How to get fromKaikōura to Timaruby bus, train, car, shuttle, or plane

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There are 5 ways to get from Kaikōura to Timaru by bus, train, car, shuttle, 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.

Bus
best
1. Take the bus from Kaikoura to Christchurchbus Christchurch - Picton
2. Take the bus from Christchurch to Timarubus Christchurch - Dunedin
6h 40m
Drive 337.1 km
cheapest
1. Drive from Kaikōura to Timarucar 337.1 km
4h 15m
$99–143
Train, bus
1. Take the train from Kaikoura to Christchurchtrain Coastal Pacific
2. Take the bus from Rolleston to Timarubus Christchurch - Dunedin
7h 22m
Shuttle to Nelson Airport, fly
1. Take a shuttle bus from Kaikōura to Nelsonshuttle
2. Fly from Nelson Airport (NSN) to Timaru (TIU)plane NSN - TIU
9h 22m
$268–1,315
Train to Woodbourne Airport, fly
1. Take the train from Kaikoura to Blenheimtrain
2. Fly from Woodbourne Airport (BHE) to Timaru (TIU)plane BHE - TIU
7h 35m
$274–1,279

Nelson Airport (NSN) to Timaru (TIU) flights

24Weekly Planes

5h 27mAverage Duration

$102Cheapest Price

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Kaikōura to Timaru.

Launch map view

Distance: 344.9 km
Duration: 6h 40m

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

You can take a bus from Kaikoura to Timaru via Christchurch in around 6h 40m.

Airlines

Train operators

Bus operators

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Timaru, New Zealand(opens in a new window)

Timaru is a port city in the southern Canterbury Region of New Zealand, located southwest of Christchurch and about northeast of Dunedin on the eastern Pacific coast of the South Island. The Timaru urban area is home to people, and is the largest urban area in South Canterbury, and the third-largest in the Canterbury Region overall, after Christchurch and Rolleston. The town is the seat of the Timaru District, which includes the surrounding rural area and the towns of Geraldine, Pleasant Point and Temuka, which combined have a total population of.

Things to do in Timaru

Pleasant Point Museum and Railway(Opens in a new window)

The Pleasant Point Railway and Historical Society is a heritage railway located in the small country town of Pleasant Point in southern Canterbury, New Zealand, inland from Timaru.

Places to stay in Timaru

Baywatch Motor Lodge(Opens in a new window)

8.4Very Good

Panorama Motor Lodge(Opens in a new window)

8.2Very Good

Cedar Lodge Motel(Opens in a new window)

8.8Fabulous

Coastal Ridge Apartments(Opens in a new window)

9.1Superb

Rome2Rio makes travelling from Kaikōura to Timaru easy.

Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from Kaikōura to Timaru right here. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Rome2Rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward.