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

Find Transport to Lake Wānaka

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There are 5 ways to get from Wellington to Lake Wānaka by plane, bus, car ferry, train, car, 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.

  1. Fly, bus

    best
    1. Fly from Wellington (WLG) to Queenstown Airport (ZQN)plane plane WLG - ZQN
    2. Take the bus from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka lakefrontbus bus
    4h 56m
    $154–807

  2. Car ferry, train, bus

    1. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry
    2. Take the train from Picton to Rangioratrain train
    3. Take the bus from Christchurch to Cromwellbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Cromwell to Wanaka lakefrontbus bus
    21h 4m
    $545–941

  3. Car ferry, drive

    1. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry Wellington
    2. Drive from Picton to Wānakacar car
    12h 34m
    $338–448

  4. Car ferry, bus, Tour

    1. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry
    2. Take the bus from Picton to Christchurchbus bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Christchurch to Franz Josefshuttle bus
    4. Take a shuttle bus from Franz Josef / Waiau to Wānakashuttle bus
    36h 32m
    $679–763

  5. Car ferry, bus

    1. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry
    2. Take the bus from Picton to Nelsonbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Nelson to Greymouthbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Greymouth to Franz Josefbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Franz Josef to Wanakabus bus
    25h 51m
    $330–523

Wellington to Lake Wānaka by car ferry, foot, train, and bus

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration21h 4mAverage Duration
Ticket$545Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Wellington to Lake Wānaka.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 711.2 km
  • Duration: 4h 56m

What companies run services between Wellington, New Zealand and Lake Wānaka, New Zealand?

There is no direct connection from Wellington to Lake Wānaka. However, you can take the bus to Wellington International Airport, walk to Wellington (WLG) airport, fly to Queenstown Airport (ZQN), walk to Queenstown Airport, then take the bus to Wanaka lakefront. Alternatively, you can take a car ferry from Wellington to Wanaka lakefront via Picton, Picton, Rangiora, Rangiora, Bus Interchange, Christchurch, and Cromwell in around 21h 4m.

Airlines
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