Train Journeys in New Zealand: 13 Rides Worth Booking

1.Northern Explorer Train Journey from Wellington to Auckland

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

Ride the Northern Explorer from Wellington Station to Auckland in about 11 hours. Watch the Kapiti Coast, Waikato farmland, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu pass by from large windows or an open-air viewing deck. GPS-triggered commentary plays at your seat, while a café carriage serves snacks and light meals for purchase.

“Open view area and friendly services are more highlighted. Departed from Wellington on time and reached in Auckland at the scheduled time. Really enjoyed the scenic beauty of our countries rural area.”

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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 alpine scenery. You’ll stop at Otira Viaduct, walk near Devils Punchbowl Falls, pause in Arthur’s Pass village, and explore Castle Hill. Guides such as AJ and Anuj provide commentary, snacks, water, and wet-weather gear in a small group of up to 21.

“We had a fabulous time and our guide, whose name unfortunately escapes me, was incredibly interesting and knowledgeable. Even my husband was impressed (no small feat). We weren't up to all of the hikes, but there were shorter alternatives and th scenery was gorgeous.”

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3.Coastal Pacific Train Journey from Picton to Christchurch

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

Take the Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch in about 5 hours 40 minutes. You will pass vineyards, coastal towns, seal colonies, mountains, beaches, and Canterbury farmland. Panoramic windows, GPS-triggered commentary, comfortable seats, and an open-air viewing carriage make this a scenic alternative to driving. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard.

“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.”

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4.TranzAlpine Train Journey: Christchurch to Greymouth

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

Take the 8:15 am TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth for a 4-hour-50-minute journey across the Canterbury Plains, Waimakariri River gorges, Arthur’s Pass National Park, and West Coast beech forest. Your seat includes GPS-triggered audio commentary, while the café carriage and open viewing deck make the trip easy for families and photographers.

“Great train ride to greymouth, just wished we had more time there. The scenery was beautiful. All in all the t was a good day!”

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

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

Travel from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass by TranzAlpine train, then explore the national park with a local guide in a small group of up to eight. Expect short forest walks, Otira Gorge, Cave Stream, Castle Hill, lunch at a country hotel, and a minivan return across the Canterbury Plains.

“We had an incredible day! Sue was such a fantastic guide and made the experience so special. The train ride was great, the hiking was both manageable and amazing. Lunch was delicious. All our stops along the way were so special. Highly recommended!”

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

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

Travel from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass on the TranzAlpine, then return by small-group minibus with an English-speaking guide such as Anuj or Anush. Expect mountain views, a waterfall walk, Lake Pearson, Castle Hill, kea sightings, snacks, and several short walks. Lunch is not included, and some walking is moderately demanding.

“A wonderful day. The busdriver was excellent and made the day even better. Lots of stops to take photos and the hikes are a nice brake from sitting in the car. A very recomendable tour”

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7.Northern Explorer Train Journey from Auckland to Wellington

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

Spend about 11 hours aboard the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington. Watch Waikato farmland, Tongariro’s volcanic peaks, river gorges, and the Kapiti Coast through large windows or from the open-air viewing deck. GPS-triggered commentary, comfortable seats, and a licensed café make this a scenic alternative to flying or driving.

“It was a relaxing ride even though it was over 11 hours. We enjoyed going to the observation car to stand for a while and see the views without looking through glass. We enjoyed the snack and food car where they had places for you to sit and enjoy your drink and food. We had good leg room in our seats.”

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

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

Start with the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch, crossing the Canterbury Plains and Waimakariri Gorge to Arthur’s Pass. A local guide such as Jude, Graham, Terry, or Stephanie then leads the road tour, with time for walks, mountain views, lunch, and a working sheep farm visit with dogs, shearing, and afternoon tea. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“A must do on your trip to Christchurch - Carmen our local guide was fantastic who explained everything thoroughly and kept us on time. TranzAlpine Express from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass took us through some beautiful scenery - with low clouds made for a spectacular journey. Staff on board were very helpful and the cafe had a great and affordable range of items. Open observation car could become crowded at times. Lunch at Arthurs Pass Cafe & Store was disappointing - average food and slow service. Highlight was seeing Ned the dog at Toby Hill Farm do his work rounding up sheep. Trevor and Heather were exceptional hosts.”

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9.TranzAlpine Train Journey from Greymouth to Christchurch

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

Board the TranzAlpine at Greymouth for a one-way, 4-hour-50-minute journey to Christchurch. You’ll pass beech forest, Arthur’s Pass, braided rivers, alpine gorges, and Canterbury farmland. Reserved seats, GPS-triggered commentary, open viewing decks, and a licensed café make this a relaxed alternative to driving.

“Arrived at Greymouth train station and checked in for the journey with ease. Allocated a seat then later moved to a vacant seat nearer the scenic viewing car towards the back of the train. I chose a scenic ticket rather than scenic plus (which gives you additional service features and access to a viewing car nearer your carriage but doesn’t change the view!).the seats are comfy and spacious. I spent much of the journey in the viewing car. It did get a bit busy at points during the journey. Views were awesome, with the scenery changing as you moved from the west coast through Arthur’s Pass and on to the…”

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10.Coastal Pacific Train Journey from Christchurch to Picton

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

Travel one way from Christchurch to Picton in about 5 hours 40 minutes aboard Great Journeys New Zealand. The Coastal Pacific follows 98km of Kaikoura coastline, with ocean views, native bush, mountains, seals, birds, and possible dolphins. Enjoy large windows, an open-air viewing carriage, GPS-triggered commentary, toilets, and a licensed café.

“awesome trip, Christchurch to Picton. really enjoyed the audio along the way. the crew were excellent.”

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11.Tranz Alpine Train Tour

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

This small-group day trip takes you from central Christchurch to Springfield, then by TranzAlpine train toward Arthur’s Pass National Park. Guide Craig provides local history and a flexible pace, with time for short walks, waterfalls, alpine views, and a homemade picnic before the drive back.

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

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

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

Travel from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass by Mercedes Sprinter, stopping at Castle Hill, alpine lakes, Otira Viaduct, and Devil’s Punchbowl Falls. A Kiwi guide such as Clive, Jess, Will, or John provides live commentary, with lunch, snacks, WiFi, and the TranzAlpine return included. Optional jet boating adds extra excitement.

“The scenery, as expected, was beautiful. Our guide, Clive, was knowledgeable and interesting as well as responsive to questions. We made more stops than were on the listed itinerary, some for photo-ops, some for hikes and some for optional jet boating. One concern for us was that the tour was listed as 8 hours (approx.). In reality, it turned out to be over 11 hours. This was not due to difficulties, but looking back it was organized for this length (the train was scheduled to pick us up at 4:20, followed by a three hour train ride and then delivery to our hotels by van). It caused us to miss…”

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13.Dunedin: Scenic Railway Tour Through the Taieri Gorge

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 73 reviews · 5 hours · from $95Best value

From Dunedin Railway Station, you’ll follow the Taieri River through century-old tunnels, bridges, and viaducts to Pukerangi and back. Dave McFarland and other onboard storytellers explain the railway’s gold-rush past and engineering. Bring warm layers, flat shoes, and cash for the café, since card service can fail beyond mobile range.

“I liked the scenery and historical narrative provided by the guide.”

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