Train Journeys
See New Zealand’s landscapes unfold from the comfort of a scenic train journey.
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A different way to see New Zealand
New Zealand’s scenic train journeys pass through landscapes that are sometimes difficult to reach by road. Wide river valleys, remote mountain ranges, dramatic gorges and rugged coastlines all reveal themselves slowly from the train window.
Rather than driving, you can sit back and watch the scenery change as the journey unfolds. Many travellers include a train journey within a wider New Zealand itinerary, combining rail with road travel or other destinations across the country.
Your Travel Specialist can help plan the right rail experiences within a broader journey, ensuring connections, accommodation and timing all work together smoothly.
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Contact usScenic rail journeys across New Zealand
Comfortable travel through remarkable scenery
New Zealand’s scenic trains make the journey part of the experience, with panoramic windows and comfortable seating designed for taking in the views.
Many routes include open air carriages for photos and fresh air, along with onboard commentary that brings the landscapes and history to life.
Whether crossing the Southern Alps or following the coastline, these journeys reveal some of the country’s most dramatic scenery.
Add a train journey to your itinerary
Train journeys can be included within a wider New Zealand itinerary, connecting destinations or adding a scenic experience between stops.
Your Travel Specialist can help design a journey that combines rail travel with road trips, guided experiences and time in the places you most want to explore.
Prefer something custom?
If you have specific interests, set travel dates or want a gentler pace, we’ll plan your trip from scratch. Nothing forced to fit, every detail considered from start to finish.
Get in touchPopular train journeys
TranzAlpine
Often described as one of the world’s great scenic rail journeys, the TranzAlpine travels across the Southern Alps between Christchurch and the West Coast. The route crosses the Canterbury Plains before climbing through the Waimakariri Gorge and alpine landscapes of Arthur’s Pass National Park. Snow capped peaks, deep river valleys and dramatic mountain scenery make this one of the most memorable train journeys in New Zealand. Many travellers combine the TranzAlpine with time exploring the West Coast or include it within a wider South Island itinerary.
Coastal Pacific
The Coastal Pacific follows one of New Zealand’s most scenic coastlines, travelling between Christchurch and Picton. The train hugs the Pacific Ocean for long stretches of the journey, passing vineyards, small coastal communities and dramatic cliffs. In places the railway runs so close to the sea that waves can often be seen breaking against the shoreline. Wildlife sightings are common along this route, including seals resting on rocks beside the tracks.
Northern Explorer
The Northern Explorer connects New Zealand’s two largest cities while travelling through the heart of the North Island. Along the way, the route passes through rolling farmland, volcanic landscapes and the dramatic terrain of Tongariro National Park. Highlights include the famous Raurimu Spiral, an engineering solution that allows the train to climb steep mountain terrain. This journey offers a relaxed way to travel between Auckland and Wellington while experiencing the landscapes of the central North Island.
Highlighted tour:
Classic Northern Highlights TourPopular tours that include a scenic train
Train Journey FAQs
Most travellers use scenic rail journeys as part of a wider itinerary rather than relying on trains alone. New Zealand’s rail network is limited compared with some countries, so train travel is often combined with a road trip, coach tour, private transfer and/or domestic flights.
The TranzAlpine is often considered the best train journey in New Zealand thanks to its dramatic route across the Southern Alps. It has also been recognised by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys. The Coastal Pacific and Northern Explorer are also popular, depending on whether you prefer coastal scenery or a longer journey through the North Island.
New Zealand’s scenic trains are best described as comfortable and experience-led rather than luxury. The focus is on panoramic views, spacious seating and the landscapes outside the window, rather than the style of luxury rail found in some other countries.
Yes. Many travellers include one scenic rail journey within a wider New Zealand itinerary. This can work well as part of a self-drive holiday, giving you the chance to enjoy some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes from the train while keeping the flexibility to explore other regions by car. We also offer coach tours that include scenic rail journeys, which can be a good option if you prefer not to drive.
Scenic train journeys can be enjoyed year round, but the experience changes with the seasons. Summer brings long daylight hours, autumn often offers clear conditions and changing colours, while winter can add snow to alpine sections of routes such as the TranzAlpine.
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