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

Find Transport to Wānaka

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There are 5 ways to get from Wellington to 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
    $164–807

  2. Car ferry, train, bus

    1. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry
    2. Take the train from Picton to Christchurchtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Rolleston to Tarrasbus bus
    19h 9m
    $595–1,033

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

Wellington to Wānaka by car ferry, foot, and bus

Calendar5Weekly Services
Duration25h 51mAverage Duration
Ticket$330Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

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

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

There is no direct connection from Wellington to 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 Wānaka via Picton, Picton, Christchurch, Rolleston, Rolleston, and Tarras in around 19h 9m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

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