TranzAlpine is KiwiRail's iconic journey across the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Greymouth on New Zealand's South Island, covering 224 km in approximately 4h30m. Ascending from Canterbury Plains through Arthur's Pass (920m) via 16 tunnels and 4 viaducts, it is consistently voted one of the world's top 10 scenic rail journeys.
| # | Station | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christchurch Railway Station Christchurch |
| End |
Timetable data is sourced from official New Zealand railways records and may vary due to delays or seasonal changes. Always verify with the official operator before travelling.
TranzAlpine is KiwiRail's iconic journey across the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Greymouth on New Zealand's South Island, covering 224 km in approximately 4h30m. Ascending from Canterbury Plains through Arthur's Pass (920m) via 16 tunnels and 4 viaducts, it is consistently voted one of the world's top 10 scenic rail journeys. As a special service, it is a premium service designed for higher-comfort travel on its corridor.
TranzAlpine runs on every day of the week, with the timetable above showing the scheduled departure time at each intermediate stop. The route serves 1 intermediate stations end-to-end.
TranzAlpine offers 1 travel class: Economy. The lowest published fare is NZD 49 for Economy, while the highest-class fare is NZD 49 for Economy. Higher-class fares typically include wider seating, better climate control, and on many long-distance services include meals or refreshments. Travel class fare differences also reflect coach configuration — for example sleeper berths convert to flat beds for overnight travel, while seated coach classes use forward-facing reclining seats arranged 2+2 or 2+1 across the aisle. Check the per-class fare table on this page for the current published price by class.
Tickets for TranzAlpine are sold by KiwiRail through the official booking portal at kiwirail.co.nz. Online booking typically opens between 30 and 180 days before departure depending on the operator and service type. Booking early gives access to the cheapest advance discount fares which can be 30–80% cheaper than walk-up tickets at the station. Tickets are also available at station booking offices and from authorised travel agents and ticket resellers. Most operators accept payment by credit card, debit card, and digital wallet.
On the day of travel, arrive at the originating station at least 30–45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. This gives time to locate the correct platform (platform number is announced on station information displays 20–60 minutes before departure), find your reserved coach (coach numbers are marked along the platform edge at major stations), and board with your luggage. Always cross-check the platform number against your e-ticket or seat reservation before boarding — multiple trains can depart within a short window from adjacent platforms during peak periods.
This TranzAlpine page is part of the TrainsTracking New Zealand timetable collection covering passenger rail services across the KiwiRail network. Schedule data is verified daily against the official operator timetable, and fare information reflects the most recent published tariff. TrainsTracking is an information platform and does not process bookings or payments — all ticket purchases are completed directly through kiwirail.co.nz. For real-time delay information, platform changes, and same-day cancellations, always check station displays or the official operator app immediately before travel.
Standard seating, most affordable class
Book TranzAlpine tickets at kiwirail.co.nz, the official KiwiRail portal. Compare fares and seat availability before booking. Online booking typically opens 30 to 90 days before departure.
Book NowVisit any KiwiRail booking office in person. Staff can help with seat selection, group bookings, and special assistance. Book early for popular departure times and holidays.
Contact KiwiRail for schedule information, delay updates, and booking assistance via their official website or station helpdesk.
Visit KiwiRailThe full TranzAlpine timetable is shown in the schedule table above with departure times at every stop. Confirm timings with KiwiRail before travel as schedules can change between annual timetable revisions.
TranzAlpine fares start from approximately NZD 49 for Economy class and go up to NZD 49 for Economy. Higher-class fares include wider seating, climate control, and on long-distance services may include meals. Book through kiwirail.co.nz for the latest published fares and to check current seat availability.
Tickets for TranzAlpine are sold through kiwirail.co.nz, the official KiwiRail booking platform. Online booking opens between 30 and 180 days before departure depending on operator. Book in advance for the cheapest available fares. Tickets can also be purchased at station booking offices during opening hours, typically 08:00–20:00 daily.
TranzAlpine makes 1 scheduled stop along its route. The journey starts at Christchurch Railway Station and ends at Christchurch Railway Station. Major intermediate stops include the stations listed in the timetable above. The full stop sequence with arrival and departure times is shown in the table above.
TranzAlpine running days are shown in the hero section at the top of this page (badges indicate which days of the week the train operates). Some long-distance services run daily while others operate only on specific days (typically weekday-only or weekend-only). Operating days can change with the annual timetable revision (usually December) so verify current running days with KiwiRail before booking, particularly for trips planned more than 6 months ahead.
Yes, kiwirail.co.nz typically accepts international debit and credit cards from major card networks. Some operators require a local phone number for SMS confirmation — check the booking requirements before starting your reservation. Booking platforms display fares in the local currency of the operator.
TranzAlpine offers 1 travel class: Economy. Economy or standard classes have reserved numbered seats at the lowest fare. Premium classes (business, first class, sleeper) add wider seats, climate control, and on overnight services berths for lying flat. The fare table on this page lists current published prices for each class.
Platform numbers are not pre-published — they are announced on station information displays between 20 and 60 minutes before scheduled departure. Arrive early at the originating station to check the platform allocation displays. At larger stations, platform numbers can also be viewed on the operator's app. If the train is delayed or rescheduled, the platform may change at short notice — always verify against station displays immediately before boarding.