There are 5 ways to get from Auckland to Nelson by train, plane, car ferry, car, or bus
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train, fly to Nelson Airport
best- Take the train from Te Waihorotiu Train Station 1 to Puhinui Train Station 2train
- Fly from Auckland (AKL) to Nelson Airport (NSN)plane AKL - NSN
4h 25m$282–716Bus, car ferry
cheapest- Take the bus from Auckland - Central to Wellington - Centralbus
- Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry
- Take the bus from Picton to Nelsonbus
19h 6m$170–274Train, car ferry, drive
- Take the train from Auckland Strand to Wellingtontrain
- Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry
- Drive from Picton to Nelsoncar
16h 53m$408–472Drive, car ferry
- Drive from Auckland to Wellingtoncar
- Take the carferry from Wellington to Pictoncarferry
- Drive from Picton to Nelsoncar
12h 27m$357–464Fly to Woodbourne Airport, bus
- Fly from Auckland (AKL) to Woodbourne Airport (BHE)plane AKL - BHE
- Take the bus from Woodbourne to Nelsonbus
6h 2m$295–717
Auckland to Nelson by bus, car ferry, and foot
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Auckland to Nelson is to bus and car ferry which costs $170 - $280 and takes 19h 6m.
The fastest way to get from Auckland to Nelson is to train and fly which takes 4h 25m and costs $280 - $750.
The distance between Auckland and Nelson is 537 km.
The best way to get from Auckland to Nelson without a car is to bus and car ferry which takes 19h 6m and costs $170 - $280.
It takes approximately 4h 25m to get from Auckland to Nelson, including transfers.
There are 370+ hotels available in Nelson.
What companies run services between Auckland, New Zealand and Nelson, New Zealand?
There is no direct connection from Auckland to Nelson. However, you can take the train to Puhinui Train Station 2, walk to Stop A Puhinui, take the bus to Stop A International Airport, walk to Auckland (AKL) airport, fly to Nelson Airport (NSN), walk to Nelson Airport Terminal, then take the line 4 bus to Halifax Street Outside Countdown. Alternatively, you can take a train from Auckland Strand to Nelson via Wellington, Wellington, and Picton in around 16h 53m.
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Auckland to Nelson Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $85–600
Flights from Auckland to Nelson Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $95–600
Flights from Auckland to Nelson Airport via Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–700
Flights from Auckland to Woodbourne Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–650
Flights from Auckland to Woodbourne Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 22m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–700
- Phone
- +64 9 366 6400
- Website
- AT Metro
Train from Te Waihorotiu Train Station 1 to Puhinui Train Station 2
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- $5–8
- Website
- AT Metro
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- info@intercity.co.nz
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Auckland - Central to Wellington - Central
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $22–90
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Picton to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–55
- Website
- InterCity
Bus from Woodbourne to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–55
- Website
- InterCity
- Phone
- 0800 844 844
- bookings@bluebridge.co.nz
- Website
- Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries
Car ferry from Wellington to Picton
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $132
- Website
- Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries
Car ferry from Wellington to Picton
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $132
- Website
- Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries
Car ferry from Wellington to Picton
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $132
- Website
- Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including 10 amazing places to get away from it all in Australia, South Korea: Travelling from Seoul to Busan , and Need to know: Eurostar - to help you get the most out of your next trip.





