Travel Guide: Auckland To South Island

New Zealand's South Island is known for its stunning natural scenery and abundance of outdoor activities. From hiking on glaciers to kayaking with dolphins, there is something for everyone on the South Island. The best way to get to the South Island from Auckland depends on your budget, time constraints, and preferred mode of transportation. Here are some options to consider:

By Plane

Flying is the fastest way to get to the South Island, with an average travel time of 5 hours and 40 minutes. You can fly from Auckland to either Christchurch or Queenstown, the two major airports on the South Island. However, flying into Christchurch is generally cheaper, especially during the ski season.

By Train and Ferry

For a more scenic route, you can take the train from Auckland Strand to Wellington on the North Island and then take a vehicle ferry or water taxi as a foot passenger to Picton on the South Island. This journey will take longer, around three and a half hours for the ferry ride alone, but it offers a unique perspective of the Marlborough Sounds.

By Car

If you prefer a road trip, you can drive from Auckland to Wellington on the North Island and then take the car ferry to Picton. From there, you can continue your journey to various destinations on the South Island, such as Nelson and Greymouth. This option provides flexibility and the opportunity to explore different towns along the way.

Travel by plane

Flights from Auckland to the South Island depart from Auckland International Airport (AKL) and arrive at either Timaru Airport (TIU) or Christchurch International Airport (CHC). The flight to Timaru takes around 5 hours and 20 minutes, while the flight to Christchurch takes around 5 hours and 40 minutes.

There are several airlines that service these routes, including Air New Zealand and Jetstar. The cheapest flights from Auckland to the South Island can be found on Jetstar, with one-way tickets starting at $92. It is important to note that fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.

When booking your flight, consider using a platform that allows you to compare prices and find the best deals, such as Cheapflights. You can also use their flexible date search feature to find the cheapest dates to fly. In general, the cheapest month to fly to the South Island from Auckland is May, while the most expensive month is November.

Keep in mind that the time of day you fly will not make a significant difference in the price of your ticket. However, booking your flight in advance, especially during the busy holiday season, is recommended to secure your preferred dates and times.

Travel by train

Travelling by train from Auckland to the South Island is a scenic and environmentally friendly option. The advantages of taking the train are that it's more environmentally friendly than driving or flying, and you can enjoy the views without having to watch the road. Plus, the trains are more spacious than buses and are equipped with bathrooms and a dining cart.

To get from Auckland to the South Island by train, you will need to take two different services: the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington, and the Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch. The Northern Explorer takes about 12 hours, and the Coastal Pacific takes about five. You will also need to book your own InterIslander Ferry tickets to get from Wellington to Picton. Note that while the Coastal Pacific operates every day, the Northern Explorer only runs three days a week.

The Northern Explorer runs from Auckland to Wellington via the Tongariro National Park. This route takes about 12 hours and offers stunning views of the New Zealand countryside. The train passes through Hamilton, Matamata, Lake Taupō, and the Tongariro National Park.

The Coastal Pacific runs from Picton to Christchurch via Kaikōura. This route takes about five hours and offers beautiful views of the east coast of the upper South Island. The train follows the coast, passing through Blenheim and Kaikōura.

Both of these train journeys allow stopovers, so you can take your time and explore the places along the way.

Travel by car ferry

If you're travelling by car, you can take the car ferry from Wellington to Picton. This is a vehicle ferry service that also takes foot passengers and travels between the North and South Islands. The journey takes around three and a half hours.

Two ferry companies operate on this route: Bluebridge and Interislander. Both transport vehicles, including cars and campervans/motorhomes, as well as walk-on passengers.

If you're travelling with a rental car, be sure to check if your rental car is allowed on the ferry due to insurance restrictions. Not all companies permit their vehicles to be taken onto ferries.

If your rental car is allowed on the ferry, you can keep your car loaded up, drive on, relax in the passenger lounges, then drive off again when you arrive at your destination. This is a convenient option for families and people travelling with a lot of gear.

If your rental car is not allowed on the ferry, check to see if the rental company has offices in Wellington and Picton. If they do, you can return your car, ride the ferry as a passenger, then collect a new rental on the other side.

Bluebridge

Bluebridge is recommended by some travellers. They have great food onboard and are said to go above and beyond to look after passengers. They also offer a member's discount, which can help reduce the cost of your ferry crossing.

Travel by car

Travelling by car from Auckland in the North Island to the South Island of New Zealand is a popular option for those who want to make a journey out of it. Driving between the two islands is not the quickest way to get there, but it offers travellers the flexibility to stop at points of interest along the way. These include Tongariro National Park, Taupō/Rotorua, Wellington, Picton, and Kaikōura.

The first step is to drive from Auckland to Wellington. The quickest route heads south on State Highway (SH) 1 through Hamilton and Matamata, skirting Lake Taupō and the Tongariro National Park. This route takes about eight hours directly. Alternatively, you can take a more scenic route through the west of the North Island, via New Plymouth and Mount Taranaki, or along the east coast via Tauranga and Gisborne.

Once you've reached Wellington, you'll need to take a car ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton, located at the top of the South Island. Two ferry companies operate on this route: Interislander Ferry and Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry. The crossing takes about three hours and is considered one of the world's most scenic ferry journeys, spanning 92 kilometres. However, it can be rough during bad weather and is sometimes cancelled in the event of high seas.

After arriving in Picton, continue driving south. The most direct route follows SH 1 through Blenheim and Kaikōura along the east coast of the upper South Island. Driving directly, the journey from Picton takes about five hours. However, many travellers choose to make stops along the way, including in the popular whale-watching town of Kaikōura.

From Picton, you can also take a longer route to Christchurch by heading west to Nelson on SH 6, then along the West Coast between Westport and Greymouth, before crossing Arthur's Pass and the mountains, and finally heading east across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. This journey is much longer than the direct route from Picton but offers the opportunity to explore various places along the way.

Travel by bus

If you want to travel from Auckland to the South Island by bus, you'll need to take a long-distance bus to Christchurch. These buses leave Auckland in the early morning or in the evening for an overnight service. You can book individual legs of the trip so you can spend time in places of interest en route, or travel straight through. Tickets booked straight through from Auckland to Christchurch usually include the InterIslander Ferry between the islands.

First, you'll take the bus from Auckland to Wellington. From there, you'll take the InterIslander Ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton, at the top of the South Island. Ferries leave several times a day from the Wellington InterIslander Ferry Terminal, just north of the central city, from the early hours of the morning through to the late evening. The crossing takes about three hours and sails through the Marlborough Sounds. However, it can be rough when there's bad weather and is sometimes cancelled if the sea is too rough.

Once you arrive in Picton, you can continue by bus to Christchurch. The most direct route follows State Highway (SH) 1 through Blenheim and Kaikoura along the east coast of the upper South Island. Driving directly, the journey from Picton takes about five hours, but the popular whale-watching town of Kaikoura is worth at least a day's stopover.

A longer way to reach Christchurch from Picton is to head west to Nelson on SH 6, then along the West Coast between Westport and Greymouth, across Arthur's Pass and the mountains, and east across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. This is a much longer journey than taking SH 1 from Picton, but it's worthwhile if you stop at many places along the way.

The total time for the simplest route from Auckland to Christchurch by bus is about 12 hours. This route includes the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington and the Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch. Note that while the Coastal Pacific operates every day, the Northern Explorer only runs three days a week.

Frequently asked questions