There are 4 ways to get from Christchurch to Ruatapu by train, car, bus, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train, drive
best- Take the train from Christchurch to Arthur's Passtrain TranzAlpine
- Drive from Arthur's Pass to Ruatapucar
3h 41m$208–272Drive 257.3 km
cheapest- Drive from Christchurch to Ruatapucar 257.3 km
3h 3m$86–124Bus
- Take the bus from Christchurch to Kumara Junctionbus Christchurch - Greymouth
5h 22m$166–260Fly
- Fly from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Hokitika (HKK)plane CHC - HKK
2h 28m$130–570
Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Hokitika (HKK) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Christchurch to Ruatapu is to drive which costs $85 - $130 and takes 3h 3m.
The fastest way to get from Christchurch to Ruatapu is to fly which takes 2h 28m and costs $130 - $600.
No, there is no direct bus from Christchurch to Ruatapu. However, there are services departing from Christchurch and arriving at Hokitika via Kumara Junction. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 22m.
The distance between Christchurch and Ruatapu is 247 km. The road distance is 257.3 km.
The best way to get from Christchurch to Ruatapu without a car is to bus which takes 5h 22m and costs $160 - $260.
It takes approximately 3h 41m to get from Christchurch to Ruatapu, including transfers.
Christchurch to Ruatapu bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Christchurch station.
The best way to get from Christchurch to Ruatapu is to bus which takes 5h 22m and costs $160 - $260. Alternatively, you can fly, which costs $130 - $600 and takes 2h 28m.
Christchurch to Ruatapu bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Kumara Junction station.
Yes, the driving distance between Christchurch to Ruatapu is 257 km. It takes approximately 3h 3m to drive from Christchurch to Ruatapu.
What companies run services between Christchurch, New Zealand and Ruatapu, New Zealand?
InterCity operates a bus from Christchurch to Kumara Junction once daily. Tickets cost $70–140 and the journey takes 3h 54m. Alternatively, Air New Zealand flies from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Hokitika (HKK) twice daily.
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Christchurch International Airport to Hokitika
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–490
- Phone
- +64 4495 0775
- Website
- KiwiRail
Train from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $170–220
- Website
- KiwiRail
- Website
- KiwiRail TranzAlpine
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- [email protected]
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Christchurch to Kumara Junction
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 54m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $70–140
- Website
- InterCity
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Booking & Getting There
There are 87+ hotels available in Ruatapu.