There are 4 ways to get from Kaikōura to Motueka by bus, car, shuttle, or train
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Kaikoura to Blenheim
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelson
- Take the bus from Quest Apartments to Motueka i-Site
6h 21m$30–148Drive 289.6 km
- Drive from Kaikōura to Motueka289.6 km
3h 47m$87–125Shuttle, bus
- Take a shuttle bus from Kaikōura to Nelson
- Take the bus from Halifax Street Outside Impact Church to Motueka Library Wallace Street5
5h 48mTrain, bus
- Take the train from Kaikoura to Blenheim
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelson
- Take the bus from The Nelson Bus Hub to Motueka Library Wallace Street5
7h 13m$144–614
Kaikōura to Motueka by bus and foot
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Kaikōura to Motueka is to bus which costs $30 - $150 and takes 6h 21m.
The fastest way to get from Kaikōura to Motueka is to drive which takes 3h 47m and costs $85 - $130.
No, there is no direct bus from Kaikōura to Motueka. However, there are services departing from Kaikoura and arriving at Motueka i-Site via Blenheim and Quest Apartments. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 21m.
The distance between Kaikōura and Motueka is 292 km. The road distance is 289.6 km.
The best way to get from Kaikōura to Motueka without a car is to bus which takes 6h 21m and costs $30 - $150.
It takes approximately 6h 21m to get from Kaikōura to Motueka, including transfers.
Kaikōura to Motueka bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Kaikoura station.
Kaikōura to Motueka bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Blenheim station.
Yes, the driving distance between Kaikōura to Motueka is 290 km. It takes approximately 3h 47m to drive from Kaikōura to Motueka.
There are 235+ hotels available in Motueka.
What companies run services between Kaikōura, Canterbury, New Zealand and Motueka, New Zealand?
You can take a bus from Kaikoura to Motueka i-Site via Blenheim, Nelson, and Quest Apartments in around 6h 21m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Phone
- +64 4 495 0775
- bookings@greatjourneysnz.com
- Website
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
Train from Kaikoura to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $110–519
- Schedules at
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
- Scenic Plus
- $519
- Scenic
- $110–150
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- info@intercity.co.nz
- Website
- intercity.co.nz
Bus from Kaikoura to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $5–55
- Website
- https://www.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/
- Phone
- +64 27 577 6975
- bookings@betterbus.co.nz
- Website
- betterbus.co.nz
Bus from Quest Apartments to Motueka i-Site
- Ave. Duration
- 49 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $20–40
- Schedules at
- betterbus.co.nz
- Book at
- betterbus.co.nz
Bus from The Nelson Bus Hub to Motueka Library Wallace Street
- Ave. Duration
- 52 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $20–40
- Schedules at
- betterbus.co.nz
- Book at
- betterbus.co.nz
Shuttle from Kaikōura to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $120–600
- Schedules at
- nelsonlakesshuttles.co.nz
- Minimum charge per vehicle
- $600
- Per person
- $120
- Phone
- +64 03 546 0200
- enquiry@ncc.govt.nz
- Website
- ebus.nz
Bus from Halifax Street Outside Impact Church to Motueka Library Wallace Street
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Schedules at
- ebus.nz
Bus from The Nelson Bus Hub to Motueka Library Wallace Street
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Schedules at
- ebus.nz
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 Travelling to the UK: What do I need to know?, Italian Lakes: Getting around by train, and French strikes 2018: What are my alternative transport options? - to help you get the most out of your next trip.







