Rome2Rio

How to get fromNelson to Whakatāneby plane, car, bus, car ferry, or train

Find Transport to Whakatāne

See all options

There are 5 ways to get from Nelson to Whakatāne by plane, car, bus, car ferry, 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.

  1. Fly to Tauranga Airport, drive

    best
    1. Fly from Nelson Airport (NSN) to Tauranga Airport (TRG)plane plane NSN - TRG
    2. Drive from Tauranga-Airport-TRG to Whakatānecar car
    5h 25m
    $127–689

  2. Bus, car ferry

    1. Take the bus from Nelson to Pictonbus bus
    2. Take the carferry from Picton to Wellingtoncarferry car ferry
    3. Take the bus from Wellington - Central to Rotoruabus bus
    4. Take the bus from Rotorua to Whakatanebus bus
    17h 40m

  3. Drive, car ferry, train, bus

    1. Drive from Nelson to Pictoncar car
    2. Take the carferry from Picton to Wellingtoncarferry car ferry
    3. Take the train from Wellington to Hamiltontrain train
    4. Take the bus from Hamilton - Central to Rotoruabus bus
    5. Take the bus from Rotorua to Whakatanebus bus
    20h 11m

  4. Drive, car ferry

    1. Drive from Nelson to Pictoncar car
    2. Take the carferry from Picton to Wellingtoncarferry car ferry
    3. Drive from Wellington to Whakatānecar car
    11h 58m
    $311–395

  5. Fly to Rotorua, bus

    1. Fly from Nelson Airport (NSN) to Rotorua (ROT)plane plane NSN - ROT
    2. Take the bus from Rotorua Airport to Te Pukebus bus
    3. Take the bus from Te Puke - Commerce Lane to Boon Street - Fronting No. 32bus bus
    8h 53m

Nelson Airport (NSN) to Tauranga Airport (TRG) flights

Calendar69Weekly Planes
Duration4h 10mAverage Duration
Ticket$100Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Nelson to Whakatāne.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 569.6 km
  • Duration: 5h 25m

What companies run services between Nelson, New Zealand and Whakatāne, New Zealand?

There is no direct connection from Nelson to Whakatāne. However, you can take the line 4 bus to Nelson Airport Terminal, walk to Nelson Airport (NSN) airport, fly to Tauranga Airport (TRG), then drive to Whakatāne. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Nelson to Whakatane via Picton, Picton, Wellington, Wellington - Central, and Rotorua in around 17h 40m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

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 The London Underground: Essential tips to navigate the Tube, 5 delightfully under-the-radar French towns you need to visit, and Italian Lakes: Getting around by train - to help you get the most out of your next trip.