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

Find Transport to Wānaka

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There are 6 ways to get from Wellington to Wānaka by plane, bus, ferry, train, car ferry, 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
    $138–911

  2. Ferry, train, bus

    1. Take the ferry from Wellington - Central to Pictonferry ferry
    2. Take the train from Picton to Christchurchtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Rolleston to Tarrasbus bus
    19h 2m
    $537–985

  3. 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
    $504–934

  4. Car ferry, drive

    1. Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry car ferry Wellington
    2. Drive from Picton to Wānakacar car
    12h 34m
    $381–501

  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
    $338–526

  6. 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
    $682–946

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

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration21h 4mAverage Duration
Ticket$504Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

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 ferry from Wellington - Central to Wānaka via Picton, Picton, Christchurch, Rolleston, Rolleston, and Tarras in around 19h 2m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around the world?

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