Which airports can I use when flying from San Francisco to Queenstown?

Flights from San Francisco to Queenstown usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at Queenstown Intl (ZQN).

Which airports do connecting flights from San Francisco to Queenstown pass through?

Connecting flights from San Francisco to Queenstown most commonly pass through: • Auckland Intl (AKL) – 96% of one-stop connections • Christchurch (CHC) – 4% of one-stop connections

Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Francisco to Queenstown?

Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 37% on flights from San Francisco to Queenstown. Friday is the cheapest departure day at $2,623 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $4,112, a difference of $1,489. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

How long is a flight from San Francisco to Queenstown?

A direct flight from San Francisco to Queenstown takes 00m, covering 18,473 km.

Do I need a passport to fly from San Francisco to Queenstown?

Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

Have flight prices from San Francisco to Queenstown changed much recently?

Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $1,961 to $14,757. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.

How are flight prices from San Francisco to Queenstown looking right now?

One-way fares from San Francisco to Queenstown are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $1,272, which is 32% below the typical average for this route.

How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from San Francisco to Queenstown?

Flying via Christchurch (CHC) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 17h 27m, compared to 17h 30m via Auckland Intl (AKL).

What is the time difference between San Francisco and Queenstown?

Queenstown is 20 hours ahead of San Francisco (New Zealand Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

Which car hire options are available at Queenstown Intl Airport (ZQN)?

Queenstown Intl Airport (ZQN) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $8 for economy cars. Top options include: • EZU Car Rental • Mode • New Zealand Discount Car Rentals • Snap Rentals • Yes Rentals

How much should I expect to pay for a San Francisco to Queenstown flight?

Return flights from San Francisco to Queenstown range from $2,478 to $3,583, with an average of $2,939 over the past 12 months. Anything below $2,478 counts as a good deal.

How much is a return flight from San Francisco to Queenstown?

Return flights from San Francisco to Queenstown typically range from $2,478 to $3,583. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $1,961 on Air New Zealand.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Queenstown?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Friday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Queenstown. It’s 11% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 39% higher.

Which airline is the cheapest to fly from San Francisco to Queenstown?

Air New Zealand ($1,961) offered the cheapest return ticket from San Francisco to Queenstown in the last 5 days.

What is the most popular stopover airport when flying from San Francisco to Queenstown?

Auckland Intl (AKL) is the most popular stopover for the San Francisco to Queenstown route. 96% of KAYAK users who booked 1-stop return journeys over the past 3 months connected via AKL.

What is the cheapest stopover airport when flying from San Francisco to Queenstown?

Flights via Auckland Intl (AKL) offer the most affordable fares, with an average return price of $3,004. Based on KAYAK data over the past 3 months.

When flying from San Francisco to Queenstown, which airport offers the shortest stopover?

Christchurch (CHC) had the shortest average connection time for San Francisco to Queenstown stopovers at 9h 51m over the past 3 months.

$1,239 CHEAP FLIGHTS from San Francisco to Queenstown (SFO - ZQN)

Save 20% or more on flights. Compare deals from all over the web.

Never overpay with our price tracking tools.

Filter searches by price, airline and more to find your best flights.

Cheapest return flight

$1,961

Typical prices: $2,478-$3,583

Air New Zealand

Wed 31/1Thu 1/3

SFO - ZQN • 2 stops

Cheapest one-way flight

$1,197

Typical prices: $1,577-$2,487

Multiple Airlines

Fri 9/2

SFO - ZQN • 3 stops

Direct flights

Not available

There are currently no direct flights between San Francisco and Queenstown. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.

Insights

When to travel

February

Cheapest • 16% price drop

January

Most popular

Good to know

Top stopover airports

Auckland Intl (AKL)

Cheapest • Avg $3,004 (return)

Christchurch (CHC)

Shortest trip • 17h 27m (one-way)

Insights

Start a new search

KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.

We hope you enjoy your trip to Queenstown!

Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Queenstown (SFO-ZQN)

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Return

One-way

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to Queenstown

Sun, 31 Jan - Mon, 1 Mar

19:50 - 10:50SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

18h 00m2 stops Auckland Intl Wellington

11:15 - 07:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

16h 50m1 stop Auckland Intl

$1,961Air New Zealand

1 day ago

Sun, 31 Jan - Mon, 1 Mar

22:45 - 14:20SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

18h 35m1 stop Auckland Intl

11:15 - 07:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

16h 50m1 stop Auckland Intl

$1,972Air New Zealand

1 day ago

Mon, 15 Mar - Wed, 31 Mar

23:05 - 08:25SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

37h 20m2 stops Nadi Auckland Intl

20:30 - 13:40ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

37h 10m2 stops Auckland Intl Nadi

$1,996Multiple Airlines

2 days ago

Sun, 31 Jan - Sat, 27 Feb

19:50 - 10:50SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

18h 00m2 stops Auckland Intl Wellington

14:35 - 11:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

17h 30m2 stops Christchurch Auckland Intl

$2,035Air New Zealand

1 day ago

Fri, 29 Jan - Mon, 1 Mar

19:50 - 14:00SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

21h 10m2 stops Auckland Intl Christchurch

11:15 - 07:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

16h 50m1 stop Auckland Intl

$2,045Air New Zealand

1 day ago

Mon, 7 Dec - Thu, 31 Dec

19:50 - 12:40SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

19h 50m1 stop Auckland Intl

07:00 - 07:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

21h 05m1 stop Auckland Intl

$2,051Air New Zealand

Just now

Fri, 29 Jan - Mon, 1 Mar

19:50 - 16:35SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

23h 45m1 stop Auckland Intl

11:15 - 07:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

16h 50m1 stop Auckland Intl

$2,056Air New Zealand

1 day ago

Mon, 7 Dec - Thu, 31 Dec

12:20 - 08:25SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

23h 05m2 stops Los Angeles Auckland Intl

07:00 - 07:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

21h 05m1 stop Auckland Intl

$2,058Air New Zealand

Just now

Wed, 27 Jan - Thu, 25 Feb

23:25 - 08:25SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

36h 00m1 stop Christchurch

12:15 - 11:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

19h 50m1 stop Auckland Intl

$2,060Air New Zealand

1 day ago

Tue, 2 Feb - Sun, 28 Feb

22:45 - 19:45SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

24h 00m1 stop Auckland Intl

20:30 - 07:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

31h 35m1 stop Auckland Intl

$2,072Air New Zealand

1 day ago

Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for San Francisco to Queenstown flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

Prices

Airlines

Stopovers

How much is a return flight from San Francisco to Queenstown? This analysis is based on the cheapest return price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from San Francisco to Queenstown departing in January.
What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Queenstown?: Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Friday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Queenstown. It’s 11% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 39% higher.

Find deals

Low season	June
High season	January
Cheapest flight	$1,197

Beat the crowds with an average 95% drop in traveller numbers.

The most popular month to fly with an average 142% increase in traveller numbers.

One-way flight from San Francisco to Queenstown

When to book flights from San Francisco to Queenstown

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Francisco to Queenstown based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.

Estimated return price

KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

How long is a flight from San Francisco to Queenstown?
A direct flight from San Francisco to Queenstown takes 00m, covering 18,473 km.
Do I need a passport to fly from San Francisco to Queenstown?
Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.
How much should I expect to pay for a San Francisco to Queenstown flight?
Return flights from San Francisco to Queenstown range from $2,478 to $3,583, with an average of $2,939 over the past 12 months. Anything below $2,478 counts as a good deal.
Have flight prices from San Francisco to Queenstown changed much recently?
Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $1,961 to $14,757. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.
How are flight prices from San Francisco to Queenstown looking right now?
One-way fares from San Francisco to Queenstown are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $1,272, which is 32% below the typical average for this route.
Which car hire options are available at Queenstown Intl Airport (ZQN)?
Queenstown Intl Airport (ZQN) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $8 for economy cars. Top options include:

• EZU Car Rental
• Mode
• New Zealand Discount Car Rentals
• Snap Rentals
• Yes Rentals
Which airports can I use when flying from San Francisco to Queenstown?
Flights from San Francisco to Queenstown usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at Queenstown Intl (ZQN).
Which airports do connecting flights from San Francisco to Queenstown pass through?
Connecting flights from San Francisco to Queenstown most commonly pass through:

• Auckland Intl (AKL) – 96% of one-stop connections
• Christchurch (CHC) – 4% of one-stop connections
Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Francisco to Queenstown?
Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 37% on flights from San Francisco to Queenstown. Friday is the cheapest departure day at $2,623 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $4,112, a difference of $1,489.

KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.
How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from San Francisco to Queenstown?
Flying via Christchurch (CHC) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 17h 27m, compared to 17h 30m via Auckland Intl (AKL).
What is the time difference between San Francisco and Queenstown?
Queenstown is 20 hours ahead of San Francisco (New Zealand Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

If your dates are flexible, aim for a Friday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Friday flights average $2,623, about $1,489 less than Sunday fares (36% savings) based on the last 12 months.
If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to Queenstown trip for February. Fares historically average $2,477 return in that month – typically $1,107 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Queenstown Intl Airport.

• DoubleTree by Hilton Queenstown
• Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park By IHG
• Sudima Queenstown Five Mile

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SFO - ZQN

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Everything you should know

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Queenstown (SFO-ZQN)

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to Queenstown

Recent one-way flight deals from San Francisco to Queenstown

Price, demand, and travel trends for San Francisco to Queenstown flights

How much is a return flight from San Francisco to Queenstown?

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Queenstown?

Which airline is the cheapest to fly from San Francisco to Queenstown?

What is the most popular stopover airport when flying from San Francisco to Queenstown?

What is the cheapest stopover airport when flying from San Francisco to Queenstown?

When flying from San Francisco to Queenstown, which airport offers the shortest stopover?

Key details for San Francisco to Queenstown flights

Low season

High season

Cheapest flight

When to book flights from San Francisco to Queenstown

Your San Francisco to Queenstown flight questions, answered

Your guide to booking San Francisco to Queenstown flights

More options for your flight from San Francisco to Queenstown

Complete your trip to Queenstown with a hotel stay or car hire

Information on your arrival and departure airports

Cabin class types available on flights from San Francisco to Queenstown

Flights from domestic origins to Queenstown

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