The distance between Kaikoura and Te Anau is around 714km (443 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train, then fly and then take the bus which takes around 6h 25m.
We've found 6 different ways to get from Kaikoura to Te Anau by bus, train, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Te Anau → Kaikoura if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to Blenheim then fly from Blenheim (BHE) to Queenstown (ZQN) then take the bus to Te Anau.
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2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to Christchurch then Frankton Bus Interchange and then to Te Anau.
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Take the train to Christchurch then take the bus to Tekapo then Frankton Bus Interchange and then to Te Anau.
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There are several options for getting from Kaikoura to Te Anau by bus, train, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around NZ$195 ($120) and will take around 13hrs. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train, then fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 6h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately NZ$410 ($250).
The distance between Kaikoura and Te Anau is around 714km (443 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 590km (366 miles)
It takes around 13hrs to get from Kaikoura and Te Anau by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 9h 35m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Kaikoura to Te Anau is to take the train, then fly and then take the bus which takes around 6h 25m and will set you back approx NZ$410 ($250).
The cheapest way to travel between Kaikoura and Te Anau, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around NZ$195 ($120) for a standard one-way ticket.
There is no train service that runs between Kaikoura and Te Anau. We recommend that you take the train to Blenheim then fly from Blenheim (BHE) to Queenstown (ZQN) then take the bus to Te Anau. instead which will take 6h 25m.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Kaikoura and Te Anau. It typically takes around 13hrs and departs 4 times a week.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Kaikoura to Te Anau. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Christchurch and Frankton Bus Interchange. These services run 4 times a week and will take a minimum of 13hrs.
InterCity and awesomeNZ run regular bus services between Kaikoura and Te Anau. Buses run 4 times a week and take around 13hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Kaikoura to Te Anau. We recommend that you take the train to Rangiora then fly from Christchurch (CHC) to Queenstown (ZQN) then take the bus to Te Anau. instead which will take 6h 45m.
The closest major airport to Te Anau is Queenstown Airport (ZQN) (ZQN) which is approximately 91km (57 miles) from Te Anau. Invercargill Airport (IVC) (IVC) and Wanaka Airport (WKA) (WKA) 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 Te Anau. The distance is around 815km (506 miles) by road and it will take around 9h 35m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Kaikoura to Te Anau is to take the bus which takes, on average, 13hrs and will usually cost around NZ$195 ($120).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train to Blenheim, plane and bus + 2 similar | 6h 25m | NZ$410($250) | 4 times a week | 1,023km (636 miles) |
Train, Plane and Bus | 6h 45m | NZ$300($180) | 4 times a week | 714km (443 miles) |
Train to Rangiora, plane and bus | 7h 55m | NZ$775($475) | 3 times a week | 759km (472 miles) |
Bus | 13hrs | NZ$195($120) | 4 times a week | 825km (513 miles) |
Train and Bus | 12h 30m | NZ$255($155) | 4 times a week | 837km (520 miles) |
Drive | 9h 35m | NZ$180($110) | on demand | 815km (506 miles) |
awesomeNZ
GreatSights
Sounds Air
The following major airports near Te Anau offer regular flights to various popular destinations within New Zealand and internationally.