If you’re looking into the various Routeburn Track transport options, there’s plenty to choose from.
This post will cover all of the Routeburn transport options available to you. I’ll also cover related questions at the bottom of the post.
There are two trailheads for the Routeburn Track:
- Routeburn Shelter on the Glenorchy end.
- The Divide on the Milford Sound end.
THE 7 ROUTEBURN TRACK TRANSPORT OPTIONS
1. Self-Drive
2. Car Relocation Services
3. Routeburn Track Shuttle/Bus
4. Guided Tours
5. Key Swaps
6. Hitchhiking
7. The Wild Card
1. SELF DRIVING
This is a popular option for those who are planning to do either a Routeburn Track day walk or head into a hut/campsite for a night and return the following day.
The carpark isn’t secured overnight, but I’ve never heard of anyone having there car windows smashed. But of course, keep valuables out of sight etc.
There is another option. Walking the Routeburn – Caples Track or Routeburn – Greenstone Track. For the super keen, you could always do the full return.
A lot of people do day trips on the Routeburn Track from both ends, I’d choose whatever end works best for the rest of your itinerary. Here are some day walk options (easiest to hardest):
From the Routeburn Shelter:
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Routeburn Flats Hut
- Routeburn Falls
- Lake Harris
- Conical Hill
From The Divide:
- Key Summit
- Lake MacKenzie
- Lake Harris
- Conical Hill
The Caples and Greenstone tracks are becoming more popular and are seen as a good alternative to the Routeburn Track when the Routeburn is booked out, or the weather rules out the Routeburn.
The best way to combine the Routeburn with the Caples/Greenstone Tracks is to park at the Routeburn Shelter, walk the Routeburn, the return along the caples or Greenstone Track. The two-car parks are about 28km away from each other. This isn’t ideal, but fingers crossed you can hitch a ride in a reasonable time frame.
RELATED POST: THE GREENSTONE CAPLES TRACK TRANSPORT OPTIONS
2. ROUTEBURN CAR RELOCATION SERVICES
A Routeburn Track car relocation service is one of those things you won’t truly appreciate until you finish your adventure and get to drive your own car to your next destination. Most of the time this means you’ll finish at the Divide where you can then head to Milford Sound or Te Anau.
The various Routeburn car relocation companies have different options in terms of timing and pricing, so I’ll list them here and link directly to the relevant pages as the prices/timings can change, but they usually start from $300 and you’ll need to pay $40 for petrol.
It’s a 320km+ drive!
3. ROUTEBURN TRACK SHUTTLE/BUS
This is a great option if you’re hiking solo, or with 1-2 others. More than that and the car relocation service becomes the cheaper option.
There are various companies that’ll offer bus transport to the Routeburn Track from Queenstown, Te Anau, and Glenorchy. Considering how far you travel, the shuttles and Routeburn Track bus transport are good value.
Companies offering Routeburn Shuttles:
Another benefit to going on a shuttle bus I find, is the drivers are usually quite knowledgeable and happy to share information along the way. It’s almost like a guided drive to the trailhead.
4. BOOK A GUIDED WALK
I’ve not completed a guided walk in NZ but having worked in Macpac Frankton for a few years they are be popular (and enjoy). If you don’t book early it can be hard to find a spot.
Guided walks aren’t cheap. But I’ve heard the service, experience, and convenience are amazing (from people working for Ultimate Hikes and guests).
One of the best parts is they include transport to/from Queenstown so you don’t even need to think about your transport to the Routeburn Track.
There’s one company that specializes in multiday guided walks on the Routeburn, Ultimate Hikes.
If you’d like to do a day walk, Glenorchy Journeys, Fiordland Trips & Tramps, and Nomad Safaris can help with that.
5. ROUTEBURN TRACK KEY SWAPS
A key swap is a great option on an end-to-end hike. If you can pull it off.
In a perfect world, you’d have friends who are going to be doing the Routeburn Track at the same time. In this case, it’s a case of simply planning what day you’re going to aim to do the key swap, and aiming to meet at a certain point.
Ideally on day two at a hut…or at least an approximate time. It’s possible to miss each other if one party decides to go visit the Valley of the Trolls on a whim etc.
Planning a key swap with strangers takes some trust, but is possible. I haven’t done this yet, but there are a couple of Facebook Groups where you can post your plan and see if anyone else has a similar plan to you:
This is something you’ll need to take precautions with in terms of keeping safe etc.
6. HITCHHIKING
It’s possible to hitchhike a ride to/from both ends of the Routeburn Track.
To get to the Divide, you’ll need to pass through Te Anau, unless you’re flying to Milford Sound.
From Queenstown to Routeburn Shelter: I’ve written about hitchhiking from Queenstown previously, but to get to the Routeburn Shelter you’ll need to pass through Glenorchy. It’s easy enough to hitchhike to Glenorchy from just past the One Mile Carpark, on the edge of Queenstown. Try and start before 8 am and you’ll catch some of the tradies leaving town.
In a perfect world you’ll get a ride all the way to the Shelter, but in all likelihood, you’ll get dropped off in Glenorchy.
From here the traffic isn’t nearly as busy, but I’ve had good luck getting picked up while standing here. Not everyone will be going to the Routeburn, so make sure you don’t get taken in the wrong direction 🙂
To the Divide from Te Anau: To get to Te Anau to Queenstown see the hitchhiking from Queenstown post, or read about the different options to get from Queenstown to Te Anau here.
The Divide is an easy place to hitch to from Te Anau, as it’s on the Te Anau-Milford highway and lots of people will be driving through to Milford Sound. But, you might find it takes a couple of rides with people stopping off at various places along the way.
You can hitch from the centre of town, but I’d prefer to walk out to this area.
7. THE WILD CARD
If you want to combine an epic experience with getting to the Routeburn Track, take a scenic flight to Milford Sound, then get a transfer to The Divide (you can book this with Air Milford). This means you don’t need to do the long drive between The Divide and Queenstown.
Once you complete the track you can catch the bus back to Queenstown.
This would be an epic day out!
A few common questions:
Is there accommodation in and/or near Glenorchy I can stay at before hiking the Routeburn Track?
Yes, there’s a few options you can book in Glenorchy. Or you can camp at the trailhead of the Lake Sylvan Track which is beautiful. And another option is the Kinloch Wilderness Retreat which was stunning when I visited.
What’s the cheapest way to get to the Routeburn Track?
Hitchhiking!
How to get to the Routeburn Track with kids?
If you haven’t got a car, then I’d choose a shuttle company if you’re hiking independently. But the tour companies are usually ok with bringing kids along for their day hikes. I’d suggest calling them in advance first.
I hope this post has helped you figure out the best Routeburn Track transport options for your needs. If you have any questions or comments about getting to the Routeburn track, ask in the comments below or email jub@churnewzealand.com.
Still not sure what the best transport to Routeburn Track is for you for some reason?
Many of the companies mentioned above are happy to change the stated itinerary to meet your needs. Just give them a call or head into the DOC visitor centres who will be happy to figure out a solution for you.
WHAT TO READ NEXT:
Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.