Summer 101 - Transport & Parking

Don’t spend your summer break stuck in traffic! It’s our busiest time of year and that always means more cars on the roads trying to get to the best spots. It’s always a bit of a crazy time but if more of us try some of these tips, even just occasionally, it might make things a bit less hectic out there.

• Avoid peak travel times, or even consider ditching the car for shorter journeys where possible. 

• Plan ahead and allow plenty of extra time if you need to catch a flight.  Expect heavy traffic and delayed travel times, particularly around hotel and holiday home check out time (mid morning).

• Choose different modes of transport to ease congestion on our roads – we have plenty of beautiful trails to get you from A to B!

• Consider using the bus to travel around Whakatipu – it's cheap and easy plus no parking planning involved!  

• Always allow extra time for your journey over this period and avoid getting ‘hangry’ or worse, dehydrated, by making sure you keep plenty of snacks and water in the car – just in case you get stuck for a while.

And as always, plan ahead for your journey by using Waka Kotahi’s journey planner app.

Planning on taking the hassle of parking these holidays and using public transport to get around? We’ve got all the key bus and ferry information you need to know about for the festive season:

There will be no Orbus or ferry services in Queenstown and around the Whakatipu Basin on Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December).

Usual timetables will run as expected on all other days throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

Summer’s better by bus – get the latest information on bus and ferry timetables and routes via ORC's website.

Looking for parking options? Check out some of the maps below, or head to our Parking page.

• Queenstown Parking Map

• Wānaka Parking Map

There will be no significant work happening at the Frankton Intersection and Bus Hub project site between 19 December 2025 - 4 January 2026.  Traffic management will be pulled back as much as safely possible. 

There will be some minor work restarting at the intersection from 5 January.  

Head to the NZTA website for more on this project.  

The best Christmas is a careful Christmas. If you’re going to be behind the wheel these holidays, please take your time and plan ahead. It’s not about getting there as fast as possible. It’s about getting there safe and sound.  Slow down and enjoy the ride, it's the holidays after all! 

Here are some safety tips: 

• always drive sober - if you’re going to enjoy a few drinks with family and friends, make plans to have a sober driver or an alternative and safe way home ready to go

• always wear your seatbelt

• don’t drive tired - for longer trips you should take a rest break every two hours

• stay patient - it's busier than usual at this time of year