Coastal Pacific Train Journey from Picton to Christchurch
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 40 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience and immerse yourself in the rugged coastal architecture of New Zealand. The Coastal Pacific travels breathtakingly close to the Pacific Ocean, where the roaring, windblown sea meets enormous bush-clad mountains.
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
Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if travelling with a wheelchair
Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure and check in at the station to receive your boarding pass
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
With steeply soaring mountains on one side and the sweeping Pacific Ocean on the other, find yourself immersed in the rugged coastal architecture of the east coast of the South Island. Surrounded by a myriad of sea and birdlife, you’ll hug 98km of untouched coastline, winding your way through lush native bush, charming coastal towns and dramatic seascapes. While on board enjoy the journey in award winning world class carriages with specially designed seats. Awaken your senses in the open air viewing decks or sit back and enjoy the GPS triggered audio commentary available through headphones at every seat. All trains have a licensed café carriage providing snacks and light meals (at own expense).
What‘s Included
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
All taxes, fees and handling charges
GPS-triggered audio commentary
One Way Rail Journey
Excess luggage charges (where applicable)
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Food and drinks (available to purchase)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Scenic
Picton to Christchurch: 6.25 hour train journey from Picton to Christchurch
Scenic Plus
Scenic Plus
Includes Food and Beverage
Reviews
359 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Splash out you deserve it.
tomnsez,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Went premium plus. Absolutely delightful. What ever the extra is pay it. The food and drinks were amazing the staff even better.
Lamb scatter
SteveDebbieSalsbury,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00So nice that both my husband and I both got to see all the beautiful scenery as we didn’t have to drive. Very comfortable seating. It was fun to watch the lambs scurry away as the train approached.
Picton to Christchurch - Plan B
Judith R,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Due to bad weather in week b4 we travelled - Ferries were running 2 hours late so we were unable to have our coastal pacific train trip as train had to keep to its schedule! We were transported to Christchurch by bus instead - very very disappointed- bus driver was great but train was our preference! Hope our offered half refund comes thru soon!
A beautiful journey.
Michael K,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00From the point of check in everything is handled really smoothly. Friendly and helpful staff. A free cup of coffee whilst you wait was a nice touch. The scenery is amazing, at on e point we had the ocean on one side and snowed capped mountains on the other. Stunning.
Train ride with a view
KerryBryant,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great way to get from Picton to Christchurch.
Stunning scenery
Judith F,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very easy check in. Comfortable clean train. Cafe on board. Scenic all the way. Regular announcement. Viewing car on board but picture windows afford an excellent view.
Wellington to Christchurch by ferry and train...super travel day!!!
Christian L,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great train ride! Clean cars, very nice train conductors! Catering offer very good! Luggage was loaded directly from the ferry onto the train. Permanent sunshine guaranteed through the panoramic windows great photos and videos...Departure and arrival on time. Would book this trip again anytime!!!
Comfortable way to get from Wellington/Picton ferry to Christchurch.
Simon B,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Seated in groups of 4 in assigned seats - so 2 travelling backwards. Large windows give a good view. Food and drink to purchase on board.
Coach replacement and poor communication
ffionb436,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I am sure the train trip was amazing, but due to storm damage (only to standard carriages, first class carriages were okay) this trip was cancelled for us with less than 24 hours to go. We were given the option of a full refund or a partial refund and coach tickets purchased for us. My partner and I were getting the early ferry to Picton and needed to make our way to Christchurch for that same evening so had no choice but to take the coach option. Even though I quickly emailed back to let them know this is the option I had chosen, I was sent no information regarding pick up time/location for the coach travel. I was given an incorrect refund - which I flagged straight away but was told by Viator to contact Kiwi Rail Ltd about this. After contacting them they told me to contact Viator (still waiting for my correct refund and response from both companies!) After arriving on the ferry and locating the train desk ourselves, the member of staff who checked us in was very friendly and helpful despite a lot of other customers being (rightly) annoyed by the situation of being bumped to coach replacement. He then told us to come back for 1:20 for departure at 1:40 (we did not depart until 2pm!) Once we were finally on the coach we were told we should arrive in Christchurch around 19:40 (with stops) but we did not arrive until 20:30. There were no toilet facilities on the coach, the driver did make stops but I still find this an issue due to the fact people paid for a train (which would have facilities). At each stop we made there was further delay getting passengers on/off. Once we were finally in Christchurch, the member of staff from Kiwi Rail on our bus told us that our luggage may have been put on the other coach or the train (we were not told this at the beginning!) she assured us that if this was the case, a member of her team would not leave the bags unattended until we collected them. As we pulled into the train station, there were crowds of people and I could see a pile of luggage on the platform, unattended, and soaked by the rain. Of course, our luggage was in this pile. After travelling for over 6 hours on the coach all we wanted to do was get to our accomodation (as it seemed all the railway staff did too) so there was nobody to complain to. One woman on the other coach actually had her luggage lost! It is unacceptable that the bags were left unattended. Very disappointed with the service we recieved with this - what should have been a highlight of our trip turned into a low light. We understood that the weather cannot be helped but the last minute poor communication and also the fact that the train did still run for first class passengers, left a very sour taste in the mouth for many.
Unfortunate train journey
L8659HUstevew,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Train broke down! It was going well until then, but stuck on it for 13 hours. Offered free drinks and ice cream. No money returned.
From NZ$265.00
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Operated by Great Journeys New Zealand