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
Christchurch to Greymouth: 4.5 hour train journey from Christchurch to Greymouth
Scenic Plus
Scenic Plus
Included Food and Beverage
Reviews
328 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Relaxing, beautiful...
Judith R,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Relaxing, beautiful scenery in very comfortable seats! Great food from on board Cafe with very friendly staff!
Very disappointed
KATHY W,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Not worth the $500 return. Stopped too many times. Went fast past the good photo places Not good....
Great views on TranzAlpine!
MarigoldToronto,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience- so glad we took the train and picked up the rental car in Greymouth! Views were amazing. Go to the outside viewing area for best pictures If you want food/drinks the line can get VERY long so go as soon as they announce they’re open or wait an hour If picking up a rental car in Greymouth the lines get very long, fast- if travelling with others and you checked luggage split up getting luggage and getting in line for car rental- you’ll save an hour wait time!
Well worth it
chocolocomama,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on one of the wettest, mistiest days of the summer but despite this, we thoroughly enjoyed the journey. The train was very comfortable, food was available and the commentary via the app on our phones was great.
Not happy about the customer service.
stephencI9823CT,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00My wife and I planned our trip months in advance, particularly looking forward to the TranzAlpine train trip. The night we were to fly to Christchurch we discovered my passport was missing and had to drive three hours (each way) to Rotorua to retrieve it. I contacted the organization, explaining the situation and asked if there was any way we could get on another train later in the week (or a refund, though I didn't expect it). We received a short and blunt email basically saying "no." I want to be clear about this - it was my mistake to leave my passport behind. However, the inability to accommodate for unfortunate circumstances is why I am leaving this review. We paid a lot of money for this experience and would have adjusted all our plans if another set of seats were available later in the week. At the very least, the organization could have checked for open seats. If none were available, we would have given credit for their customer service.
An exceptional rail journey.
GAC54,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful train journey though stunning scenery, very comfortable seating and the outdoor viewing car provided great opportunities for photography.
Highly recommend this train. Gorgeous views, interesting commentary, delicious food in scenic plus!
2009sunseeker,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent! Highly recommend this train . Check your bags, easy process. We took it one way from Christchurch to Greymouth in Scenic Plus class. Included food was amazing and plentiful. Each of the 4 courses throughout the morning offered a selection of included paired wines. We didn’t imbibe as we were picking up a car in Greymouth and driving to Franz Josef same day.
Did not disappoint.
818craigv,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Planned in advance and a trip we were looking forward to - and it didn't disappoint. Checking in, baggage transfer to the train and boarding were all very easy and communication, instructions, etc. were clear and concise. Journey was full of wonderful sights, scenery, views and lots of opportunities for photographs, videos, etc. including the open air viewing carriages for all to use. Cafe on board was good and reasonably priced and the staff throughout the journey were efficient and helpful. Well worth doing!!
Great journey with wonderful scenery.
paulines303,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The train was pretty full but there were still a few seats left so you could move about a bit if you wanted to. Also there was an open car if you wanted a blast of fresh air. The scenery is pretty spectacular along this route. There is a spoken guide but you need to have headphones etc but there is also a written one that you can follow but as we went the other way had to keep scrolling back. Only drawback is that you can take your own food but not your own wine.
Give it a 2 out of 10
Margaret S,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00Over hyped, overrated and VERY overpriced. The train itself was comfortable but the food was overpriced. You can't see much from the so called viewing platform.
From NZ$243.75
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Great Journeys New Zealand