New Zealand›From Wellington›Christchurch
Wellington to Christchurch by flight or ferry
About 440 km. The flight is fastest at 3 h; the flight is cheapest, from ₹4,680 per person.
Christchurch to WellingtonFastest
Flight
Air New Zealand / Jetstar
3 h door to door
Cheapest
Flight
Air New Zealand / Jetstar
from ₹4,680 per person
Best value
Flight
Air New Zealand / Jetstar
cheapest at mid fares among options within 1.5× the fastest time (or 1 h more on a short ride)
Cook Strait ferry + Coastal Pacific train runs October – April only.
The rest of the year: Air New Zealand / Jetstar; Cook Strait ferry + InterCity coach.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | Air New Zealand / Jetstar | 3 h | ₹4,680–₹15,400per person | Daily | flight search ↗ |
| Ferry | Cook Strait ferry + Coastal Pacific train | 11 h | ₹11,000–₹24,200per person | October – April only | Rome2Rio ↗ |
| Ferry | Cook Strait ferry + InterCity coach | 11 h | ₹5,780–₹11,830per person | Daily | Rome2Rio ↗ |
- Ferry, Cook Strait ferry + Coastal Pacific train: The scenic way: the morning ferry connects at Picton with the Coastal Pacific along the Kaikōura coast. The Coastal Pacific runs daily in its summer season only (late September to April), along the Kaikōura coast. Out of season take the InterCity coach.
- Ferry, Cook Strait ferry + InterCity coach: Interislander and Bluebridge both sail several times a day; the crossing is about 3.5 h through the Marlborough Sounds. Most rental firms don't take their cars across: drop yours at the terminal and collect another on the other side. Southerly gales cancel sailings now and then, mostly in winter.
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 (or in season); 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flight · Air New Zealand / Jetstar | ₹9,360–₹30,800 | ₹18,720–₹61,600 |
| Ferry · Cook Strait ferry + Coastal Pacific train | ₹22,000–₹48,400 | ₹44,000–₹96,800 |
| Ferry · Cook Strait ferry + InterCity coach | ₹11,560–₹23,660 | ₹23,120–₹47,320 |
Once you’re in Christchurch
- Best time: November – April
- Typical stay: 2 days
- November: Good month: November is at the start of the recommended season (November – April).
Related
Plan Wellington and Christchurch
A day-by-day plan with this journey, the stays and the rest priced in.