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How to get from Christchurch to Wellington
Flying is the fastest way from Christchurch to Wellington, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Overland, you drive or take the Coastal Pacific train (seasonal) to Picton, then the Cook Strait ferry to Wellington, about 8 to 10 hours in total.
Best option: Flight. At under an hour with many daily flights, flying is much faster than the drive and ferry.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| flight Christchurch (CHC) to Wellington (WLG), with Air New Zealand and others | about 45 min–1 h | many flights a day | about NZ$80–250 | Wellington airport is about 15–20 minutes from the city. |
| car State Highway 1 north to Picton (about 4 h 30–5 h), then Interislander or Bluebridge car ferry to Wellington (about 3 h 30) | about 8 h 30–10 h including the ferry | ferries several times a day | fuel plus ferry about NZ$150–300 for a car and driver | Book the ferry ahead, especially in summer. |
| train KiwiRail Coastal Pacific Christchurch–Picton (seasonal), then the Interislander ferry to Wellington | about 9–10 h | one train a day in season | about NZ$150–250 combined | Scenic but not daily all year; check current timetables. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- The Kaikōura coast on SH1 is a good stop on the drive.
- Book the Cook Strait ferry early in summer and holiday periods.
- Rough weather can delay or cancel ferries.
- Rental companies often require you to drop the car before the ferry and pick up another one.
Common questions
Is there a direct ferry?
No. Ferries cross Cook Strait between Picton and Wellington. From Christchurch you first drive or take the train north to Picton, about 4 h 30 to 5 hours. The ferry crossing takes about 3 h 30, operated by Interislander and Bluebridge.
How long is the flight?
About 45 minutes to 1 hour. Air New Zealand and other carriers have many daily flights. Including airport time and transfers, door to door is usually about 3 hours, which is much faster than going overland. Fares are lowest when booked weeks ahead.
Can I take a rental car on the ferry?
Many rental companies prefer that you drop the car in Picton and collect another in Wellington. Some allow taking cars across. Check your rental terms, as taking the car on the ferry adds cost. Taking a car across costs roughly NZ$150 to NZ$300 one way, depending on season.
Is the Coastal Pacific train worth it?
For scenery, yes. The Coastal Pacific runs along the Kaikōura coast with views of mountains and sea. It runs seasonally, not every day of the year, so check current timetables. Combined with the ferry, it makes a full day of travel.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.