2 Day West Coast Glaciers and TranzAlpine Train: Queenstown to Christchurch

Overview

Available languages

English

48 hours

Mobile ticket

Experience the very best of New Zealand on this two day West Coast adventure!

Tour highlights include Queenstown, Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, the wild West Coast and the world-famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train. Hailed as one of the greatest train journeys in the world, the TranzAlpine Train will take your breath away on the journey to your final destination of Christchurch.

This is an Independent coach tour, where you travel on a combination of touring coaches and sightseeing services with commentary and/or point to point coaches which may not have commentary. You will be with different people on each part of the tour and different drivers. You have free time to explore on your own and are free to choose where and when to eat, meals are not included unless specified.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

What‘s Included

TranzAlpine Scenic Train from Greymouth to Christchurch

All transport as specified in this tour package (small group or semi-private tours)

Breif commentary on transport

Shuttle to Glacier Valley

One nights accommodation in Franz Josef

Meals unless specified

Pre and post tour accommodation

Hotel drop-off on day two

Gratuities

What To Expect

Day 1

Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

Accommodations

Choose from either a Premium Motel or 4-Star Hotel

Queenstown

Private Transfer Leaving Queenstown, travel past picturesque scenery of massive mountain peaks and crystal-clear blue lakes. Travel across the Haast Pass to the other side of the Southern Alps, the landscape changes dramatically. Welcome to the wild and wonderful West Coast, a remote and unspoiled region. Wind your way past native rainforest, rocky coastlines and powerful waterfalls. Your journey concludes in the village of Franz Josef, your base for exploration of the area.

8 hours•Admission Not Applicable

Franz Josef

You will be met at your accommodation by a representative from Glacier Shuttles and taken on a short tour to view the glacier. Your shuttle vehicle will transfer you up the Franz Josef valley to the road end. Here you will have the opportunity to walk to view the glacier from a viewing platform. Or enjoy one of the short walks available in this area.

2 hours•Admission Not Applicable

Franz Josef Glacier

Spectacular photo opportunities abound of these huge ice masses. Watch out for keas (native parrots) and their inquisitive cheeky play. You will be met at your accommodation by a representative from Glacier Valley Eco Tours and taken on a short tour to view the glacier. Your shuttle vehicle will transfer you up the Franz Josef valley to the road end. Here you will have the opportunity to walk to view the glacier from a viewing platform. Or enjoy one of the short walks available in this area. You will be returned to your accommodation by the Glacier Valley Eco Tours shuttle.

•Admission Included

Day 2

Franz Josef to Greymouth, then take the TranzAlpine Scenic Train to Christchurch

Mawhera Greymouth isite Visitor Information Centre

Semi-private tour Today you’ll head north through the historic gold mining region of Hokitika. Known for its Greenstone (Pounamu) this seaside town has a rich history dating back to the 1860’s. Continue on to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast and the starting point for the next leg of your journey - the TranzAlpine Scenic Train.

4 hours•Admission Included

Considered one of the world's great train journeys, the Tranz Alpine scenic train takes you from Greymouth to Christchurch. You'll travel across the South Island through the Arthur's Pass National Park from the west to the east coast.

6 hours•Admission Included

Christchurch

From the comfort of your carriage see lush beech forest, deep river valleys and the spectacular peaks of the Southern Alps. Descend to the windswept Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch.

•Admission Not Applicable

Options

Standard

Premium Motel

Superior

4-Star Hotel

Reviews

3.00

3 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Enjoyable but very expensive.
Dan E,
Jan 16, 2023
- Viator
3.00
The many scenic views of mountains and lakes were enjoyed. Franz Josef Bella Vista Hotel staff were excellent as was our driver Lyall. Alice May Restaurant was excellent with great food and service. We enjoyed the trip however we expected meals to be provided and a better itinerary for a two day one night $4000.00 excursion. I wouldn't recommend for the price paid. The train naration was excellent. My seat head phones didn't work so I had to relocate separately from my wife.
Confirmed doesn’t mean confirmed
Victoria P,
Feb 22, 2020
- Viator
2.00
My friend and I booked this trip 10 months in advance and were fully confirmed. Three weeks prior to the trip, we were contacted to tell us that they didn’t have train tickets for us even though it had been fully confirmed and that now the train was overbooked. After several days of going back and forth with the tour company, they finally did get us the train tickets, but it took much time and effort on our part to make this right which should never have happened when we were booked so far in advance. In truth, I feel that we should receive a partial refund due to the poor service that we received. During the trip, you spend a lot of time on a bus on both days with few stops which I think is a bit misleading in the description. The glacier was nice to see and the train ride was interesting, but there was a lot of travel time involved.
Spectacular Scenery in a comfortable setting
Susan B,
Feb 15, 2020
- Viator
4.00
Beautiful trip. Too bad it was delayed due to heat on the rails which made the trip longer than anticipated. But safety first! Also food was limited and we did not know this prior to getting on board. But we were given complimentary ice cream....gotta love ice cream. Also our seats were double booked which caused confusion at boarding time. Workers tried to help. Commentary was good. We had people around us talking loudly and not listening to the commentary and this made it difficult to hear.