New Zealand’s Great Walks are a bucket list item for many, but they don’t come cheap. The cost of hiking the Milford Track can be especially high because of how rural and in-demand it is. It’s known as one of the most beautiful hikes in the world! If you can afford it, it’s definitely worth it. Bookings for the summer season typically sell out in minutes. So if you’re lucky enough to secure a spot, it’s helpful to be prepared for all the associated costs. I’ve broken it down into segments and summarize it at the end, so keep scrolling!
This post contains affiliate links. This means I may get a commission if you buy/book something I’ve linked to. I only ever recommend things I have used or would use myself. All prices are listed in NZD.
Hut accommodation cost of hiking the Milford Track
I went in 2023 but will update this post regularly to keep up with the changing costs for current seasons. In 2025/26, the cost of one night in a shared dorm was $103 for residents and $152 for international hikers.
So 3 nights come to $318 per person if you live in New Zealand, or $456 if you’re visiting from overseas.
The walk takes four days, and there are no cheaper alternatives like camp sites. There is a more bougie and expensive alternative with more amenities if you want to join the Ultimate Hikers group, and this costs a mere $2,800 to $7,000 per person. The price includes transport, meals, and lodges with way more amenities than the regular huts… but it’s still extremely expensive.
Unfortunately, the bookings are very limited, so there’s no guarantee you’ll get one on the dates you want. (Or at all!)
The website actually crashed in 2023 and again in 2024 because so many people tried to reserve their spot as soon as the booking site opened. But they revamped it and the system was much smoother in 2025.
Dumpling Hut, Milford Track
Read more: What are the Milford Track Huts Like?
Transport cost of hiking the Milford Track
We were just focused on getting a booking and hadn’t considered the other factors that determine the total cost of hiking the Milford Track, so it was a bit of a shock to the ol’ wallet. There are only a couple of options and no real or convenient way to book each stage of the transport on your own. To ensure your trip there and back is seamless, you could do what we did and book with Fiordland Outdoors, or check out another option like Tracknet or Klook.
Consider whether you plan to stay in Queenstown or Te Anau and be sure to double check exactly what each transport company offers. For example, that link above for Klook may look a lot cheaper than the others, but it only includes the boats. You still have to get to Te Anau Downs and back from Milford Sound. Very sneaky. Even if you can drive yourself to Te Anau Downs, how will you get back to your car from Milford? These are important considerations.
I recommend Fiordland Outdoors.
They took care of our bus and boat transfers on both sides of the track. The cost per person is $345, and it’s the same for local and international hikers. The team was super friendly and the trip was seamless.
Flights contribute to the cost of hiking the Milford Track
You’ll need flights unless you live in Queenstown or Wanaka or something. But for the purpose of this article, I’ll assume we’re all coming from further away.
You can sometimes find $99 one-way domestic flights from Auckland to Queenstown with Air New Zealand or on Grab a Seat. Keep in mind that $99 doesn’t include a checked bag, seat selection, yada yada, so it’ll be more than that. Flights from Christchurch can be as low as $69.
Our return trip from Auckland cost $275 per person, but Chesney and I had enough Airpoints to cover both of us. So this part of the journey was actually free!
The cost of accommodation before and after the track
We were lucky to have a free spot to stay with friends in Queenstown which cut down on our costs, so that was a blessing. If you’ve been to Queenstown before, I’d suggest staying in Te Anau because it’s much closer to the track. It’s cheaper overall and actually really cute! But if you’ve never been to Queenstown, it’s kind of a must, so definitely be sure to incorporate at least a few days into your itinerary before or after you do the Great Walk.
I’d estimate that the cost of one night in a hotel or Airbnb in Queenstown is around $250, while Te Anau is around the $200 mark. You might also consider a hostel dorm to keep costs down because the total cost of hiking the Milford Track adds up pretty quickly. The cheapest hostel in Te Anau is the Possum Lodge with $25 dorm beds.
Assuming you’ll have more than just your hiking clothes and backpack, you need to leave your bags somewhere when you’re on the trail. And you don’t want to spend $800 on 4 nights of accommodation you won’t even be using. So instead, you could leave your bags with a service like Mind My Bag. It’ll be about $50 to store your bags for 4 nights. I’ve never done this, but this would be a much cheaper option.
You could also stay at a hotel or hostel on either side of the hike, and many will hold your bag while you’re away for like 5 bucks a day, or maybe even free.
Total Cost of Hiking the Milford Track
Ok, we now have everything now under consideration. Here are two options that show the total cost of hiking the Milford Track.
Lowest cost to hike the Milford Track
- Local hut rate $106 x 3 = $318
- Fiordland Outdoors transport from Te Anau Downs: $145
- Return flights from Christchurch to Queenstown (incl. checked bag): $197
- One night of dorm accom in Te Anau: = $25
- Free baggage storage while on the trail: $0
Total $685 per person
Highest cost to hike the Milford Track
- International hut rate $152 x 3 = $456
- Fiordland Outdoors transport from Queenstown: $345
- Domestic return flights from Auckland (incl. checked baggage): $299
- Five nights of accom in Queenstown (with free bag storage): $200 x 5 = $1,000
Total $2,100 per person
Assuming you’re traveling alone from another country and pay for the whole accommodation. Realistically, you’ll find something between the best and worse case.
There’s also the cost of food and hiking gear, but that’s sooooo subjective and depends on too many factors for me to consider on your behalf. I don’t even like math.
The Milford Track is sold out for 2025/26, but you can always plan for next year, or check out the other Great Walks!
The Department of Conservation (DOC) outlines all the booking dates here. If you’ve missed the multi-day Milford Track, you can hop on a boat and do a day walk on the final stretch of the trail. It’s a great way to get a taste without having to front the full cost of hiking the Milford Track!
Things to do in Milford Sound before/after the hike
Milford Sound isn’t exactly easy to get to, and it’s known as the 8th Wonder of the World. (Well, one of many…) So you should totally make the most of your time by fitting in some activities before or after your hike! Sure, these add on adventures will add to the total cost of hiking the Milford Track, but YOLO.
We booked an incredible cruise through Milford Sound. This is a once in a lifetime experience and a cool way to see the stunning landscapes you just hiked through (or will hike through) from a different perspective.
If the weather looks nice enough, you could also go kayaking, which would be absolutely unreal. I wish I’d known this was a thing when I was there. Te Anau’s glow worm caves are another must-do activity in the area.
Check BookMe for great discounts on activities around Queenstown, Te Anau, and Milford Sound.