Category Milford Sound Cruises and Flights

New Zealand · MILFORD SOUND CRUISES AND FLIGHTS

The 15 Best Milford Sound Cruises & Flights

49 reviewed

The difference between a good Milford day and a wasted one is usually the route in, not the boat. This page compares the coach days out of Queenstown against the shorter runs from Te Anau and the fly-cruise-fly options that buy back six hours, with prices, total door-to-door times, and which boats go close enough to the falls to get you wet.

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown - Lake Wakatipu views and Devil’s Staircase photo energy

1.Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,001 reviews · from $216Our pick

Small-group Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown with hotel pickup, scenic stops, picnic lunch, and a 2-hour cruise to Mitre Peak.

“We recently went on this experience and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Queenstown, New Zealand. It exceeded our expectations in every way. Joe, our guide, drove us to Milford Fiord (learnt that it is geographically accurate name for Milford Sound) and went above and beyond to make the journey engaging and informative. His insightful commentary throughout the drive helped us truly appreciate the geographic, historical, and cultural significance of the scenic lookouts. Despite the heavy rain, the tour was conducted seamlessly and in fact, Milford Fiord was even more spectacular in the rain. The cruise itself was beyond words, making us feel as though we had stepped into another…”

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Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience - The 1 hour 45 minute Flow, What You’ll Do During the Cruise

2.Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,930 reviews · from $111

Small-boat Milford Sound cruise with half-capacity comfort, live skipper narration, hot drinks and biscuits, and close wildlife viewing near Mitre Peak.

“Great cruise! Much smaller than the others which was very enjoyable. The staff was so kind and the captain very funny and entertaining. Also, great views of waterfalls! Highly recommend.”

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Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip - The Queenstown to Te Anau road trip: the slow build to the fiord

3.Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,592 reviews · from $144

Full-day Milford Sound cruise from Queenstown with coach views, tea and lunch, 3 decks, and close-up Stirling Falls.

“Milford sound was BEAUTIFUL! Highly recommend this day trip and cruise. We had an amazing driver, Brandon (maybe spelled Brendan). Our driver was informative, kind, friendly, sociable and offered to take photos for his passengers at the stops. For a tourist not from AU, I would have loved WiFi on the coach bus.”

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Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise - From Milford Sound Wharf past Mitre Peak, the ride starts strong

4.Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,561 reviews · 2 hours · from $101

2-hour small boat Milford Sound cruise with close-up waterfalls, live skipper commentary, wildlife spotting, and hot drinks onboard.

“To answer the question which to choose between Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound, we did both. This tour with Mitre Peak was excellent. We were on a small boat that could get close enough to waterfalls for passengers to get wet. We were also able to cruise amongst a group of cheeky dolphins who playfully did jumps and flips in front of the boat and then in the boats wake as we accelerated across the mouth at the Tasman Sea. This lasted for 15 minutes. For Doubtful Sound we used a different operator who also did a very professional job. There isn't much to see in the two cruises across…”

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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise - The scenic drive through Fiordland National Park, with real stops

5.Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,416 reviews · from $235

Small group Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown with hotel pickup, picnic lunch, a 1h45 cruise, hot drinks, and scenic stops.

“The driver and tour guide, James, arrived eight minutes before the set time, so I did not have to wait long. In a later pick up, I saw that the driver waited until the specified time and then did all he could to determine what might be keeping the Read more”

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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown - Milford Sound Cruise: Tea, Wildlife Chances, and Boat Crowding to Expect

6.Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,792 reviews · from $462

Fly Queenstown to Milford Sound, cruise the fjord, then fly back a different way, saving road time with big alpine views.

“Holy cow was this awesome! The beauty of Milford Sound is unmatched. The plane was an amazing way to experience the beauty of the mountains. Our pilot Andrew was incredible and very friendly and knowledgeable. The boat was a little crowded, but it was comfortable nonetheless. One of my favorite things we did in NZ!”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat - Queenstown pickup, check-in, and how the day stays smooth

7.From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,558 reviews · 5 hours · from $447

Fly Queenstown to Milford Sound with guaranteed window seats, then enjoy a 2-hour boat cruise through Mitre Peak and waterfalls.

“The whole activity was excellent from start to finish, especially the outward and return flight to Milford Sound, just a sheer magical experience from start to finish, the cruise was also excellent. I highly recommend this to anyone just brilliant.”

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2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise - Milford Sound highlights you’ll see, and what they mean in real life

8.2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,520 reviews · from $104

A 2-hour Milford Sound cruise in a smaller boat with close waterfall views, live onboard commentary, and chances to spot seals, dolphins, and penguins.

“Though the cruise is excellent, the process to get to the ship is awful. The park and ride is a shame , all passenegers gather around a small bus like sheep and hustling each other to get into the bus. What a shame for international visitors”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip - The Coach Ride From Queenstown: Comfort and Photo Stops That Matter

9.From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,417 reviews · from $152

Glass-roof coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound, a 2-hour wildlife cruise, and Milford Road photo stops for $152.

“Our guide was great fun, he gave lots of information on the journey - all with a good sense of humour. All the timings were perfect, the cruise did not disappoint, we were lucky to have a clear, sunny day!”

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Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau - The Milford Sound cruise: what to expect on the water

10.Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,198 reviews · from $185

Small-group Milford Sound day tour from Te Anau with Milford Road stops, optional walks, and a 2-hour cruise plus wildlife spotting.

“A fab day trip. Small group, great guide, plenty of stops for the scenic views and photo opps. Boat ride was incredible and it was great to be on the smaller boat too. Loved it - would definitely recommend!”

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Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran

Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran - Where to sit on three levels for the best views

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach - Coach Comfort, Charging, and Why the Glass Roof Matters

12.From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 976 reviews · 750 minutes - 14 hours · from $170

From Queenstown, ride a glass-roof coach to Milford Sound, then enjoy a 2-hour cruise with expert commentary, waterfalls, and wildlife.

“The driver/guide was excellent and shortened the long journey. The trip was fantastic, the stops were well planned it was great value for money. I would certainly do it again. The buffet food was excellent. I would consider the flight back for the experience but if on a budget the bus both ways was fine. 👍”

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Milford Sound: Boutique Small-Boat Cruise

Milford Sound: Boutique Small-Boat Cruise - Getting to the Cruise Milford counter, parking and arrival pace

13.Milford Sound: Boutique Small-Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 942 reviews · 105 minutes - 12 hours · from $101

Boutique small-boat Milford Sound cruise with close-up waterfalls, wildlife sightings, lounge seating, and coffee and biscuits included for $101.

“Dan was a great captain, and the rest of the crew were very friendly and informative. Stunning scenery, and well worth the long drive to Milford to experience the spectacle. Also blessed with a very cute seal pup!”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise - Fiordland National Park, photo stops and short walks that make sense

14.From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 868 reviews · 8 hours · from $110

Coach from Te Anau to Milford Sound with photo stops, short walks, and a catamaran cruise plus picnic lunch for $110.

“A wonderful day. The guide (Sebastian) was so knowledgeable and conveyed information along the way in an entertaining way. The coach was comfortable and the sunroof gave an amazing view of the scenery. We had considered driving ourselves but are so glad that we didn't. It was the best excursion on our whole stay in New Zealand. Would highly recommend it.”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks - Milford Road Morning, Coach Comfort with Real Stops

15.From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 845 reviews · 1 day · from $164

Milford Sound day trip from Te Anau with small-group coach, 2-hour cruise to the Tasman Sea, short walks, and picnic lunch.

“My husband and I are so happy we booked with Trips & Tramps. Highly recommend! It was so nice going to Milford Sound in a smaller group and leaving from Te Anau allowed us to dodge the big crowds coming in from Queenstown! Our guide Geoff kept us laughing all day and gave us lots of interesting commentary about the area that we would have never known otherwise! 10/10!! Worth every cent.”

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