The fiord · The road · The air

Milford Sound Tours

Cruises from the terminal, road days from Queenstown and Te Anau, and scenic flights

Milford Sound tours take you onto the fiord below Mitre Peak by boat, by coach or van from Queenstown or Te Anau, or by small plane over the mountains. Each card shows where the day starts, how long you spend on the water and what the fare covers, so you book the right day.

See Top Tours Compare every tour

Most tours refund in full up to 24 hours ahead, so you can book now and decide later.

1,692 mThe peak above the water

15 kmHead of the fiord to the sea

From $93A cruise from the terminal

Hours, prices and access verified by the Milford Sound Tours team — last checked 2026-09-21.

Milford Sound Tours › Tours & Tickets 2026 Updated: 2026-09-21

Start here

Top Milford Sound Tours for 2026

The best Milford Sound tour is the one that starts where you are staying. Pick a full day from Queenstown, a walking day from Te Anau or the cruise alone.

Top rated

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★ 4.9 (3,668 reviews · 13 hours)

Small-group day and cruiseStarts in QueenstownBoutique cruiseLunch included

Ride from Queenstown in a van of 15 at most, with pickup at 6:30am or 7am from The Station or a listed hotel. Your guide stops by Lake Te Anau, in the valleys of the national park and at a lookout on the way back. About two hours at Milford Sound cover the boutique cruise and a picnic lunch, with water and snacks all day. The van carries no restroom, and booster seats are supplied for children.

Pickup in Queenstown at 6:30am or 7am
Lake Te Anau stop (20 minutes)
Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes stops
Lake Gunn and Darran Mountains stops
Through the Homer Tunnel
Milford Sound cruise and picnic (2 hours)
Pops View lookout (10 minutes)
Return to Queenstown

From $215 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

View details Check Availability

Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

★★★★★ 4.9 (3,207 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes)

1 h 45 min cruiseStarts at the terminalCar park extraHot drinks on board

Find the second counter on the left inside the terminal for a 1 hour 45 minute boutique cruise on Milford Sound. Coffee, tea and biscuits are served on every sailing, but no food is sold on board, so eat before you sail. No transport is included, because the sailing starts at the fiord, so plan the drive in or ride a coach there. If you drive, the car park costs NZ$10 an hour, paid by card at the pay stations.

From $110 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

View details Check Availability

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

★★★★★ 4.9 (919 reviews · 1 day)

Guided walks and cruiseStarts in Te Anau2-hour cruiseLunch included

Leave Te Anau from your accommodation with a nature driver-guide, in a group of 15 at most. A two-hour Milford Sound small-boat cruise to the Tasman Sea sits in the middle of the day. About three and a half hours of guided stops and short walks of 5 to 30 minutes fill the rest, chosen to suit the season. A packed picnic lunch is in the fare, and there is no Queenstown pickup, so it suits travellers already staying in Te Anau.

Pickup from your Te Anau accommodation
Van along the Milford Road (2.5 hours)
Milford Sound small-boat cruise (2 hours)
Guided walks in Fiordland National Park (3.5 hours)
Return to Te Anau

From $157 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

View details Check Availability

Why book with us

Trusted by Thousands of Visitors

⚖

Best Guides

Milford Sound guided tours here run with driver-guides and skippers who know the road stops, the waterfalls and the wildlife, and who time your day around the cruise.

✓

Book With Confidence

Most tours here refund in full up to 24 hours ahead, and each card shows the price, what the fare covers and anything you pay on the day, such as parking.

★

Experience of a Lifetime

Stand at the rail as the boat noses in under a waterfall between walls of rock, and you leave having seen the fiord up close, in rain or in sun.

FREE CANCELLATION up to 24 hours ahead on most tours; the overnight cruises are non-refundable, so check each card.

Everything available

All Milford Sound Tours and Tickets

Milford Sound Boat Tours

Milford Sound boat tours start at the terminal and spend 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes on the water. These are the Milford Sound cruise tours to book if you drive in or come on your own coach.

Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

★★★★★ 4.8 (3,093 reviews · 2 hours)

2-hour cruiseStarts at the terminalHot drinks on board

Board a smaller boat for two hours on Milford Sound, with frequent stops at the points of interest and live commentary all the way. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are free on board, and you can move between the indoor and outdoor viewing areas. No transport comes with the fare, as the sailing starts at the terminal, so allow for the drive or a coach in. It holds a 4.8 rating from 3,093 reviews.

From $96 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran

★★★★★ 4.7 (1,103 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes)

1 h 45 min cruiseStarts at the terminalCar park extra

Sail on a modern catamaran with large windows and spacious outdoor decks for a 1 hour 45 minute Milford Sound nature cruise. HD cameras project live footage from outside onto screens in the cabin, so you can follow the view from your seat. Skippers and guides give live commentary, and there is seating both inside and out. Food and drinks are not in the fare, and the car park charges NZ$10 an hour if you drive to the terminal.

From $94 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

Milford Sound Cruise with Live Nature Guide and Hot Drinks

★★★★★ 4.9 (21 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes)

Cruise of up to 2 h 15 minStarts at the terminalCar park extraNature guide on board

Spend up to 2 hours 15 minutes on Milford Sound, the longest of the day cruises from the terminal, with a nature guide on board. Commentary also comes through a multilingual app that you download before you sail. Free tea and coffee are served to every passenger, and the boat carries 75 at most. The car park costs extra if you drive yourself, and the cruise holds a 4.9 rating from 21 reviews.

From $116 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

See all Milford Sound boat tours

Milford Sound Tours from Queenstown

Milford Sound tours from Queenstown make the fiord a full day by road, or a few hours by air over the mountains. Every one brings you back to Queenstown the same day.

Best seller

Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

★★★★★ 4.7 (4,145 reviews · 12 hours)

Coach and cruiseQueenstown or Te Anau pickupScenic cruise in the fareLunch included

Choose pickup in central Queenstown or Te Anau for a 12-hour coach day with experienced skippers and guides. Photo stops and short walks break the drive, and on the water you have three viewing decks to move between. Lunch is included, except for infants, and tea and hot water are free, while breakfast and other drinks are extra. With 4,145 reviews it is the most reviewed day tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound.

From $151 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Tour

★★★★★ 4.7 (1,942 reviews · 12 hours)

Coach and cruiseStarts in Queenstown1 h 40 min or 2 h cruiseNature guide on board

Depart 88 Beach Street in Queenstown in a glass-roof, air-conditioned coach, with a local nature guide giving commentary in English. The route breaks at Te Anau for 30 minutes, then stops for photos and short walks in the valleys before Milford Sound. On the water you get the 2-hour Signature or the 1 hour 40 minute Classic cruise, depending on the option you book. Food and drinks are sold at the licensed bar on board.

From $168 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

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

★★★★★ 4.9 (1,841 reviews · 5 hours)

Fly, cruise, fly backStarts in Queenstown2-hour cruiseHotel pickup

Fly 40 minutes from Queenstown over the national park, spend two hours on a Milford Sound small-boat cruise, then fly back on a different path. Hotel pickup and drop-off are free, and tea, coffee, hot chocolate and water are served on the boat. The cruise is booked with a partner company, and another may be used if it is full. The whole trip takes about five hours, food is extra, and you join a day rated 4.9 from 1,841 reviews.

From $428 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

See all Milford Sound tours from Queenstown

Bus Tours from Queenstown to Milford Sound

A bus tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound puts you on a big coach with a driver-guide, stops on the way and a cruise at the fiord. It is the lowest-priced way to see the fiord from Queenstown without driving yourself.

From Queenstown Milford Sound Cruise & Glass-Roof Coach Tour

★★★★★ 4.7 (853 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes)

Coach and cruiseStarts in Queenstown1 h 45 min cruise

Set off from the InterCity stop in Queenstown for a 12 hour 30 minute day in a glass-roofed coach with free WiFi. A local driver-guide talks you through the drive, with a 30-minute break in Te Anau and photo stops before the tunnel. The 1 hour 45 minute cruise runs on a spacious catamaran, and the timetable leaves about 2 hours 15 minutes at Milford Sound. Lunch is in the fare only if you select that option, and tips are extra.

From $170 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★ 4.6 (569 reviews · 13 hours)

Coach and cruiseStarts in QueenstownAbout 1 h 30 min at the fiordLunch included

Catch the 7:20am departure from the Athol Street stop, or a hotel transfer from selected properties, on a glass-roof coach with free WiFi. The drive runs along Lake Wakatipu, with 10-minute stops for a lakeside walk, a creek and the tunnel. About 1 hour 30 minutes at Milford Sound covers the scenic cruise and a picnic lunch in the fare. The coach seats 48 at most, gratuities are extra, and your day runs 13 hours.

From $201 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

See all bus tours from Queenstown

Milford Sound Tours from Te Anau

Milford Sound tours from Te Anau start at the lake town where the road begins, so the day runs 7 to 8.5 hours. Every Te Anau to Milford Sound tour here includes lunch.

Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

★★★★★ 4.9 (961 reviews · 7 hours)

Small-group day and cruiseStarts in Te AnauBoutique cruiseLunch included

Join a group of 15 at most from your Te Anau hotel or the bus stop by the public toilets at 94 Te Anau Terrace. Short stops on the way include a 10-minute lakeside walk and a lookout before the tunnel. About two hours at Milford Sound cover the boutique cruise and a picnic lunch, with bottled water and snacks all day. The day runs seven hours, and booster seats are supplied for children.

From $174 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

Milford Sound: Small-Group Tour from Te Anau

★★★★★ 4.9 (652 reviews · 8 hours)

Small-group day and cruiseStarts in Te Anau1 h 45 min cruiseLunch included

Wait at your Te Anau hotel for door-to-door pickup, then start the eight-hour day with morning tea of fresh baking and a hot drink. A driver-guide gives live commentary on the road and on board. The 1 hour 45 minute nature cruise is followed by an hour and a half of free time at Milford Sound. A packed picnic lunch is in the fare, and the day holds a 4.9 rating from 652 reviews.

From $180 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

Milford Sound Coach & Cruise ex Te Anau Stunning Views with Lunch

★★★★★ 4.8 (149 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes)

Coach and cruiseStarts in Te AnauCruise of up to 2 hoursLunch included

Check in 15 minutes early at 80 Lakefront Drive in Te Anau for the 10am departure in a spacious coach built for viewing. The driver gives commentary, and a multilingual app covers the coach and the cruise. Stops at a valley, a 15-minute lakeside walk and a creek come before the tunnel, then a Milford Sound nature cruise of up to two hours with freshly made lunch. Tea and coffee are free, and you bring your own child restraints, because none are provided.

From $192 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

See all Milford Sound tours from Te Anau

Milford Sound Small Group Tours

Milford Sound small group tours travel in a van rather than a big coach, most with 15 seats at most and a picnic lunch in the fare. The fares run higher than a coach day.

Milford Sound: Premium Small Group Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★ 4.8 (477 reviews · 13 hours)

Small-group day and cruiseStarts in Queenstown1 h 45 min cruiseLunch included

Travel in a premium Mercedes van with 15 people at most, picked up from one of 19 Queenstown hotels and stops. After a coffee break in Te Anau you spend two hours at stops in the national park before the fiord. The 1 hour 45 minute Milford Sound nature cruise comes with a packed picnic lunch, and the guide gives commentary all day. Only extra snacks cost more, and the van breaks again in Te Anau on the way home.

From $239 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

Milford Sound Small-Group Glass-Roof Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★ 4.8 (89 reviews · 9 hours)

Small-group day and cruiseStarts in Queenstown1 h 45 min cruiseLunch included

Look up through the glass roof of a custom-built Mercedes Sprinter as you ride from Queenstown with 15 guests at most. The day allows two hours of stops at viewpoints in the national park, with a break in Te Anau each way. A boutique small-group nature cruise of 105 minutes on Milford Sound comes with a packed picnic lunch. Pickup is from 19 Queenstown hotels and stops, and only personal expenses and travel insurance are left to you.

From $250 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

See all Milford Sound small group tours

Milford Sound Helicopter Tours

Milford Sound helicopter tours land on snow or ice, either from Queenstown with the cruise in the fare or from the airstrip at the fiord. Flights go weather permitting, so keep a spare day in your plans.

Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise & Helicopter Alpine Tour

★★★★★ 4.9 (197 reviews · 4 hours)

Helicopter, glacier, cruiseStarts in QueenstownScenic cruise in the fare

Lift off from Queenstown on a helicopter flight that lands on a glacier or alpine snowfield, with commentary from a qualified pilot. The four-hour experience includes the Milford Sound scenic cruise and a full safety briefing before you fly. A courtesy coach collects you from selected Queenstown pickup points and takes you back there. It holds a 4.9 rating from 197 reviews, for travellers who want the mountains and the water in one outing.

From $801 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

Milford Sound Grand Tour Helicopter Scenic Flight Departing from Milford Sound

★★★★★ 5.0 (5 reviews · 45 minutes)

Helicopter flightStarts at the airstripMax 6 guestsLanding fees in the fare

Take off from the Milford Sound airstrip on a 45-minute helicopter flight with a snow landing, weather permitting. Headsets let you hear the pilot's live commentary, and landing and facility fees are in the fare. The helicopter seats six at most, it is not a private flight, and each passenger must weigh 120 kg or less. Lunch is not included, so eat before you fly, and every rating so far is five stars.

From $523 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

See all Milford Sound helicopter tours

Milford Sound Scenic Flights

Milford Sound scenic flights cross the mountains between Queenstown and the fiord in a small plane, both ways with a cruise between or one way out at the end of your day.

Queenstown: Milford Sound Flight and Cruise

★★★★★ 4.9 (323 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes)

Fly, cruise, fly backStarts in Queenstown1 h 45 min cruiseWindow seat

Start at the Queenstown Airport desk, or ride in from a select hotel, for a round-trip flight that lands at Milford Sound. You are promised a window seat, and the time on the ground covers a 1 hour 45 minute nature cruise and a short beech-forest walk. Tea, coffee and water come with the cruise, and food can be bought on board. Each fare also sends a donation to a kea conservation trust, and the trip lasts about four and a half hours.

From $450 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

Scenic Flight Transfer to Queenstown from Milford Sound

★★★★★ 4.9 (61 reviews · 35 minutes)

One-way flight outEnds in QueenstownMax 12 guests

Swap the long drive back for a 35-minute one-way flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown, with 12 passengers at most. You meet the plane at the boat terminal or the airstrip, a 10-minute walk apart, and the operator confirms which on the day. A pre-flight briefing and live commentary are included, with drop-off at central hotels or the airport. The fare covers the flight out only, so you need your own way in, such as a cruise-only day.

From $383 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

See all Milford Sound scenic flights

Milford Sound Overnight Cruises

Milford Sound overnight cruises spend the night at anchor on the fiord, with dinner, breakfast and kayaks in the fare. Neither refunds a cancellation, so fix your dates first and check whether the price is per person or per cabin.

Milford Sound Mariner Overnight Cruise

★★★★★ 4.7 (166 reviews · 2 days)

Overnight on the fiordStarts at the terminalSails the full fiordDinner and breakfast

Stay the night on Milford Sound, boarding at 4pm and anchoring inside the fiord before sailing back the next morning. The price is per cabin of up to two, with a private en suite cabin, dinner, breakfast and the use of kayaks or tender boats. Drinks come from the licensed bar, and there is no hotel pickup. It is non-refundable, with no changes once booked, so fix your dates before you pay.

From $782 per cabin (up to 2)

Non-refundable: no refund and no changes once booked.

Check Availability

Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland Jewel

★★★★★ 4.8 (135 reviews · 17 hours 30 minutes)

Overnight on the fiordStarts at the terminalAbout 17 hours on boardDinner and breakfast

Paddle a kayak, ride the tender boat and use the top-deck hot tub after dinner on about 17 hours aboard a vessel carrying 22 guests at most. Dinner, breakfast, tea and coffee and every tax and fee are in the fare, while alcohol is sold on board. The price is per person with a minimum of two, and you make your own way to Milford Sound. It is non-refundable, and overnight parking in the main car park from 2pm costs extra, paid in the terminal.

From $847 per person (minimum 2)

Non-refundable: no refund and no changes once booked.

Check Availability

See all Milford Sound overnight cruises

Milford Sound Hike Tours

Milford Sound hike tours put you on foot in the rainforest, on the last stretch of a Great Walk or on guided short walks along the road in. The day walk is self-guided, with a boat to the start.

Best value

Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk - Milford Sound

★★★★★ 4.9 (21 reviews · 3 to 4 hours)

Self-guided track walkStarts at Deepwater BasinWater taxi includedMax 20 guests

Walk the final stretch of a Great Walk at your own pace, three to four hours return to a waterfall in the rainforest. The fare covers the return boat transfer to the start of the track, and there is no guide. You meet a short drive back up the road from the cruise terminal, in a group of 20 at most. It is the lowest fare at Milford Sound here, and you can add a cruise before or after the walk.

From $43 per person

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Check Availability

See all Milford Sound hike tours

The fiord

About Milford Sound

Milford Sound, Piopiotahi in Māori, is a fiord about 15 km long in Fiordland National Park, walled by rock that rises straight out of the water. Join us for the day: a cruise takes you past Mitre Peak and the waterfalls toward the Tasman Sea, and a coach, a van or a small plane brings you in from Queenstown or Te Anau. Rain falls on about 185 days a year and fills the falls, so a wet day is still a good one. These are the Milford Sound New Zealand tours we bring together, and the first things to know.

The Fiord in Numbers

Under your boat the fiord drops to as much as 265 metres. Fiordland National Park was constituted in 1952, covers over 1.2 million hectares and gained World Heritage status in 1986. DOC counts over one million visitors a year, a number that doubled between 2012 and 2018.

Parking, Fees and the Terminal

There is no gate and no entry ticket, so the fare is the price of your cruise. The main car park costs NZ$10 an hour, card only, about a 10-minute walk from the terminal. Deepwater Basin is free, about 40 minutes away on a nature walk, and overnight cruise guests park for NZ$30 from 2pm.

Getting There by Road or Air

Milford Sound sits at the end of a single road, 120 km past Te Anau, and DOC puts the return trip from Queenstown at 600 km and 12 to 14 hours. There is no fuel after Te Anau. A scenic flight crosses from Queenstown in about 40 minutes, and you can fly one way and ride the other.

A red and white cruise boat crossing below a dark peak as the cloud clears

A tall waterfall dropping from bush-covered cliffs into the fiord

A blue water taxi pulled up on a stony shore below forested peaks

What you will see

Named Highlights of Milford Sound

What a day at the fiord holds, from the peak above the terminal to the road in.

A peak straight out of the waterMitre Peak climbs 1,692 metres from the water's edge, and its Māori name is Rahotū.
Waterfalls you sail underThe cruise passes Lady Bowen Falls, and many boats bring the bow in under Stirling Falls, close enough for the spray to soak the front deck.
A fiord 265 metres deepUnder your boat the fiord drops to as much as 265 metres, and it runs about 15 km from its head to the Tasman Sea.
Seals, dolphins and penguinsNew Zealand fur seals live here all year, bottlenose dolphins appear in any month, and the Fiordland crested penguin is possible from July to November.
A road through the mountainsThe Milford Road runs 120 km from Te Anau through the Eglinton Valley and past the Mirror Lakes, then through the Homer Tunnel, 1.2 km long.
The end of a Great WalkThe Milford Track finishes at Sandfly Point across the water, and a day walk from there reaches Giant Gate Falls and back in three to four hours.

Plan your visit

Everything You Need Before You Go

The roadWhat it costsWhen to goWeather

Milford Sound sits at the end of a single road, 120 km past Te Anau, and DOC puts the return trip from Queenstown at 600 km and 12 to 14 hours. The road has no fuel between Te Anau and the fiord and little or no mobile coverage, so fill up before you leave. In the summer peak, DOC warns of waits of up to 20 minutes at the tunnel lights.

The road stop by stop

There is no gate and no entry ticket: Fiordland National Park is free to enter, so you pay for the cruise or the tour. Cruises from the terminal run from $93 to $116 a person, road days from Queenstown from $151, and the terminal car park costs NZ$10 an hour, card only. A charge for international visitors is only a bill before Parliament, with no amount set.

Fees and parking

The fiord is open all year, and rain only fills the waterfalls. December to February is the warmest time, and the small boats and 15-seat vans fill first. DOC counts May to September as winter on the road: quieter, with snow, and chains to carry when signed.

Best time to visit

In NIWA's 1991-2020 normals for the airport, 6,545 mm of rain falls on about 185 days a year. January is the wettest month at 667 mm and June the driest at 440 mm, while average highs run from 20 °C in February to 9 °C in July. Pack a waterproof and warm layers for the deck in any month.

Month-by-month weather

Straight answer

Do You Need a Tour for Milford Sound?

Not to get in. There are no Milford Sound tickets, because the fiord has no gate and no entry fee, and Fiordland National Park is free to enter. The Milford Sound ticket prices you compare are cruise fares, from $93 a person at the terminal, so if you drive yourself, a cruise is all you need to book.

A tour earns its fare on the road: 600 km and 12 to 14 hours return from Queenstown, with no fuel after Te Anau, while a driver-guide stops at the viewpoints and times the cruise for you. Make your Milford Sound booking for a date you can move, since most fares refund in full up to 24 hours ahead, but a Milford Sound reservation on an overnight cruise is final. Driving yourself is laid out in our guide to Milford Sound without a tour.

See Top Tours How to choose a tour

Book with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead on most tours, and a change of plan costs you nothing.

Which one is me

Choosing the Right Tour for You

Start from where you are staying and how many hours you have; the right tour follows from those two.

A full day from Queenstown

The best Milford Sound tour from Queenstown depends on how you like to travel, and every Milford Sound tour from Queenstown by road runs 9 to 13 hours. A bus tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound is the lowest fare, while the 15-seat small-group day is the most booked van.

A smaller group

A Milford Sound small group tour travels in a van of 15 at most, from Queenstown or from Te Anau, and most include a picnic lunch.

Staying in Te Anau

A Milford Sound tour from Te Anau takes 7 to 8.5 hours. The Te Anau day built on guided walks adds about three and a half hours on foot after the cruise.

Just the cruise

If you drive in, a Milford Sound boat tour from the terminal is all you need. The boutique cruise is the most reviewed of them, at 1 hour 45 minutes.

From the air

Milford Sound scenic flights have you back in Queenstown within about five hours, and a Milford Sound helicopter tour adds a landing on snow or ice.

A night or a walk

Milford Sound overnight cruises anchor on the fiord with dinner and breakfast, and a Milford Sound hike tour can be the self-guided day walk or a guided day of short walks.

Compare

Which Milford Sound Tour Is Right for You?

Every tour gathered here, most reviewed first, from a Milford Sound day tour by road to a cruise alone, a flight or a night on the water. These Milford Sound NZ tours differ most in how the day runs and what the fare covers, so read those columns before you choose on price.

Tour	Rating	The day	The fare covers	Fare	Best for
Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip	4.7 (4,145)	Coach and cruise	Return transport, cruise, lunch	From $151 per person	First-time visitors who want someone else to drive	Book
Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown	4.9 (3,668)	Small-group day and cruise	Return transport, cruise, lunch	From $215 per person	Queenstown visitors who want a guided van of 15	Book
Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience	4.9 (3,207)	1 h 45 min cruise	Cruise, hot drinks	From $110 per person	Drivers who want the most reviewed cruise	Book
Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise	4.8 (3,093)	2-hour cruise	Cruise, hot drinks	From $96 per person	Drivers who want two hours with frequent stops	Book
From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Tour	4.7 (1,942)	Coach and cruise	Return transport, cruise	From $168 per person	Queenstown visitors who want a glass-roof coach	Book
From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat	4.9 (1,841)	Fly, cruise, fly back	Return flights, cruise	From $428 per person	Short-on-time travellers who want to fly both ways	Book
2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise	4.8 (1,636)	2-hour cruise	Cruise, hot drinks	From $98 per person	Families who want two hours on a smaller boat	Book
Milford Sound: Boutique Small-Boat Cruise	4.8 (1,116)	1 h 45 min cruise	Cruise, hot drinks	From $108 per person	Drivers who want a boutique boat at the terminal	Book
Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran	4.7 (1,103)	1 h 45 min cruise	Cruise	From $94 per person	Travellers who want big windows and screens indoors	Book
Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau	4.9 (961)	Small-group day and cruise	Return transport, cruise, lunch	From $174 per person	Te Anau guests who want a seven-hour small-group day	Book
From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks	4.9 (919)	Guided walks and cruise	Return transport, cruise, lunch	From $157 per person	Walkers who want guided walks as well as the cruise	Book
From Queenstown Milford Sound Cruise & Glass-Roof Coach Tour	4.7 (853)	Coach and cruise	Return transport, cruise	From $170 per person	Coach travellers who want the longest time at the fiord	Book
Queenstown: Milford Sound Small-Group Tour w Cruise & Lunch	4.9 (663)	Small-group day and cruise	Return transport, cruise, lunch	From $210 per person	Queenstown visitors who want a small group with lunch	Book
Milford Sound: Small-Group Tour from Te Anau	4.9 (652)	Small-group day and cruise	Return transport, cruise, lunch	From $180 per person	Te Anau guests who want free time at the fiord	Book
Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown	4.6 (569)	Coach and cruise	Return transport, cruise, lunch	From $201 per person	Coach travellers who want a picnic lunch included	Book
Milford Sound Cruise - RealNZ	4.7 (562)	1 h 40 min or 2 h cruise	Cruise	From $102 per person	Drivers who want a choice of cruise length	Book
Milford Sound: Premium Small Group Tour from Queenstown	4.8 (477)	Small-group day and cruise	Return transport, cruise, lunch	From $239 per person	Small groups who want two hours of park stops	Book
Milford Sound Cruise	4.7 (330)	1 h 45 min cruise	Cruise, hot drinks	From $93 per person	Budget travellers who want the lowest cruise fare	Book
Queenstown: Milford Sound Flight and Cruise	4.9 (323)	Fly, cruise, fly back	Return flights, cruise	From $450 per person	Flyers who want a window seat and a landing walk	Book
Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise & Helicopter Alpine Tour	4.9 (197)	Helicopter, glacier, cruise	Helicopter with glacier landing, cruise	From $801 per person	Travellers who want a glacier landing and the cruise	Book
Milford Sound Mariner Overnight Cruise	4.7 (166)	Overnight on the fiord	Cabin and cruise, dinner and breakfast, kayaks	From $782 per cabin (up to 2)	Couples who want a private cabin for the night	Book
Milford Sound Coach & Cruise ex Te Anau Stunning Views with Lunch	4.8 (149)	Coach and cruise	Return transport, cruise, lunch	From $192 per person	Te Anau guests who want lunch served on the cruise	Book
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland Jewel	4.8 (135)	Overnight on the fiord	Cruise, dinner and breakfast, kayaks	From $847 per person (minimum 2)	Couples who want kayaks and a hot tub overnight	Book
Milford Sound Small-Group Glass-Roof Tour from Queenstown	4.8 (89)	Small-group day and cruise	Return transport, cruise, lunch	From $250 per person	Photographers who want a glass-roof van	Book
Scenic Flight Transfer to Queenstown from Milford Sound	4.9 (61)	One-way flight out	One-way flight	From $383 per person	Drivers who want to fly out instead of driving back	Book
Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk - Milford Sound	4.9 (21)	Self-guided track walk	Return water taxi	From $43 per person	Walkers who want a few hours on a Great Walk	Book
Milford Sound Cruise with Live Nature Guide and Hot Drinks	4.9 (21)	Cruise of up to 2 h 15 min	Cruise, hot drinks	From $116 per person	Wildlife watchers who want a nature guide aboard	Book
Milford Sound Grand Tour Helicopter Scenic Flight Departing from Milford Sound	5.0 (5)	Helicopter flight	Helicopter flight	From $523 per person	Visitors already at the fiord who want a snow landing	Book

Our guide gave us information about everything we were seeing, and we enjoyed every bit of it. The sights were truly remarkable, and we would recommend it.Christine B. · Milford Sound small-group day from Queenstown

We went in October 2025, when the weather was wild with rain and snow and the waterfalls poured. It was very cold, but the experience was sublime, and we would do it again.Alana T. · Milford Sound boutique cruise

Our two children were the only kids on the trip, and the guide engaged them and the adults alike. On our walk we were shown all sorts of birds and plants.Mary · Milford Sound day with guided walks from Te Anau

What to expect

How a Milford Sound Tour Runs

Pick where the day starts

Queenstown, Te Anau or the terminal itself: the second chip on each card says which.

Check the time on the water

Day cruises run from 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes, and the chips show each.

Plan the road

Drivers fill up in Te Anau, carry chains when signed in winter and allow for the tunnel lights.

Dress for rain

Rain falls on about 185 days a year and fills the waterfalls, so bring a waterproof and a warm layer.

Check the refund terms

Most tours refund in full up to 24 hours ahead; the overnight cruises do not, so read each card.

See Top Tours

Traveller reviews

Milford Sound Tours Reviews

Travellers' own words about the coach days, the cruises, the flights and the nights on the water, with the stars each gave, because they help you choose.

★★★★★

Milford Sound coach and cruise day

A hassle-free and informative day. It is a big day out, but worth every cent to sit back in the coach and take in the views from the coach and the boat.

Nathan · Family · Australia · August 2026

★★★★★

Two-hour Milford Sound small-boat cruise

The best part was that the boat is small, so there were fewer people on it. The captain manoeuvred in to show us a yellow-eyed penguin.

Sergio · Couples · Italy · August 2026

★★★★★

Glass-roof coach day to Milford Sound

It rained heavily all day and the scenery was spectacular. Our coach driver and guide was great and very entertaining.

Maggie · Solo · Australia · June 2026

★★★★★

Fly, cruise and fly back

The flight was spectacular, and the views along the fiord were phenomenal. The cruise was good, but after the flight it felt tame in comparison.

T. · Couples · Australia · August 2026

★★★★★

Milford Sound small-group day from Te Anau

Well organised, with plenty of stops for photos and bathroom breaks, and the lunch was plentiful and tasty. On the cruise we saw penguins, dolphins and seals.

Elaine C. · Friends · September 2026

★★★★★

Milford Sound day from Te Anau

The guide was very friendly and the door-to-door pickup was perfect. We were lucky enough to see seals and penguins, though the day was a little cloudy.

Jack · Family · South Korea · August 2026

★★★★☆

Milford Sound cruise with a choice of length

Take insect repellent, and parking is $10 an hour. The captain manoeuvred so everyone saw each feature, though background noise made the commentary hard to hear.

Michelle E. · March 2026

★★★★★

Premium van day to Milford Sound

Worthwhile stops, a vehicle that was not crowded and a friendly, informative guide. We paid extra to go back by fixed-wing plane, which added to the day.

Mona · Family · Australia · May 2026

★★★★★

Flight and cruise from Queenstown

Our pilot was reassuring, knowledgeable and professional. The views were beautiful throughout the whole flight and at the fiord.

Paige · Couples · Australia · May 2026

★★★★★

Overnight cruise with kayaks

The scenery, the kayaking, the swimming, the food and the service were all five-star. I was worried about the cost at first, and now I would recommend booking it.

Katie Y. · February 2025

★★★★★

Milford Sound overnight cruise in a cabin

We saw penguins and plenty of waterfalls from the cliffs. The stateroom was clean, the food plentiful, and it suits a family or a couple.

Teresa H. · Couples · November 2025

★★★★☆

Self-guided day walk from the fiord

It took about 50 to 60 minutes to reach the waterfall, over a number of rocky areas, so watch your ankles. The short ferry ride felt a little steep in price.

Brodie B. · February 2025

Read all reviews

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a ticket for Milford Sound?

No. There is no gate and no entry ticket. You book a cruise, or a tour or flight that includes one, and if you drive in you also pay the terminal car park.

Is there an entry fee in 2026?

No. A charge for international visitors at a few busy conservation sites has been proposed, and a bill had its first reading on 12 May 2026, but it is not law and no amount has been set. Fiordland National Park charges no entry fee.

How much does a Milford Sound cruise cost?

Day cruises that start at the terminal run from $93 to $116 a person in the current listings. Road days from Queenstown cost $151 to $250, and an overnight cruise costs far more.

How long is the drive from Queenstown?

The Department of Conservation puts the return trip at 600 km and 12 to 14 hours. Most road days from Queenstown run 11 to 13 hours with the cruise, so you spend far longer on the road than on the water.

Is a tour from Te Anau shorter?

Yes. Te Anau days run about 7 to 8.5 hours, with roughly two hours' drive each way, and DOC puts the Te Anau return trip at 240 km. Staying a night in Te Anau is the easiest way to shorten the day.

Which is the best Milford Sound tour from Queenstown?

It depends on what you want to trade. A 15-seat small-group day with a boutique cruise and lunch suits most people; a big coach is the cheapest road option; and a fly-cruise-fly day swaps most of the driving for about 40 minutes in the air each way.

How long is the cruise itself?

Between 1 hour 40 minutes and 2 hours 15 minutes, depending on the boat. Most sail the length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea and back.

Can you fly to Milford Sound?

Yes. Fly-cruise-fly trips from Queenstown take 4 to 5 hours, with flights of about 40 minutes each way and a cruise in between. Cloud can stop a flight, so leave a spare day in your plans if you can.

Is it worth going in the rain?

Often more so. Rain fills hundreds of short-lived waterfalls down the walls of the fiord. Flights are the part that cancels in bad weather; the boats usually sail.

Where do you park?

The terminal car park costs NZ$10 an hour before 3pm and takes cards only. The free car park at Deepwater Basin is a 20 to 40 minute walk from the terminal.

Is there fuel or phone signal on the road?

There is no fuel between Te Anau and the fiord, and little or no mobile coverage past Te Anau. Fill up before you leave; there is an emergency phone at the Homer Tunnel.

Will I see penguins?

The Fiordland crested penguin, or tawaki, breeds from July to November, when a sighting is likeliest. Bottlenose dolphins are occasional visitors and fur seals are common.

Is the Milford Road open in winter?

Usually, but it closes for avalanche control on about eight days a year, mostly in winter. Carry chains when the signs say so; you can hire them in Te Anau.

Can I cancel a Milford Sound tour?

Most listings refund in full if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. Both overnight cruises are non-refundable and cannot be changed once booked, so check the line under each price.

What should I bring?

A waterproof jacket, warm layers, insect repellent for the sandflies, snacks and a card for parking. The deck is cold and wet even on a sunny day.

See all FAQs

Photographs

Milford Sound Gallery

A small cruise boat below a long waterfall on a sheer green wall

A cruise boat under twin waterfalls in low evening light

A tall ship at anchor on grey water, kayakers paddling in front of it

A small plane on the airstrip below a sharp peak

Looking down on a waterfall and a cruise boat from the air

Two walkers with packs, seen from behind, looking up at a waterfall in the rainforest

View full gallery

Beyond the tour

Beyond the Tour

More ways to fill the day, or a longer stay. The best months for each are in the best time to visit Milford Sound.

The foreshore walk

From the terminal, the foreshore walk follows the water's edge for 20 to 30 minutes, free, with the land view of Mitre Peak.

Stops on the road back

The Chasm is open as a viewing walk, and kea are often met near the tunnel: watch them, and never feed one.

A night in Te Anau

Te Anau sits on its lake where the road begins, so a night there puts the fiord 120 km away the next morning.

Read before you go

Milford Sound Travel Guides and Advice

Planning

How to Visit Milford Sound: Cruises, the Road, Parking and What to Bring (2026)

There is no gate to pay at. What you do pay for, how long the drive takes, where to park and what to pack for a day on the fiord.

Read post →

On the water

Milford Sound From the Water: Every Waterfall, Peak and Cove on the Cruise

The route from the terminal to the Tasman Sea and back, with the waterfalls, peaks and coves you pass, in the order you pass them.

Read post →

The fiord

12 Milford Sound Facts That Will Surprise You

Why a fiord is called a sound, the fresh water that floats on the salt, the coral that grows in the dark, and the tunnel the road needed.

Read post →

Read all posts Planning guides

Where it is

Visitor Information for Milford Sound

Milford Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand
At the end of State Highway 94, 120 km past Te Anau

Nothing is loaded from Google until you press it.

Name

The Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, where every day cruise checks in at its operator's desk.

Address

State Highway 94, Milford Sound 9679, Southland, New Zealand.

Hours

The terminal publishes no opening hours. Each cruise's sailing time is set by its operator and shown when you book.

Getting there

Drive in on State Highway 94 from Te Anau, or arrive on a coach, a van or a small plane. The car parks, the airstrip and the walks are on the Milford Sound map.

Book Your Milford Sound Tour

Pick where your day starts, then choose your date. Cruises from the terminal start at $93 a person, you complete your booking at the fare shown on each card, and most tours refund in full up to 24 hours ahead.

See Top Tours