Passenger Train Services from Wellington
Suburban Regional Commuter and Long Distance Rail Services
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Service Information: As at 01 May 12 - Train services in Wellington are currently operating on the Johnsonville, Melling, Hutt & Kapiti lines. There may be some disruptions to train services on the Kapiti line with buses replacing some services. Please call Metlink - 0800-701-700 for further information * The Wairarapa Connection is operating to Featherston/Woodside/Carterton/Masterton * The Capital Connection train service between Wellington/Otaki/Levin/Palmerston Nth is operating * The Overlander Wellington/Palmerston Nth/Ohakune/National Park/Hamilton/Auckland train service is operating Friday, Saturday & Sunday until 25 Jun 12 & will be replaced by the new Northern Explorer Wellington to Auckland train service operating Tuesday, Friday & Sunday from 26 Jun 12. For alternative Wellington to Auckland land travel Monday, Wednesday & Thursday until 25 Jun 12 & Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday from 26 Jun 12, please click on the above Bus Services link for online times, fares & instant confirmation reservations
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/Otaki/Levin/Shannon/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.

 Welington Suburban train
Wellington Suburban and Regional trains
Long Distance Passenger Train Services -
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.

The Overlander Train

The Overlander train is a scenic rail journey travelling through five unique geographical regions of New Zealand's North Island - between Wellington - New Zealand’s arts and culture capital to  Auckland - New Zealand’s largest city and home of the Sky Tower. 

You will see fantastic views of the North Island's heartland flat farmland, rugged native bush,  the volcanic plateau with its majestic volcanoes of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu - the home of the North Island skifields, the world famous Raurimu rail spiral and stunning river gorges – all from panoramic windows or open air viewing deck.

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 café 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 the Interislander ferry from Wellington in the North Island, across to Picton - located in a sheltered marine harbour town, which is nestled in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds in the South Island.

At Picton, your board the Coastal Pacific train travelling South along the eastern coast of the South Island, passing through the local Marlborough vineyards, Lake Grassmere Salt Ponds and Kaikoura - famous for viewing whales 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