Northern Explorer Train Journey from Auckland to Wellington

Auckland, New Zealand

Northern Explorer Auckland to Wellington By Train

11 hours
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Auckland, North Island

Private Transfer From Auckland International Airport To Auckland City

from $88.07

Per group

Special Offer

Auckland, North Island

Skip the Wait: Direct Auckland Airport Transfer to Your Hotel-SUV

from $63.00

$70.00 $7.00 savings

Per group

Auckland, North Island

Departure Private Transfer Auckland City to Auckland Airport AKL by Sedan Car

from $76.52

Price varies by group size

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Leave the planning and driving to a train conductor while you travel on the Northern Explorer, a long-distance scenic train service running from Auckland to Wellington. Experience the beauty and variety of New Zealand—from the farmlands of Waikato to the volcanic peaks of the Central Plateau and the sparkling Kapiti Coast—while riding a comfortable train. A great way to trade the grind of vacation travel for a bit of romance.

Skip bus tours and driving for the romance of train travel
Journey in trains with award-winning carriages and specially designed seats
Take advantage of open-air viewing decks and GPS-triggered audio commentary
Journey through Tongariro National Park and the Raurimu Spiral

What's Included

One Way Rail Journey
GPS triggered audio commentary
All taxes, fees and handling charges

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Food and Drinks (available to purchase)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Excess luggage charges (where applicable)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Auckland Strand
Parnell, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Start time

07:45 AM

Drop-off point

Wellington Station
Bunny Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

End point

Wellington Station
Bunny Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if travelling with a wheelchair.
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Stroller accessible

Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure and check in at the station to receive your boarding pass
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Chasm_B

A fantastic way to see the countryside of the North Island between Auckland and Wellington. The view car gives the option to feel a bit closer and to breath fresh air. Comfortable seats and easy to pass through the cars.

Reviews

4.0

116 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 116 reviews

judyt

Judith_T, Apr 2024

Enjoyed the scenery from Auckland to Wellington. Train well organised. Best scenery from National Park to Wellington. Took may photos from our window and in the special carriage at front of the train.

The beauty of New Zealand memorialized in one trip!

Ruth_S, Apr 2024

Wonderful way to see North Island in all its majesty from aquaducts to rolling sheep cow and deer farms to scenic Mountain View’s, this is the way to do it! There is a viewing carriage on the train for photo shots but we also took them from our seats. Only reservation we had was the cleanliness of the train which could do with some deep cleaning and food tray wipe down. Could also do with upping the quality of the food on board but the aesthetic experience was worth it all!

Great adventure

Amanda_O, Mar 2024

As we only arrived in NZ the day before the rail trip we found The views magnificent . A real insight of what we had to come. The disappointment was when we arrived at the Strand there was no booking for us and the train was full. This was quite stressful and did mar the start of the day. It resulted in us sitting in the cafe car with no commentary . It seems that Viator had not had confirmation from great northern to say we had seats and this should have been followed up .

Great train ride

Robert_S, Mar 2024

The train was on time, very comfortable and the views were awesome once we got away from Auckland. Simone was a fantastic guide that talked us through all the highlights of the scenery, the amenities on the train and safety instructions. It was a long ride but very relaxing and scenic, a great, stress free way to get to Wellington from Auckland.

Worth it.

Gina_C, Mar 2024

We had a blast! Once you get out of the Auckland area the beauty of the country opens up. So worth it. Even though the trip is 11 hours it didn’t feel that way. Was able to take some amazing photos.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Clifford_V, Feb 2024

No way to choose, it was all a wonderful experience. The views, the food, the crew all were just the best. I would do it again.

Well worth the money

Matthew_S, Feb 2024

Stunning scenery good company good food and drink. It's a long day but worth the effort. A once in a life time experience which I doubt will be repeated.

Great scenery once out of the suburbs

Lesley_B, Feb 2024

Be prepared for the first few hours out of Auckland to be pretty ugly (typical urban railway surrounds) but once out of the city the scenery was superb. A long day scheduled at 12 hours but extended to 13 with station delays and a medical incident on board (not the fault of the rail service). Some issues with temperature regulation with one carriage very hot and stuffy and the other rather cold!

Great except for delays on track due to other trains.

Ryan_H, Feb 2024

Scenery obviously is a must, beautiful. Train was delayed by more than an hour by another train ahead of us that broke down. It was a very long day. Still worth going though, would again for sure.

Needs improvement

alejandrina_s, Feb 2024

It offers you panoramic view of no landscape. The train is not very comfortable for 12 hr journey. The car was hot , no air con .

Beautiful scenery but crowded long ride

Kari_N, Feb 2024

The ride was a bit cramped as we were seated across from another couple at a table. As the crowd thinned out with people leaving at stops we moved to other seats. The train had an equipment breakdown and we were 2.5 hrs late getting into Wellington.

Lost a long looked forward to train ride.

Lindsay_J, Feb 2024

Viator did not pass on the advice from Northern Railways that our train had been cancelled and replaced with a bus trip, that took 10 uncomfortable hours. Hence too late to change other dependent bookies.

Overall Great Trip

Nathan_B, Jan 2024

A great trip. Staff were great. Views amazing, seats comfy. Commentary was good, but I think they need to improve on the notification that an announcement is coming up. Viator also a bit difficult to navigate in terms of confirmation everything is ok, ticket process and seat bookings. It did all work out well in the end, it took more time than it should have to organize.

Only do it if you have the patience to sit on the train for 12 hours

Jade_K, Jan 2024

The train itself was great and the views just didn’t find the staff very friendly at all Also should tell people they need cash as the eftpos doesn’t work most of the time Also took an extra 2 hours then expected so was a 12 hour train ride

Great trip we are lucky to live in NZ

Keith_W, Jan 2024

Met lovely people from overseas. Beautiful scenery stunning. Surprisingly good food. Restful as you wanted.

Well worth doing.

Jon_P, Dec 2023

An amazing experience. We were worried about dedicating an entire day to the experience but we’re very glad we did.

Good to do once

casey_h, Dec 2023

Beautiful ride through the country. Was peaceful with the exception of occasional screaming 3-year old. Car was cool in the front and too warm in the back. Unfortunately we were in the back. Was also a bit put off by being told to move by the crew while sitting in the cafe car, so one of the crew could eat his lunch while the rest of us were waiting to get lunch.

Amazing train journey

Bernard_T, Dec 2023

All everything was good boarding,cafeteria,staff very helpful and of course sunshine all the way. Magic very enjoyable and will tell friends. Regards Mr B.Tilston

Take A Nice Train Ride!

Rissa_B, Dec 2023

The Northern Explorer was a wonderful experience. Very clean and comfortable train with an excellent staff. Met lots of nice people and the scenery was lovely.

Amazing country side

Hazel_D, Dec 2023

Watching the country side go by was amazing. So many rivers and you could see waterfall in the distance and also snow capped mountains.

...