There are 7 ways to get from Lake Tekapo to Nelson by car, plane, bus, shuttle, or train
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Drive to Timaru, fly to Nelson Airport
best- Drive from Lake Tekapo to Timaru (TIU)car
- Fly from Timaru (TIU) to Nelson Airport (NSN)plane TIU - NSN
5h 26m$143–747Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Tekapo to Christchurchbus
- Take the bus from Christchurch to Blenheimbus
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelsonbus
12h 20m$119–249Drive 629.3 km
- Drive from Lake Tekapo to Nelsoncar 629.3 km
7h 29m$193–278Tour, shuttle
- Take a shuttle bus from Lake Tekapo to ChristchurchTekapo to Christchurch Small Group Tour
- Take a shuttle bus from Christchurch to Nelson
9h$325–1,165Drive to Timaru, fly to Woodbourne Airport, bus
- Drive from Lake Tekapo to Timaru (TIU)car
- Fly from Timaru (TIU) to Woodbourne Airport (BHE)plane TIU - BHE
- Take the bus from Woodbourne to Nelsonbus
7h 38m$166–898Tour to Christchurch International Airport, fly to Nelson Airport
- Take a shuttle bus from Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
- Fly from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Nelson Airport (NSN)plane CHC - NSN
6h 48m$383–824Bus, train
- Take the bus from Tekapo to Christchurchbus
- Take the train from Rangiora to Blenheimtrain
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelsonbus
13h 32m$307–727
Lake Tekapo to Nelson by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Lake Tekapo to Nelson is to bus which costs $110 - $250 and takes 12h 20m.
The fastest way to get from Lake Tekapo to Nelson is to drive and fly which takes 5h 26m and costs $140 - $750.
No, there is no direct bus from Lake Tekapo to Nelson. However, there are services departing from Tekapo and arriving at Nelson via Christchurch and Blenheim. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 20m.
The distance between Lake Tekapo and Nelson is 477 km. The road distance is 629.3 km.
The best way to get from Lake Tekapo to Nelson without a car is to bus which takes 12h 20m and costs $110 - $250.
It takes approximately 5h 26m to get from Lake Tekapo to Nelson, including transfers.
Lake Tekapo to Nelson bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Tekapo station.
Lake Tekapo to Nelson bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Christchurch station.
Yes, the driving distance between Lake Tekapo to Nelson is 629 km. It takes approximately 7h 29m to drive from Lake Tekapo to Nelson.
There are 371+ hotels available in Nelson.
What companies run services between Lake Tekapo, New Zealand and Nelson, New Zealand?
You can take a bus from Tekapo to Nelson via Christchurch and Blenheim in around 12h 20m.
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 32m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $110–700
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington, Christchurch International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 17m
- When
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday
- Estimated price
- $140–850
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington, Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 55m
- When
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday
- Estimated price
- $170–950
Flights from Timaru to Woodbourne Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 55m
- When
- Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $120–800
Flights from Timaru to Woodbourne Airport via Wellington, Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Wednesday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $200–1,100
Flights from Christchurch International Airport to Nelson Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–600
Flights from Christchurch International Airport to Nelson Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $95–650
- Phone
- +64 4 495 0775
- [email protected]
- Website
- greatjourneysnz.com
Train from Rangiora to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $200–529
- Schedules at
- greatjourneysnz.com
- Scenic Plus
- $529
- Scenic
- $200–240
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- [email protected]
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Tekapo to Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Christchurch to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $15–75
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Blenheim to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–55
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Woodbourne to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–55
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Tekapo to Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Blenheim to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–55
- Website
- InterCity
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