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How to get fromWellington to Kaikōuraby car ferry, car, plane, shuttle, ferry, bus, or train

Find Transport to Kaikōura

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There are 5 ways to get from Wellington to Kaikōura by car ferry, car, plane, shuttle, ferry, bus, 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. Car ferry, drive

    best
    1. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry Wellington
    2. Drive from Picton to Kaikōuracar car
    5h 25m
    $173–193

  2. Fly, shuttle

    1. Fly from Wellington (WLG) to Nelson Airport (NSN)plane plane WLG - NSN
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Nelson to Kaikōurashuttle bus
    7h 7m
    $221–865

  3. Ferry, bus

    1. Take the ferry from Wellington - Central to Pictonferry ferry Wellington - Central - Picton
    2. Take the bus from Picton to Kaikourabus bus Christchurch - Picton
    6h 45m

  4. Car ferry, bus

    1. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry Wellington
    2. Take the bus from Picton to Kaikourabus bus Christchurch - Picton
    6h 51m

  5. Car ferry, train

    1. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry Wellington
    2. Take the train from Picton to Kaikouratrain train Coastal Pacific
    7h 12m
    $258–678

Wellington (WLG) to Nelson Airport (NSN) flights

Calendar46Weekly Planes
Duration45 minAverage Duration
Ticket$60Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Wellington to Kaikōura.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 255.9 km
  • Duration: 5h 25m

What companies run services between Wellington, New Zealand and Kaikōura, Canterbury, New Zealand?

There is no direct connection from Wellington to Kaikōura. However, you can take the car ferry to Picton then drive to Kaikōura. Alternatively, you can take the bus to Wellington International Airport, walk to Wellington (WLG) airport, fly to Nelson Airport (NSN), walk to Nelson Airport Terminal, take the line 4 bus to Halifax Street Outside Countdown, walk to Nelson, then take the shuttle to Kaikōura.

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