How to travel from Invercargill to Dunedin, New Zealand

The distance between Invercargill and Dunedin is around 217km (135 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 40m.

2 routes found

We've found 2 different ways to get from Invercargill to Dunedin 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 DunedinInvercargill if you're planning a return trip.

💰 Cheapest
1
bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Dunedin.

  • Duration4h 10m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    NZ$41($25)
Operated byInterCity+ 1 others
🚀 Fastest
2
car
+

Drive

Drive to Dunedin.

  • Duration2h 40m
  • Distance217km (135 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Invercargill and Dunedin

There are several options for getting from Invercargill to Dunedin by bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around NZ$41 ($25) and will take around 4h 10m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately NZ$49 ($30).

The distance between Invercargill and Dunedin is around 217km (135 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 177km (110 miles)

It takes around 4h 10m to get from Invercargill and Dunedin by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Invercargill to Dunedin is to drive which takes around 2h 40m and will set you back approx NZ$49 ($30).

The cheapest way to travel between Invercargill and Dunedin, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around NZ$41 ($25) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Invercargill and Dunedin. We recommend that you drive to Dunedin. instead which will take 2h 40m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Invercargill and Dunedin. It typically takes around 4h 10m and departs once daily.

Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Invercargill and Dunedin with no changeovers required. The bus runs once daily and takes 4h 10m.

InterCity run regular bus services between Invercargill and Dunedin. Buses run once daily and take around 4h 10m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Invercargill to Dunedin. We recommend that you take the bus to Dunedin. instead which will take 4h 10m.

The closest major airport to Dunedin is Dunedin International Airport (DUD) (DUD) which is approximately 24km (15 miles) from Dunedin. Wanaka Airport (WKA) (WKA) and Queenstown Airport (ZQN) (ZQN) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Invercargill and Dunedin. The distance is around 217km (135 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Invercargill to Dunedin is to take the bus which takes, on average, 4h 10m and will usually cost around NZ$41 ($25).

How do I get from Invercargill to Dunedin

Compare travel optionsbetween Invercargill and Dunedin

Transport options from Invercargill to Dunedin
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus
4h 10m
NZ$41($25)
twice daily225km (140 miles)
Drive
2h 40m
NZ$49($30)
on demand217km (135 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Invercargill and Dunedin

Bus companies

Airports near Dunedin

The following major airports near Dunedin offer regular flights to various popular destinations within New Zealand and internationally.

DUD
Dunedin International Airport (DUD)
International Airport
Distance
24km (15 miles) from Dunedin
WKA
Wanaka Airport (WKA)
Domestic Airport
Distance
161km (100 miles) from Dunedin
ZQN
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
International Airport
Distance
167km (104 miles) from Dunedin