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Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch
Badge of ExcellenceChristchurch, New Zealand
- 9 hours
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Travel by TranzAlpine railway to Arthur's Pass National Park, riding across the Canterbury Plains, then winding through Waimakariri Gorge and into the heart of the Southern Alps on this day trip from Christchurch. An informative guide takes you on a minivan tour of Arthur's Pass, including short rain forest walks past rivers to mountain vistas at Castle Hill. Enjoy a hotel lunch and light refreshments before the return trip via Waimak Gorge. This small-group tour is limited to ten participants, ensuring a more personalized experience.
- Travel across the Canterbury Plains to the breathtaking Arthur's Pass National Park on this full-day tour from Christchurch
- Scenic TranzAlpine train journey
- Enjoy guided walks of Arthur's Pass National Park with many spectacular mountain vistas
- Delicious morning and afternoon tea
- Visit a country hotel for lunch
- Fully escorted and informative commentary
- Small-group tour with maximum ten passengers provides a more personalized experience with your guide
What's Included
- Lunch at a country cafe
- Guided walks of Arthur's Pass National Park
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located Christchurch hotels
- Cruise port pickup is not available
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Meeting point
- Christchurch Railway StationAddington, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Your guide will be holding a sign displaying name for tour booking at check in area.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Start time
07:30 AM
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Pickup details
We will pick from any Hotel, B&B, Home-stay within central Christchurch
What To Expect
You’re picked up at your hotel in Christchurch and transferred to the railway station to board the TranzAlpine for one of New Zealand’s most scenic train rides. Relax during the journey to Arthur's Pass.
Your independent rail trip crosses the flat farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before winding through Waimakariri Gorge and the high country’s tussock fields until you reach the magnificent Southern Alps. En route, pass multiple tunnels and viaducts including the 240-foot-long (73-meter) Staircase.
On arrival at Arthur's Pass, you’re greeted by your guide for a small-group tour of the national park by minivan, following a former stagecoach route down Otira Gorge, a commonplace for the Maori to search for greenstone. Hop off the minivan for several short bushwalks as you’re guided along riverside paths in the forest.
Back in your vehicle, drive through the South Island high country, stopping to view the craggy cliffs at the Cave Stream, which meanders underground. From the highway, get a glimpse of Castle Hill where weatherworn limestone outcrops form a unique mountain landscape. If you’ve got the energy, you can hike to the top for an encompassing view of the surrounding countryside.
Your full-day tour includes morning and afternoon tea along with lunch at a local hotel before you make the return trip to Christchurch by minivan, stopping in the sweeping Canterbury Plains to see Waimakariri Gorge.
Your independent rail trip crosses the flat farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before winding through Waimakariri Gorge and the high country’s tussock fields until you reach the magnificent Southern Alps. En route, pass multiple tunnels and viaducts including the 240-foot-long (73-meter) Staircase.
On arrival at Arthur's Pass, you’re greeted by your guide for a small-group tour of the national park by minivan, following a former stagecoach route down Otira Gorge, a commonplace for the Maori to search for greenstone. Hop off the minivan for several short bushwalks as you’re guided along riverside paths in the forest.
Back in your vehicle, drive through the South Island high country, stopping to view the craggy cliffs at the Cave Stream, which meanders underground. From the highway, get a glimpse of Castle Hill where weatherworn limestone outcrops form a unique mountain landscape. If you’ve got the energy, you can hike to the top for an encompassing view of the surrounding countryside.
Your full-day tour includes morning and afternoon tea along with lunch at a local hotel before you make the return trip to Christchurch by minivan, stopping in the sweeping Canterbury Plains to see Waimakariri Gorge.
TranzAlpine Train
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre
4 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- A percentage of the tour price is used for the conservation of New Zealand's wildlife, environment and it's endangered species
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
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.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Featured review
Harry_C
Wonderful tour. The tour was outstanding, we had great tour guides for the duration and was a very enjoyable day. There was an issue with the train but the tour guides took care of everything immediately and ensured we enjoyed our tour. Beautiful country side and the scenery was amazing.
Reviews
5.0
212 reviews
Stephan_D, Mar 2024
We had a little struggle with the pickup, because i thought we had to come to the railway station, but our guide wanted to pick us up at our accomodation. At least we were where we used to be, on the Tranz Alpine Express to Arthur's Pass. The train ride and the bus tour to some really awesome places and views were great, we really enjoyed it.
Yusuf_B, Feb 2024
Despite confirmed the pickup location the the driver/guide went to a different location We had to make calls to the tour operator as the driver did not show up on the time. Finally the tour operator was able to track the driver and directed him the meeting point where we stood waiting for over half an hour not knowing or not receiving any communication from the driver . We almost missed the tranzalpine train.
The tour went well. The tranazalpine train ride to Arthurs Pass was not very scenic. Overpriced tour overall ..
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Good afternoon, thank you for taking the time to write this review. We are very sorry that this happened to you and your family and that there was a confusion on your accommodation location for your pickup. We do send confirmation emails to hotels the evening before all tours, and it is unfortunate that this wasn't picked up earlier. We hope that you enjoy your travels here in New Zealand and wish you all the best.
Kind regards,
Todd_S, Feb 2024
Stewart from Canterbury Trails was a fantastic guide. Nothing was a hassle to him, very friendly, informative and knew all the good spots.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Stewart is all of the above mentioned and we are so pleased to hear you had a lovely time with him. Take care
Monica_T, Feb 2024
Stu was a fantastic host. From the pick at the hotel to the pick up at the train station and the tour back to Christchurch. He was very knowledgeable, accomodating and fun. Great trip all around.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Just wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to pass on your thoughts and I will be sure to pass this on to him. Happy travelling.
sharon_p, Feb 2024
We had a great day with Mary, she was very informative and suggested lots of things to do and see. Would definitely use Mary again
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you for your lovely comments. Mary is a wonderful addition to our team. We will be sure to pass your review onto her. Many thanks,
Aneit_D, Jan 2024
My relative and I had a wonderful time on this trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the beautiful scenery. The tour guide John was very helpful, friendly, approachable and accommodative. Highly recommend AAA+++
Response from Host, Jan 2024
We are happy to hear that you had a great time with John. I will be sure to pass this onto him.
Akshay_A, Jan 2024
The trip was super ! The train ride was amazing as expected but what made the trip super was our guide from Canterbury Trails - Fiona ! Fiona guide us through Arthur’s pass , stopped at multiple locations as she drove us to Christchurch making it an immensely memorable trip. She was super comfortable having to deal with small kids and was kind and caring and very knowledgable. Even though it was raining she had multiple options ready which were all spectacular !! Thank you Fiona !
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thank you for your kind words. We are very grateful to have Fiona. She is a wonderful guide and I will pass on your lovely comments.
Steve_C, Dec 2023
The overall day was great, Mary was an excellent tour guide from pick up point through to being dropped back at our motel.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Kia ora, we are delighted to hear that you had a great day with Mary.
Chihhsi_W, Dec 2023
Tour guide Peter picked us up from hotel and guided us through the trip. We did train ride to Arthur pass and then some small to medium trail walks and took some scenic photos.
The downside is the road from Arthur Pass toward west coast was closed due to construction so we did not get to go further west. This tour became like the other cheaper tour which cost around $265 US dollar. So though the tour experience was not bad, I feel it’s over priced because it did not do what it supposed. Wish I could get partial refund
Guy_W, Nov 2023
Our guide was Hugo, who was knowledgeable, engaging, funny and quite excellent. The one-way train ride to Arthur's Pass was very comfortable and scenic. Once there, Hugo (who had driven up there after dropping us off at the train) took over and shared details of the local area, with multiple stops along the way that should be seen by anyone visiting the area.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Good morning, thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderful reveiw. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your day with Hugo and will be sure to pass on your kind words to him.
Safe travels and kind regards.
...
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