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How to get fromTaupō to Lake Tekapoby bus, plane, car, car ferry, shuttle, towncar, or train

Find Transport to Lake Tekapo

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There are 7 ways to get from Taupō to Lake Tekapo by bus, plane, car, car ferry, shuttle, towncar, 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. Bus to Rotorua, fly to Timaru, drive

    best
    1. Take the bus from Taupo to Rotorua Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Rotorua (ROT) to Timaru (TIU)plane plane ROT - TIU
    3. Drive from Timaru (TIU) to Lake Tekapocar car
    10h 48m

  2. Bus, car ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Taupo to Wellington - Centralbus bus
    2. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry
    3. Take the bus from Picton to Christchurchbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Christchurch to Tekapobus bus
    22h 1m
    $242–380

  3. Drive, car ferry

    1. Drive from Taupō to Wellingtoncar car
    2. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry
    3. Drive from Picton to Lake Tekapocar car
    14h 47m
    $396–524

  4. Bus to Rotorua, fly to Christchurch International Airport, Tour

    1. Take the bus from Taupo to Rotorua Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Rotorua (ROT) to Christchurch International Airport (CHC)plane plane ROT - CHC
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Christchurch to Lake Tekaposhuttle bus
    9h

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

    1. Drive from Taupō to Tauranga-Airport-TRGcar car
    2. Fly from Tauranga Airport (TRG) to Christchurch International Airport (CHC)plane plane TRG - CHC
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Christchurch to Lake Tekaposhuttle bus
    8h 35m
    $288–817

  6. Bus to Napier Hastings Airport Heliport, fly to Christchurch International Airport, Tour

    1. Take the bus from Taupo to Napier Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Napier Hastings Airport Heliport (NPE) to Christchurch International Airport (CHC)plane plane NPE - CHC
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Christchurch to Lake Tekaposhuttle bus
    9h 20m

  7. Towncar, train, car ferry, drive, shuttle, Tour

    1. Take a town car from Taupō to National Parktowncar towncar
    2. Take the train from National Park to Wellingtontrain train
    3. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry
    4. Drive from Picton to Nelsoncar car
    5. Take a shuttle bus from Nelson to Christchurchshuttle bus
    6. Take a shuttle bus from Christchurch to Lake Tekaposhuttle bus
    24h 6m
    $829–1,724

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

Calendar13Weekly Services
Duration22h 1mAverage Duration
Ticket$242Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Taupō to Lake Tekapo.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 996.4 km
  • Duration: 10h 48m

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

There is no direct connection from Taupō to Lake Tekapo. However, you can take the bus to Rotorua Airport, walk to Rotorua (ROT) airport, fly to Timaru (TIU), then drive to Lake Tekapo. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Taupo to Tekapo via Wellington - Central, Wellington, Picton, Picton, and Christchurch in around 22h 1m.

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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 Italian Lakes: Getting around by train, Getting around the Cyclades, and Travelling Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast by boat, bus, car and train - to help you get the most out of your next trip.