What‘s Included

What To Expect

Reviews

• Poor weather, long journey.

  SilverSea05,

  Oct 23, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  Tedious, 12 hours in rain &wind & had to complete the final 2 hrs by bus due to the weather conditions. Crew pretty much absent throughout journey and not terribly pleasant or helpful. Guess it’s different for Scenic Plus passengers? Food microwaved & expensive. I imagine with fair weather the views would be worth the journey/ price…but perhaps not.

  

• Terrible Agent Service – Avoid Viator for Train Bookings

  Akila M,

  Oct 4, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  1.00

  I am extremely disappointed with Viator as a booking agent for my Northern Explorer train (Scenic Plus) journey. While the train experience itself was wonderful, Viator failed in their responsibilities as an intermediary. Firstly, I clearly provided my dietary requirements; I am a vegetarian who does not consume eggs or fish. However, the train staff showed me their records, and there was no information passed on from Viator. Thankfully, the staff onboard were kind enough to accommodate me at the last minute, but this was entirely due to their efforts, not Viator’s. Secondly, there was a major change to the journey due to maintenance, the train only ran as far as Hamilton, and we were then transferred to a bus to complete the trip. This is crucial information that Viator should have communicated to me beforehand. Instead, I only found out upon arrival at the station, which was extremely unprofessional and frustrating. The train ride itself was amazing, but Viator, as an agent, failed miserably in both communication and service. I would not recommend booking through them, as they clearly cannot be relied upon to pass on important information or provide proper customer care.

• Very disappointed.

  Resort01521017950,

  Sep 16, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  This was a disappointment after my first trip. There was very little help at the Wellington station. As a solo traveller I was seated with another solo traveller despite there being several free rows in the carriage. I was unable to get any help accessing WiFi until I managed a different route myself. Th food was expensive and virtually inedible. I will not be doing this journey again.

• The magical Scenic Plus experience on the Northerner from Wellington to Auckland!

  Happiness08248355228,

  Sep 15, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  From check in to departure, we were treated like royalty. The scenic plus carriage is beautiful, the food is amazing, the temperature remained comfortable, the carriage was quiet from outside noise and the staff members very engaging and professional. The information available on the app is well worth logging into, and the use of free Wi-Fi was perfect to keep track of our travels. The staff members were very engaging, very knowledgeable and very professional. The food selection throughout the journey, was beautifully presented and sourced from areas in NZ that we passed through on our 11 hour journey! The scenic plus experience as well worth the money paid. I suggest you put it on your bucket list!

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• No one told me where to...

  Eryl S,

  Sep 4, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  4.00

  No one told me where to pick up the ticket, and the information booth was closed. Had to ask a train manager but luckily she helped. Views and train ride were remarkably beautiful. I recommend booking it through somewhere else.

• scenic plus is NO NO

  162jagt,

  Aug 19, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  scenic plus of this train is not worth it. they are serving microwave meals on the name of fine dine.. not worth it all ,,too much over priced ,,, for nothing

• Scenic Plus Experience

  lindabQ575XX,

  Jul 31, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  We traveled scenic plus. The journey was highlighted by the excellent on board service and quality of food and drink. Our host Jaiden gave us an insight into Maori culture, history and customs, this was an added bonus especially how it related to the train carriage we were in. The onboard facilities made our journey very comfortable. The scenery was spectacular and merits the price of the ticket, giving good value for money. The only aggravating factor that we would have preferred not to experience was the unnecessary noise from electronic devices of two fellow passengers who, despite onboard information and intervention from the carriage attendants the noise continued. It resulted in other passengers moving seats. The silent policy should have been enforced but wasn't, this didn't totally spoil our journey. THANK YOU TO THE CARRIAGE CREW WE REALLY APPRECIATED HOW YOU LOOKED AFTER US.

• A North Island memorable journey

  saul r,

  May 7, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  An extraordinary journey that allowed us to view the north island in complete comfort. Very attentive staff, everyone and particularly our conductor, Bruce, provided utmost hospitality and care until the very end. The dining wagon was well stocked at reasonable prices. The toilet for people with disabilities is excellent.

  

  

  

  

  

• Relaxing Enjoyable Stress-free once in a lifetime Journey

  315nikkio,

  May 3, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Staff and crew were warm and welcoming... A wonderful way to see the beauty of our country...Cafe had an array of wonderful food to choose from and great coffee....seats were comfortable and been able to walk around and out to the viewing Carriage was a delight ..altho extremely chilly.. One of the highlights of my trip is BRUCE the duty manager...this man couldn't do any more for you if he tried....he changed our seats so we would be more comfortable and his commentaries on up coming sites was filled with wonderful knowledge and humor.....After arriving in Auckland 11 and a half hrs later,.... Bruce still went above and beyond... he waited with us all to make sure we got to our taxi's..Ubers and tour buses safely before finishing for the day..... This journey is extremely worthwhile even just to meet Bruce 🚂🚃🚞

• Best experience ever

  Seaside43719502175,

  Apr 7, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  10/10 great and friendly service great food and beverages spectacular views/senary love it and the Crew/team are tops

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
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