There are 6 ways to get from Nelson to Timaru by plane, 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.
Fly from Nelson Airport
best- Fly from Nelson Airport (NSN) to Timaru (TIU)NSN - TIU
4h 37m$151–727Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Nelson to Blenheim
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Christchurch
- Take the bus from Christchurch to Timaru
11h 40m$15–186Drive 571.7 km
- Drive from Nelson to Timaru571.7 km
7h$173–250Shuttle, bus
- Take a shuttle bus from Nelson to Christchurch
- Take the bus from Christchurch to TimaruChristchurch - Dunedin
9h 15m$205–1,060Bus to Woodbourne Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Nelson to Woodbourne
- Fly from Woodbourne Airport (BHE) to Timaru (TIU)BHE - TIU
5h 49m$150–811Bus, train
- Take the bus from Nelson to Blenheim
- Take the train from Blenheim to Rangiora
- Take the bus from Christchurch to Timaru
12h 33m$222–664
Nelson to Timaru by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Nelson to Timaru is to bus which costs $15 - $190 and takes 11h 40m.
The fastest way to get from Nelson to Timaru is to fly which takes 4h 37m and costs $150 - $750.
No, there is no direct bus from Nelson to Timaru. However, there are services departing from Nelson and arriving at Timaru via Blenheim and Christchurch. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11h 40m.
The distance between Nelson and Timaru is 394 km. The road distance is 571.7 km.
The best way to get from Nelson to Timaru without a car is to bus which takes 11h 40m and costs $15 - $190.
It takes approximately 4h 37m to get from Nelson to Timaru, including transfers.
Nelson to Timaru bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Nelson station.
The best way to get from Nelson to Timaru is to fly which takes 4h 37m and costs $150 - $750. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $15 - $190 and takes 11h 40m.
Nelson to Timaru bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Blenheim station.
Yes, the driving distance between Nelson to Timaru is 572 km. It takes approximately 7h to drive from Nelson to Timaru.
What companies run services between Nelson, New Zealand and Timaru, New Zealand?
Air New Zealand and Sounds Air fly from Nelson Airport (NSN) to Timaru (TIU) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Nelson to Timaru via Blenheim and Christchurch in around 11h 40m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Nelson Airport to Timaru via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–700
Flights from Nelson Airport to Timaru via Christchurch, Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 5m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130–800
Flights from Woodbourne Airport to Timaru via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 1m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $100–700
Flights from Woodbourne Airport to Timaru via Auckland, Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 50m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $180–950
- Phone
- +64 4 495 0775
- bookings@greatjourneysnz.com
- Website
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
Train from Blenheim to Rangiora
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $210–519
- Schedules at
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
- Scenic Plus
- $519
- Scenic
- $210–260
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- info@intercity.co.nz
- Website
- intercity.co.nz
Bus from Nelson to Blenheim
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $5–55
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Bus from Blenheim to Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $5–75
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Bus from Christchurch to Timaru
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $5–60
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Bus from Nelson to Woodbourne
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 34m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $5–55
- Website
- https://www.intercity.co.nz/
Shuttle from Nelson to Christchurch
- 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
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