There are 6 ways to get from Timaru to Nelson 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
best- Fly from Timaru (TIU) to Nelson Airport (NSN)TIU - NSN
4h 13m$146–755Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Timaru to Christchurch
- Take the bus from Christchurch to Blenheim
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelson
11h 50m$15–186Drive 571.5 km
- Drive from Timaru to Nelson571.5 km
7h$176–254Bus, shuttle
- Take the bus from Timaru to ChristchurchChristchurch - Dunedin
- Take a shuttle bus from Christchurch to Nelson
9h$205–1,056Fly to Woodbourne Airport, bus
- Fly from Timaru (TIU) to Woodbourne Airport (BHE)TIU - BHE
- Take the bus from Woodbourne to Nelson
7h 6m$161–860Bus, train
- Take the bus from Timaru to Christchurch
- Take the train from Rangiora to Blenheim
- Take the bus from Blenheim to Nelson
13h$222–664
Timaru to Nelson by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Timaru to Nelson is to bus which costs $15 - $190 and takes 11h 50m.
The fastest way to get from Timaru to Nelson is to fly which takes 4h 13m and costs $140 - $800.
No, there is no direct bus from Timaru to Nelson. However, there are services departing from Timaru and arriving at Nelson via Christchurch and Blenheim. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11h 50m.
The distance between Timaru and Nelson is 388 km. The road distance is 571.5 km.
The best way to get from Timaru to Nelson without a car is to bus which takes 11h 50m and costs $15 - $190.
It takes approximately 4h 13m to get from Timaru to Nelson, including transfers.
Timaru to Nelson bus services, operated by InterCity, depart from Timaru station.
The best way to get from Timaru to Nelson is to fly which takes 4h 13m and costs $140 - $800. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $15 - $190 and takes 11h 50m.
Timaru to Nelson bus services, operated by InterCity, arrive at Christchurch station.
Yes, the driving distance between Timaru to Nelson is 571 km. It takes approximately 7h to drive from Timaru to Nelson.
What companies run services between Timaru, New Zealand and Nelson, New Zealand?
Air New Zealand flies from Timaru (TIU) to Nelson Airport (NSN) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Timaru to Nelson via Christchurch and Blenheim in around 11h 50m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–700
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington, Christchurch
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 37m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $140–800
Flights from Timaru to Nelson Airport via Wellington, Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- When
- Tuesday and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $170–900
Flights from Timaru to Woodbourne Airport via Wellington
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–750
Flights from Timaru to Woodbourne Airport via Wellington, Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 47m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190–1,000
- 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 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
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