How to travel from Lake Tekapo to Wellington, New Zealand
The distance between Lake Tekapo and Wellington is around 551km (343 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 5h 15m.
5 routes found
We've found 5 different ways to get from Lake Tekapo to Wellington by bus, plane, train, ferry and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Wellington → Lake Tekapo if you're planning a return trip.
Bus to Frankton Bus Interchange, Fly
Take the bus to Frankton Bus Interchange then fly from Queenstown (ZQN) to Wellington (WLG).
- Duration5h 15m
- Flight time1h 20m
- Typical costNZ$290($180)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus, Train and Ferry
Take the bus to Christchurch then take the train to Picton then take a ferry to Wellington - Central.
- Duration12h 25m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical costNZ$285($175)
Multiple operators
Bus and Ferry
Take the bus to Christchurch and then to Picton then take a ferry to Wellington - Central.
- Duration12h 30m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical costNZ$160($95)
Multiple operators
Car and Ferry
Drive to Picton then take a ferry to Wellington.
- Duration10h 35m
- Departsevery 20 mins
- Typical costNZ$190($115)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Lake Tekapo and Wellington
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Lake Tekapo to Wellington by bus, plane, train, ferry and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then fly which costs around NZ$135 ($84) and will take around 5h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the bus and then fly and arrive in approximately 5h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately NZ$290 ($180).
The distance between Lake Tekapo and Wellington is around 551km (343 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 453km (281 miles)
It takes around 5h 15m to get from Lake Tekapo and Wellington by bus and plane.
The quickest way to get from Lake Tekapo to Wellington is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 5h 15m and will set you back approx NZ$290 ($180).
The cheapest way to travel between Lake Tekapo and Wellington is to take the bus and then fly which will typically cost around NZ$135 ($84) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Lake Tekapo and Wellington. We recommend that you take the bus to Frankton Bus Interchange then fly from Queenstown (ZQN) to Wellington (WLG). instead which will take 5h 15m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Lake Tekapo and Wellington. We recommend that you take the bus to Frankton Bus Interchange then fly from Queenstown (ZQN) to Wellington (WLG). instead which will take 5h 15m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Lake Tekapo to Wellington. We recommend that you take the bus to Christchurch then fly from Christchurch (CHC) to Wellington (WLG). instead which will take 5h 15m.
The closest major airport to Wellington is Wellington International Airport (WLG) (WLG) which is approximately 5km (3 miles) from Wellington. Paraparaumu Airport (PPQ) (PPQ) and Picton Aerodrome (PCN) (PCN) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Drive yourself
No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Lake Tekapo to Wellington. We recommend that you take the bus to Christchurch then fly from Christchurch (CHC) to Wellington (WLG). instead which will take 5h 15m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Lake Tekapo to Wellington is to take the bus and then fly which takes, on average, 5h 15m and will usually cost around NZ$135 ($84).
Compare travel optionsbetween Lake Tekapo and Wellington
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bus to Frankton Bus Interchange, Fly + 1 similar | 5h 15m | NZ$290($180) | 4 times a week | 901km (560 miles) |
| Bus and Plane | 5h 15m | NZ$135($84) | 4 times a week | 551km (343 miles) |
Bus, Train and Ferry | 12h 25m | NZ$285($175) | 4 times a week | 674km (419 miles) |
Bus and Ferry | 12h 30m | NZ$160($95) | 4 times a week | 665km (413 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 10h 35m | NZ$190($115) | every 20 mins | 658km (409 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Lake Tekapo and Wellington
Airlines
Sounds Air
Train operators
Ferry operators
Bus companies
Airports near Wellington
The following major airports near Wellington offer regular flights to various popular destinations within New Zealand and internationally.
Wellington International Airport (WLG)
- Distance
- 5km (3 miles) from Wellington
Paraparaumu Airport (PPQ)
- Distance
- 46km (29 miles) from Wellington
Picton Aerodrome (PCN)
- Distance
- 69km (43 miles) from Wellington