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) – 97% of one-stop connections • Christchurch (CHC) – 3% of one-stop connections Together, these airports account for 100% of one-stop bookings on this route.

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

Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 39% on the San Francisco to Queenstown route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $2,498 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $4,080, a difference of $1,582. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 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 0h 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 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 $1,094, which is 41% 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 Auckland Intl (AKL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 17h 25m, compared to 17h 27m via Christchurch (CHC).

What is the time difference between San Francisco and Queenstown?

Queenstown is 19 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 hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $11 for economy cars. Top options include: • EZU Car Rental • Mode • Snap Rentals • New Zealand Discount Car 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 $2,497 to $3,119, with an average of $2,728 over the past 12 months. Anything below $2,497 counts as a good deal.

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

Air New Zealand ($2,021) 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. 97% 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 $2,783. 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 591 minutes over the past 3 months.

$961 CHEAP FLIGHTS from San Francisco to Queenstown (SFO - ZQN)

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Cheapest return flight

$1,672

Typical prices: $2,497-$3,119

Multiple Airlines

Mon 12/2Sat 24/2

SFO - ZQN • 3 stops

Cheapest one-way flight

$961

Typical prices: $1,547-$2,468

Multiple Airlines

Thu 15/11

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 • 10% price drop

January

Most popular

Good to know

Top stopover airports

Auckland Intl (AKL)

Cheapest • Avg $2,783 (return)

Christchurch (CHC)

Shortest trip • 17h 27m (one-way)

Insights

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We hope you enjoy your trip to Queenstown!

Flight Deals

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

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Return

One-way

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to Queenstown

Fri, 12 Feb - Wed, 24 Feb

16:55 - 21:15SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

31h 20m3 stops Los Angeles Papeete Faaa Auckland Intl

20:30 - 14:55ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

39h 25m3 stops Auckland Intl Papeete Faaa Los Angeles

$1,672Multiple Airlines

Sun, 7 Mar - Sun, 14 Mar

22:05 - 11:30SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

40h 25m2 stops Nadi Auckland Intl

09:10 - 12:25ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

24h 15m2 stops Auckland Intl Nadi

$1,986Multiple Airlines

Mon, 25 Jan - Sun, 31 Jan

19:50 - 16:00SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

23h 10m2 stops Auckland Intl Sydney Kingsford Smith

20:30 - 11:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

35h 35m1 stop Auckland Intl

$2,021Air New Zealand

Thu, 14 Jan - Wed, 27 Jan

21:14 - 17:35SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

47h 21m3 stops Los Angeles Papeete Faaa Auckland Intl

20:30 - 14:58ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

39h 28m3 stops Auckland Intl Papeete Faaa Los Angeles

$2,028Multiple Airlines

Fri, 15 Jan - Wed, 27 Jan

13:14 - 17:35SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

31h 21m3 stops Los Angeles Papeete Faaa Auckland Intl

20:30 - 14:58ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

39h 28m3 stops Auckland Intl Papeete Faaa Los Angeles

$2,078Multiple Airlines

Mon, 25 Jan - Sun, 31 Jan

19:50 - 16:00SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

23h 10m2 stops Auckland Intl Sydney Kingsford Smith

20:30 - 14:52ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

39h 22m2 stops Auckland Intl Los Angeles

$2,159Air New Zealand

Fri, 15 Jan - Wed, 27 Jan

19:50 - 16:00SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

23h 10m2 stops Auckland Intl Sydney Kingsford Smith

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

20h 30m2 stops Wellington Auckland Intl

$2,176Air New Zealand

Sat, 21 Nov - Wed, 2 Dec

21:20 - 10:05SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

39h 45m2 stops Los Angeles Auckland Intl

14:15 - 11:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

17h 50m1 stop Auckland Intl

$2,189Multiple Airlines

Fri, 15 Jan - Wed, 27 Jan

19:50 - 16:00SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

23h 10m2 stops Auckland Intl Sydney Kingsford Smith

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

19h 50m1 stop Auckland Intl

$2,190Air New Zealand

Sat, 21 Nov - Wed, 2 Dec

21:20 - 10:05SFO San Francisco-ZQN Queenstown Intl

39h 45m2 stops Los Angeles Auckland Intl

14:15 - 11:05ZQN Queenstown Intl-SFO San Francisco

17h 50m1 stop Auckland Intl

$2,192Multiple Airlines

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 from San Francisco to Queenstown with more confidence.

Prices

Airlines

Stopovers

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

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Queenstown and is 9% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 49% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

Find deals

Low season	June
High season	January
Cheapest flight	$961

Most popular time to fly (13% more expensive on average)

Flights 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.

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) – 97% of one-stop connections
• Christchurch (CHC) – 3% of one-stop connections
Together, these airports account for 100% of one-stop bookings on this route.
Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Francisco to Queenstown?
Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 39% on the San Francisco to Queenstown route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $2,498 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $4,080, a difference of $1,582. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 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 0h 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 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 $1,094, which is 41% 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 Auckland Intl (AKL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 17h 25m, compared to 17h 27m via Christchurch (CHC).
What is the time difference between San Francisco and Queenstown?
Queenstown is 19 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 hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $11 for economy cars. Top options include:
• EZU Car Rental
• Mode
• Snap Rentals
• New Zealand Discount Car 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 $2,497 to $3,119, with an average of $2,728 over the past 12 months. Anything below $2,497 counts as a good deal.

If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $2,498 – about $1,582 less than Sunday (39% 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 $2,458 return in that month – typically $1,022 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.
- Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park By IHG
- DoubleTree by Hilton Queenstown
- Ramada Suites by Wyndham Queenstown Remarkables Park

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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

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

What is the cheapest airline 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

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Flights from domestic origins to Queenstown

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