Milford Sound is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, and while the journey by road or boat offers spectacular views, a scenic plane ride provides a once-in-a-lifetime perspective. If you’re considering this unforgettable experience, here’s everything you need to know to decide if it’s worth the investment.
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About the Milford Sound Scenic Flight Tour: Quick Facts
I booked my scenic flight with Milford Sound Scenic Flight right on GetYourGuide. And (spoiler alert), it was 1,000 percent worth the cost! Here are some quick facts about the tour, however, keep reading for my full review.
- Duration: ~ 5 hours
- What’s Included? Hotel pickup in Queenstown, a 30-40 minute flight to Milford Sound, 2-hour boat ride, AND a 30-40 minute flight back to Queenstown
- Cost: ~ 400 USD per person
Check below for current pricing and availability!
Why Choose a Scenic Plane Ride?
A scenic plane ride offers unparalleled aerial views of Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, and the surrounding glaciers, fjords, and waterfalls. You’ll see sights that are inaccessible by land and avoid long drive times. Plus, everyone on the plane gets a window seat!
We visited the South Island for just 9 days (including travel), so we knew we wouldn’t have time to drive the long road to Milford Sound (4+ hours each way). The plane ride was the perfect alternative to still see the beauty of Milford Sound AND get the perfect birds-eye view of the most beautiful country.
Key Benefits
- Time-Saving: A plane ride significantly reduces travel time compared to driving (we were there and back within 5 hours WITH a 2-hour boat ride).
- Unique Views: The aerial perspective showcases the grandeur of the landscape. (The mountains are out.of.this.world).
- Comfort: Enjoy a smoother, more luxurious experience compared to crowded buses or cars.
The scenic plane ride can be pricey, but its value lies in the exclusive vantage point and time efficiency. Compare this with the cost of road transport and boat cruises when planning your budget.
Book your Scenic Flight HERE! (Free Cancellation!)
What to Expect with Milford Sound Cruises
I was blown away from start to finish by how efficient Milford Sound Scenic Flights was. We were picked up right from our hotel (in Queenstown) by a 3rd party driver (arranged by the tour) and dropped off at the small airport.
We were able to check in quickly where we were weighed and given color-coded lanyards. We then went outside to wait for our pilot. The pilot quickly arrived and gathered our group (6 of us). After a short safety briefing, we boarded the flight for the ride to Milford Sound.
As stated earlier, everyone gets a window seat and the views were absolutely CRAZY. After about 40 minutes, we landed at the Milford Sound Airport.
From here, the pilot walked us to a bus that took us to the boat landing. We then boarded the boat (with other plane passengers) and enjoyed a 2-hour scenic boat ride. I do recommend bringing a snack as there is no food available on the boat.
After getting up close and personal to the waterfalls and mountains, our pilot met us again and brought us back to the plane. We enjoyed another 40-minute plane ride back (on a different route with different amazing views).
Here’s the EXACT tour we booked!
Final Thoughts: Is a Scenic Flight Worth it?!
A scenic plane ride to Milford Sound is a splurge-worthy adventure that is 1000 PERCENT WORTH IT. Everyone was SO friendly, the experience was extremely smooth, and of course, the views were some of the best I will ever see.
Would you take the leap and book the flight? Share your thoughts or book your flight ASAP!
More New Zealand Planning Guides
Check out some of my other planning guides to help have the best trip to New Zealand!
- Complete 9-Day Road Trip Itinerary (From Christchurch to Queenstown)
- 13 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a trip to New Zealand
- Is Roy’s Peak Hike Worth it?
- Swimming with Akaroa Dolphins
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