The airport directly serving Te Anau and the Fiordland region is Manapouri Airport, which is a small facility that doesn’t receive many flights. Mount Cook Airline, Ansett NZ Airlines, and Air Fiordland provide limited flights direct from Queenstown and Christchurch, while charter and scenic flights see the most traffic. Facilities at the airport are limited with shuttles providing access to Te Anau.

Most visitors to Te Anau arrive from Queenstown, Dunedin, or Christchurch, where there are international airports. Queenstown International Airport receives direct flights from Brisbane and Sydney in Australia, and from cities all over New Zealand. Transport options from the single-terminal airport are good and include buses, taxis and shuttles.

Christchurch International Airport is a major facility and the largest airport on the South Island. There isn’t a great choice of international flights from the airport with Air New Zealand coming in from Dubai, Tokyo, and Australian cities. However, connections with Auckland are frequent.

Bus travel from Christchurch and Queenstown is the preferred option for the majority of travellers to Te Anau and InterCity offers regular services. Travellers who hire cars at Queenstown International Airport need to take Highway 6 and then Highway 94, a two- to three-hour drive. The drive is fairly windy, especially at Devil's Staircase, although the journey is very scenic.

Te Anau town centre is very compact with a good network of footpaths so there is no real need for public transport. In addition, most accommodation in Te Anau is within easy walking distance of the main areas, although if you happen to be staying out of the way, then taxi travel is your best bet. Te Anau Taxis provide reliable service (phone: +64 3 249 7777). Many hotels have bicycles for rent and biking can be one of the most convenient and easiest ways to get around.

In addition, there are plenty of public drop-off and pick-up services in Te Anau including to the starts of the major walking tracks as well as out to the golf course.

For getting around the Fiordland area, air travel is the most efficient option with small aircraft, floatplanes and helicopters all available for scenic travel. Manapouri Airport is not far from town and regular sightseeing flights go from here to Milford Sound and over the Te Anau area.

Water travel in Te Anau is also another form of transport, with many attractions across the lake as well as the start of the Milford Track, at Glade Point, and at the Dock’s on the Kepler Track. Boat services also take visitors across Lake Te Anau to the Glow-worm Caves. There are also several cruise operators available at Milford Sound and Lake Manapouri.

The most rewarding form of travel while in Te Anau is travel by hire car. All types of vehicle can be rented in Queenstown, or Te Anau, and the roads around the region are generally uncongested. The Milford road can get busy in season, however, and it is always best to set off early to avoid the traffic. The drive from Queenstown to Te Anau is a pretty one and takes two or three hours.