How to travel from Oamaru to Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

The distance between Oamaru and Lake Tekapo is around 175km (109 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 15m.

2 routes found

We've found 2 different ways to get from Oamaru to Lake Tekapo 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 Lake TekapoOamaru if you're planning a return trip.

💰 Cheapest
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bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Ashburton and then to Tekapo.

  • Duration4h 35m
  • Departs4 times a week
  • Typical cost
    NZ$64($39)
🚀 Fastest
2
car
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Drive

Drive to Lake Tekapo.

  • Duration2h 15m
  • Distance175km (109 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Oamaru and Lake Tekapo

There are several options for getting from Oamaru to Lake Tekapo by bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around NZ$64 ($39) and will take around 4h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately NZ$51 ($31).

The distance between Oamaru and Lake Tekapo is around 175km (109 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 139km (86 miles)

It takes around 4h 35m to get from Oamaru and Lake Tekapo by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 15m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Oamaru to Lake Tekapo is to drive which takes around 2h 15m and will set you back approx NZ$51 ($31).

The cheapest way to travel between Oamaru and Lake Tekapo, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around NZ$64 ($39) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Oamaru and Lake Tekapo. We recommend that you drive to Lake Tekapo. instead which will take 2h 15m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Oamaru and Lake Tekapo. It typically takes around 4h 35m and departs 4 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Oamaru to Lake Tekapo. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Ashburton. These services run 4 times a week and will take a minimum of 4h 35m.

InterCity and Atomic Travel run regular bus services between Oamaru and Lake Tekapo. Buses run 4 times a week and take around 4h 35m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Oamaru to Lake Tekapo. We recommend that you take the bus to Ashburton and then to Tekapo. instead which will take 4h 35m.

The closest major airport to Lake Tekapo is Timaru Airport (TIU) (TIU) which is approximately 72km (45 miles) from Lake Tekapo. Christchurch International Airport (CHC) (CHC) 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 Oamaru and Lake Tekapo. The distance is around 175km (109 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 15m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Oamaru to Lake Tekapo is to take the bus which takes, on average, 4h 35m and will usually cost around NZ$64 ($39).

How do I get from Oamaru to Lake Tekapo

Compare travel optionsbetween Oamaru and Lake Tekapo

Transport options from Oamaru to Lake Tekapo
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus
4h 35m
NZ$64($39)
4 times a week302km (188 miles)
Drive
2h 15m
NZ$51($31)
on demand175km (109 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Oamaru and Lake Tekapo

Bus companies

Airports near Lake Tekapo

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

TIU
Timaru Airport (TIU)
Domestic Airport
Distance
72km (45 miles) from Lake Tekapo
CHC
Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
International Airport
Distance
168km (104 miles) from Lake Tekapo
ZQN
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
International Airport
Distance
189km (118 miles) from Lake Tekapo