Rome2Rio

How to get fromSan Francisco to Wānakaby plane, bus, or train

Find Transport to Wānaka

See all options

There are 5 ways to get from San Francisco to Wānaka by plane, bus, or train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Queenstown Airport, bus

    best
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Queenstown Airport (ZQN)plane plane SFO - ZQN
    2. Take the bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka lakefrontbus bus
    21h 22m
    $862–2,766

  2. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Invercargill, bus

    cheapest
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Invercargill (IVC)plane plane SFO - IVC
    2. Take the bus from Invercargill to Queenstownbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Frankton Bus Hub to Medical Centre Wanakabus bus
    26h 51m
    $827–2,551

  3. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Dunedin, bus

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dunedin (DUD)plane plane SFO - DUD
    2. Take the bus from Dunedin Airport to Cromwellbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Cromwell to Wanaka lakefrontbus bus
    24h 17m
    $1,270–4,320

  4. Fly Oakland International Airport to Queenstown Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Queenstown Airport (ZQN)plane plane OAK - ZQN
    2. Take the bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka lakefrontbus bus
    23h 41m
    $1,055–3,459

  5. Caltrain to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to Queenstown Airport, bus

    1. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Queenstown Airport (ZQN)plane plane SJC - ZQN
    3. Take the bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka lakefrontbus bus
    24h 35m
    $1,017–3,270

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Queenstown Airport (ZQN) flights

Calendar27Weekly Planes
Duration19h 11mAverage Duration
Ticket$799Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Francisco to Wānaka.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 11,571.6 km
  • Duration: 21h 22m

What companies run services between San Francisco, CA, USA and Wānaka, New Zealand?

There is no direct connection from San Francisco to Wānaka. However, you can take the subway to San Francisco International Airport, walk to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) airport, fly to Queenstown Airport (ZQN), walk to Queenstown Airport, then take the bus to Wanaka lakefront. Alternatively, you can take the subway to San Francisco International Airport, walk to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) airport, fly to Dunedin (DUD), walk to Dunedin Airport, take the bus to Cromwell, then take the bus to Wanaka lakefront.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around the world?

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including Need to know: Greyhound, Slovenia: Getting from Ljubljana to Lake Bled, and Bali: What to do if Mount Agung erupts - to help you get the most out of your next trip.