The TranzAlpine train is often referred to as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, and this tour will allow you to experience it. Enjoy the convenience of a day trip where all transport is taken care of— round-trip transfers in a luxury minivan, and a TranzAlpine train ticket are included. See Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, Lake Pearson, and get the chance to walk in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

See many of the South Island’s incredible natural landscapes in a day
TranzAlpine train journey from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass is included
No transport planning—hotel pickup and drop-off included
Enjoy time to go walking in the stunning Arthur’s Pass National Park

What's Included

TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass.
Pickup and drop-off from selected Central Christchurch Hotels.
Transport by air-conditioned late model Minibus.
National Park fees
Bottled water
Small group
Fully guided tour except the walks.

Lunch

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

Christchurch Bus Interchange
Corner of Lichfield St and, Colombo Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Your guide will pick you from outside FreshChoice Supermarket (located at 71 Lichfield Street) which is across the road from Bus Exchange.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Pickup timing will be confirmed a day prior to travel date. Pickup/ drop-off is offered from selected Central Christchurch Hotels listed below: 1. Rydges Latimer Square 2 .Christchurch Bus Interchange 3. Heritage/ Distinction/ Novotel Central Christchurch/Hotel 115/Quest Cathedral Junction 4. Crowne Plaza 5. The Mayfair, 155 Victoria Street 6. Chateau on the Park

What To Expect

Christchurch Cathedral (Pass By)

Otira Viaduct Lookout

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Devils Punchbowl Walking Track

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate

A small amount of walking is involved.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
Fully guided tour except the walks in the National Park & Castle Hill.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 21 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.
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

Featured review

Celia_T

Enjoyed the scenery of the Canterbury Plains from the train…& then the climb into the Alps with wonderful views of the Waimakariri River & gorges. Great to have Anuj meet us at Arthur’s Pass in the mini bus to continue our journey. Worth doing the walk to Devils Punchbowl to see the falls….& the amazing rock formations near Castle Hill Station. Anuj was very informative…liked seeing the place where one of the Narnia movies was filmed! Great to have water & snacks for the bus journey!

Reviews

5.0

235 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 235 reviews

Spectacular scenery.

Susan_P, Apr 2024

Breath taking scenery. Thoroughly enjoyable trip. Tour guide AJ was very knowledgeable about the area. Great day out.

Definitely worth if you want to see the southern alps in a relaxed manner where everything is taken care of

Rajeev_J, Apr 2024

Anuj was great. Very professional, had a lot of information, history and anecdotes to share about the places and things we were seeing. It was a wonderful day. Highly recommend it.

An NZ must do!

Chris_H, Apr 2024

A great relaxing day trip. Highly recommend. Don’t miss this trip if you’re travelling in NZ South Island

Fun on the train

naoma1, Apr 2024

The train ride was very fun. Our guide was very knowledgeable and made the return trip in a luxury van a joy.

Nice Trip

Robert_S, Apr 2024

The train into Arthur’s Pass was a nice, comfortable and relaxing way to get there. We hiked to a beautiful waterfall to get some great pics(lots of stairs so be prepared). Overall, it was a long day but a nice way to see some beautiful landscapes.

Great Experience!

Donna_H, Mar 2024

The half day train combined with hikes at Devils Punchbowl and visit to Castle Hill was wonderful! The guide gave us some suggestions for lunch and steered us to check out the chapel which was an added gem. Devils Punchbowl was one of my rehab goals after 2nd knee replacement because of all the stairs but I was able to manage and so glad I did. What a beautiful waterfall!

Fabulous day tour.

Michele_W, Mar 2024

The whole day was great. The train trip was brilliant. Great scenery and commentary along the way. The coach ride back was equally as good with the right amount of stops, a couple of walks and great commentary from our driver/tour guide (Ajui?) Hope I got his name right. What an asset he is to the company! Overall, I great day out.

Great scenery of the Alps with such a variety of colours….& especially enjoyed seeing the native beech forest.

Celia_T, Mar 2024

Great tour

Joanne_Y, Mar 2024

A great way to explore the Arther’s Pass and middle part of South Island from Christchurch. Train ride was pleasant and the tour was great to show many scenic spots.

Awesome experience!

NANCY_C, Mar 2024

Highly recommend this train ride! Scenery is beautiful along the way and mount cook national park is an awesome sight, photos cannot capture all the beauty that surrounds you! Our driver gave great commentary too. We were picked up & dropped off right next to our hotel in Christchurch near Quest cathedral. Also take the lunch option, it is a bag lunch, bakery fresh sandwich & snacks, delicious! This was one of the highlights of our New Zealand trip!!

There And Back

Tracy_A, Mar 2024

when the train started off out of Christchurch, we got to see parts of Christchurch, the city, the life going to Farm country and headed up to the mountains. We particularly enjoyed the seats of the table for conversation fellowship had a great view. Arthur’s Pass was very beautiful and we enjoyed being able to take time for a nice lunch and a community and then head off for our adventure back towards Christchurch.

Stunning

Devin_A, Mar 2024

One of the most beautiful train rides ever. The ride back made it so easy to see all of the unique things that make New Zealand so wonderful.

Classic scenic train journey

Jane_H, Mar 2024

Stunning scenery from the train and the chance to do a hike up to a waterfall plus some other short strolls. The guide was excellent.

Great TranzAlpine trip to Arthur’s Pass

Guy_D, Mar 2024

Train trip was comfortable and views were very spectacular. Guide was very knowledgeable and concise with his communication. He went above and beyond to accommodate everyone with the activities. The walks were the right length and one could do as much as they wanted. We stopped at some great places for photo opportunities. He even provided treats/snacks and bottled water. An enjoyable day trip.

A memorable day!

David_A, Mar 2024

A great day out! A lot of miles covered but the scenery more than compensated for this! Great driver as well - thank-you!

A “ must/do” trip

Rosemary_W, Mar 2024

All of it fantastic, bus driver excellent, combo of train and bus is best of both worlds. Efficiently run… a great trip

Most enjoyable full day

chris_k, Mar 2024

Our guide explained our itinerary so well at the start and was very attentive the entire day. A wonderful combination of scenery and history.

Views, Walks and so much more

Gaynor_L, Mar 2024

The whole trip was great. We were picked up at our hotel by AJ and dropped at train station. Eveyone had forward facing seats on the right hand side of the train (which was best for views). The views from train were great and it took approx 2..30 to reach Arthur's Path. We were met there by AJ who took us to. a waterfall for a walk, back to Arthur's Pass village for lunch where we saw Kea Parrots. We then stopped on our way back to Christ Church at scenic views, film sets, iconic boulders. Our guide even gave us crisps, biscuits and water in addition to great commentary. Before dropping us back to our hotel. We would highly recommend this trip it was worth every $.

Wow!

Ravi_S, Mar 2024

Very picturesque trip both ways. The TranzAlpine train and the views were awesome. Then it got better. The hike on the Devil’s Punchbowl walking track was amazing. We made a couple of other stops on the way back for viewing and short hikes. Our guide Anuj was very courteous and helpful. He took excellent care of us.

Best thing about the trip...

David_E, Mar 2024

Best thing about the trip was the van driver. It was rainy weather and he made several adjustments to the itinerary, and he went out of his way to make people comfortable by furnishing umbrella, ponchos, snacks, etc. He was very knowledgeable of the area and an excellent careful driver on some roads that were treacherous. Without his work, it would have been a difficult day, but he saved with his care and ingenuity.

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