15 Train Journeys in New Zealand, With the Price Beside Each

1.Northern Explorer Train Journey from Wellington to Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 513 reviews · from $157Our pick

Travel from Wellington to Auckland in about 11 hours on the Northern Explorer. You’ll pass the Kapiti Coast, Waikato farmland, and Tongariro National Park, with views of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro. GPS-triggered commentary, comfortable seats, open-air viewing decks, toilets, and a licensed café make this a relaxed alternative to driving.

“Good, beautiful views, but disappointed that there was no information about us having to change from the train to the bus to get to Auckland.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.TranzAlpine Train, Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 426 reviews · from $254Top rated

Travel from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass on the TranzAlpine, then return by guided minibus through the Southern Alps. You’ll stop at Otira Viaduct, Devils Punchbowl, Lake Pearson, and Castle Hill. Guides such as AJ and Anuj provide commentary, snacks, water, and help choosing walks. Expect a full 10-hour day with changing weather and a fair amount of road time.

“It was a fabulous day out. Our guide AJ was wonderful and explained everything perfectly. We would definitely recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Coastal Pacific Train Journey from Picton to Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 345 reviews · from $164

Travel one way from Picton to Christchurch aboard the Coastal Pacific, one of New Zealand’s Great Journeys. Over about 5 hours and 40 minutes, you’ll pass vineyards, Pacific beaches, Kaikoura, farmland, and the Canterbury Plains. Panoramic windows, GPS-triggered commentary, comfortable seats, a viewing carriage, and an onboard café make this a scenic alternative to driving.

“Comfortable seats with beautiful views. Coastal views amazing. Good food and snacks. Very nice workers onboard. Downside, just this run were AC made it too cold and the train was 20+ minutes late which meant it was dark when we arrived. Also to know, the outdoor viewing car had no seating so I’d standing is an issue don’t go out there.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.TranzAlpine Train Journey: Christchurch to Greymouth

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 312 reviews · from $151Best value

Take the 4-hour-50-minute TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth across Canterbury farmland, the Waimakariri River valleys, Arthur’s Pass, and West Coast beech forest. You’ll have an assigned seat, GPS-triggered commentary, an open viewing deck, and a café carriage. Bring a picnic or buy snacks and drinks onboard.

“Was nice, especially the first half of the trip, but not so awesome as announced. Overrated and also overpriced.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Arthur’s Pass Discovery and TranzAlpine Train – Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 272 reviews · from $555

Ride the TranzAlpine from Christchurch across the Canterbury Plains and Waimakariri Gorge to Arthur’s Pass. Your guide meets you there for short walks, Otira Gorge views, Cave Stream, Castle Hill, and lunch at a country hotel before driving you back. Groups are limited to eight, with guides such as Jock, Sue, Stu, Peter, and Hugo.

“Jock, our guide, was amazing. Our trip was altered due to the weather and he still made it fabulous. Arthur's Pass beautiful and the view from the train spectacular. He threw in an impromptu tour of Christchurch at the end as we hadn't had a chance to look around. Would thoroughly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Arthur’s Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 270 reviews · 10 hours · from $245

Spend 10 hours crossing the South Island by TranzAlpine train and air-conditioned minibus. Your English-speaking guide, such as Anuj or Anush, handles the timing, commentary, snacks, and scenic stops. Expect alpine walks, waterfalls, Lake Pearson, Castle Hill’s limestone boulders, and a return drive packed with photo stops.

“Our tour guide Anuj was on time. He was very patient and informative. He has water and chocolate and chips for everyone. The van we got on was comfortable. The views are amaziiiiiiing. Need i more to say? It’s worth it. Every penny 🔥🔥🔥”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Northern Explorer Train Journey from Auckland to Wellington

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 204 reviews · from $164

Spend about 11 hours aboard Great Journeys New Zealand’s Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington. You’ll pass Waikato farmland, Tongariro National Park, volcanic mountains, river gorges, and the Kapiti Coast. Comfortable seats, GPS-triggered commentary, an open-air viewing deck, and a licensed café make this a scenic alternative to driving or flying.

“Great experience travelling through the countryside. Comfortable seats. Well organised. Good choice of food from buffet car.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Arthur’s Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 202 reviews · from $347

Travel from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass by TranzAlpine train, then explore the national park by air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide. Expect mountain views, short walks, Otira Viaduct, village time, and a working sheep farm with dogs, shearing, and afternoon tea. Guides may include Jude, Graham, Terry, Pete, Carmen, or Stephanie.

“A ton of activities packed into the day but definitely one to recommend. Stephanie was great and connected with us all. Three wonderful hikes with Cascade falls being incredible - worth the steps. Loved the small group and especially loved the experience at the farm learning about the life of working with sheep. And we got a great picture of a Kea.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch with TranzAlpine

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 192 reviews · from $258

Spend 10 hours crossing Canterbury’s plains and the Southern Alps with guides such as Clive, Will, or Diana. Visit Castle Hill, Arthur’s Pass, waterfalls, rivers, and filming locations, then return to Christchurch on the TranzAlpine. Lunch, Kiwi snacks, water, Wi-Fi, and USB charging are included. Optional jet boating may be available on some departures.

“Our guide, Clive, was excellent and very knowledgeable about the locations. He was able to answer all our questions and threw in a few anecdotes and local stories to make things interesting. Loved the whole experience and sampled the different weather encountered on the east and west side of the mountains from sunny and warm to rainy and cold. Added to the adventure.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.TranzAlpine Train Journey from Greymouth to Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 182 reviews · from $151

Travel one way from Greymouth to Christchurch on the TranzAlpine, crossing beech forest, Arthur’s Pass, Southern Alps, river gorges, and Canterbury farmland. Your reserved seat comes with GPS-triggered commentary, access to open viewing decks, and a licensed café car. Allow about 4 hours 50 minutes, and arrive at least 20 minutes early.

“Pleasant journey with good visibility of picturesque alpine and rural country. Should have had more commentary or information about sites passed.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Coastal Pacific Train Journey from Christchurch to Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · from $164

Travel 5 hours and 40 minutes from Christchurch to Picton aboard Great Journeys New Zealand’s Coastal Pacific train. You’ll follow 98km of rugged Kaikoura coastline, with Pacific views, soaring mountains, native bush, and chances to spot seals or dolphins. GPS-triggered commentary, viewing decks, toilets, and a café carriage are included onboard.

“Very enjoyable trip along the coast, viewing seals, dolphins and the sea scape. Train journey was very relaxing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Tranz Alpine Train Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · from $465

Start with a 7:45 am pickup in central Christchurch, then ride the TranzAlpine from Springfield toward Arthur’s Pass National Park. You’ll have about 90 minutes for short walks, waterfalls, mountain views, and possible kea sightings before a homemade picnic and a car ride back. Groups are limited to seven, and guide Craig is praised for his relaxed, flexible style.

“Our guide Craig was incredible!! So knowledgeable about the history of the countryside and made our trip so special with his flexible relaxed style!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass Day Tour: TranzAlpine Train & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 90 reviews · from $273

Travel from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass in a small group with a Kiwi guide such as Clive, Jess, John, or Will. See Castle Hill, Lake Pearson, and Otira Viaduct, then walk to 131-meter Devil’s Punchbowl Falls before taking the TranzAlpine train back. Lunch, snacks, WiFi, hotel pickup, and a Mercedes Sprinter are included.

“Friendly, accomodating and great value. Jakob was fantastic as a guide and really helped us to get the most out of the day despite having injuries and limitations with walking. Snacks and lunch were included and were tasty. Definitely add on the jetboat, totally worth it. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Christchurch to Franz Josef One Way Day Tour with TranzAlpine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $341

Start at 7:30 am in Christchurch and ride the TranzAlpine through the Southern Alps to Greymouth. Your Cheeky Kiwi guide then takes you by small-group van to Cobden Beach, Hokitika, Hokitika Gorge, Lake Ianthe, and Franz Josef. Grant, Yanis, or another guide handles the West Coast drive, with lunch, snacks, water, and central Franz Josef drop-off included.

“Our tour guide(s) Grant and Jannis were amazing hosts. The van is very comfortable, they are very knowledgeable and engaging. They kept our spirits high. The provided lunch was okay; for most people, chicken is better than ham, so perhaRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Christchurch to Franz Josef 1 Way Tour inc TranzAlpine Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 12 hours · from $328

Travel from Christchurch to Franz Josef in 12 hours by iconic TranzAlpine train and guided minibus. Guides such as Joel, Logan, Rosie, and Willem lead the West Coast road journey, with lunch, snacks, water, luggage space, Hokitika, Hokitika Gorge, and Lake Ianthe included.

“Logan was a great driver and very informative. Enjoyed the breaks for walks along the way. The train ride allowed so really beautiful views.”

Check availability →Read our full review