How do you get to Wellington?
Getting There6.6/10Easier to reach than about 60% of cities
- Main airport
- Wellington International Airport
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: wellingtonairport.co.nz, interislander.co.nz
Good to know
Good to Know
- Airport Express is a new all-electric service offering the cheapest and most frequent city connection option from the airport
- Interislander ferries fill up quickly during autumn/winter daytime sailings—book early
- The Coastal Pacific train route connects through Picton; check schedules to coordinate with ferry sailings (08:25 and 13:15 departures align with train connections)
- Metlink regional trains offer economical fares to Hutt Valley (Masterton) and Wairarapa destinations; the Capital Connection serves Palmerston North weekdays only
- Day trips to Martinborough wine region, Kapiti Island, and Kaitoke Regional Park are all accessible within 60 minutes, making them ideal for nomad breaks
- Most Wellington day-trip destinations can be reached by car, train, or organized tour—determine transport based on whether you plan to sample wine or operate a vehicle
- Interislander ferries no longer accept cash; use debit/credit cards (EFTPOS, PayWave) or Apple/Google Pay at terminals and on board
Airport
- Name
- Wellington International Airport
- Distance From Center
- 8 km southeast
Ground Transport Options
Metlink
- Type
- Airport Express Bus
- Frequency
- 10-20 minutes depending on time of day
- Fare Adult
- NZ$9.50
- Travel Time
- 25-35 minutes
- Payment Methods
- Snapper card, cash, contactless debit/credit card
- Note
- Free Wi-Fi and USB charging available; luggage storage provided
- Description
- Nine electric buses connecting airport to Wellington Railway Station via city CBD (Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Courtenay Place)
Regular Bus (Metlink Route 2)
- Note
- Verify bus says 'Route 2 – Seatoun' as service alternates
- Description
- Karori-Wellington-Hataitai-Seatoun service; ~7 minutes walk from terminal to Hobart Street Broadway Stop 7033
Taxi/Shuttle
- Travel Time
- 20-30 minutes depending on traffic
- Payment Methods
- Cash, credit, EFTPOS
- Estimated Fare CBD
- NZ$50
Car Rental
- Description
- Multiple on-site operators available at terminal
Rideshare
- Description
- App-based pickup options available
Day Trip Access
Porirua
- Highlights
- Belmont Regional Park, Pataka Art + Museum, 100+ km of walking/biking trails, watersports
- Travel Time
- 20 minutes by car or train
- Distance From Center
- 20 km north
Martinborough Wine Region
- Highlights
- 20+ wineries, cool-climate Pinot Noir, European-style village, restaurants and cafes
- Travel Time
- 1.5 hours by car
- Distance From Center
- 81 km south
Kapiti Island Nature Reserve
- Highlights
- Native bird species (1000+), walking trails, critical conservation site
- Travel Time
- 1 hour drive + 15-minute ferry from Paraparaumu Beach
- Distance From Center
- ~60 km north
Kaitoke Regional Park
- Highlights
- LOTR filming locations (Rivendell), swimming, tramping, swing bridge, Hutt River Gorge
- Travel Time
- 30-40 minutes by car or train
- Distance From Center
- ~30 km north
Red Rocks (Owhiro Bay)
- Highlights
- Coastal views, wildlife spotting, Pari-Whero loop walk, seasonal seal colony
- Travel Time
- 30 minutes
- Distance From Center
- ~15 km south
Weta Workshop
- Highlights
- Lord of the Rings props and costumes, guided tours (3.5 hours), special effects studio
- Travel Time
- 15 minutes
- Distance From Center
- ~8 km east (Miramar)
Days Bay
- Highlights
- Beach, Williams Park walking trails, East Harbour Regional Park, Eastbourne nearby
- Travel Time
- ~25 minutes ferry + connections
- Distance From Center
- By ferry from Queens Wharf
Castlepoint
- Highlights
- Scenic coastal destination, lighthouse, long beaches, limited services
- Travel Time
- 2 hours by car
- Distance From Center
- ~120 km east
Remutaka Rail Trail / Remutaka Forest Park
- Highlights
- 18 km former rail route, walking/biking/running, forest park hiking
- Travel Time
- Train or car to trailhead
- Distance From Center
- ~40-50 km east
Picton (Via Interislander Ferry)
- Distance
- 93 km across Cook Strait
- Highlights
- Gateway to South Island, Marlborough Sounds, scenic journey, Coastal Pacific train connections
- Travel Time
- 3.5 hours ferry
Commuter Regional
Capital Connection
- Route
- Wellington to Palmerston North
- Stops
- Shannon, Levin, Ōtaki, Waikanae
- Amenities
- WiFi-equipped, café car
- Frequency
- Monday-Friday only
Wairarapa Connection
- Route
- Wellington to Masterton
- Frequency
- 7 days/week
Long Distance Scenic
Northern Explorer
- Route
- Auckland to Wellington
- Duration
- 10 hours 40 minutes
- Terminus
- Wellington Railway Station
- Frequency
- 3 times per week (Wed, Fri, Sun from Wellington; Mon, Thu, Sat to Wellington)
Metro Urban
- Lines
- 5
- Operator
- Metlink Rail
- Stations
- 48
- Description
- Electrified suburban services plus Wairarapa Connection
Interisland Rail Connection
- Route
- Picton to Christchurch
- Service
- Coastal Pacific
- Note
- Connects with scheduled Interislander sailings (08:25 and 13:15 from Wellington); seasonal operation (late Sept-late April, daily in Feb-Apr)
Ferry Connections
Inter Island
- Route
- Wellington to Picton (Cook Strait)
- Check In
- 60 minutes before departure for foot passengers
- Distance
- 93 km
- Operator
- Interislander
- Amenities
- Viewing decks, restaurants, cafes, Premium Lounge with complimentary food/drinks, cinemas, free Wi-Fi, children's activities
- Frequency
- Daily; up to 4 sailings during winter, more in summer
- Shuttle Service
- Complimentary shuttle bus from Wellington Railway Station Platform 10, departing 70 minutes before each sailing
- Journey Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Terminal Location
- Aotea Quay, Pipitea (passenger); separate vehicle terminal nearby
- Note
- Considered one of world's most scenic ferry journeys; vehicle and cabin upgrades available at additional cost
Harbour Ferries
- Route
- Wellington (Queens Wharf) to Days Bay
- Stops
- Matiu/Somes Island
- Duration
- ~25 minutes
- Operator
- East by West
- Description
- Day-trip destination ferry with harbourside leisure activities
Alternative Ferry
- Route
- Wellington to Picton
- Operator
- Bluebridge
- Note
- Alternative operator also provides regular service; does not connect with Coastal Pacific train
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Wellington
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.