There are 7 ways to get from Wellington to Waikato by plane, taxi, train, 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.
Fly to Tauranga Airport, taxi
best- Fly from Wellington (WLG) to Tauranga Airport (TRG)plane WLG - TRG
- Take the taxi from Tauranga-Airport-TRG to Matamatataxi
3h 22m$258–721Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Wellington - Central to Hamilton - Centralbus Auckland - Central - Wellington - Central
9h 15m$22–90Train
- Take the train from Wellington to Hamiltontrain Northern Explorer
8h 30m$190–240Drive 519.4 km
- Drive from Wellington to Hamiltoncar 519.4 km
5h 57m$160–230Fly to Hamilton International Airport
- Fly from Wellington (WLG) to Hamilton International Airport (HLZ)plane WLG - HLZ
4h 1m$284–869Fly to Auckland, bus
- Fly from Wellington (WLG) to Auckland (AKL)plane WLG - AKL
- Take the bus from Auckland Domestic Airport to Huntlybus
4h 42m$118–381Fly to Rotorua, bus
- Fly from Wellington (WLG) to Rotorua (ROT)plane WLG - ROT
- Take the bus from Rotorua to Taupobus
5h 44m
Wellington to Waikato by train
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Wellington to Waikato is to bus which costs $22 - $90 and takes 9h 15m.
The fastest way to get from Wellington to Waikato is to fly and taxi which takes 3h 22m and costs $250 - $750.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Wellington - Central and arriving at Hamilton - Central. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 9h 15m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Wellington and arriving at Hamilton. Services depart three times a week, and operate Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The journey takes approximately 8h 30m.
The distance between Wellington and Waikato is 486 km. The road distance is 519.4 km.
The best way to get from Wellington to Waikato without a car is to train which takes 8h 30m and costs $190 - $240.
It takes approximately 3h 22m to get from Wellington to Waikato, including transfers.
Wellington to Waikato bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Wellington - Central station.
Wellington to Waikato train services, operated by KiwiRail - Northern Explorer, depart from Wellington station.
The best way to get from Wellington to Waikato is to train which takes 8h 30m and costs $190 - $240. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $22 - $90 and takes 9h 15m, you could also fly, which costs $280 - $900 and takes 4h 1m.
What companies run services between Wellington, New Zealand and Waikato, New Zealand?
KiwiRail - Northern Explorer operates a train from Wellington to Hamilton 3 times a week. Tickets cost $190–240 and the journey takes 8h 30m. Alternatively, InterCity operates a bus from Wellington - Central to Hamilton - Central twice daily. Tickets cost $22–90 and the journey takes 9h 15m.
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Wellington to Tauranga Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–490
Flights from Wellington to Tauranga Airport via Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $85–550
Flights from Wellington to Hamilton International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $85–600
Flights from Wellington to Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–500
Flights from Wellington to Auckland via Tauranga Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $80–550
Flights from Wellington to Rotorua
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–480
Flights from Wellington to Rotorua via Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $85–550
- Phone
- +64 4495 0775
- [email protected]
- Website
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
Train from Wellington to Hamilton
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 30m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $190–240
- Schedules at
- greatjourneysnz.com
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- [email protected]
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Wellington - Central to Hamilton - Central
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $22–90
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Auckland Domestic Airport to Huntly
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 4m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Rotorua to Taupo
- Ave. Duration
- 59 min
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Website
- InterCity
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Estimated price
- $180–220
Dial A Cab Bay of Plenty
- Phone
- +64 7 543 5050
Kubat Taxi
- Phone
- +64 800 698 294
- Website
- kubat.co.nz
New Zealand Cabs Tauranga
- Phone
- +64 800 482 947
- Website
- nzcabs.com
Tauranga Mount Taxis
- Phone
- +64 7 577 5565
- Website
- taurangataxis.co.nz
Taxi Cabs Tauranga
- Phone
- +64 7 578 7878
- Website
- taurangataxi.co.nz
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Booking & Getting There
Wellington to Waikato bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Hamilton - Central station.
Wellington to Waikato train services, operated by KiwiRail - Northern Explorer, arrive at Hamilton station.
Yes, the driving distance between Wellington to Waikato is 519 km. It takes approximately 5h 57m to drive from Wellington to Waikato.
Book your Wellington to Waikato train tickets online with 12go.asia.
Book your Wellington to Waikato bus tickets online with 12go.asia.
There are 455+ hotels available in Waikato.