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How to get fromKaikōura to Waitomo Cavesby bus, plane, train, car ferry, car, or shuttle

Find Transport to Waitomo Caves

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There are 9 ways to get from Kaikōura to Waitomo Caves by bus, plane, train, car ferry, 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 Hamilton International Airport, bus

    best
    1. Take the bus from Kaikoura to Christchurchbus bus
    2. Fly from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Hamilton International Airport (HLZ)plane plane CHC - HLZ
    3. Take the bus from Kihikihi to Waitomo Townshipbus bus
    9h 20m

  2. Drive, car ferry

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Kaikōura to Pictoncar car
    2. Take the carferry from Picton to Wellingtoncarferry car ferry
    3. Drive from Wellington to Waitomo Cavescar car
    10h 53m
    $303–383

  3. 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 train from Wellington to Taumarunui Stationtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Taumarunui to Waitomo Townshipbus bus
    16h 52m

  4. 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 Whanganui / Wanganuibus bus
    4. Take the bus from Whanganui / Wanganui to Waitomo Townshipbus bus
    16h 56m

  5. Bus to Christchurch International Airport, fly to Auckland, bus

    1. Take the bus from Kaikoura to Christchurchbus bus
    2. Fly from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Auckland (AKL)plane plane CHC - AKL
    3. Take the bus from Manukau City to Waitomo Townshipbus bus
    10h 57m

  6. Train to Woodbourne Airport, fly to Hamilton International Airport, bus

    1. Take the train from Kaikoura to Blenheimtrain train
    2. Fly from Woodbourne Airport (BHE) to Hamilton International Airport (HLZ)plane plane BHE - HLZ
    3. Take the bus from Kihikihi to Waitomo Townshipbus bus
    11h 39m

  7. Shuttle to Nelson Airport, fly to Auckland, bus

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Kaikōura to Nelsonshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Nelson Airport (NSN) to Auckland (AKL)plane plane NSN - AKL
    3. Take the bus from Manukau City to Waitomo Townshipbus bus
    11h 49m

  8. Train to Woodbourne Airport, fly to Auckland, bus

    1. Take the train from Kaikoura to Blenheimtrain train
    2. Fly from Woodbourne Airport (BHE) to Auckland (AKL)plane plane BHE - AKL
    3. Take the bus from Manukau City to Waitomo Townshipbus bus
    10h 36m

  9. Bus to Christchurch International Airport, fly to New Plymouth Airport, bus

    1. Take the bus from Kaikoura to Christchurchbus bus
    2. Fly from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to New Plymouth Airport (NPL)plane plane CHC - NPL
    3. Take the bus from Bell Block to Eight Mile Junctionbus bus
    10h 48m

Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Hamilton International Airport (HLZ) flights

Calendar46Weekly Planes
Duration2h 17mAverage Duration
Ticket$82Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Kaikōura to Waitomo Caves.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 929.5 km
  • Duration: 9h 20m

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

There is no direct connection from Kaikōura to Waitomo Caves. 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 Hamilton International Airport (HLZ), walk to Opp 201 Airport Rd, Rukuhia, take the line 24 bus to 26 Lyon St, Kihikihi, then take the bus to Waitomo Township. Alternatively, you can take a train from Kaikoura to Waitomo Township via Picton, Picton, Wellington, Wellington, Taumarunui Station, and Taumarunui in around 16h 52m.

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