There are 7 ways to get from Akaroa to Nelson by bus, plane, taxi, train, car, or shuttle
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus, fly to Nelson Airport
best- Take the bus from Akaroa to Christchurch
- Fly from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Nelson Airport (NSN)CHC - NSN
5h 12m$285–605Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Akaroa to Christchurch
- Take the bus from Christchurch to Blenheim
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelson
10h 40m$60–180Taxi, train, bus
- Take the taxi from Akaroa to Christchurch
- Take the train from Christchurch to Blenheim
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelson
9h 3m$502–920Drive 493.2 km
- Drive from Akaroa to Nelson493.2 km
6h 12m$152–219Bus, fly to Woodbourne Airport
- Take the bus from Akaroa to Christchurch
- Fly from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Woodbourne Airport (BHE)CHC - BHE
- Take the bus from Woodbourne to Nelson
8h 24m$270–660Bus, train
- Take the bus from Akaroa to Christchurch
- Take the train from Rangiora to Blenheim
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelson
11h 50m$267–658Bus, shuttle
- Take the bus from Akaroa to ChristchurchChristchurch - Akaroa
- Take a shuttle bus from Christchurch to Nelson
7h 50m$250–1,050
Akaroa to Nelson by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Akaroa to Nelson is to bus which costs $60 - $180 and takes 10h 40m.
The fastest way to get from Akaroa to Nelson is to bus and fly which takes 5h 12m and costs $280 - $650.
No, there is no direct bus from Akaroa to Nelson. However, there are services departing from Akaroa and arriving at Nelson via Christchurch and Blenheim. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 10h 40m.
The distance between Akaroa and Nelson is 347 km. The road distance is 493.2 km.
The best way to get from Akaroa to Nelson without a car is to taxi and train and bus which takes 9h 3m and costs $500 - $950.
It takes approximately 5h 12m to get from Akaroa to Nelson, including transfers.
Akaroa to Nelson bus services, operated by Akaroa French Connection, depart from Akaroa station.
Akaroa to Nelson bus services, operated by Akaroa French Connection, arrive at Christchurch station.
Yes, the driving distance between Akaroa to Nelson is 493 km. It takes approximately 6h 12m to drive from Akaroa to Nelson.
There are 363+ hotels available in Nelson.
What companies run services between Akaroa, New Zealand and Nelson, New Zealand?
You can take a bus from Akaroa to Nelson via Christchurch and Blenheim in around 10h 40m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Christchurch International Airport to Nelson Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–600
Flights from Christchurch International Airport to Nelson Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $95–650
Flights from Christchurch International Airport to Woodbourne Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–700
Flights from Christchurch International Airport to Woodbourne Airport via Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–950
Flights from Christchurch International Airport to Woodbourne Airport via Nelson Airport, Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–750
Flights from Christchurch International Airport to Woodbourne Airport via New Plymouth, Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–850
- Phone
- +64 4 495 0775
- bookings@greatjourneysnz.com
- Website
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
Train from Christchurch to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $230–519
- Schedules at
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
- Scenic Plus
- $519
- Scenic
- $230–290
Train from Rangiora to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $210–519
- Schedules at
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
- Scenic Plus
- $519
- Scenic
- $210–260
- Phone
- 0800 800 575
- info@akaroabus.co.nz
- Website
- akaroabus.co.nz
Bus from Akaroa to Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $50
- Schedules at
- akaroabus.co.nz
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- info@intercity.co.nz
- Website
- intercity.co.nz
Bus from Blenheim to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $5–55
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Bus from Christchurch to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $5–75
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Bus from Woodbourne to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $5–55
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Shuttle from Christchurch to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $200–1,000
- Schedules at
- nelsonlakesshuttles.co.nz
- Minimum charge per vehicle
- $1,000
- Per person
- $200
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 8m
- Estimated price
- $260–320
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