15 Train Experiences in New Zealand, Compared

1.Northern Explorer Train Journey from Wellington to Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 513 reviews · from $157Our pick

Ride New Zealand’s Northern Explorer from Wellington to Auckland, with volcano views, open-air platforms, onboard food, and GPS commentary.

“That you need to sit on the A and B side of the train if you are travelling from Wellington to Auckland for best views from viaducts. We were on the other side. The viewing coach is quite low so if you are tall you have to bend down to see out.”

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2.TranzAlpine Train, Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 426 reviews · from $254Top rated

Ride the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass, hike to waterfalls, visit Castle Hill, and enjoy guided Southern Alps scenery.

“This was an amazing day trip! We saw so many beautiful sights. Our guide was so prepared with umbrellas and ponchos. Even though we spent a lot of time in the bus, we had multiple stops, including 2 for short hikes. Our guide was kind and knowledgeable. The train was beautiful, so scenic. Loved this day trip-we got to see so much, especially with our limited time here!”

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3.Coastal Pacific Train Journey from Picton to Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 345 reviews · from $164

Review the Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch, with Pacific views, Kaikoura scenery, practical tips, pricing, and honest drawbacks.

“A wonderful way to experience the best of East coast South Island. Relaxing, beautiful and comfortable.”

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4.TranzAlpine Train Journey: Christchurch to Greymouth

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 312 reviews · from $151

Review the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth, with Southern Alps views, practical tips, food advice, timing, and honest value notes.

“Well organized, very professional staff, comfortable setting, and clean environment. An excellent way to experience the New Zealand Alpines.”

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5.Arthur’s Pass Discovery and TranzAlpine Train – Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 272 reviews · from $555

Ride New Zealand’s TranzAlpine to Arthur’s Pass, then explore alpine forests, Cave Stream, Castle Hill, and country roads by minivan.

“This was a wonderful trip surpassed my expectations. Both my sister and myself had a great time. Stu our guide made it so special for us and it a memory that we will cherish”

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6.Arthur’s Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 270 reviews · 10 hours · from $245

Ride the TranzAlpine to Arthur’s Pass, hike to waterfalls, spot kea, and explore Castle Hill on a scenic 10-hour Christchurch day tour.

“The trip was wonderful, the guide is friendly and helpful. He is always around at all meet up areas that I make me feel secure. Thank you so much!”

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7.Northern Explorer Train Journey from Auckland to Wellington

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 204 reviews · from $164

Review the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington, with scenic views, open-air decks, comfort, food, timing, and practical tips.

“We could not enjoy the experience as the train was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. There was flooding from bad weather.”

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8.Arthur’s Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 202 reviews · from $347

Ride the TranzAlpine to Arthur’s Pass, hike to waterfalls, enjoy mountain views, and visit a working sheep farm from Christchurch.

“This was a terrific tour and our tour guide, Carmen, was EXCEPTIONAL! She had the trip planned down to the minute with every detail thought through such that we had no worries at all. Carmen was/is warm, personable, knowledgeable and very energetic - a true pleasure to be around. We traveled via train to Arthur's Pass and back to Christchurch via van with plenty of scenic and interesting stops along the way to include a 300 step climb to a view of a beautiful waterfall. To say the scenery was breath-taking would be an understatement. This is a great tour to get you outside the city of Christchurch. I 100%…”

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9.TranzAlpine Train Journey from Greymouth to Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 182 reviews · from $151

Review of the TranzAlpine from Greymouth to Christchurch, with alpine views, Arthur’s Pass, onboard tips, costs, comfort, and drawbacks.

“It was a lovely experience, very different. The beautiful views after Arthur’s Pass are extraordinary! Truly memorable”

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10.Coastal Pacific Train Journey from Christchurch to Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · from $164

Review the Coastal Pacific from Christchurch to Picton, with Kaikoura coast views, dolphins, open-air decks, audio commentary, and practical tips.

“The views, especially along the coast, are wonderful. Friendly staff and fellow travelers were also a plus. And the open air car was fantastic. Unfortunately the commentary wasn’t functioning, which was quite a disappointment. And the food options could be better, though they were adequate.”

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11.Tranz Alpine Train Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · from $465

Ride the TranzAlpine to Arthur’s Pass, hike among waterfalls and mountains, and return to Christchurch by car on a small-group day tour.

“Our guide Craig was incredible!! So knowledgeable about the history of the countryside and made our trip so special with his flexible relaxed style!”

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12.Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass Day Tour: TranzAlpine Train & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 90 reviews · from $273

Review of Christchurch’s Arthur’s Pass day tour with Castle Hill, Devil’s Punchbowl, lunch, and the scenic TranzAlpine train.

“I traveled solo and this was a great day tour. Our guide Will was very informative and made the day fun. I definitely recommend paying for the jet boat ride, very fun and made me feel very alive! Castle Hill was stunning and we had time to walk around there and also to eat the bag lunch (good sandwich and snacks). There were other brief stops for good photo opportunities. I walked the Devil’s Punchbowl path up to a waterfall and that was enjoyable and worthwhile. I enjoyed the tranzalpine train from Arthur’s Pass back to Christchurch, definitely glad I did that part. Overall, I highly recommend this trip. I…”

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13.Scenic Railway Tour Through the Taieri Gorge

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 73 reviews · 5 hours · from $95

Ride Dunedin’s historic Taieri Gorge Railway through tunnels, bridges, and Otago scenery, with onboard stories, café food, and photo stops.

“Great commentary of the Taieri Gorge with beautiful views and friendly staff.”

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14.Christchurch to Franz Josef 1 Way Tour inc TranzAlpine Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 12 hours · from $328

Ride the TranzAlpine from Christchurch, explore Hokitika Gorge, and reach Franz Josef with lunch, snacks, and a local guide.

“Logan was a great driver and very informative. Enjoyed the breaks for walks along the way. The train ride allowed so really beautiful views.”

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15.Arthur’s Pass with optional TranzAlpine Train (Small Group Tour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $340

Review of the Arthur’s Pass small-group tour from Christchurch, with Castle Hill, alpine stops, lunch, guides, and optional TranzAlpine train.

“We had great views to the mountains of southern New Zealand including such famous place as Castle Hill, and exciting underground journey inside the cave with a river - we went through all this underground river. That was not really easy, aRead more”

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