Queenstown Ferries FAQ

No, free transfers are not available between these services so you must purchase separate fares to catch the ferry and the bus in Queenstown. There are also no free transfers if you get off the boat and get on another one later. You will need to purchase a new fare each time you catch the ferry.

This means that when you tag off your bus and then tap on to your ferry, your Bee Card will be charged $5 for each one-way fare requested.

Ferry fares

Please note cash is not accepted on Queenstown Ferries.

Children under 5 years old are free.

Concession cards and return fares are no longer available.

You can use a Bee Card or your bank card - please note that cash payments are not accepted on the ferry.

You can get a Bee Card from:

• Otago Regional Council
  Terrace Junction, 1092 Frankton Road 
  Monday to Friday: 8am to 1pm; 2pm to 4pm
  Closed on public holidays
  (EFTPOS only)
• i-SITE at 22 Shotover Street, in The Clocktower Building
• Paper Plus Queenstown Airport
• RealNZ kiosk at Earnslaw Park, by the Queenstown Ferries stop, between 10am - 4.30pm (winter hours)
• Hilton Queenstown

Each Bee Card is $5 plus a minimum $5 top up. 

Check fares and information

Find out more about the Bee Card

You do not need a Bee Card to take the ferry, but it is cheaper when you have one. 

You can purchase a Bee Card (and top it up) at

• Otago Regional Council
  Terrace Junction, 1092 Frankton Road 
  Monday to Friday: 8am to 1pm; 2pm to 4pm
  Closed on public holidays
  (EFTPOS only)
• i-SITE at 22 Shotover Street, in The Clocktower Building
• Paper Plus Queenstown Airport
• RealNZ kiosk at Earnslaw Park, by the Queenstown Ferries stop, between 10am - 4.30pm (winter hours)

It is $5 for the card itself, plus a $5 minimum top up charge. You can pay for your Bee Card by bank card.  

You can also buy and top up a Bee Card online from Bee Card, but remember it will take up to 15 days to arrive by post. To top up online and enjoy handy features like automatic top up, you need to register your card.

Bee Card registration

If you plan to use your Bee Card for a long time, we recommend registering it.  

Please note, Bee Cards can also be bought and topped up on the bus via cash only. 

Currently the only concession is the Bee Card fare reduction (compared to the cash price).

SuperGold card/Senior discounts are not currently available.

Student discounts are not currently available.

You only need to tap on. Ferry staff will have the tapping device and assist with tapping on. As the ferry is a flat fare, you are always charged the same fare and there is no need to tap off.

Yes. If you are travelling with others, tell the ferry staff and they will tap you on first using your Bee Card and then use the funds on your Bee Card to pay for the remainder of your group.

You will get a paper receipt. A ferry paper receipt cannot be used on the bus. You will need to go through the same process when using your Bee Card on the bus.

These are small ferries, so there are no toilets, wi-fi, power points, luggage, or bike racks onboard.

No, there are no food or beverage facilities on this short trip.

Yes, dogs travel free with any fare-paying passenger. They do not have to be kept in a crate, cage, or pet carrier – but they are required to be on a lead.

Unfortunately, the vessels are not accessible as standard.

Please contact info@queenstownwatertaxis.co.nz and they will try to support any accessibility requirements.

Yes, but please ensure you look out for the needs and space of other passengers during your journey.

No.

Queenstown Ferries cannot take any responsibility for the supervision and care for children under 12 years of age under any circumstances.

If unwell crew and passengers are not to board the vessel.

Physical distancing and increased cleaning of high-use areas has been implemented.

Queenstown Ferries has increased cleaning of all key touch points and surfaces in addition to the normal cleaning regime they perform for their facilities. 

It is no longer mandatory to wear a mask while travelling on the ferry, but you are welcome to wear one if you prefer to.

Depending on the available ferry, we can accommodate for 25-40 passengers.

Just like an airline or bus service our ferries have limited luggage capacity. While travelling with us, you'll need to ensure you can carry your own luggage onboard and we recommend only 1 item each for the comfort of yourself and other passengers.

No sorry, our vessels have limited room.

You can travel between Queenstown Bay, the Frankton Marina, the Bayview jetty, and the Hilton jetty.

You can also find Queenstown Ferries timetable information in the Transit App to help you plan your journey in Queenstown.

Please note that real time tracking is not yet available for the ferry service.

Keep up to date with ferry service schedules and alerts

For all ferry services, we recommend arriving at the ferry terminal at least 5-10 minutes prior to ferry departure especially on public holidays and during the busy summer season.

The ferry only stops there on demand, please be waiting on the wharf and wave to the Skipper as they approach the 5 Knot buoys. If it's at night, please turn on your Mobile phone light or torch if you have one available.

Unfortunately, the ferry service will NOT be running on Christmas Day.