Is 5 days enough for the South Island?

It is enough for the Mackenzie Country, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Wānaka. The West Coast glaciers and the top of the island need a week or more.

Can I fly out of Queenstown instead of returning to Christchurch?

Yes, and it saves the longest driving day. If you do, spend day five on a Queenstown activity and transfer to the airport in the afternoon.

Do I need to hire a car?

No. Every leg here is a private transfer route we drive regularly, which many visitors prefer on alpine roads and in winter conditions.

5-day South Island itinerary

South Island in 5 days: Christchurch to Queenstown and back

If you only have five days in the South Island, the Christchurch–Mackenzie–Queenstown corridor gives you the most scenery for the least driving. This route takes in Lake Tekapo's turquoise water, the Lindis Pass, Queenstown, a Milford Sound day and Wānaka before returning to Christchurch.

Day by day, with real distances

Day 1
Christchurch → Lake Tekapo
226 km (141 miles)about 2 hr 51 min
Inland across the Canterbury Plains into the Mackenzie Basin. Tekapo is a dark-sky reserve, so stay up for the stars.
Day 2
Lake Tekapo → Queenstown
256 km (159 miles)about 3 hr 9 min
Past Aoraki/Mount Cook country and over the Lindis Pass into Central Otago, finishing on the lakefront in Queenstown.
Day 3
Queenstown → Milford Sound (return)
287 km (178 miles)about 3 hr 44 min
The big day, and the one most visitors are glad they did not drive themselves. The day is timed around your cruise departure.
Day 4
Queenstown → Wānaka
67 km (42 miles)about 1 hr 5 min
Over the Crown Range to Wānaka's lakefront for walks, wineries and a quieter pace than Queenstown.
Day 5
Wānaka → Christchurch
427 km (265 miles)about 5 hr 20 min
The long run back across the island to Christchurch for your flight out.

Planning this trip without a car

Five days means one long driving day at the end — if you can add a sixth, break it at Tekapo or Ōmarama.
Milford cruises sell out in summer and the road can close in winter storms. Book the cruise first, then the transfer.
The Crown Range and inland passes can need chains between June and August. A local driver watching the forecast removes the guesswork.

Every driving leg above is a route we run as a private transfer — fixed price agreed before you travel, your own driver, door to door. Tell us your dates and we'll map the whole trip for you.

FAQs

Is 5 days enough for the South Island?: It is enough for the Mackenzie Country, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Wānaka. The West Coast glaciers and the top of the island need a week or more.
Can I fly out of Queenstown instead of returning to Christchurch?: Yes, and it saves the longest driving day. If you do, spend day five on a Queenstown activity and transfer to the airport in the afternoon.
Do I need to hire a car?: No. Every leg here is a private transfer route we drive regularly, which many visitors prefer on alpine roads and in winter conditions.

Other services we offer

A private transfer is only part of what we do. The same NZTA-licensed drivers and vehicles cover tours, hourly hire, airport and cruise work, corporate travel and group bookings throughout New Zealand.

Private, luxury & multi-day travel
Private touring, chauffeur hire, honeymoon travel and a driver for your whole New Zealand trip.
Explore private travel
Arriving in New Zealand
First-time visitor guides to landing at Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington and Dunedin.
Read the arrival guides
Island & region guides
What each part of New Zealand is known for, how long the drives really take, and how to travel it without a rental car.
Explore destinations
Visiting New Zealand
Driving on the left, kilometres to miles, money and tipping, the seasons, and travelling without a rental car.
Read visitor info
Airport shuttle alternative
Private airport transfers instead of a shared shuttle — your group alone, direct to the terminal, price agreed first.
Compare the options
City taxi, upgraded
A fixed-price private car instead of the taxi rank — city-by-city guides across New Zealand.
See your city
Suburb airport transfers
Local detail on the run to Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington Airport from your own suburb.
Find your suburb
Private day tours & sightseeing
Keep the same driver for the day and shape the route around what you'd like to see in and around New Zealand.
See private tours
By-the-hour driver hire
A driver and vehicle held for a block of time — best when your travel starts and finishes in the same town.
Book hourly hire
Airport transfers
Flight-tracked pickups and drop-offs at every main New Zealand airport, door to door.
Airport transfers
Cruise port transfers & shore days
Met at the terminal in Auckland, Tauranga, Akaroa or Picton — back on board well before all-aboard time.
Cruise transfers
Ski field transfers
Winter-ready vehicles and alpine drivers for Queenstown, Wānaka, Mt Hutt and Ruapehu — gear included.
Ski transfers
Corporate & executive travel
Business accounts, client and staff runs, event movements and consolidated invoicing.
Talk to us
Groups, fleets & rental car alternative
Multiple vehicles on one booking for larger parties, or a driven alternative to hiring a car.
Rental car alternative
What transfers and taxis cost
Plain answers on what moves the price of an airport run in New Zealand, and how a fixed total compares with a meter.
Fares & costs
Weddings, balls & big occasions
Private transport for weddings, school balls, corporate events, funerals, large groups and accessible travel.
Occasion transport
Concerts & event transport
Ride there and ride home for the big nights — concerts, festivals and events across New Zealand.
Event transport

Please note: by-the-hour driver hire is only suitable when your travel starts and finishes in the same town. If you're finishing somewhere else, book a private transfer or a day trip so your fare covers the driver's travel.