Visiting Franz Josef Glacier — Plan Your Trip

Everything you need to plan a Franz Josef Glacier trip: how to get there, when to go, where the tours leave from, and how to give yourself the best chance of clear skies.

When to visit

Franz Josef tours run year-round, weather permitting. Summer brings the longest days and the busiest bookings, so reserve well ahead. Winter can deliver crisp, clear mornings with fresh snow on the tops, though it also brings more flight cancellations. Whatever the season, the single best tactic is to plan your glacier day early in your stay. That leaves room to try again if the first attempt is grounded.

Getting there

The glacier sits on State Highway 6 on the West Coast of the South Island. Most visitors arrive by road, either driving the coast or on a scheduled coach. From Queenstown it is a long drive, and a specialist operator runs a fixed-wing day trip that flies in and out instead. Franz Josef village itself is small and walkable, with the tour bases clustered along Main Road and Cron Street.

Where the tours depart

Helicopter and heli-hike operators check in from bases in the village. The kayak and cruise operators meet you in the village too, then transfer you out to Lake Mapourika by coach. Parking is available at the operator bases and at the public glacier-valley car park.

What to bring

Warm layers and secure footwear suit every tour. Avoid jeans on the walks and kayaks, where you may get wet. Sandflies are common near the lake and forest, so pack cover and repellent. Sunglasses and a camera round out the list, though remember that personal cameras aren't allowed on the skydive.

How long to stay

One full day is enough to see the glacier and do a single flight or walk. Two nights is more comfortable, and it builds in the weather buffer that flights so often need. A longer stay lets you add the lake, the rainforest and a second glacier view without rushing.

Choosing your tour

The decision comes down to how close to the ice you want to get, and whether you'll fly. Walk the options — flights, heli-hikes and valley walks — on the Franz Josef Glacier tours homepage, and read the detail in the FAQs before you book.

At a glance