New Zealand›From Christchurch›Franz Josef
Christchurch to Franz Josef by train, flight or road
About 390 km. The flight is fastest at 4 h; the private car is cheapest, from ₹7,320 per car (up to 4).
Franz Josef to ChristchurchFastest
Flight
Air New Zealand via Hokitika (HKK) + Franz Josef shuttle
4 h door to door
Cheapest
Private car
Rental car (self-drive), per vehicle
from ₹7,320 per car (up to 4)
Best value
Private car
Rental car (self-drive), per vehicle
cheapest at mid fares among options within 1.5× the fastest time (or 1 h more on a short ride)
Every option, compared
Door-to-door times (flights include the time at the airports). Fares are typical ranges from the cheapest seat to the premium one.
| Mode | Service | Time | Fare | Runs | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train | TranzAlpine train via Greymouth + InterCity coach | 9 h | ₹9,350–₹22,000per person | Daily | Rome2Rio ↗ |
| Private car | Rental car (self-drive), per vehicle | 5.3 h | ₹7,320–₹14,690per car (up to 4) | Daily | Rome2Rio ↗ |
| Flight | Air New Zealand via Hokitika (HKK) + Franz Josef shuttle | 4 h | ₹7,150–₹19,250per person | Daily | flight search ↗ |
- Train, TranzAlpine train via Greymouth + InterCity coach: The TranzAlpine leaves Christchurch about 08:15 and crosses Arthur's Pass to Greymouth (about 13:05), one of the world's great train rides; the coach down the coast takes about 3.5 h.
- Private car, Rental car (self-drive), per vehicle: Over Arthur's Pass (SH73): chains may be needed in snow from June to September.
Booking links open the route on the country's transport booking site for trains, buses, boats and transfers, and a flight search for flights, dated about two weeks out; change the date there.
What it costs your group, one way
Fares × people; a private car is priced per car, one car per four people.
| Option | 2 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|
| Train · TranzAlpine train via Greymouth + InterCity coach | ₹18,700–₹44,000 | ₹37,400–₹88,000 |
| Private car · Rental car (self-drive), per vehicle | ₹7,320–₹14,690 | ₹7,320–₹14,690 |
| Flight · Air New Zealand via Hokitika (HKK) + Franz Josef shuttle | ₹14,300–₹38,500 | ₹28,600–₹77,000 |
Once you’re in Franz Josef
- Best time: November – April (clearest skies often in winter)
- Typical stay: 2 days
- November: Good month: November is at the start of the recommended season (November – April (clearest skies often in winter)). Against it: Sandflies on the West Coast.
Related
Plan Christchurch and Franz Josef
A day-by-day plan with this journey, the stays and the rest priced in.