How to Get to Stewart Island: I Tried the Flight & Ferry

Are you planning a visit to New Zealand's Stewart Island and wondering just how the heck to get there? Or perhaps you know how already but are feeling torn between the flight and the ferry?

I get it. Before visiting Stewart Island for almost a week last December, I spent way too much time trying to decide whether I should fly or take the ferry.

After looking into them a bit more, I realized they cost almost exactly the same, so I thought why not try both? And I did exactly that: I took the flight there and the ferry back.

In this guide, I'll explain how to get to Stewart Island via the ferry or the flight and will compare the two options based on cost, views, comfort, luggage allowances, and overall experience.

Quick Answer: Ferry or Flight?

To get to Stewart Island, you either have to take a flight or a ferry. Here's the quick answer to which might be best for you:

⭐ What Did I Do?

I took the flight there and the ferry back. It's the best of both worlds if you want to experience both!

Getting to Invercargill or Bluff First

The Stewart Island flights leave from Invercargill, and the ferry leaves from Bluff. Both are located quite far south on the South Island, so you'll have to get to one of them first. Here are my tips to get there.

How to Get to Invercargill for the Flight

You have a few options for getting to invercargill:

• Fly into Invercargill Airport direct from Auckland or Christchurch ✈️
• Fly into Invercargill Airport with one stop from Wellington, Rotorua, Nelson, Tauranga, Napier, Hamilton, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Hokitika, Palmerston North, or Kerikeri ✈️
• Drive from Queenstown (~2.5 hours) 🚗
• Drive from Dunedin (~2.5 hours) 🚗

Personally, I drove to Invercargill from Dunedin, slowly making my way down the coast and checking out the beautiful area known as the Catlins.

Stewart Island Flight vs. Ferry Comparison Table

Now let's do a quick comparison between the flight and ferry options for getting to Stewart Island.

Taking the Stewart Island Flight

To get to Stewart Island, I took the approximately 20-minute flight from Invercargill.

What the Flight Is Like

Locals jokingly refer to the flight as “20 minutes of terror.” I lucked out with clear sunny skies though, so it was a lovely experience for me.

I will say though I'm not used to traveling in planes that are so small. I just kept reminding myself that they do these flights all the time, so there really wasn't anything to worry about.

To my surprise, the pilot directed me to sit in the co-pilot seat, so I probably had some of the best views! It was stunning taking off from Invercargill, seeing Stewart Island/Rakiura in the distance and then slowly approaching until we were just above the island.

They say about 85% of Stewart Island is Rakiura National Park, and seeing it from above really puts that into perspective. As far as you can see, it's just endless stretches of seemingly untouched forest.

I arrived about an hour before my flight, which honestly felt a little excessive at such a tiny airport. That said, Stewart Island Flights asks that checked bags be dropped off at least 30 minutes before departure, so I'd still recommend giving yourself 45 minutes to an hour of buffer.

Pros of Flying

Here are some pros to flying to Stewart Island:

• Fast
• Amazing views
• Less chance of nausea

Cons of Flying

Here are some cons when it comes to the flight:

• Small aircraft
• Strict luggage allowance
• No fuel canisters allowed on board
• Chance of weather delays

Taking the Stewart Island Ferry

For my return journey back to the South Island, I took RealNZ's approximately one-hour ferry.

What the Ferry Is Like

Locals jokingly call this one the “vomit comet” since the waters crossing the Foveaux Strait can be quite rough at times. For that reason, I popped some motion sickness medication beforehand.

Thankfully, our crossing wasn't too bumpy, and I ended up being absolutely fine.

That said, I could see how the journey could be quite miserable in rough waters. The ferry did feel quite crowded when I took it, so there were lots of people around me and I didn't have a great view out the windows. To be fair though, I was traveling during the busy summer holidays.

One thing I did appreciate was that there were multiple ways to enjoy the journey. There's a comfortable indoor seating area, but there's also an outdoor deck where you can take in the views and get some fresh air. If you luck out with good weather and calmer waters, I imagine spending more time outside would be lovely.

Unfortunately, it was a bit rainy during my crossing, and after a busy week exploring Stewart Island, I was feeling pretty tired myself. I mostly hunkered down inside with my complimentary cup of tea and watched the island slowly disappear behind us.

Even though I preferred the flight overall, I'm still glad I experienced the ferry. It was practical, comfortable enough, and I'd happily take it again especially if I were carrying more hiking gear.

Pros of Taking the Ferry

Here are some pros to taking the ferry:

• Ability to bring fuel canisters
• More generous luggage allowances
• Easier for hikers carrying lots of gear
• Outdoor viewing deck
• Complimentary tea or coffee included
• Slightly cheaper than the flight

Cons of Taking the Ferry

Here area few downsides to keep in mind:

• Higher risk of seasickness
• Longer journey time
• Can feel crowded during peak periods

How to Take the Flight One Way and the Ferry the Other

Still can't decide between the ferry and the flight? Why not take both like me? I actually think it's one of the best ways to experience Stewart Island from two completely different perspectives.

Here's what I ended up doing:

• Parked my car at Invercargill Airport. I originally chose this because of the luggage storage options available and because it felt a bit more secure to me, although the parking at the Bluff Ferry Terminal also looks pretty secure.
• Flew from Invercargill to Stewart Island.
• Picked up the backpacking meals, fuel canister, and groceries I had pre-ordered on the island. Doing this helped me stay within the flight's luggage allowance.
• Took the ferry back to Bluff.
• Caught a shuttle from Bluff back to Invercargill to retrieve my car.

In hindsight, this route probably made less sense for me geographically since I had driven down from the Catlins and was heading to Queenstown afterward. If I were doing it again with the same itinerary, I'd likely take the ferry to Stewart Island and fly back instead.

That said, I really don't think you can go wrong either way.

The biggest thing to keep in mind if you decide to do both is that you'll need transportation between Bluff and Invercargill. RealNZ offers shuttle transfers that coordinate with the ferry schedule, and if you already know your plans, it may be easiest to book them together. Otherwise, you can always arrange the shuttle separately.

Things to Keep in Mind Before You Book

As you decide between the ferry and the flight, here are a few things worth keeping in mind before you book.

They Cost Almost the Same

You might assume the flight would be much more expensive than the ferry, but they're actually extremely close in price.

The biggest exception is if you're carrying a lot of gear. Since the flight only includes 15 kg of checked baggage, excess luggage fees can add up quickly. If you're traveling light though, I wouldn't let price be the deciding factor.

Think About Your Backpacking Gear

If you're planning to do any multi-day backpacking (or tramping as they say in New Zealand), you'll want to think carefully about which transportation option you select since the flight limits you to checking up to 15 kg.

If you choose to go with the flight, then I recommend pre-ordering food, a fuel canister, lighter, etc. with the Stewart Island Outdoor Shop. That's what I did when I traveled there to hike and camp on the Rakiura Track for three days.

If you're going on a longer hike like the North West Circuit, then you might find it easier to take the ferry so you don't have to stress so much about your gear.

Motion Sickness Medication Is Worth Packing

Especially if you're taking the ferry, I highly recommend that you consider bringing motion sickness medicine with you. Weather can be extremely hard to predict for Stewart Island, so you never really know just how rough the seas will be.

Even if you end up with calm seas like I did, I'd rather have motion sickness medication and not need it than spend the crossing feeling miserable.

Consider Your Plans for the Island

Think about the activities you want to do on Stewart Island. If you're booking a guided tour to see kiwi, visit Ulva Island, or something else, you may already be spending quite a bit of time out on the water.

In that case, you might decide you'd rather fly to or from the island instead of taking the ferry both ways.

On the other hand, if you're not planning any other boat-based activities during your visit, the ferry can be a nice way to experience the Foveaux Strait and see Stewart Island from a different perspective.

Don't Forget Transfers

If you plan to take the flight one way and ferry the other, don't forget to book your transfer between the Invercargill Airport and Bluff Ferry Terminal.

And once you arrive in Stewart Island, you can likely walk to your accommodation. However, if you booked a hotel on the island, they might offer a free shuttle.

Where to Stay on Stewart Island

Have you booked your accommodation for Stewart Island yet? Accommodation can book up quickly, so I recommend checking that there's availability before you move forward with booking your transport to the island.

Here are the three places I stayed on the island that I'd recommend:

📍Budget Option: Stewart Island Backpackers is hostel in town offering small shared rooms, private rooms, and tent spots. I spent several nights here before my walk on the Rakiura Track.

📍Mid-Range Option: The South Sea Hotel typically has the most affordable private rooms in town. It feels very low budget, but if that's what you're looking for then it's a good option for you! Bonus is that the hotel is home to the only pub in town.

📍Luxury Option: The Bay Motel was my favorite place I stayed of these three. Rooms are spacious and have views of the bay or surrounding forests. I appreciated that they gave me a free ride to the ferry when I checked out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions on transportation to Stewart Island.

Book Your Transport to Stewart Island

As you can see, there's really no wrong answer when it comes to how to get to Stewart Island. Both the flight and ferry have their pros and cons.

If you're short on time, prone to seasickness, or want incredible aerial views of Stewart Island, I'd lean towards the flight. If you're carrying a lot of hiking gear, want more flexibility with luggage, or simply enjoy being out on the water, the ferry is a great option too.

Personally, if I were planning another trip to Stewart Island, I'd probably do exactly what I did before: take the flight one way and the ferry the other. It gave me the chance to experience the island from two completely different perspectives and made the journey there feel like part of the adventure.

Stewart Island ended up being one of my favorite places I visited during my year living in New Zealand. However you choose to get there, I have a feeling you'll understand why so many people fall in love with this wild little corner of the country.

➡️ Book Your Stewart Island Flights Here
➡️ Book Your Stewart Island Ferries Here