There are 4 ways to get from Nelson to Kaikōura 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 Nelson to Blenheimbus Picton - Nelson
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Kaikourabus Christchurch - Picton
4h 25mDrive 242.4 km
cheapest- Drive from Nelson to Kaikōuracar 242.4 km
3h 5m$80–116Bus, train
- Take the bus from Nelson to Blenheimbus Picton - Nelson
- Take the train from Blenheim to Kaikouratrain Coastal Pacific
4h 50m$116–605Shuttle
- Take a shuttle bus from Nelson to Kaikōura
3h 30m$120–600
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Nelson to Kaikōura is to drive which costs $80 - $120 and takes 3h 5m.
The fastest way to get from Nelson to Kaikōura is to drive which takes 3h 5m and costs $80 - $120.
No, there is no direct bus from Nelson to Kaikōura. However, there are services departing from Nelson and arriving at Kaikoura via Blenheim. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 25m.
The distance between Nelson and Kaikōura is 243 km. The road distance is 242.4 km.
The best way to get from Nelson to Kaikōura without a car is to bus which takes 4h 25m and costs .
It takes approximately 4h 25m to get from Nelson to Kaikōura, including transfers.
Nelson to Kaikōura bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Nelson station.
Nelson to Kaikōura bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Blenheim station.
Yes, the driving distance between Nelson to Kaikōura is 242 km. It takes approximately 3h 5m to drive from Nelson to Kaikōura.
There are 171+ hotels available in Kaikōura.
What companies run services between Nelson, New Zealand and Kaikōura, Canterbury, New Zealand?
You can take a bus from Nelson to Kaikoura via Blenheim in around 4h 25m.
- Phone
- +64 4 495 0775
- [email protected]
- Website
- greatjourneysnz.com
Train from Blenheim to Kaikoura
- 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 Nelson to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–55
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Blenheim to Kaikoura
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Nelson to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–55
- Website
- InterCity
- Phone
- +64 (3) 540 2042
- [email protected]
- Website
- nelsonlakesshuttles.co.nz
Shuttle from Nelson to Kaikōura
- 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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