Where to stay near the glaciers at a glance
You have two practical bases on State Highway 6: Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. Each is a village strung along the highway, with accommodation, tour offices and a petrol station. The glaciers themselves lie outside both villages. A room in the village does not give you direct access to the ice.
This page does not name hotels or quote nightly rates. Rates and availability change by date, so compare your own dates on the booking site you prefer. Choose the village by what you plan to do, then check the distance from the property to the places you need.
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier compared
Distances and addresses as published in 2026. Driving times are planning figures without stops.
| Franz Josef | Fox Glacier | |
|---|---|---|
| Heli-hike base | Glacier Base, 63 Cron Street | Fox Glacier Guiding, 44 Main Road (SH6) |
| Glacier walk | Valley walk from a car park about 4 km from the village | South Side track from a car park on SH6, south of the Fox River bridge |
| Lake Matheson | About 30 minutes by car | About 5 minutes by car |
| Okarito | 15 km on SH6, then 13 km on a sealed road | – |
| Fuel | Glacier Motors, 20 Main Road | Fox Glacier Motors, 52 Main Road |
| InterCity bus | Stop on Main Road | About 45 minutes from Franz Josef by bus |
| Skydive | Meeting point 63 Cron Street | – |
Both petrol stations are listed with 24-hour fuel, but do not rely on it late at night. Fill up before the long drives south or to Okarito.
Tours from Franz Josef and Fox Glacier
Heli hikes, flights and day trips from both villages, with live prices and availability.
Choose by what you plan to do
Pick the base that matches your main activity.
Franz Josef for the heli hike and flights
The Franz Josef heli hike and the Franz Josef flights start in the village. A bed near Cron Street and Main Road keeps check-in short. The valley walk car park is on the other side of the Waiho bridge. Franz Josef also has the DOC visitor centre at 69 Cron Street.
Heli hike guide →Fox Glacier for Lake Matheson
If you want Lake Matheson at dawn, stay in Fox. The lake is about 5 minutes away by car, and about 30 minutes from Franz Josef. The Fox operator describes many accommodations as within walking distance of its base. Check this for your own property.
Lake Matheson guide →Either village for a short stay
The two villages are less than half an hour apart. With a car, either works as a base, and you can see both glaciers from either one. Pick the one that suits your tour start.
Fox Glacier guide →Okarito is a day trip
Ōkārito has no shops or petrol stations, so treat it as a half-day or evening trip. The kiwi tour starts about an hour before sunset and lasts 3 to 5 hours, so plan how you drive back.
Okarito guide →Types of accommodation
What the villages offer.
Hotels and motels
Both villages list these. Check the check-in time against an early tour start, such as the 7:30 a.m. heli-hike departure.
B&Bs and homestays
Smaller places suit a quiet stay. Ask how far the property is from the village centre and from your tour start.
Backpacker accommodation
Backpacker places are listed in the area. Compare the full price per night with the cost of a shuttle to your tour.
Campervan and camping sites
Campgrounds and campervan sites are listed in the area. Use designated sites, and confirm the site accepts late arrivals before you drive in after dark.
Without a car
Shuttles and buses link the villages and the glacier.
Glacier shuttle
A local operator lists NZ$15 per person return to the glacier, with pick-ups at accommodation from 8:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and returns until 7:30 p.m. The timetable is undated, so confirm a departure with the operator. Do not assume that every remote property is served.
Longer trips
The same operator lists NZ$55 per person return to Lake Matheson and to Ōkārito, and NZ$75 for a Fox and Lake Matheson combination. These trips need at least two people.
Getting there →InterCity bus
InterCity serves Franz Josef from Greymouth, Fox, Wānaka, Queenstown and Nelson. Published times to Franz Josef are about 3 hours 34 minutes from Greymouth and 45 minutes from Fox. Check the days and times for your date.
Planning a trip across the Alps? See where to stay at Mount Cook and at Milford Sound.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that help you choose a base.
Where to stay near the glaciers: frequently asked questions
Should I stay in Franz Josef or Fox Glacier?
Stay in Franz Josef if you book a Franz Josef heli hike or helicopter flights from the village. Stay in Fox for early visits to Lake Matheson. The villages are 21 to 24 km apart, so either can work as a base.
Can I walk to the glacier from my accommodation?
No. The glacier access is outside the village. The Franz Josef car park is about 4 km from the village, and the public lookout is about 3,000 m from the ice on 20 October 2026.
How many nights do I need?
The heli-hike operator recommends at least 2 days. That gives room to move the tour if weather stops the flight.
Is it better to stay near the tour office?
Franz Josef Glacier Guides starts at 63 Cron Street, with check-in 15 minutes before departure. Fox Glacier Guiding starts at 44 Main Road, with check-in 20 minutes before. A short walk keeps mornings simple.
Can I stay without a car?
Yes. A local shuttle picks up at accommodation, and InterCity serves Franz Josef. Confirm both with the operators for your dates.