TranzAlpine Train Journey
A great way to see the amazing scenery of New Zealand's South Island
Board the TranzAlpine for a journey through snow capped alpine peaks, sapphire blue lakes and verdant forests.
Starting in Christchurch on the east coast the train traverses the Southern Alps mountain range before arriving at Greymouth on the west coast, four and a half hours later.
As well as changing coasts travellers also change oceans; starting by the Pacific Ocean and ending near the Tasman Sea. Between these two points there are 16 tunnels and 5 viaducts. The highest, known as the Staircase, is 73 metres from the valley floor.
Journey Options
The TranzAlpine can be travelled as a one way trip from Christchurch to Greymouth or vice versa. Alternatively a day excursion (return travel) can also be booked. A shorter journey is also possible by boarding at Arthur’s Pass village.
Bookings
Can be made online , at train stations, travel agents or Visitor Centres. The train departs daily except Christmas day. Fare for an adult Christchurch to Greymouth is NZD139 (USD107.40), child NZD84 (USD64.90). Adult day excursion (return trip to Christchurch) is NZD208 (USD160.70). There are discounts for senior citizens, students, YHA, VIP, Nomad and Backpacker members.
Train Facilities
Snacks and drinks are available from a buffet carriage. There is also an open air carriage for photography.
The Route
Leaving Christchurch the first part of the journey is fast as the train speeds across the flat Canterbury Plains to the start of the Southern Alps.
From there the train winds through hills and gorges known as the “Staircase”, a viaduct system completed in 1918.
After the Staircase is undoubtedly one of the trip highlights, the spectacular snowy mountains of Arthur’s Pass National Park.
The train stops briefly at the small village of Arthur’s Pass to pick up passengers before entering the longest tunnel, the Otira (8.5 km) which heads under the mountains to the West Coast.
Pleasant valleys, rivers and podacarp forest provide scenic enjoyment before arriving at Greymouth.
Other New Zealand Rail Journeys
- The Overlander travels through the heart of the North Island from Auckland to Wellington. Highlights include the Raurimu Spiral, one of New Zealand rail’s engineering feats, and views of Mt Ruapehu in the Tongaririo National Park. Journey time is 12 hours.
- The Tranzcoastal travels the east coast of the upper South Island from the port town of Picton to Christchurch. The route crosses 175 bridges and travels through 22 tunnels. A stop can be made at Kaikoura village famous for its whale watching tours. Journey time is five and a half hours.
- Taieri Gorge rail journey leaves from Dunedin and travels inland across rugged countryside on wrought iron viaducts and through hand carved tunnels to the village of Middlemarch. The return journey takes four hours. From Middlemarch the old railway lines that serviced the central Otago goldfields have been torn up and replaced with gravel to form the Central Otago Rail Trail. This trail is an historic ride through beautiful Central Otago reliving the glory days of the gold rush and the romance of rail travel.
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