How to travel from Tauranga to Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
The distance between Tauranga and Lake Tekapo is around 962km (598 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 6h 15m.
3 routes found
We've found 3 different ways to get from Tauranga to Lake Tekapo by plane, bus, ferry and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Lake Tekapo → Tauranga if you're planning a return trip.
Plane and Bus
Fly from Tauranga (TRG) to Christchurch (CHC) then take the bus to Tekapo.
- Duration6h 15m
- Flight time2hrs
- Typical costNZ$390($235)
Multiple operators
Bus and Ferry
Take the bus to Wellington - Central then take a ferry to Picton then take the bus to Christchurch and then to Tekapo.
- Duration23h 45m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical costNZ$245($150)
Multiple operators
Car and Ferry
Drive to Wellington then take a ferry to Picton then drive to Lake Tekapo.
- Duration16h 25m
- Departs4 times a day
- Typical costNZ$300($185)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Tauranga and Lake Tekapo
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Tauranga to Lake Tekapo by plane, bus, ferry and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take a ferry which costs around NZ$245 ($150) and will take around 23h 45m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 6h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately NZ$390 ($235).
The distance between Tauranga and Lake Tekapo is around 962km (598 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 837km (520 miles)
It takes around 6h 15m to get from Tauranga and Lake Tekapo by plane and bus.
The quickest way to get from Tauranga to Lake Tekapo is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 6h 15m and will set you back approx NZ$390 ($235).
The cheapest way to travel between Tauranga and Lake Tekapo is to take the bus and then take a ferry which will typically cost around NZ$245 ($150) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Tauranga and Lake Tekapo. We recommend that you fly from Tauranga (TRG) to Christchurch (CHC) then take the bus to Tekapo. instead which will take 6h 15m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Tauranga and Lake Tekapo. We recommend that you fly from Tauranga (TRG) to Christchurch (CHC) then take the bus to Tekapo. instead which will take 6h 15m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Tauranga to Lake Tekapo. We recommend that you fly from Tauranga (TRG) to Christchurch (CHC) then take the bus to Tekapo. instead which will take 6h 15m.
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
No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Tauranga to Lake Tekapo. We recommend that you fly from Tauranga (TRG) to Christchurch (CHC) then take the bus to Tekapo. instead which will take 6h 15m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Tauranga to Lake Tekapo is to fly and then take the bus which takes, on average, 6h 15m and will usually cost around NZ$390 ($235).
Compare travel optionsbetween Tauranga and Lake Tekapo
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Bus | 6h 15m | NZ$390($235) | 4 times a week | 962km (598 miles) |
Bus and Ferry | 23h 45m | NZ$245($150) | 4 times a week | 1,241km (771 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 16h 25m | NZ$300($185) | 4 times a day | 1,169km (727 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Tauranga and Lake Tekapo
Ferry operators
Airlines
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.
Timaru Airport (TIU)
- Distance
- 72km (45 miles) from Lake Tekapo
Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
- Distance
- 168km (104 miles) from Lake Tekapo
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
- Distance
- 189km (118 miles) from Lake Tekapo