The distance between Gisborne and Whakatane is around 184km (114 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 10m.
We've found 2 different ways to get from Gisborne to Whakatane by bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Whakatane → Gisborne if you're planning a return trip.
Take the bus to Whakatane.
There are several options for getting from Gisborne to Whakatane by bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around NZ$38 ($23) and will take around 3h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately NZ$41 ($25).
The distance between Gisborne and Whakatane is around 184km (114 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 119km (74 miles)
It takes around 3h 25m to get from Gisborne and Whakatane by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 10m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Gisborne to Whakatane is to drive which takes around 2h 10m and will set you back approx NZ$41 ($25).
The cheapest way to travel between Gisborne and Whakatane, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around NZ$38 ($23) for a standard one-way ticket.
There is no train service that runs between Gisborne and Whakatane. We recommend that you drive to Whakatāne. instead which will take 2h 10m.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Gisborne and Whakatane. It typically takes around 3h 25m and departs once daily.
Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Gisborne and Whakatane with no changeovers required. The bus runs once daily and takes 3h 25m.
InterCity run regular bus services between Gisborne and Whakatane. Buses run once daily and take around 3h 25m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Gisborne to Whakatane. We recommend that you take the bus to Whakatane. instead which will take 3h 25m.
The closest major airport to Whakatane is Rotorua International Airport (ROT) (ROT) which is approximately 62km (38 miles) from Whakatane. Tauranga City Airport (TRG) (TRG) and Gisborne Airport (GIS) (GIS) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Gisborne and Whakatane. The distance is around 184km (114 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 10m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Gisborne to Whakatane is to take the bus which takes, on average, 3h 25m and will usually cost around NZ$38 ($23).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bus | 3h 25m | NZ$38($23) | once daily | 185km (115 miles) |
Drive | 2h 10m | NZ$41($25) | on demand | 184km (114 miles) |
The following major airports near Whakatane offer regular flights to various popular destinations within New Zealand and internationally.