Service Update: Train Schedules Extended to June 2027 & Planned Maintenance Notices

SERVICE UPDATE
Train Schedules Extended to June 2027. Additional rail schedules are now open for booking through June 2027. Please review operating days and planned maintenance closures when arranging travel.

Northern Explorer

Operating Days

  • Northbound: Wednesday, Friday & Sunday
  • Southbound: Monday, Thursday & Saturday

Operating days are confirmed to 30 November 2026.

Scheduled Track Maintenance

Full cancellations – No bus replacements

  • 6–10 February 2026
  • 3–7 April 2026
  • 29 May–2 June 2026
  • 10–14 July 2026
  • 23–27 October 2026

Coastal Pacific

Operating Schedule

Date Range Service
1 Sep 2025 – 26 Apr 2026 7 days a week
27 Apr 2026 – 30 Aug 2026 Not operating
1 Sep 2026 – 30 Apr 2027 (TBC) 7 days a week

Note: The Coastal Pacific does not operate on Christmas Day.

TranzAlpine

Operating Periods

  • 17 Jul 2025 – 11 May 2026: Daily
  • 29 May 2026 – 6 Jul 2026: Friday–Monday
  • 14 Jul 2026 – 10 May 2027: Daily
  • 14 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 (TBC): Friday–Monday

Note: The TranzAlpine does not operate on Christmas Day.

Scheduled Track Maintenance

Full cancellations – No bus replacements

  • 25–27 April 2026
  • 16–22 May 2026
  • 10–13 July 2026
  • 26–28 September 2026
  • 24–26 October 2026

 

Onboard Infotainment App
Audio commentary is now delivered through the Great Journeys New Zealand app. Passengers should bring:

  • Personal mobile device
  • Headphones
  • USB charging cable

Download the free app before travel. Full content becomes available once connected to onboard Wi-Fi.


For further inquiries or assistance with your travel plans, please contact our New Zealand Travel Team.

Our friendly New Zealand Travel Team is available from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (New Zealand Time) Monday - Sunday, excluding public holidays.

For assistance and reservations during our opening hours, contact our New Zealand Travel Team by email or phone.  To cancel a reservation, please email us at info@newzealandtravelteam.com before 72hrs or 3 days from the travel date.

Phone
You can call one of our English-speaking Consultants at +64 7 575 5049
Current New Zealand time: 

Within New Zealand:
Reservations only with payment -           0800-143-669
Travel planning and all other inquiries - +64 7 575 5049
Outside New Zealand: 
+61 1800 359 729      Australia Toll-free
+1   855 413 3019    USA Toll-free
+1   866 554 0304    Canada Toll-free
+44 800 0148106     United Kingdom Toll-free

 

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Scenic Travel Pass

Scenic Travel Pass

  • Scenic Travel Pass consists of a 3 Day in 1 Month New Zealand Travel Rail Pass and a 60 Hour Intercity Bus/Coach/Ferry Pass. Includes Ferry between North and South Islands.

  • The Rail Pass can only be used for travel in ONE direction: North to South or South to North, while the Bus Pass can be used for a return. 

  • Scenic Travel Pass is suited for independent travellers, families or small groups, who are travelling together on the same routes, to the same destinations.

  • If you run out of bus/coach travel ‘Hours’, you can top up your coach travel pass with additional travel ‘Hours’ which are available in 3 or 10 ‘Hour’ lots. 

  • Reservations for train, bus/coach & ferry services are compulsory and should be made as soon as possible to avoid disappointment and no later than 72 Hours prior to the travel date.

  • Reservations can be made by emailing our  New Zealand Travel Team

  • RailBus Scenic Passes are valid for travel until 30 June 2027

  • All prices are per person as each traveller needs his or her own pass

Travel Itineraries

Scenic Travel Pass

3 Train Days

60 Bus Hours

  • Adult: NZ$1587.00
  • Child: NZ$1303.00

Recommended Travel Itinerary

Fare Type
Adult
Child
Pass Validity
Action
RailBus Pass (Scenic Travel Pass)
NZ$1587.00
NZ$1303.00
01 Nov 2022 to 30 Jun 2026
RailBus Pass (Scenic Travel Pass)
NZ$1596.00
NZ$1318.00
01 Jul 2026 to 30 Jun 2027