Queenstown · MILFORD SOUND DAY TRIPS

The 15 Best Milford Sound Day Trips from Queenstown

114 tours  ·  from $47 a head

It is 290km each way, so the only real question is how you cover the road. These 15 compare coach and cruise, fly-cruise-fly and the small-group runs on price, total hours and how long you actually spend on the water.

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown - Eglinton Valley and the Mirror Lakes
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Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

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

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

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a small guided van, with scenic stops, picnic lunch, and a two-hour fiord cruise.

“The day started early and it's quite a long drive there and back but we did get to stop along the way to grab a quick bite. Our guide/driver was Jess and she was awesome! She provided lots of information and history about New Zealand and tried to keep us interested during our long journey. Once we arrived, we did the Milford Sound cruise (which includes lunch on the boat). It was an amazing experience and the views are incredible. This tour provides an easy way to see Milford Sound although if you're prone to car sickness, I would recommend taking something for that as as times it is quite…”

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Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience - The cabin, decks, and onboard comfort
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Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

2.Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

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

Review of Cruise Milford’s small boat tour, with close waterfall and wildlife views, live commentary, hot drinks, pricing, parking, and practical tips.

“Great cruise of Milford Sounds. The staff were helpful. As promised a small boutique cruise. An informative cruise and easy to check in. Very punctual so be on time and allow time to get parking. Would recommend highly”

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Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise - From Milford Sound Wharf to Mitre Peak
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Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

3.2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

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

Review of Mitre Peak Cruises’ two-hour Milford Sound trip, with small boats, waterfall spray, wildlife, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“Fun cruise! We enjoyed the trip on the smaller Mitre Peaks boat. Commentary was engaging. Quinn's energy was EXCELLENT. Beautiful views”

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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise - Lake Te Anau gives the morning a proper beginning
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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

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

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

Review of Altitude Tours’ small-group Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown, with scenic stops, picnic lunch, and a 1 hour 45 minute cruise.

“We had an incredible time! Chase was our guide and he ensured we stayed on track with the schedule and were able to experience the entire itinerary. The trip was seamless and the weather was perfect. Chase was knowledgeable, courteous, and a great driver! I would highly recommend this tour compared to the big bus options.”

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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown - The Queenstown departure at True South Flights
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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

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

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

Fly from Queenstown over the Southern Alps, cruise Milford Sound, and return by a different scenic route in this efficient half-day tour.

“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 Cruise and Coach Day Tour - Milford Road and the best photo stops
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Tour

6.Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,681 reviews · 12 hours · from $162

Review of RealNZ’s Queenstown to Milford Sound coach and cruise, with scenic stops, guide tips, costs, comfort, and practical advice.

“Craig was our driver and he was very good , really safe driver no messing about and was a genuinely nice man.”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat - Pickup from Queenstown and check-in at Frankton
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise - Bowen Falls, Sinbad Gully, and Mt. Pembroke
2-Hour Experiences, Boat Tours in Fiordland, Cruises & Boat Tours, Fiordland Tours, Milford Sound Day Trips, Tour Reviews

2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

8.2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

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

Review of Mitre Peak Cruises’ 2-hour Milford Sound trip, with waterfalls, wildlife, smaller boats, practical tips, price, and honest drawbacks.

“My family enjoyed this tour. I booked with this company as it's advertised as less people on the boat than some of the bigger boats. The tour was fully booked as it was over the holidays, but it was still pleasant. We found a seat on the top Read more”

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Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau - Mirror Lakes and the first taste of Fiordland
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Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

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

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

Review of the Te Anau to Milford Sound day tour, with small-group transport, scenic stops, morning tea, wildlife, and a two-hour cruise.

“Tanya, our expert guide was so knowlegeable, very entertaining and highly professional. We had a brilliant day. Cant recommend it highly enough. On top of that the lunch provided was delicious. We also welcomed her recommendations for places to eat and shop. Captain Chris also entertaining, and gave us an interesting experience, including a Glacial Facial, for those needing it or wanting it!”

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Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran - Finding Pure Milford at the terminal
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Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran

10.Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,006 reviews · 1h 45m · from $92Best value

Review of Pure Milford’s 105-minute catamaran cruise, with waterfall views, wildlife, live commentary, practical tips, and value advice.

“The Skippers excellent, witty and fun narrative, with so many interesting facts. The stability of the craft, friendly nature of the crew.”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach - The early road to Te Anau
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

11.Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

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

Review of Southern Discoveries’ Queenstown to Milford Sound coach trip, with scenic stops, a two-hour cruise, practical tips, and value advice.

“This was a fantastic experience. The coach was really comfortable with plenty of leg room and lots of pit stops on the way. The tour guide, Junior (Craig) was the best tour guide. He was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and made the long journey there more engaging. He even arranged for us to get a scenic flight on the way back. The boat ride itself was fantastic too.”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise - Photo stops that make the coach ride worthwhile
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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

12.Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

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

Review of the Te Anau to Milford Sound coach and cruise, with scenic stops, local guides, picnic lunch, value, and practical tips.

“Brian the coach driver was excellent and so was the boat skipper (I think his name was Jim). Both very knowledgeable and gave really good commentaries. A very enjoyable day all round. Excellent!!!”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks - A comfortable van and a guide who earns the microphone
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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

13.Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

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

Explore Milford Sound from Te Anau by small van, short forest walks, picnic lunch, and a two-hour cruise with local Fiordland guides.

“The whole trip was great well organised and a very knowledgeable guide . As for Milford sound it didn’t disappoint.”

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Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown - Leaving Queenstown beside Lake Wakatipu
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Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

14.Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 789 reviews · from $152

Review of the Milford Sound coach and cruise from Queenstown, with scenic stops, lunch, guide tips, costs, comfort, weather, and value.

“Mixed review. Not happy with the lunch given. Lunch given at around 2:45pm. Atleast give some good options. The variety of pies could be chicken, veg or steak and cheese. Too poor for the price charged. The travel was good and cruise was lovely. The coach was disappointing as no glass coach. I need a refund. This was not what we were expecting.”

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Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau - Eglinton Valley and the first Fiordland views
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Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

15.Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 755 reviews · from $185

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound with a small group, picnic lunch, scenic stops, and a close-up cruise through Fiordland.

“This tour was next level - every part of the day was so well planned and executed, it was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Our guide for the day Jeremy was lovely and incredibly knowledgeable. We stopped at different places along the way and got great knowledge about the history of Milford Sound and the Fiordlands national park. The cruise itself was excellent and awe inspiring (also the packed lunch provided was very hearty, and they catered to my dietary requirements so well). Highly recommend!”

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New in Milford Sound Day Trips

★ 4.9Milford Sound Scenic Flight & Nature TourFrom $3283 reviews
★ 5.0Coach, Farm Tour & Milford Nature CruiseFrom $2183 reviews
★ 5.04 Day Tour to Milford Sound, Mount Cook & More from QueenstownFrom $2,2033 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Nature Cruise and Self-Guided Scenic Track WalkFrom $1484 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Coach & Extended Cruise from QueenstownFrom $2074 reviews
★ 5.0Queenstown to Te Anau via Milford Sound inc Cruise & LunchFrom $2084 reviews
★ 4.8Milford Sound Business Class with CruiseFrom $4174 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Day Trip – Cruise & Picnic LunchFrom $2324 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Grand Tour Helicopter Scenic Flight Departing from Milford SoundFrom $5554 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from QueenstownFrom $9615 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Private Day Trip from Queenstown via Te AnauFrom $4126 reviews
★ 4.4Milford Sound Flight with Landing & Glaciers7 reviews
★ 5.0Epic Milford Guided Tour from Te AnauFrom $1547 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Tour: Cruise & FlightFrom $5517 reviews
★ 5.0Queenstown to Te Anau via Milford Sound inc Cruise & LunchFrom $2168 reviews

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