Train & Coach
See New Zealand unfold beyond your window with a group of 20 to 35 travellers, experiencing award winning rail journeys through soaring mountains, wild coastlines, peaceful valleys and charming towns.
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Take the scenic route through New Zealand
Combining train and coach travel changes the feel of a New Zealand holiday. The journey becomes part of the experience, not just the way you move between places. Wide train windows, comfortable coach travel and carefully planned routes let you enjoy the scenery without watching the road or checking the next turn.
Many guided train and coach tours include famous rail journeys such as the TranzAlpine, Coastal Pacific and Northern Explorer, paired with coach travel, accommodation and sightseeing. It’s a good fit if you want structure, comfort and a few standout rail experiences included in the wider trip.
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Contact usPopular train & coach tours
Scenic rail journeys across New Zealand
Why book with New Zealand Coach Tours?
Our Wānaka-based team helps travellers choose and book guided coach, small group, train and coach, and self-guided coach journeys across New Zealand. We work with a wide range of established operators and provide local advice throughout the planning and booking process, backed by our Best Price Guarantee.
Tell us your dates, budget, pace and must-see places, and we’ll recommend suitable tours or create a tailor-made self-guided itinerary. We can also arrange extra accommodation, transfers and activities before or after your guided tour.
Comfortable travel through unforgettable scenery
New Zealand’s scenic trains turn travel time into part of the holiday, with wide viewing windows and comfortable seating made for enjoying the changing scenery.
Enjoy open-air viewing areas for photos and fresh air, plus onboard commentary that adds context to the landscapes, towns and history along the way.
From alpine crossings to coastal stretches, these rail journeys show you some of New Zealand’s most remarkable scenery without the need to watch the road.
Get a tailor-made self-guided coach itinerary
3 unforgettable ways to cross New Zealand
TranzAlpine Train
Travel from Christchurch to the West Coast through the heart of the Southern Alps. The TranzAlpine carries you past braided rivers, deep gorges and snow capped peaks, with every bend revealing another view worth lingering over. It’s often part of South Island train and coach tours that continue through Arthur’s Pass, Greymouth, glacier country or Queenstown.
Highlighted tour:
Great Journeys Signature Inspirational Alps TourCoastal Pacific Train
Follow the South Island’s eastern coastline as the Coastal Pacific travels between Christchurch and Picton. Watch the Pacific Ocean stretch beside the tracks, pass through rolling wine country and take in the dramatic Kaikōura ranges rising beyond the coast. This journey pairs beautifully with Cook Strait ferry travel and coach touring between the North and South Islands.
Highlighted tour:
Great Journeys Signature Captivating Coast Tour
Northern Explorer Train
Travel between Auckland and Wellington through some of the North Island’s most dramatic landscapes. The Northern Explorer crosses towering viaducts, sweeps across the high plains of the volcanic plateau and passes beneath the mighty peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. With scenery that feels straight from Middle Earth, it’s a memorable way to experience the heart of New Zealand while travelling between two of its great cities.
Highlighted tour:
Classic Northern Highlights Tour
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Many New Zealand holidays combine scenic rail journeys with coach travel, ferry crossings, transfers or flights. Train and coach touring gives you the rail experience while keeping the wider trip organised and easy to follow.
The TranzAlpine is often the best-known choice because it crosses the Southern Alps between Christchurch and the West Coast. The Coastal Pacific is excellent for sea views, while the Northern Explorer suits travellers who want a North Island rail journey.
New Zealand’s scenic trains are comfortable and experience-focused rather than luxury in the traditional sense. Some guided train and coach tours offer upgraded accommodation, extra inclusions and a more premium touring style depending on the operator and itinerary.
Yes. Many New Zealand coach tours include scenic rail sections such as the TranzAlpine, Coastal Pacific or Northern Explorer. It’s a good option if you want the rail experience without organising every connection yourself.
The best time to travel depends on the type of tour you choose. Self-guided coach tours use scheduled public coach services and can generally be arranged year-round, while guided coach tours operate from spring through autumn, usually from September to May, with no departures during the winter months of June, July and August. The TranzAlpine and Northern Explorer scenic trains operate year-round on selected days, while the Coastal Pacific takes a short break each winter.
Travel specialists
Speak to a coach tour specialist
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