Train schedules open through to June 2028 season

SERVICE UPDATE
Train Schedules Extended to June 2028. Please review operating days and planned maintenance closures when arranging travel.

Northern Explorer

Operating Days

  • Northbound: Wednesday, Friday & Sunday
  • Southbound: Monday, Thursday & Saturday

Scheduled Track Maintenance

Auckland to Hamilton - bus replacement

  • 6-9 November 2026

Full cancellations – No bus replacements

  • 25 December 2026-11 January 2027
  • 26-29 March 2027
  • 23-26 April 2027
  • 4-7 June 2027
  • 25-28 June 2027
  • 25 August 2027
  • 22-25 October 2027
  • 24 December 2027-11 January 2028

Coastal Pacific

Operating Days

  • 1 Sep 2026 – 30 Apr 2027: Daily
  • 1 May 2027 - 31 Aug 2027: Not operating
  • 1 Sep 2027 - 30 Apr 2028: Daily

Note: The Coastal Pacific does not operate on Christmas Day.

TranzAlpine

Operating Days

  • 14 July 2026 – 30 June 2028: Daily

Note: The TranzAlpine does not operate on Christmas Day.

Scheduled Track Maintenance

Full cancellations – No bus replacements

  • 24–26 Oct 2026
  • 26-29 Mar 2027
  • 23-30 May 2027
  • 25-28 Jun 2027
  • 25-27 Sep 2027
  • 23-26 Oct 2027
  • 14-17 Apr 2028
  • 21-28 May 2028

 

Onboard Infotainment App
Audio commentary is now delivered through the Great Journeys New Zealand app. Passengers should bring:

  • Personal mobile device
  • Headphones
  • USB charging cable

Download the free app before travel. Full content becomes available once connected to onboard Wi-Fi.


For further inquiries or assistance with your travel plans, please contact our New Zealand Travel Team.

Our friendly New Zealand Travel Team is available from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (New Zealand Time) Monday - Sunday, excluding public holidays.

For assistance and reservations during our opening hours, contact our New Zealand Travel Team by email or phone.  To cancel a reservation, please email us at info@newzealandtravelteam.com before 72hrs or 3 days from the travel date.

Phone
You can call one of our English-speaking Consultants at +64 7 575 5049
Current New Zealand time: 

Within New Zealand:
Reservations only with payment -           0800-143-669
Travel planning and all other inquiries - +64 7 575 5049
Outside New Zealand: 
+61 1800 359 729      Australia Toll-free
+1   855 413 3019    USA Toll-free
+1   866 554 0304    Canada Toll-free
+44 800 0148106     United Kingdom Toll-free

  • Home
  • Train Services
    • The Northern Explorer
    • The Coastal Pacific
    • The Tranz Alpine
    • National Train Timetable
    • Major Railway Stations
    • Regional Train Services
    • Local Trains
  • RailBus Passes
    • Scenic RailBus Passes
  • Train/Bus Passes
    • Scenic Train Passes
    • Scenic Bus Passes
  • Ferry
    • Interislander Ferry
    • BlueBridge Ferry
    • Stewart Island Ferry
  • Travel Packages
  • Day Tour/Attractions
  • Accommodation
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Newzealand Rail
Click Here
Newzealand Rail
Click Here
Click Here
Newzealand Rail
Click Here
Newzealand Rail
Newzealand Rail
Newzealand Rail

Regional Train Services

  • Train Services
  • The Northern Explorer
  • The Coastal Pacific
  • The Tranz Alpine
  • National Train Timetable
  • Major Railway Stations
  • Regional Train Services
  • Local Trains

 

The Capital Connection
The Capital Connection is a regional passenger commuter train service operating between Palmerston North, Shannon, Levin, Otaki and Wellington featuring air conditioned, centrally heated carriages with large panoramic windows and disable facilities.

As this is a commuter rail service and reservations are not available. Tickets and monthly passes for this train are available from the railway station on the day of travel - Wellington Railway Station, Palmerston North I-Site in the Square or tickets only from the Palmerston North Railway Station or the Train Manager on the day of travel.

The Capital Connection operates one daily service each way - Monday to Friday. There are no services on Saturday, Sunday, or Public Holidays including Christmas Day.

Travel time from Wellington to Palmerston North is 2 hours.

For timetable and fare information concerning The Capital Connection (Wellington/Otaki/Levin/Palmerston North) train service - please phone KiwiRail on 0800 872-467 tollfree in New Zealand.

There are no passenger train services from Palmerston North to Masterton, Napier, Hastings, Wanganui or New Plymouth.

The Wairarapa Connection
The Wairarapa Connection is a regional commuter passenger train service that operates daily between Masterton, Carterton, Featherston and Wellington with air-conditioned, centrally heated carriages with large panaromic windows and disable facilities.

The Wairarapa Connection is a commuter rail service, so reservations are not required. Tickets and monthly passes for this service are available from Tranz Metro ticket office - Wellington Railway Station, Featherston Railway Station or tickets only from the Masterton Railway Station or the Train Manager on the day of travel.

The Wairarapa Connection operates Five daily services each way (Mon - Thu), Six daily services each way (Fri) and two daily services each way (Sat, Sun, Public Holidays).

Travel time from Wellington to Featherston is 1 hour and to Masterton is 1 hour 45 minutes.

The Wairarapa Connection also stops at Woodside (For Greytown), Matarawa, Carterton, Solway and Renall Street. There are connecting local bus services from Woodside for Greytown and Featherston for Martinborough.

For timetable and fare information The Wairarapa Connection (Wellington/Featherston/Woodside/Carterton/Masterton) train service - please phone Metlink on 0800-801-700 tollfree in New Zealand.

 

The Waikato Connection - Te Huia

Te Huia is the passenger rail service which connects Waikato to Auckland ( Strand )

Capable of carrying over 500 passengers per day, connecting Hamilton, Huntly and Auckland.

Te Huia runs return services from Frankton ( Hamilton ) to Auckland twice per day during the week, and once on Saturdays

Journey time is 2 hours 25 minutes between Frankton and Papakura. Connecting with Auckland Transport's Metro network at Puhinui, Papakura and the Strand - please phone AT Metro on 0800-205-305 tollfree in New Zealand

 

 

  • Newzealand Rail
  • TIA
  • Train Services
  • The Northern Explorer
  • The Coastal Pacific
  • The Tranz Alpine
  • National Train Timetable
  • Major Railway Stations
  • Regional Train Services
  • Local Trains
  • Other Services
  • Train Services
  • RailBus Passes
  • Train/Bus Passes
  • Ferry
  • Travel Packages
  • Day Tour/Attractions
  • Accommodation
  • About
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Login Here

Forgot Password ?
Register Now !

New Registration



You have already registered, please click here

Forgot Your Password ?

Bus Search

Ferry Search

  • Travel Details
  • Select Sailings

Choose Infant