There are 5 ways to get from Nelson to Wānaka by plane, 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.
Fly, bus
best- Fly from Nelson Airport (NSN) to Queenstown Airport (ZQN)plane NSN - ZQN
- Take the bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka lakefrontbus
6h 37m$349–950Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Nelson to Greymouthbus
- Take the bus from Greymouth to Franz Josefbus
- Take the bus from Franz Josef to Wanakabus
18h$186–337Bus, train
- Take the bus from Nelson to Blenheimbus
- Take the train from Blenheim to Christchurchtrain
- Take the bus from Rolleston to Tarrasbus
16h 47m$463–960Drive 742.9 km
- Drive from Nelson to Wānakacar 742.9 km
8h 41m$217–314Bus, Tour
- Take the bus from Nelson to Greymouthbus
- Take the bus from Greymouth to Franz Josefbus
- Take a shuttle bus from Franz Josef / Waiau to Wānaka
23h 34m$336–477
Nelson to Wānaka by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Nelson to Wānaka is to drive which costs $210 - $320 and takes 8h 41m.
The fastest way to get from Nelson to Wānaka is to fly and bus which takes 6h 37m and costs $340 - $950.
No, there is no direct bus from Nelson to Wānaka. However, there are services departing from Nelson and arriving at Wanaka via Greymouth and Franz Josef. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 18h.
The distance between Nelson and Wānaka is 624 km. The road distance is 742.9 km.
The best way to get from Nelson to Wānaka without a car is to bus and train which takes 16h 47m and costs $460 - $1,000.
It takes approximately 6h 37m to get from Nelson to Wānaka, including transfers.
Nelson to Wānaka bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Nelson station.
Nelson to Wānaka bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Greymouth station.
Yes, the driving distance between Nelson to Wānaka is 743 km. It takes approximately 8h 41m to drive from Nelson to Wānaka.
Book your Nelson to Wānaka bus tickets online with 12go.asia.
What companies run services between Nelson, New Zealand and Wānaka, New Zealand?
You can take a bus from Nelson to Wanaka via Greymouth and Franz Josef in around 18h.
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Nelson Airport to Queenstown Airport via Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–750
Flights from Nelson Airport to Queenstown Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–800
Flights from Nelson Airport to Queenstown Airport via Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–1,000
Flights from Nelson Airport to Queenstown Airport via Wellington, Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 50m
- When
- Thursday to Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $140–800
- Phone
- +64 4 495 0775
- [email protected]
- Website
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
Train from Blenheim to Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $230–519
- Schedules at
- greatjourneysnz.com
- Scenic Plus
- $519
- Scenic
- $230–290
- [email protected]
- Website
- skydrive.co.nz
Bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka lakefront
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $46
- Schedules at
- skydrive.co.nz
- Book at
- ritchies-queenstown.zaui.net
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- [email protected]
- Website
- intercity.co.nz
Bus from Nelson to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–55
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Bus from Rolleston to Tarras
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 59m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $22–100
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Bus from Nelson to Greymouth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $16–90
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Bus from Nelson to Greymouth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $16–90
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5790
- [email protected]
- Website
- greatsights.co.nz
Bus from Greymouth to Franz Josef
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 34m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $70–100
- Website
- https://www.greatsights.co.nz/new-zealand-tours/
- Standard
- $70–100
- Flexi
- $80–600
Bus from Greymouth to Franz Josef
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 34m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $70–100
- Website
- https://www.greatsights.co.nz/new-zealand-tours/
- Standard
- $70–100
- Flexi
- $80–600
Bus from Franz Josef to Wanaka
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 26m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $100–150
- Website
- https://www.greatsights.co.nz/new-zealand-tours/
- Standard
- $100–150
- Flexi
- $130–1,000
- Phone
- +64 9 390 7380
- [email protected]
- Website
- cheekykiwitravel.com
Shuttle from Franz Josef / Waiau to Wānaka
- Ave. Duration
- 12h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $250–290
- Schedules at
- cheekykiwitravel.rezdy.com
- Book at
- cheekykiwitravel.rezdy.com
- Adult
- $290
- Child
- $250
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