TranzAlpine Train Journey: Christchurch to Greymouth
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Experience the South Island’s striking natural landscape by taking a train one way between Christchurch and Greymouth. Along this journey you’ll see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest.
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
This train passes through the Southern Alps, please dress for the alpine conditions
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
One of the world’s great train journeys, traveling coast to coast through forests and farmland and through the spectacular Southern Alps. The TranzAlpine operates a daily return service between Christchurch and Greymouth. From the comfort of world-class carriages, you will see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. The train then climbs into the majestic Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass National Park, before descending through lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth, a great base for visits to Punakaiki and the always-popular glaciers. 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.
What‘s Included
All taxes, fees and handling charges
One way Rail Journey
GPS-triggered audio commentary
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Food and drinks ( available to purchase)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Excess luggage charges (where applicable)
Options
Scenic Plus
Scenic Plus
Included Food and Beverage
Scenic
Christchurch to Greymouth: 4.5 hour train journey from Christchurch to Greymouth
Reviews
306 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A magnificent train journey
F651ZQdiana,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great experience and well worth the trip to see all the beautiful South Island scenery enroute. Friendly helpful safe who kept the train spotlessly clean for the entire trip
A bucket list experience.
Bob M,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a BUCKET LIST experience. A fantastic journey with jaw dropping views. The staff were really good. The viewing carriages were great but got busy (max occupancy 20 people): wish we’d looked at booking the upper class so we could have more space in the viewing carriage. The buffet car was good but could have used more coffee machines/staff as at times the wait for service was long. The luggage management was excellent.
Overpriced for scenic plus option
418fionam,,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We booked the scenic plus option and were underwhelmed The day started fine and we got on the train quickly but then it went downhill The staff were nice enough but not very organised. They did not clear our coffee cups for over an hour and forgot to give us the drink menu which I had to ask for after 3 hours. No choice in main meal, they did not ask if more drinks were needed. The chairs were comfy enough but it did not justify the price There was only one toilet which was not sufficient The scenery was good and the view carriage spacious
All care No responsibility is simply not good enough
Charlie745,,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00We booked return 'Scenic Plus' tickets up to 6 months in advance of the journey only to find on the day we were the only passengers in the entire carriage required to sit with another couple and in backward facing seats. TransAlpine conveniently say that they cannot guarantee seat allocation for 'operational reasons' which we now understand to mean if there is a tour group travelling on the journey they will get priority on seat allocation. In other words not all tourists nor their money are treated equally. There was a tour group of perhaps 16 tourists on our trip, however, given the 'Scenic Plus' carriage would hold well over double that number of passengers we also suspect we were conveniently seated with the only other known Australians on the journey! At Greymouth we questioned why were also allocated backward facing seats for the return journey and we were left feeling humiliated by the way the onboard staff spoke down to us and treated us in front of fellow passengers. There was also a notable change in the service offered to us after we questioned our seating. I could go into much more detail here why we were so underwhelmed and humiliated by this experience which we have done directly with our NZ based tour company. Our tour company have assured us that they have taken our concerns up with TransAlpine on two occasions and absolutely no apology nor compensation has been offered to us. We would NOT recommend this service to couples or individuals NOT travelling in a large tour group. Failing that, sadly we recommend getting to the station very early and refusing to take the journey unless you are offered forward facing seats by yourself like the priority (tour group) passengers are allocated.
Nice views
Leanne M,,Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great train ride with nice views of the mountains and rivers. Much better than driving for hours. Relaxing and coffee/lunch can be brought from the onboard shop.
We love it!!
DayTrip18214522069,,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great journey on this train. The landscape was amazing, and the staff were so friendly and helpful. I hadn’t bought the right tickets to get on and off, and at the last minute the manager kindly helped me change the legs of the trip. On the train, they looked after our luggage and even brought it to us so we didn’t get wet in the rain. They also helped us call the hotel to arrange a shuttle. We felt cared for like family. Thank you for making this journey so smooth.
Beautiful scenery and...
Tracey G,,Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful scenery and professional staff.. Great way to spend half a day seeing scenery not necessarily seen from the road.
Really worth the trip
k8mills80,,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super friendly and helpful team. Wonderful comfy train with great carriages including an open carriage for viewing. Enjoyed every minute and would recommend.
Transalpine train
Lynette T,,Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Views are amazing. Loved this trip. Well worth doing Take photos before Arthur’s Pass going from Christchurch to greymouth
Wrong carriage
Jennifer S,,Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Viator managed to send us cattle class instead of the luxury carriage we were expecting. We survived, but it was disappointing.
From NZ$243.75
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Operated by Great Journeys New Zealand