How to travel from Kaikoura to Akaroa, New Zealand

There are several options for getting from Kaikoura to Akaroa by train, taxi, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around NZ$67 ($41) and will take around 5h 40m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 3h 20m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately NZ$75 ($46).

The distance between Kaikoura and Akaroa is around 264km (164 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 183km (114 miles)

It takes around 4hrs to get from Kaikoura and Akaroa by train and taxi. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 20m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Kaikoura to Akaroa is to drive which takes around 3h 20m and will set you back approx NZ$75 ($46).

The cheapest way to travel between Kaikoura and Akaroa, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around NZ$67 ($41) for a standard one-way ticket.

There is no train service that runs between Kaikoura and Akaroa. We recommend that you drive to Akaroa. instead which will take 3h 20m.

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Kaikoura and Akaroa. It typically takes around 5h 40m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Kaikoura to Akaroa. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Christchurch. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 5h 40m.

InterCity and Akaroa French Connection run regular bus services between Kaikoura and Akaroa. Buses run once daily and take around 5h 40m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Kaikoura to Akaroa. We recommend that you take the train to Christchurch then take a taxi to Akaroa. instead which will take 4hrs.

The closest major airport to Akaroa is Christchurch International Airport (CHC) (CHC) which is approximately 54km (33 miles) from Akaroa. Timaru Airport (TIU) (TIU) and Hokitika Airport (HKK) (HKK) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Yes it is possible to drive from Kaikoura and Akaroa. The distance is around 264km (164 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 20m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Kaikoura to Akaroa is to take the train and then take a taxi which takes, on average, 4hrs and will usually cost around NZ$370 ($225).