There are 3 ways to get from Timaru to Wānaka by bus or car
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 Otago Universitybus
- Take the bus from Otago University to Cromwellbus
- Take the bus from Cromwell to Wanaka lakefrontbus
9h 48mDrive 272.1 km
cheapest- Drive from Timaru to Wānakacar 272.1 km
3h 9m$90–131Bus via Dunedin
- Take the bus from Timaru to Dunedinbus
- Take the bus from Dunedin to Cromwellbus
- Take the bus from Cromwell to Wanaka lakefrontbus
9h 52m
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Timaru to Wānaka is to drive which costs $90 - $130 and takes 3h 9m.
The fastest way to get from Timaru to Wānaka is to drive which takes 3h 9m and costs $90 - $130.
No, there is no direct bus from Timaru to Wānaka. However, there are services departing from Timaru and arriving at Wanaka lakefront via Otago University and Cromwell. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 48m.
The distance between Timaru and Wānaka is 481 km. The road distance is 272.1 km.
The best way to get from Timaru to Wānaka without a car is to bus which takes 9h 48m and costs .
It takes approximately 9h 48m to get from Timaru to Wānaka, including transfers.
Timaru to Wānaka bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Timaru station.
Timaru to Wānaka bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Otago University station.
Yes, the driving distance between Timaru to Wānaka is 272 km. It takes approximately 3h 9m to drive from Timaru to Wānaka.
There are 776+ hotels available in Wānaka.
What companies run services between Timaru, New Zealand and Wānaka, New Zealand?
You can take a bus from Timaru to Wanaka lakefront via Otago University and Cromwell in around 9h 48m.
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- [email protected]
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Timaru to Otago University
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 9m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Otago University to Cromwell
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 49m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $17–45
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Timaru to Dunedin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Dunedin to Cromwell
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 47m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $19–50
- Website
- InterCity
- [email protected]
- Website
- skydrive.co.nz
Bus from Cromwell to Wanaka lakefront
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $30–45
- Schedules at
- skydrive.co.nz
- Book at
- ritchies-queenstown.zaui.net
Bus from Cromwell to Wanaka lakefront
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $30–45
- Schedules at
- skydrive.co.nz
- Book at
- ritchies-queenstown.zaui.net
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5790
- [email protected]
- Website
- GreatSights
Bus from Cromwell to Wanaka lakefront
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $45–70
- Website
- GreatSights
- Standard
- $45–70
- Gold
- $20–100
Bus from Cromwell to Wanaka lakefront
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $45–70
- Website
- GreatSights
- Standard
- $45–70
- Gold
- $20–100
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 How to get from Florence to Rome, Travelling by boat in Italy, and How to get from London City Airport into central London - to help you get the most out of your next trip.