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How to get fromKaikōura to Rotoruaby bus, plane, taxi, car ferry, train, towncar, car, or shuttle

Find Transport to Rotorua

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There are 8 ways to get from Kaikōura to Rotorua by bus, plane, taxi, car ferry, train, towncar, car, or shuttle

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Bus to Christchurch International Airport, fly to Tauranga Airport, taxi

    best
    1. Take the bus from Kaikoura to Christchurchbus bus
    2. Fly from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Tauranga Airport (TRG)plane plane CHC - TRG
    3. Take the taxi from Tauranga-Airport-TRG to Rotoruataxi taxi
    7h 37m

  2. Shuttle to Nelson Airport, fly to Rotorua

    cheapest
    1. Take a shuttle bus from Kaikōura to Nelsonshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Nelson Airport (NSN) to Rotorua (ROT)plane plane NSN - ROT
    10h 10m
    $220–1,260

  3. Bus, car ferry

    1. Take the bus from Kaikoura to Pictonbus bus
    2. Take the carferry from Picton to Wellingtoncarferry car ferry
    3. Take the bus from Wellington - Central to Rotoruabus bus
    15h 6m

  4. Train, car ferry, towncar

    1. Take the train from Kaikoura to Pictontrain train
    2. Take the carferry from Picton to Wellingtoncarferry car ferry
    3. Take the train from Wellington to National Parktrain train
    4. Take a town car from National Park to Tūrangitowncar towncar
    5. Take a town car from Tūrangi to Rotoruatowncar towncar
    17h 25m
    $731–1,143

  5. Drive, car ferry

    1. Drive from Kaikōura to Pictoncar car
    2. Take the carferry from Picton to Wellingtoncarferry car ferry
    3. Drive from Wellington to Rotoruacar car
    10h 46m
    $294–384

  6. Bus to Christchurch International Airport, fly to Rotorua

    1. Take the bus from Kaikoura to Christchurchbus bus
    2. Fly from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Rotorua (ROT)plane plane CHC - ROT
    7h 49m

  7. Train to Woodbourne Airport, fly to Rotorua

    1. Take the train from Kaikoura to Blenheimtrain train
    2. Fly from Woodbourne Airport (BHE) to Rotorua (ROT)plane plane BHE - ROT
    8h 8m
    $221–1,174

  8. Train, car ferry, bus

    1. Take the train from Kaikoura to Pictontrain train
    2. Take the carferry from Picton to Wellingtoncarferry car ferry
    3. Take the bus from Wellington - Central to Rotoruabus bus
    15h 37m
    $294–733

Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Tauranga Airport (TRG) flights

Calendar72Weekly Planes
Duration3h 3mAverage Duration
Ticket$92Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Kaikōura to Rotorua.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 979.8 km
  • Duration: 7h 37m

What companies run services between Kaikōura, Canterbury, New Zealand and Rotorua, New Zealand?

There is no direct connection from Kaikōura to Rotorua. However, you can take the bus to Christchurch, take the line 3 bus to Christchurch International Airport, walk to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) airport, fly to Tauranga Airport (TRG), then take the taxi to Rotorua. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Kaikoura to Rotorua via Picton, Picton, Wellington, and Wellington - Central in around 15h 6m.

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