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How to get fromLake Tekapo to Rotoruaby car, plane, taxi, bus, car ferry, or shuttle

Find Transport to Rotorua

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There are 6 ways to get from Lake Tekapo to Rotorua by car, plane, taxi, bus, car ferry, 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. Drive to Timaru, fly to Tauranga Airport, taxi

    best
    1. Drive from Lake Tekapo to Timaru (TIU)car car
    2. Fly from Timaru (TIU) to Tauranga Airport (TRG)plane plane TIU - TRG
    3. Take the taxi from Tauranga-Airport-TRG to Rotoruataxi taxi
    7h 31m
    $428–1,001

  2. Drive to Timaru, fly to Rotorua

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Lake Tekapo to Timaru (TIU)car car
    2. Fly from Timaru (TIU) to Rotorua (ROT)plane plane TIU - ROT
    6h 53m
    $130–646

  3. Bus, car ferry

    1. Take the bus from Tekapo to Christchurchbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Christchurch to Pictonbus bus
    3. Take the car ferry from Picton to Wellingtoncarferry car ferry
    4. Take the bus from Wellington - Central to Rotoruabus bus
    23h 1m
    $261–411

  4. Drive, car ferry

    1. Drive from Lake Tekapo to Pictoncar car
    2. Take the car ferry from Picton to Wellingtoncarferry car ferry
    3. Drive from Wellington to Rotoruacar car
    15h 38m
    $421–553

  5. Tour to Christchurch International Airport, fly to Tauranga Airport, taxi

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Lake Tekapo to Christchurchshuttle 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 34m
    $520–1,080

  6. Tour to Christchurch International Airport, fly to Rotorua

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Lake Tekapo to Christchurchshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Rotorua (ROT)plane plane CHC - ROT
    7h 46m
    $222–725

Lake Tekapo to Rotorua by bus, foot, and car ferry

Calendar13Weekly Services
Duration23h 1mAverage Duration
Ticket$261Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Lake Tekapo to Rotorua.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,011.9 km
  • Duration: 7h 31m

What companies run services between Lake Tekapo, New Zealand and Rotorua, New Zealand?

There is no direct connection from Lake Tekapo to Rotorua. However, you can drive to Timaru (TIU) airport, fly to Tauranga Airport (TRG), then take the taxi to Rotorua. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Tekapo to Rotorua via Christchurch, Picton, Picton, Wellington, and Wellington - Central in around 23h 1m.

Airlines
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Want to know more about travelling around the world?

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including Getting to Rome from the airport, Getting to Milan from the airport, and Slovenia: Getting from Ljubljana to Lake Bled - to help you get the most out of your next trip.