How to get to Wellington, New Zealand

A drone shot of the runway at Wellington International Airport with a plane on the runway, a parking lot filled with cars located at Stewart Duff Drive, Rongotai with Hataitai, Evans Bay and Miramar seen in the background.

Scenic photo of Wellington harbour with blue water, blue skies, green bush and city in background, the Bluebridge ferry sits in the centre of the foreground.

People surfing and swimming in the waves at Lyall Bay Beach with Wellington Airport visible in the distance.

By plane

Wellington International Airport has direct connectivity to the rest of New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji, across various airlines. Domestic air services are regular and fast. Flights leave for Auckland and Christchurch international airports hourly, and travel time is usually an hour. Queenstown is an hour and a half away, with multiple flights daily. Flights to Rotorua take just over an hour.

By ferry or cruise

The capital is a coastal gateway between the North and South Islands. There are regular ferry services across the Cook Strait to and from Picton. The three-and-a-half-hour journey takes you through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds. You can sail with either Interislander or Bluebridge. Taking a vehicle is easy, just drive on and off.

Cruise ships often stop in the city. The port hosts over 120 ships every year and is a ten-minute drive from the central city.

By car

If you are driving, Wellington is connected to two of the country’s major state highways, SH1 and SH2. The drive time from Auckland is approximately nine and a half hours, and Rotorua is five and a half hours.

Wellington is also part of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Keep an eye out for the brown road signs displaying grapes as you travel along the scenic driving route.

The front facade of Wellington Train Station.

A KiwiRail train on route with blue skies above and a mountain range in the background.

A scenic view of green rolling hills and trees from the Northern Explorer, Kiwi Rail train.

By train

The train station is in the centre of the city.

Great Journeys of New Zealand have a regular Northern Explorer train service, which connects Auckland and Wellington. The scenic 648km journey takes one day and includes multiple stops along the way.

If you’re heading to the South Island via ferry, jump on a Coastal Pacific train from Picton to Christchurch.

Once you’re here

You’ve arrived! Find out how you can get around once you’re in the capital.

Getting around Wellington

Two people walk along Wellington's waterfront on a sunny winter day. The city centre is visible in the background.

Your guide to winter in Wellington

It’s cold? Well, the winter season in Wellington is hot. Rug up warm and head out the door to enjoy some huge music, sports, and food events.

The view of Wellington Harbour from Mount Victoria on a sunny day.

Your guide to cruise in Wellington

Wellington is the perfect cruise destination. As a compact and walkable city, it allows you to see and do a lot in one day. Here’s what you need to know when docking in Te Whanganui a Tara.

Two children climbing on a half-sphere climbing structure on a playground in Cobham Court, Porirua.

Twelve hours in Porirua

From dawn until dusk Porirua has you covered. Spending a day in the city will give you your fill of beautiful walking tracks, outdoor activities, and great food.

The patio at Golding's bar located in Te Aro in Wellington, with four tables, twelve stools and eight people sitting enjoying beer and pizza.

A long weekend in Wellington

How much hospitality, arts, culture, nature, and wildlife can you fit into three days? Come to Wellington to find out.

2 people airbrushing a large gorilla mask in the SFX area of the Wētā cave workshop tour.

Welly-would: A film buff’s guide to Wellington

Lights, camera, and action. With special effect tours, huge production studios, and boutique cinemas, get a taste of movie magic in Wellington.

A group of dancers in silver costumes are preforming on the street at CubaDupa.

Your guide to autumn in Wellington

The autumn leaves are numerous and so are the gigs, sports events, and festivals in Wellington. Head out into the crisp air and enjoy the buzz.

People enjoying the sun on Oriental Parade, with the sun shining and Wellington city behind them.

Your guide to summer in Wellington

Visit an island, scream in a stadium, or indulge in ice cream. Here's how to enjoy some of Wellington's best summer days.

Two people sit in tall grass and admire a scenic vista with Kapiti Island in the background.

24 hours in the Kāpiti Coast

If you only have a day to spend in the Kāpiti Coast then you’ll need to get cracking. The sunny coast has a great selection of things to see, do, and eat.

Two friends take a break from cycling in front of the colourful boatsheds at Oriental Bay in Wellington on a sunny day.

48 hours in Wellington

It’s compact and walkable, has a calendar full of events, and is stacked with great bars and restaurants. Wellington is the perfect weekend getaway.

Outside the Wellington Chocolate Factory, 2 people stand enjoying a coffee. A large black wall is to the left with the business name on it.

24 hours in Wellington

If you’ve only got a day in Wellington and want to get a feel of what the city is like – get ready for a whirlwind tour of tastes, sights, and sounds. If you don’t fit everything in, you can always come back for more.