North Island Passenger Train & Rail Services
Suburban, Regional Commuter & Long Distance Rail Services
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Auckland Suburban and Regional Train Services -  

Auckland Suburban train services - For fare and timetable information for suburban passenger rail train services in the greater Auckland area please phone Maxx on 0800-103-080 tollfree in New Zealand or click for online train timetables and fares within the Auckland and greater Auckland area.

There are no passenger train or rail services between Auckland and Paihia (Bay of Islands), Auckland and Whangarei, Auckland and Rotorua, Auckland and Taupo, Auckland and Gisborne or Auckland and Tauranga.

 Auckland suburban and regional passenger trains
Wellington Suburban and Regional Train Services -  

Wellington suburban train services -

For fare and timetable information, please phone Metlink on 0800-801-700 tollfree in New Zealand or click for online train timetables and fares within Wellington and greater Wellington area.

Wellington regional commuter train services -

For timetable and fare information for The Capital Connection (Wellington/Waikanae/Otaki/Levin/Palmerston North) and The Wairarapa Connection (Wellington/Featherston/Carterton/Masterton) train services, please phone Metlink on 0800-801-700 tollfree in New Zealand or click for online fares and timetable information for The Capital Connection or The Wairarapa Connection.

The Capital Connection and The Wairarapa Connection train services are commuter rail services, so reservations are not required. Tickets for these trains are available from Tranz Metro ticket office - Wellington Railway Station, Masterton Railway Station, Featherston Railway Station and Palmerston North Railway Station or from the respective Train Manager's on the day of travel.

There are no passenger train/rail services from Wellington to Napier or Hastings, Wellington to New Plymouth, Wellington to Wanganui, Wellington to Taupo, Wellington to Tauranga or Wellington to Rotorua.

 Welington Suburban train services
Wairarapa Connection passenger train service
Long Distance Passenger Train Services -

The Overlander Train

The Overlander train is a rail journey through the heart of the North Island travelling between Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city and home of the Sky Tower, to Wellington, New Zealand’s arts and culture capital. 

You see fantastic views of New Zealand farmland, the volcanic plateau, Mount Ruapehu, the world famous Raurimu Spiral, and stunning river gorges – all from our panoramic windows or open air viewing decks allowing you the best possible views.

All carriages on The Overlander train are centrally heated/air conditioned, with 'Airline' style reclining seats, with large panoramic windows giving sweeping views of the magnificent North Island. 

The Overlander train has a Buffet Carriage, offering a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and light meals plus the Observation Carriage includes a mix of seating including lounge style seating. The lounge style seating is arranged at the very rear of this glass backed carriage enabling you to enjoy a totally unique Overlander experience.

The Overlander train is a reserved seating 'One Class/Non-smoking' service.

The Overlander train does not operate of Christmas Day - 25 December.

Please click for timetable information and online reservations.

There is no overnight passenger rail or train service between Wellington, Palmerston North, Ohakune, National Park, Hamilton and Auckland.
The Coastal Connection

Coastal Pacific Train

Interislander Ferry - Aratere

One of the world's most scenic train journeys, this rail journey takes you from New Zealand's capital - Wellington, crossing  Cook Strait - a 30 km strip of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand, through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds, where you board the TranzCoastal train from Picton to Kaikoura or Christchurch.

Full Day Travel - Wellington to Kaikoura or Christchurch -

Your travel from Wellington to Kaikoura or Christchurch begins with a 3-hour stunning ferry ride across the Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand, it is one of the most beautiful crossings in the world.

Sail on a Cook Strait ferry from Wellington in the North Island, crossing Cook Strait, through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to Picton - located in a sheltered marine harbour, which is nestled in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds in the South Island.

At Picton, you board the Coastal Pacific train, travelling South along the eastern coast of the South Island, passing through the local vineyards of the Marlborough region, the Lake Grassmere Salt Ponds and Kaikoura - famous for viewing whales, dolphin swimming and sea life before heading inland through the northern Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Wellington to Christchurch - Depart Wellington 8.25am/Arrive Christchurch 6.21pm
Wellington to Kaikoura - Depart Wellington 8.25am/Arrive Kaikoura 3.28pm

Christchurch to Wellington - Depart Christchurch 7.00am/Arrive Wellington 4.25pm
Kaikoura to Wellington - Depart Kaikoura 9.50am/Arrive Wellington 4.25pm

Click for further information, fares and reservations

This service does not operate on Christmas Day - 25 December
There are no passenger train/rail services to or from - Paihia (Bay of Islands), Whangarei, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, New Plymouth or Wanganui.