Bus and coach
Bus and coach to Picton
InterCity for longer journeys, arriving at the ferry terminal; the council's Route 3 bus for Blenheim on three days a week.
Photo: Markus Koljonen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Published
InterCity
InterCity buses arrive outside the Interislander ferry terminal, timed to meet ferries. It also stops at the Crow Tavern and the Picton information centre.
| From | Time |
|---|---|
| Blenheim | 30 minutes |
| Havelock | 1 hour 5 minutes |
| Nelson | 2 hours 10 minutes |
| Kaikōura | 2 hours 10 minutes |
| Christchurch | 5 hours 15 minutes |
Book and check departure times on intercity.co.nz. InterCity’s bus passes can be used to Picton.
Marlborough District Council Route 3 (Blenheim–Picton)
- When: off-peak, between 9am and 3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
- How: in Picton and Waikawa it is a hail-and-ride service: wave the bus down anywhere safe along the route. It also stops at Spring Creek.
- Paying: cash only. Fares are on the council’s page; children under five and SuperGold card holders travel free.
Timetable and route map: council Route 3 page.
Route 3 days, hours and payment rules. Checked 29 September 2026. These change — confirm on marlborough.govt.nz.
To the Queen Charlotte Track and the Sounds
DOC says Anakiwa, at the southern end of the Queen Charlotte Track, is linked to Picton by regular and on-demand services; confirm the current operator before you rely on one. Most other places in the Sounds are reached by water taxi, not bus.