How to travel from Kaikoura to Queenstown, New Zealand

There are several options for getting from Kaikoura to Queenstown by bus, train, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around NZ$105 ($63) and will take around 11h 10m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 4h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately NZ$320 ($195).

The distance between Kaikoura and Queenstown is around 555km (345 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 505km (314 miles)

It takes around 11h 10m to get from Kaikoura and Queenstown by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 7h 50m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Kaikoura to Queenstown is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4h 30m and will set you back approx NZ$320 ($195).

The cheapest way to travel between Kaikoura and Queenstown, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around NZ$105 ($63) for a standard one-way ticket.

There is no train service that runs between Kaikoura and Queenstown. We recommend that you take the train to Blenheim then fly from Blenheim (BHE) to Queenstown (ZQN). instead which will take 4h 30m.

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Kaikoura and Queenstown. It typically takes around 11h 10m and departs 4 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Kaikoura to Queenstown. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Christchurch. These services run 4 times a week and will take a minimum of 11h 10m.

InterCity run regular bus services between Kaikoura and Queenstown. Buses run 4 times a week and take around 11h 10m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Kaikoura to Queenstown. We recommend that you take the train to Rangiora then fly from Christchurch (CHC) to Queenstown (ZQN). instead which will take 4h 50m.

The closest major airport to Queenstown is Queenstown Airport (ZQN) (ZQN) which is approximately 6km (4 miles) from Queenstown. Wanaka Airport (WKA) (WKA) and Dunedin International Airport (DUD) (DUD) 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 Queenstown. The distance is around 657km (408 miles) by road and it will take around 7h 50m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Kaikoura to Queenstown is to take the bus which takes, on average, 11h 10m and will usually cost around NZ$105 ($63).