Getting around

The Coastal Pacific train

The seasonal scenic train between Picton, Blenheim, Kaikōura and Christchurch.

Photo: Matthew25187 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

KiwiRail's Great Journeys New Zealand runs the Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch in just over five hours, with much of the route on the coast south of Kaikōura. It runs roughly October to April, not year-round.

Rainy-day option
Day trip
Near the ferry
No car needed

Show on the Picton map Open in OpenStreetMap Directions

At a glance

Route: Picton – Blenheim – Kaikōura – Christchurch, just over 5 hours one way
Cost: See Great Journeys New Zealand
Season: Seasonal, roughly spring to autumn (October–April); exact dates change each year
Timetable pattern: Christchurch to Picton in the morning, Picton to Christchurch in the afternoon (check the current timetable)

The interior of a Coastal Pacific carriage, seats and large windows — Inside the Coastal Pacific, which runs between Picton and Christchurch. Daderot / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

About The Coastal Pacific train

The train terminates at Picton station on Auckland Street, next to the Interislander terminal — it is designed to connect with the ferry. It is a genuinely scenic route and a good wet-weather day, but it is seasonal: it pauses over winter, and its exact dates change year to year, so confirm before building a trip around it.