There are 6 ways to get from Timaru to Motueka 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 to Nelson Airport, bus
best- Fly from Timaru (TIU) to Nelson Airport (NSN)TIU - NSN
- Take the bus from Rutherford Hotel Nelson to Motueka i-Site
7h 24m$176–795Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Timaru to Christchurch
- Take the bus from Christchurch to Blenheim
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelson
- Take the bus from Quest Apartments to Motueka i-Site
13h 46m$35–226Drive 576.6 km
- Drive from Timaru to Motueka576.6 km
7h$172–248Bus, shuttle
- Take the bus from Timaru to Christchurch
- Take a shuttle bus from Christchurch to Nelson
- Take the bus from Halifax Street Outside Impact Church to Motueka Library Wallace Street5
11h 18mFly to Woodbourne Airport, bus
- Fly from Timaru (TIU) to Woodbourne Airport (BHE)TIU - BHE
- Take the bus from Woodbourne to Nelson
- Take the bus from Quest Apartments to Motueka i-Site
9h 2m$181–850Bus, train
- Take the bus from Timaru to Christchurch
- Take the train from Rangiora to Blenheim
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelson
- Take the bus from The Nelson Bus Hub to Motueka Library Wallace Street5
15h 18m$242–704
Timaru to Motueka by bus and foot
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Timaru to Motueka is to bus which costs $35 - $230 and takes 13h 46m.
The fastest way to get from Timaru to Motueka is to drive which takes 7h and costs $170 - $250.
No, there is no direct bus from Timaru to Motueka. However, there are services departing from Timaru and arriving at Motueka i-Site via Christchurch, Blenheim and Quest Apartments. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 13h 46m.
The distance between Timaru and Motueka is 440 km. The road distance is 576.6 km.
The best way to get from Timaru to Motueka without a car is to bus which takes 13h 46m and costs $35 - $230.
It takes approximately 7h 24m to get from Timaru to Motueka, including transfers.
Timaru to Motueka bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Timaru station.
Timaru to Motueka bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Christchurch station.
Yes, the driving distance between Timaru to Motueka is 577 km. It takes approximately 7h to drive from Timaru to Motueka.
There are 250+ hotels available in Motueka.
What companies run services between Timaru, New Zealand and Motueka, New Zealand?
You can take a bus from Timaru to Motueka i-Site via Christchurch, Blenheim, Nelson, and Quest Apartments in around 13h 46m.
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 15m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $110–700
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington, Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 40m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $140–800
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington, Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $170–900
Flights from Timaru to Woodbourne Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 10m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $110–700
Flights from Timaru to Woodbourne Airport via Wellington, Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- When
- Friday
- Estimated price
- $180–950
- Phone
- +64 4 495 0775
- bookings@greatjourneysnz.com
- Website
- greatjourneysofnz.co.nz
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
- +64 27 577 6975
- bookings@betterbus.co.nz
- Website
- betterbus.co.nz
Bus from Rutherford Hotel Nelson to Motueka i-Site
- Ave. Duration
- 46 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $20–40
- Schedules at
- betterbus.co.nz
- Book at
- 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
- Phone
- +64 9 583 5780
- info@intercity.co.nz
- Website
- intercity.co.nz
Bus from Timaru to Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $5–60
- 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 Blenheim to Nelson
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $5–55
- 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
- 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 How do I get from Sydney to Melbourne, Need to know: Eurostar, and Bali: What to do if Mount Agung erupts - to help you get the most out of your next trip.