Franz Josef Glacier is one of the most beautiful natural wonders on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Stretching for around 12 km and descending from the Southern Alps to less than 300 m above sea level, it is one of the most accessible glaciers in the country to see, with several viewpoints, scenic flights, and guided heli-hikes available around the area.
With such close proximity to the glacier, Franz Josef town offers a slew of opportunities to go on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that you won't find anywhere else.
From hiking on the glacier to skydiving over the Southern Alps, here is a complete backpacking guide to Franz Josef, with a list of epic things you can do here and all the other information you need to plan a great trip to Franz Josef Glacier. Without further ado, let's take a look at Franz Josef's itinerary map:
Franz Josef Glacier Things to Do Itinerary Map
Franz Josef Glacier vs Fox Glacier
The question I get asked the most about visiting the glaciers in the South Island is, "Which one should I visit, Franz Josef or Fox Glacier?" This is a question as old as time. Many travelers fear that they might be missing out on certain activities if they decide to visit one of these.
Both Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier offer excellent ways to experience Glacier Country, including ground-based viewpoints, scenic helicopter flights, and guided heli-hikes. The exact tours and walking access are not identical, though, so it is worth choosing based on the activities you want to do rather than assuming both places offer exactly the same experience.
Fox Glacier is around 13 km long, while Franz Josef Glacier is around 12 km long. Both descend unusually close to sea level, but the landscapes and viewpoints around each glacier are different.
So, to answer your question, "Which one should I visit, Franz Josef or Fox Glacier?" either makes a great base. If you have enough time, they are only about 24 km apart, so you can easily visit both areas.
In fact, you can even visit both from one place if you book this helicopter tour, which ultimately solves all the problems you have in picking one over the other 😉. To book a helicopter tour to see both, you can click the link below:
5 Best Things To Do in Franz Josef
1. Hike the Franz Josef Glacier with Heli Hike Tour
- 📍 Location: Franz Josef Glacier [Map Link]
- 💰 Tour Price: 899 NZD
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is, of course, the highlight of my visit, although be sure to leave some buffer days, as it was canceled the first day I tried to do it."
One of the best things to do in Franz Josef, if not the whole of New Zealand, is to hike on the icy blocks of the stunning Franz Josef Glacier, and you can do just that with the Franz Josef Heli Hike Tour.
Due to the forever-retreating glacier caused by Global Warming, Franz Josef Glacier is no longer accessible on foot like it used to be many years ago. The only way you can get up on the glacier now is via helicopter. With the Franz Josef Heli Hike Tour, you will be helicoptered up the glacier, where you will be guided through each section of the glacier on foot.
The Franz Josef Heli Hike Tour currently costs 899 NZD per person. It is expensive, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I highly recommend you go for it if you are already in Franz Josef.
- Rainforest Retreat Backpackers (Budget)
- 58 On Cron Motel (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (High-End)
- Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour (3 hours)
- Glacier Explorer - 1 Glacier with Snow Landing - 25min (25 minutes)
- Pilot's Choice - 2 Glaciers with Snow Landing - 35mins (35 minutes) 🏅 Top Pick
Just make sure to keep your expectations in check since the tour will rely heavily on the weather. If visibility is poor or the wind is too strong, they might delay or even cancel the trip entirely, so do not be disappointed.
It is more common than you think. I also had my first flight canceled despite the clear sunny weather, but it was due to the strong wind, so they had to cancel it last minute. I ended up extending my stay, and fortunately, I was able to do it the next day. Nothing tests your patience more than waiting to go on one of these epic flights!
From Franz Josef town, if the weather permits, you will be taken to a helicopter pad, and they will fly you up to the top of the glacier. From the helicopter, you will be able to see the amazing features of the glacier and get a glimpse of just how big Franz Josef Glacier really is.
Once you arrive at the landing site, you will be dropped off, and then safety equipment like crampons, gaiter leg covers, etc. will be given to you to help navigate the glacier safely.
From there, the guide will help instruct you on the dos and don'ts of hiking around glaciers. Stay away from the edge of the crevasse, always hold on to installed ropes, and do not go off-trail.
When I did the Franz Josef heli hike, I spent around 3 hours hiking on the glacier. The current tour runs for up to 4 hours in total and includes up to 2.5 hours on the ice, so the exact experience is a little shorter now than it was during my trip.
The hike will take you up higher and higher along steep ice blocks, where you will have to haul yourself up using the installed ropes. The further up you climb, the true scale of the glacier will start to become clearer and clearer.
Hiking around on the ice, hauling yourself up the rope, and squeezing yourself through 2 blocks is not easy and requires you to have some level of fitness. After about an hour of hiking, I started to feel a little breathless, to be honest. Thankfully, there were many stops and plenty of photo opportunities to break up the climb.
At one point, you will be met with a decision of whether to squeeze yourself through this extremely narrow passage between 2 massive blocks of ice or to go around it. Of course, I went for the narrow passage, and boy, was it terrifying.
I am certain that it is everyone's greatest fear to be stuck between two blocks of ice that weighed several tons, and that is what I felt when I was stuck in between the ice blocks and couldn't go back. I literally had to bend every part of my body just to slide through the last part of the passage. Thank God for the frictionless ice!
After around 3 hours of hiking during my trip, I was completely drained and ready for a nap. The helicopter came to pick us up at the end of the session and took us back to Franz Josef town. Today, the standard heli hike includes up to 2.5 hours on the ice.
Book the Franz Josef Heli Hike Tour
Where to Stay in Franz Josef Glacier?
2. See Franz Josef Glacier From the Ground for Free
- 📍 Location: Franz Josef Glacier [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's a long walk, but definitely fun to do, and you can see just how much the glacier retreated from where I stood."
If you are looking to see Franz Josef Glacier from the ground for free, you can still walk out from Franz Josef township. The current route follows Te Ara a Waiau for about 4 km to the glacier car park, followed by the short Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere Walk through the rainforest to the viewing area. The Waiho River now cuts off access farther up the valley, so you can no longer follow the old valley route all the way toward the glacier like I did when I visited.
When I visited, I followed the old Franz Josef Glacier Walk after crossing the Waiho River bridge and continued along the valley toward the glacier. That route has since changed significantly. Today, walkers should follow Te Ara a Waiau from town toward the glacier car park and use the current marked DOC tracks and viewpoints from there.
Once you arrive at the trailhead, all you have to do is follow the trail that runs alongside the river, and Franz Josef Glacier will start to appear behind the mountains.
When I was there, the old Franz Josef Glacier Walk I followed was about 5.3 km roundtrip from the valley trailhead, and walking from town made it a 3 to 4-hour outing. Today, Te Ara a Waiau is about 8.7 km return between Franz Josef township and the glacier car park, taking around 2 hours on foot, and you can add the short glacier viewpoint walks from the car park.
You can also hitchhike if you wish, as there will be a lot of travelers driving this road to go see the glacier as well. If you have never hitchhiked before, New Zealand is probably the best place to start. The country is as safe as it gets for hitchhiking.
You will be walking on rocky river beds as you approach the glacier, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes for the hike. The hike is stunning, and the view of Franz Josef Glacier from the river bed is worth all the sweat.
I highly recommend that you do this hike, even if you have already gone on the heli-hike tour. The view from the ground will allow you to see the true scale of Franz Josef Glacier, which you won't be able to see when you are on the glacier.
3. Fly Over the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers in a Helicopter
- 📍 Location: Franz Josef Glacier [Map Link]
- 💰 Tour Price: 485 NZD
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "You can see both glaciers all at once if you join a helicopter tour, although you won't be walking on them as I did with the Helihike tour."
If you are wondering whether you are missing out on anything when you choose to visit Franz Josef Glacier over Fox Glacier, then let's put that question to rest and go on a helicopter flight to see both in one go.
The Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight Tour from Franz Josef will take you up in the air and visit both Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers on a 30-minute fly-around in one go before landing on one of the glaciers for photos before you head back.
The Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight Tour is a great way to see both glaciers in one go, and I recommend that you do it if you are not interested in hiking the glacier. Glacier Helicopters currently charges 485 NZD per adult for its Twin Glacier flight departing Franz Josef, including a snow landing. You can book a tour with the link below.
Book the Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight Tour
4. Go Ice Climbing at Franz Josef Glacier
- 📍 Location: Franz Josef Glacier [Map Link]
- 💰 Tour Price: 1,249 NZD
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If you want to climb ice, you can also do it here, but keep in mind that the price is over 1,200 NZD!"
If you are looking for something that gets your adrenaline pumping even more, you can also go and learn how to ice climb with the Franz Josef Heli Ice Climb Tour.
The Franz Josef Heli Ice Climb Tour begins with a briefing on what you can expect once you are on the glacier, before kitting you up and flying you to the Franz Josef Glacier for the climb.
The experienced guide will teach you all you need to know about ice climbing, and then you will be able to try it yourself right on Franz Josef Glacier. Even if you already have ice climbing experience, the tour will tailor to your ability level to ensure that you will have a great time on the ice.
The Franz Josef Heli Ice Climb Tour currently costs 1,249 NZD per person, with the technical equipment and climbing gear provided. It operates on an enquiry basis, has a minimum age of 16, and can take up to 7 hours. You can book the tour with the link below:
Book the Franz Josef Heli Ice Climb Tour
5. Skydiving over Franz Josef Glacier
Photo of my skydiving in Queenstown
- 📍 Location: The Tandem Skydive 20,000ft from Franz Josef tour [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: 450 USD
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is another great place to skydive if you have never done it before. It's quite exhilarating, and you can cross it off your bucket list once and for all."
Last but not least, if ice-climbing just doesn't do it for you, you can also go for the ultimate adrenaline-pumping activity there is: skydiving over Franz Josef Glacier and the Southern Alps.
The Tandem Skydive 20,000ft from Franz Josef tour will take you up 20,000 ft above the Southern Alps, and you will be thrown off a moving plane with your tandem instructor. As you freefall down to earth, you will be able to see the view of Franz Josef Glacier and the Southern Alps that not many people get to see. So, if you are looking for the ultimate Franz Josef Glacier experience, this is it.
The tour will cost around 450 USD for 20,000 ft, around 360 USD if you go for 16,000 ft, and it will cost you extra if you want photos and videos of your skydive. You can book the tour with the link below:
Book the Franz Josef Tandem Skydive 20,000ft Tour
When to Visit Franz Josef Glacier?
The best time to visit Franz Josef Glacier is during the shoulder seasons between September to November and March to May, when there will be considerably fewer travelers. During this time, most accommodation will offer discounted prices, making your trip way more cost-effective than the peak season (November to March).
In fact, wintertime is also considered a great time to visit Franz Josef Glacier, with the temperature hovering around 4 - 15°C, which is rather high for wintertime, due to the elevation.
The weather is also going to be a little more stable, which will increase the chance that your glacier heli-hike tour won't get canceled. Plus, the glacier is the prettiest during this time.
Visiting any time out of the peak season, you will see considerably fewer travelers during this time, while most accommodations will offer discounted prices, making your trip way more cost-effective than if you visit during the summer.
All in all, you can visit Franz Josef all year round, but you will get the most out of Franz Josef Glacier outside of the peak season.
How to Get to Franz Josef Glacier?
Franz Josef Glacier is located on the West Coast of the South Island, and in order to get there, you will have to make your way to either Christchurch, Queenstown, or Auckland – three of the main travel hubs of New Zealand where most international flights fly in and out of the country.
From the US, Auckland has nonstop flights from several US cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Houston, and New York. From Auckland, you can connect onward domestically to Queenstown or Christchurch before continuing overland to Franz Josef.
From Europe, there are no nonstop flights to New Zealand, so you will need to connect through a major hub in Asia, the Middle East, North America, or Australia depending on the airline and route.
From Asia, Auckland has direct connections with several major Asian hubs, while Christchurch also has selected international services. Route availability changes seasonally, so compare the connection that works best for your dates.
To find a cheap flight to New Zealand, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
Getting from Auckland to Franz Josef
By Air and Bus: From Auckland, one of the easiest options is to fly to Queenstown and continue to Franz Josef overland. Air New Zealand and Jetstar operate the Auckland to Queenstown route, with a flight time of around 2 hours. Airfares vary considerably by date, so compare fares for your travel dates. You can search for flights here.
Once you arrive in Queenstown, you can take the bus to Franz Josef following the instructions provided under the "Getting from Queenstown to Franz Josef" section.
Getting from Christchurch to Franz Josef
By Bus/Train: You can travel from Christchurch across the Southern Alps to Greymouth on the TranzAlpine railway and connect with an InterCity bus from Greymouth to Franz Josef. When I traveled this route, the overland journey took around 9 hours and cost about 220 NZD in total. Fares vary depending on the services and dates you book, so check the current train and bus prices for your trip.
By Car: If you are looking for a more comfortable journey to Franz Josef, you can also rent a car from Christchurch Airport and drive to Franz Josef yourself. That way, you can explore the Great Coast Road at your own leisure.
Renting a car in Christchurch will cost you around 25 USD per day, and it will take about 5 hours to drive from Christchurch to Franz Josef. To rent a car, click the link below.
Getting from Queenstown to Franz Josef
By Bus: If you want to travel from Queenstown to Franz Josef, you can take the bus operated by InterCity. The route is still operating, and InterCity lists the journey at approximately 8 hours. Departure days and times can change, so check the current timetable for your travel date.
When I traveled from Queenstown to Franz Josef, the bus cost 76 NZD per person. Fares can change depending on when you travel, so check the current price when booking. You can book the bus to Franz Josef here.
If you are planning to travel longer in New Zealand via buses, I recommend you get the Flexipass where you buy hours, and you can travel any route in the country depending on how long the bus is. It is a great way to hop around the country without having to pay a ton of money.
For more information about Flexipass, please visit the official Intercity Flexipass page here.
By Car: You can also rent a car from Queenstown Airport and drive the scenic coastal road to Franz Josef in about 5 hours.
Renting a car in Queenstown will cost you around 25 USD per day, and it will take about 5 hours to drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef. To rent a car, click on the link below:
How to Get Around Franz Josef?
By Walk: Franz Josef is a small town, and you can reach the glacier area on foot via Te Ara a Waiau, an easy shared walking and cycling track linking the township with the glacier car park. From there, short DOC tracks lead to the current viewpoints. If you are joining an organized glacier tour, check the operator's meeting point and transfer arrangements when you book.
By Car: If you have your own car, you can significantly shorten your travel time and visit more places in one day. If you are already driving from Queenstown or Christchurch, you can spend more time exploring the area at your own leisure. That said, you won't need a car to follow the list of things to do I recommended here. You can rent a car with the link below.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Franz Josef?
One day is more than enough to see everything in Franz Josef. Here is what your day will look like if you spend a day in Franz Josef:
Day 1: Go on a heli-hike, skydive, or ice-climb tour in the morning, then head out to the Franz Josef Glacier valley viewpoints in the afternoon. Spend the rest of the day resting in Franz Josef.
How Much Does It Cost To Travel to Franz Josef?
Since we will be spending only 2 nights in Franz Josef, we can calculate how much you will be spending in Franz Josef for one day as follows:
Accommodation: For 2 nights in Franz Josef, you will be spending around 34 USD on accommodation.
Food: An average meal in Franz Josef costs around 10 USD, so you will spend around 30 USD on food.
Transportation: If you are sticking to hiking and going with organized tours, you won't have to pay anything for transportation.
Activities: This is where most of your budget will go. The standard Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike currently costs 899 NZD (500 USD), while scenic helicopter flights and specialist activities such as ice climbing can cost substantially more or less depending on the experience you choose.
Total budget for one day in Franz Josef: 564 USD.
Which tourist SIM card is best for New Zealand?
For a more reliable internet connection while traveling around New Zealand, I recommend getting a local SIM or eSIM rather than relying entirely on public Wi-Fi.
Spark is one of the main mobile networks in New Zealand and offers prepaid travel SIMs and eSIMs for visitors. Its current visitor options start from 15 NZD for data-only plans, while travel packs with data, calls, and texts start from 29 NZD.
You can pick up a physical Spark SIM after arriving or set up an eSIM on a compatible phone. Coverage can still be limited in remote parts of the South Island, so download offline maps before heading into more isolated areas.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
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3 Comments
wow, it is awesome! i hope i could do the ice climbing like you did. luckily you weren't stick in those ices.
A great read! Is it ok if we share this blog on our facebook and google + page? Love the pics!
WOW that glacier has receded a lot in the past 3 years!