UPDATE: Services to return for the summer!

We are pleased to announce that the Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific trains will be returning to the tracks this spring and summer. Following the success of the TranzAlpine's return work is underway rescheduling the remaining services.

If you would like to be kept up to date with our services and developments, then please sign up to our News Group and we’ll be in touch soon. If you are booked to travel then please do not worry, we will be in touch very soon. We will be back with further information once we have confirmed dates and are ready to take bookings.

The TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth return will run on Saturdays and Sundays only in August, daily in the 26 Sep - 11 Oct school holidays. and on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays only from September to November 2020. Bookings are open for these dates. A winter special rate of $75 per seat each way applies in August. Fares start from $129 each way from September to November.

Cook Strait ferry bookings and some daytours and bus routes are also open for sale. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries on 0800 143 669 or info@newzealandtravelteam.com

 
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Train Services

New Zealand long distance passenger train services

ALL NORTHERN EXPLORER AND COASTAL PACIFIC SERVICES ARE POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 

Northern Explorer: Auckland-Wellington-Auckland train service
The Northern Explorer train service is a scenic rail journey through the five unique geographical regions of the North Island - travelling between Auckland, New Zealand's largest city - home of the Sky Tower, through the central heartland of the North Island to Wellington - New Zealand's harbour capital and arts and culture centre. Read more

Coastal Pacific: Christchurch–Picton–Christchurch train service
This train service operates daily from  27th September 2019 to 26th April 2020 except Christmas Day.
The Coastal Pacific train operates between the delightful port of Picton - the gateway to the beautiful Marlborough Sounds - to Kaikoura - the home of whale watching and onto Christchurch - the South Island's largest city. Read more

Tranz Alpine: Christchurch–Greymouth–Christchurch train service
The Tranz Alpine train operates between Christchurch, Arthurs Pass and Greymouth - from the east coast to the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. Read more

Regional passenger train services in New Zealand
Alongside the three long distance passenger train services in New Zealand there are also two regional passenger train services.

  • The Capital Connection train operates between Wellington and Palmerston North Monday to Friday
  •  The Wairapapa Connection train operates between Wellington and Masterton seven days a week

There are no overnight regional or long distance passenger train services in New Zealand.

Travel to other major tourist destinations in New Zealand is by scenic bus and coach services from either Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch or Greymouth.