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Coastal Pacific – Picton to Christchurch

Rail Journey – from £105

Picton | Blenheim | Kaikoura | Rangiora | Christchurch

Travel by train between Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city, and Picton, from where you can catch the InterIslander Ferry.

‘Scenic Class’ carriages with comfortable seating and panoramic windows
Access to open-air carriages perfect for scenic photography
Locally sourced food and beverages available in onboard café
Learn the stories behind the scenery with an informative audio commentary
Enjoy rugged cliffs and remote beaches along this scenic train journey

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Your Rail Journey

Travel in style between Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city, and the Interislander ferry port of Picton. The journey is a scenic feast, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. Along the way is the pretty coastal village of Kaikoura, where you can break your journey overnight to take in a whale watching cruise.

One of the world’s most scenic train journeys, the Coastal Pacific travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges. Look out for seals, dolphins and even penguins from the comfort of your carriage.

Scenic Class

In Scenic Class on the Coastal Pacific you’ll enjoy:

Comfortable and spacious seating
Panoramic windows and skylights
Air-conditioned ‘Scenic Class’ carriages
Licensed ‘Scenic Café’ serving meals, snacks and refreshments
Open-air viewing carriages for unobstructed scenic views
Location triggered audio commentary available in all seats

Scenic Plus

Upgrade to Scenic Plus on the Coastal Pacific for:

Comfortable and spacious, reclining seating
Panoramic windows and skylights on all carriages
Air-conditioning on all carriages
Immersive dining experience with regionally inspired cuisine paired with wine, beer and soft drinks from the comfort of your seat
Access to an exclusive open-air viewing carriages for unobstructed scenic views
A dedicated host will bring the experience to life with local stories and insights

Coastal Pacific – Timetable

The Coastal Pacific is a seasonal service operating between September and May. All services are timed to connect with the InterIslander Ferry to and from Wellington on the North Island.

Picton to Christchurch Train

From 1 January 2025 until 27 April 2025, this train travels daily.

Picton: 13:40
Blenheim: 14:05
Kaikoura: 16:25
Rangiora: 18:45
Christchurch: 19:30

Please confirm specific departures with your travel consultant.

Timetable correct as of February 2025.

Christchurch to Picton Train

From 1 January 2025 until 27 April 2025, this train travels daily.

Christchurch: 07:00
Rangiora: 07:30
Kaikoura: 10:00
Blenheim: 12:10
Picton: 12:40

Please confirm specific departures with your travel consultant.

Timetable correct as of February 2025.

Route Map

Train Tickets, Flights & More

With FREEDOM, you can book everything you need for your New Zealand rail holiday in one place; Coastal Pacific, TranzAlpine and Northern Explorer for 2025 or 2026, flights, hotels, tours and more.

Coastal Pacific – Picton to Christchurch

Rail Journey – from £105

Include this Rail Journey in a New Zealand holiday designed for you

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Please note, train departure and arrival times may change. Seasonal variations may apply. Please call Freedom Destinations to confirm departure dates and availability.