There are 5 ways to get from Timaru to Kaikōura by bus, train, car, plane, 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 Timaru to Christchurchbus Christchurch - Dunedin
- Take the bus from Christchurch to Kaikourabus Christchurch - Picton
6h 45mDrive 337 km
cheapest- Drive from Timaru to Kaikōuracar 337 km
4h 15m$99–143Bus, train
- Take the bus from Timaru to Rollestonbus Christchurch - Dunedin
- Take the train from Christchurch to Kaikouratrain Coastal Pacific
7h 24mFly to Nelson Airport, shuttle
- Fly from Timaru (TIU) to Nelson Airport (NSN)plane TIU - NSN
- Take a shuttle bus from Nelson to Kaikōura
8h 32m$269–1,309Fly to Woodbourne Airport, train
- Fly from Timaru (TIU) to Woodbourne Airport (BHE)plane TIU - BHE
- Take the train from Blenheim to Kaikouratrain
8h 16m$266–1,305
Timaru (TIU) to Nelson Airport (NSN) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Timaru to Kaikōura is to drive which costs $95 - $150 and takes 4h 15m.
The fastest way to get from Timaru to Kaikōura is to drive which takes 4h 15m and costs $95 - $150.
No, there is no direct bus from Timaru to Kaikōura. However, there are services departing from Timaru and arriving at Kaikoura via Christchurch. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 45m.
The distance between Timaru and Kaikōura is 345 km. The road distance is 337 km.
The best way to get from Timaru to Kaikōura without a car is to bus which takes 6h 45m and costs .
It takes approximately 6h 45m to get from Timaru to Kaikōura, including transfers.
Timaru to Kaikōura bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Timaru station.
Timaru to Kaikōura bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Christchurch station.
Yes, the driving distance between Timaru to Kaikōura is 337 km. It takes approximately 4h 15m to drive from Timaru to Kaikōura.
There are 163+ hotels available in Kaikōura.
What companies run services between Timaru, New Zealand and Kaikōura, Canterbury, New Zealand?
You can take a bus from Timaru to Kaikoura via Christchurch in around 6h 45m.
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–650
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington, Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–750
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington, Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–900
Flights from Timaru to Woodbourne Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 55m
- When
- Friday, Monday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $110–700
Flights from Timaru to Woodbourne Airport via Wellington, Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $200–1,000
- Phone
- +64 4 495 0775
- [email protected]
- Website
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
Train from Christchurch to Kaikoura
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $150–519
- Schedules at
- greatjourneysnz.com
- Scenic Plus
- $519
- Scenic
- $150–190
Train from Blenheim to Kaikoura
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $110–519
- Schedules at
- greatjourneysnz.com
- Scenic Plus
- $519
- Scenic
- $110–150
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- [email protected]
- Website
- intercity.co.nz
Bus from Timaru to Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Bus from Christchurch to Kaikoura
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Bus from Timaru to Rolleston
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 9m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
- 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
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 Travelling to the UK: What do I need to know?, Need to know: Eurostar, and Need to know: Greyhound - to help you get the most out of your next trip.