Milford Sound Tour Review 2026: Plane vs. Bus, My Top Pick

If you're planning a trip to New Zealand's South Island,

the tour you'll likely spend the most time thinking about is

Milford Sound.

I also wondered, "Should I go by bus, or take a scenic flight?"

I spent a lot of time weighing the options.

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Even though it was more expensive, after experiencing the tour by scenic flight,

I didn't regret the cost at all and had no regrets.

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Especially if it's your honeymoon, taking a small plane

offers a romantic experience soaring through the sky and

allows you to create unique memories, which is why I recommend it.

By taking the scenic flight, I was able to save about 6 hours of travel time,

making the trip more relaxed. We also went at a time when there weren't many crowds,

which was great for taking photos and enjoying ourselves.

The schedule finished early, so in the afternoon, we even went to Onsen Hot Pools.

For a honeymoon where every passing day feels precious,

the scenic flight Milford Sound tour was absolutely perfect!

I'll delve into more details below!

Here's the tour I booked and paid for myself 👇

Milford Sound Flight & Cruise Experience (Queenstown Departure) - Klook3ha.in

Scenic Flight vs. Bus: Which to Choose?

Milford Sound tours mostly depart from Queenstown.

There are two main ways to get there.

Usually, most people choose the bus tour to Milford Sound.

But for my honeymoon, I opted for the scenic flight.

Although it's pricier, it saved a lot of time,

which meant we could also go to Onsen Hot Pools in the afternoon.

It felt like I was buying time with money, you could say.

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If you're on a budget, the bus is certainly a good option,

but if your itinerary is tight or it's your honeymoon,

I highly recommend the scenic flight!

Here's the tour I used ▶ https://3ha.in/r/543836

Milford Sound Flight & Cruise Experience (Queenstown Departure) - Klook3ha.in

Milford Sound Scenic Flight Review

* The **Milford Sound scenic flight** I took

was with **true south**.

When I made the reservation, I entered my accommodation address,

and a pickup vehicle came directly to the designated hotel.

However, there’s one important thing you absolutely need to remember.

Milford Sound is an area heavily influenced by weather,

so **tour times can be changed or even canceled.**

My tour was originally scheduled for an 11 AM departure,

but due to weather conditions, it was changed to 8 AM.

Make sure to check your email frequently while traveling!

Before boarding the scenic flight, they measured our weight,

and we were assigned seats.

We took a small scenic plane that accommodated a total of seven people,

including the pilot.

I was a little nervous at first,

but as we flew and the scenery unfolded before my eyes,

any fear or apprehension quickly melted away.

Experiencing New Zealand's glaciers, lakes, and mountain ranges from the sky

was truly a special moment.

Milford Sound Cruise Review

* The **Milford Sound cruise** I took

was with **Pure Milford**.

After getting off the scenic flight, we all took a bus,

and finally headed to board the Milford Sound cruise!

What I loved most about taking the Milford Sound cruise

was, first and foremost, the scenery...!

I could **fully immerse myself in the natural beauty**,

including the fjord cliffs and waterfalls.

It was also fantastic for taking photos,

so I took lots of pictures to commemorate our honeymoon,

and even asked other passengers on the cruise

to snap some shots for us, haha!

We also spotted **sea lions**

resting on the rocks, haha!

Another great thing was that

we could enjoy **complimentary drinks** to our heart's content!

Inside the cruise, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate were available for free,

and enjoying a warm hot chocolate on the cruise

was pure bliss...❤️

Before booking the tour, I looked up a lot of reviews,

and it seemed that if you took the Milford Sound tour by bus,

many people would board the cruise all at once,

and there were many reviews saying it was **too crowded to enjoy leisurely**.

Since I traveled to Milford Sound by scenic flight,

I **arrived quickly**, and it was definitely not crowded on the cruise itself,

allowing me to **take photos and enjoy everything at my own pace!**

They even let me try driving the cruise ship,

so I got to turn the steering wheel, lol!

Where else could you have an experience like this...!!

After the tour, when we returned to Queenstown,

it was perfectly timed for lunch.

Everything just fell into place so smoothly!

We could leisurely proceed with our afternoon plans,

and it was great not having to dedicate an entire day

solely to the Milford Sound tour.

Every single day on a honeymoon is precious,

so if we had spent a whole day traveling by bus

just for the Milford Sound tour,

I think it would have been quite a waste 🥲.

Klook Discount Coupon

I booked through Klook,

and the booking process was super easy, plus using it was really convenient.

Since Milford Sound tour prices in New Zealand can be a bit steep,

for those of you looking for discount coupons,

I'll share some Klook discount codes that can save you up to ~$5.

🔻🔻🔻

Validity: Until September 30, 2026, 23:59

During peak season, your preferred time slots tend to fill up fast,

so if your travel dates are set,

I highly recommend booking in advance!

>> Go to Klook <<

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Overall Thoughts

Milford Sound was the place I was most looking forward to

on my New Zealand trip,

and visiting it actually exceeded all my expectations.

The views of the South Island from the scenic flight, in particular,

were incredibly moving in a way photos simply can't capture,

and being able to drastically cut down on travel time meant

I could plan my itinerary much more efficiently!

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While the price might make you hesitate,

if it's for a honeymoon or a once-in-a-lifetime

New Zealand trip, I truly believe it's an experience

that's absolutely worth it and will leave you satisfied.

After all, when else would you get to ride a scenic plane? 😉

I recommend making the most of those Klook discount coupons

to snag a slightly more reasonable price

and experience it for yourself!

~$5 Discount Coupon Code: sehshiganjeon260003

🔻🔻🔻

Milford Sound Flight & Cruise Experience (Departing Queenstown) - Klook3ha.in

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