How to travel from Rotorua to Oamaru, New Zealand
The distance between Rotorua and Oamaru is around 931km (578 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 4h 20m.
8 routes found
We've found 8 different ways to get from Rotorua to Oamaru by plane, bus, taxi, ferry, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Oamaru → Rotorua if you're planning a return trip.
Plane and Bus
Fly from Rotorua (ROT) to Timaru (TIU) then take the bus to Oamaru.
- Duration4h 20m
- Flight time2h 30m
- Typical costNZ$325($200)
Multiple operators
3 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Ferry
Take the bus to Wellington - Central then take a ferry to Picton then take the bus to Christchurch and then to Oamaru.
- Duration20h 50m
- Departsonce daily
- Typical costNZ$230($140)
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 Hamilton - Central then take the train to Wellington then take a ferry to Picton then take the train to Christchurch then take the bus to Oamaru.
- Duration23h 40m
- Departs3 times a week
- Typical costNZ$525($320)
Multiple operators
Car and Ferry
Drive to Wellington then take a ferry to Picton then drive to Oamaru.
- Duration16hrs
- Departs4 times a day
- Typical costNZ$365($225)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Rotorua and Oamaru
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Rotorua to Oamaru by plane, bus, taxi, ferry, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take a ferry which costs around NZ$220 ($135) and will take around 22h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 4h 20m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately NZ$325 ($200).
The distance between Rotorua and Oamaru is around 931km (578 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 890km (553 miles)
It takes around 4h 20m to get from Rotorua and Oamaru by plane and bus.
The quickest way to get from Rotorua to Oamaru is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 4h 20m and will set you back approx NZ$325 ($200).
The cheapest way to travel between Rotorua and Oamaru is to take the bus and then take a ferry which will typically cost around NZ$220 ($135) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Rotorua and Oamaru. We recommend that you fly from Rotorua (ROT) to Timaru (TIU) then take the bus to Oamaru. instead which will take 4h 20m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Rotorua and Oamaru. We recommend that you fly from Rotorua (ROT) to Timaru (TIU) then take the bus to Oamaru. instead which will take 4h 20m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Rotorua to Oamaru. We recommend that you fly from Rotorua (ROT) to Timaru (TIU) then take the bus to Oamaru. instead which will take 4h 20m.
The closest major airport to Oamaru is Timaru Airport (TIU) (TIU) which is approximately 91km (56 miles) from Oamaru. Dunedin International Airport (DUD) (DUD) and Wanaka Airport (WKA) (WKA) 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 Rotorua to Oamaru. We recommend that you fly from Rotorua (ROT) to Timaru (TIU) then take the bus to Oamaru. instead which will take 4h 20m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Rotorua to Oamaru is to fly and then take the bus which takes, on average, 4h 20m and will usually cost around NZ$325 ($200).
Compare travel optionsbetween Rotorua and Oamaru
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Bus + 3 similar | 4h 20m | NZ$325($200) | once daily | 931km (578 miles) |
| Fly to Dunedin (DUD), Bus | 5h 45m | NZ$280($170) | once daily | 1,158km (720 miles) |
| Fly to Christchurch (CHC), Bus | 6h 35m | NZ$475($290) | once daily | 950km (590 miles) |
| Taxi, Plane and Bus | 7h 15m | NZ$635($390) | once daily | 1,047km (650 miles) |
Bus and Ferry + 1 similar | 20h 50m | NZ$230($140) | once daily | 1,162km (722 miles) |
| Bus to Wellington - Central, ferry | 22h 15m | NZ$220($135) | once daily | 1,181km (734 miles) |
Bus, Train and Ferry | 23h 40m | NZ$525($320) | 3 times a week | 1,381km (858 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 16hrs | NZ$365($225) | 4 times a day | 1,130km (702 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Rotorua and Oamaru
Airlines
Ferry operators
Bus companies
Atomic Travel
Train operators
Airports near Oamaru
The following major airports near Oamaru offer regular flights to various popular destinations within New Zealand and internationally.
Timaru Airport (TIU)
- Distance
- 91km (56 miles) from Oamaru
Dunedin International Airport (DUD)
- Distance
- 110km (68 miles) from Oamaru
Wanaka Airport (WKA)
- Distance
- 142km (88 miles) from Oamaru