General Information » Getting Around » Train

New Zealand’s national passenger rail service has declined steeply in recent decades, leaving only a small number of slow, if rather scenic routes, more commonly used for sightseeing than for shuttling people efficiently up and down the country. The three remaining are the Overlander, a 12 hour journey from Auckland to Wellington; the TranzCoastal, a five hour, part-coastal run between Picton and Christchurch, and the TranzAlpine, between Christchurch and Greymouth . Tickets for all three are cheaper outside the summer months. In winter, a one-way trip on the TranzAlpine can cost as little as $69, rather than the standard $99 ($149 return). Alternatively, Scenic Rail Passes offer value with unlimited travel across the network over a set period of time. Visit www.tranzscenic.co.nz (0800 827467) for more information.