Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch
Overview
Available languages
9 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a Sightseeing tour to Arthur’s Pass through the spectacular scenery of the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. Journey on one of the world’s greatest train journeys, stop at the cafe in the Alpine Village of Arthur's Pass, have a coffee with the cheeky keas. Visit a high country sheep farm for a farm tour and afternoon tea, you might even be allowed to have a go at shearing a sheep.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Tour may operate in reverse - so Tranzalpine train from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch
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 To Expect
Canterbury Region
Following a morning pickup by air-conditioned coach from your Christchurch hotel, transfer to the Christchurch Railway Station where you will board the TranzAlpine train. This has been rated as one of the top 10 train journeys in the world.
TranzAlpine Train
We invite you to join us on a tour of discovery, featuring spectacular scenery. From Christchurch board the world famous TranzAlpine train through to Arthurs Pass
What‘s Included
Tranz Alpine train journey Christchurch to Arthurs Pass one-way
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Local guide
Afternoon tea
Air-conditioned vehicle
Gratuities
Lunch
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Arthurs Pass Day Tour
Arthurs Pass Day Tour : Arthur's Pass Day Tour including Tranzalpine Train & Farm Tour Does not include Lunch
Pickup included
Full Day Arthurs Pass Tour
Full Day Arthur's Pass Day Tour including TranzAlpine Train, Sheep Farm Visit with Afternoon tea
Pickup included
Reviews
198 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
the guide didnt take us...
Mira F,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00the guide didnt take us to the devil punchbowl waterfall :(( but everything else there was nice viewss
Played with Kea, saw Shaving the sheep and had lunch at a beautiful place 🩷
iram r,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Graham was knowledgeable and very nice. All stops he made were amazing places for pictures taking. Lunch at Grasmere Rest area was the most magical experience. Such a beautiful place with the most amazing presentation of salad!! Then Herding the sheep and shaving the sheep was another unique experience.
Comfortable van and upscale lunch with beautiful view
Christine C,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Would I recommend Authur’s pass? It’s skippable in my opinion if you’ve seen beautiful mountains with glacier water. Would I recommend this tour if you want to do Authur’s Pass? Absolutely. The vans are the most comfortable we’ve been in NZ - seats are comfortable and good sound system. Happy to see a Kea in the wild. The lunch was at a beautiful upscale winery type place with a beautiful view which we never would have known about on our own. And it was cool to meet the sheep farmer and watch a dog herding sheep and sheep shearing.
Traversing with the TranzAlpine
Sangeeta I,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Beautiful train ride across from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass which is one of the 5 major passes through the Southern Alps. I was excited to have a window seat but then realized I was going to be jumping up to the cafe cart or to the open scenic view car to get the most views. We just had a gorgeous day so I guess on a rainy day, I may have stayed put? The staff on the train are LOVELY so feel free to chat with them not only about their lives - and they take photos for you (when not working). You get picked up by the same car that picked you up from your hotel where my guide, Graham, was lovely. He will give you a quick story of the Arthur's Pass area and how it has changed. On this tour, I was disappointed that we did not get to walk around on our own as I thought we had 1.5 hours in AP so I could do the Devil's Punchbowl but you are in the car much of the time. You do go to amazing scenic outlooks that I don't think you would see without a car as it is pretty hilly so not easy to walk. Our lunch was in a gorgeous station with delicious wood fired pizzas (from a wood fire oven!) but it does take time... so just take photos for a while and enjoy the atmosphere. Our stop at Castle rock is just enough time to run up to the top, explore the top, take photos and run back down. So if you are fit, just get out of the van first. Super enjoyed the visit to the sheep sheering station and the family who runs the homestead are LOVELY! Do sit with them for a cup of tea and enjoy the sweet treats.
Excellent
Carolina P,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing trip our guide Jude was very energetic and knowledgeable, loved every minute of it. Train ride has so many scenic views we had an amazing lunch on a new farm which had alpacas which was a plus, and then visited another farm with herding dog name Toby which was so smart. Highly recommend this tour.
Thank you terry for taking care of everyone, highly recommend oh
chihchengh2025,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you terry for taking care of everyone, highly recommend oh The scenery on the way is beautiful, you can feel the unique charm of the high-mountain train, but also enjoy a delicious lunch, sheep are adorable
A great way to hear about the plains area!
Suzanne B,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00There was such great information learned about the plains area of New Zealand. The open car on the train was small and always quite crowded so hard to enjoy that part. Our guide, Terry, was so fun and knowledgeable and eager to make sure we enjoyed all parts of the journey! The lunch in Grasmere was PHENOMENAL and the sheep farm was authentic and precious!
Arthurs Pass with torrential rain.
William C,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful scenery and informative commentary on train and from Terry on bus. Weather was horrendous in mountains but this did not spoil what was s very enjoyable trip. Special mention to Terry for his improvisation to deal with weather and his entertaining and informative commentary in way back to Christchurch from Arthur's Pass. Also his kindness in returning my wallet, dropped on the van floor when we returned to the city.
Lots of great experiences for one day!
167joycee,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience. Smooth train ride w narration on your own Bluetooth headphones, beautiful views, combined with 2 hikes (lengths of your choosing)in the National Park followed by sheep farm visit, with sheep dog performing happily, and demo of sheep shearing and wool processing. Driver Terry was very informative about culture, ecology, and history of New Zealand. He is also a good driver and very upbeat and friendly.
Arthur’s Pass Train Ride
487lawrencev,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Scenic views and comfortable seating on train. Great way to get to Arthur’s Pass. Able to purchase food and drink on the train. One of the cars is open air for taking pictures/videos of journey.
From NZ$560.00
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