There are 4 ways to get from Kaikōura to Nelson by bus, train, 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.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Kaikoura to Blenheimbus Christchurch - Picton
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelsonbus Picton - Nelson
4h 25mDrive 242.4 km
cheapest- Drive from Kaikōura to Nelsoncar 242.4 km
3h 5m$80–116Train, bus
- Take the train from Kaikoura to Blenheimtrain Coastal Pacific
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelsonbus Picton - Nelson
4h 55m$125–584Shuttle
- Take a shuttle bus from Kaikōura to Nelson
3h 30m$120–600
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Kaikōura to Nelson is to drive which costs $80 - $120 and takes 3h 5m.
The fastest way to get from Kaikōura to Nelson is to drive which takes 3h 5m and costs $80 - $120.
No, there is no direct bus from Kaikōura to Nelson. However, there are services departing from Kaikoura and arriving at Nelson via Blenheim. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 25m.
The distance between Kaikōura and Nelson is 242 km. The road distance is 242.4 km.
The best way to get from Kaikōura to Nelson without a car is to bus which takes 4h 25m and costs .
It takes approximately 4h 25m to get from Kaikōura to Nelson, including transfers.
Kaikōura to Nelson bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Kaikoura station.
Kaikōura to Nelson bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Blenheim station.
Yes, the driving distance between Kaikōura to Nelson is 242 km. It takes approximately 3h 5m to drive from Kaikōura to Nelson.
There are 376+ hotels available in Nelson.
What companies run services between Kaikōura, Canterbury, New Zealand and Nelson, New Zealand?
You can take a bus from Kaikoura to Nelson via Blenheim in around 4h 25m.
- Phone
- +64 4 495 0775
- [email protected]
- Website
- greatjourneysnz.com
Train from Kaikoura to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $100–529
- Schedules at
- greatjourneysnz.com
- Scenic Plus
- $529
- Scenic
- $100–140
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- [email protected]
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Kaikoura to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Blenheim to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–55
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Blenheim to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–55
- Website
- InterCity
- Phone
- +64 (3) 540 2042
- [email protected]
- Website
- nelsonlakesshuttles.co.nz
Shuttle from Kaikōura to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $120–600
- Schedules at
- nelsonlakesshuttles.co.nz
- Minimum charge per vehicle
- $600
- Per person
- $120
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