic lunch included.

• Mitre Peak Cruises

  Its coach and cruise travels by Mercedes van with panoramic windows, with complimentary pick ups from most hotels. It says its boats are designed to get closer to the scenery, and that each tour group has no more than 60 or 75 spaces.

• The trade off

  Both cost more than the big coach. Southern Discoveries' small group day runs up to 13 hours 30 minutes, an hour longer than its coach day.

Fly both ways if time matters most. Air Milford asks you to allow 5 hours for its fly cruise fly, with 40 minutes in the air each way and a small boat cruise of about 1 hour 30 minutes, and includes morning tea, a picnic lunch or a drink depending on the departure, plus courtesy transfers from most central accommodation. Fly one way if you also want the road. Milford Sound Scenic Flights' Coach Cruise Fly drives you in by Mercedes Sprinter, cruises on a Mitre Peak Cruises boat and flies you back, over 9.5 hours for NZ$945 a person. Either way the flight depends on the weather: Air Milford says flights to Milford Sound operate approximately 250 days a year.

What you see from the scenic flight

DOC says this is one of the wettest places in New Zealand, with up to 7 metres of rain a year, and that road conditions can change because of weather, rockfalls and avalanches. Each operator has its own rules.

• RealNZ

  Says that aside from road closure due to snow, its cruise is likely to go ahead in most weather, and very strong wind is usually the only weather to cancel it. Direct bookings get a reschedule or refund with at least 24 hours notice.

• Southern Discoveries

  If the Milford Road is closed, it will contact you to discuss options, which depending on the situation may include rescheduling, another date or a full refund. Cancelling or changing within 24 hours is charged in full.

• Mitre Peak Cruises

  Passengers affected by a road closure can reschedule or cancel with a full refund. For its coach and cruise from Queenstown, a full refund needs at least 48 hours notice before the coach leaves.

• Milford Sound Scenic Flights

  If the flight is cancelled for weather, you get a full refund or can move to another day or time. Cancelling or changing within 48 hours is charged in full, and all passengers are weighed at check in.

• Air Milford

  Asks you to call on arrival in Queenstown and again 1.5 hours before departure. Flights it cancels for weather cost nothing; cancelling yourself is free more than 48 hours out, may cost a 10% fee from 24 to 48 hours, and costs the full fare inside 24 hours.

• Booked through a link here

  A tour booked through a link on this page has the terms shown on its own booking page, so read them before you pay.

• Lowest cost

  Southern Discoveries' Coach & Nature Cruise or RealNZ's day trip. Compare the price on your date, and add lunch if you want it.

• Fewer people

  Southern Discoveries' small group, for the longest cruise and lunch included, or Mitre Peak Cruises, for a lower price and hotel pick up.

• Road one way, air the other

  Milford Sound Scenic Flights' Coach Cruise Fly, or RealNZ's day trip with its optional flight back, weather permitting, booked before you go or on the day through the driver, with limited seats.

• Half a day

  Air Milford's fly cruise fly, booked early in your stay so a weather day can move.

• Winter

  DOC says winter conditions from May to September can be extremely challenging, and suggests a coach if you are not confident driving in them.