This Popular New Zealand Rail Journey is Back in Business

Image: The Coastal Pacific Train connects Picton and Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island. (Photo courtesy KiwiRail)

by Scott Laird
Last updated: 12:45 PM ET, Mon August 6, 2018

Travelers journeying to New Zealand's South Island during the Southern Summer will once again have the option of traveling by rail between Picton and Christchurch. KiwiRail's popular Coastal Pacific train will resume service on December 1. Passenger and freight service on the line suspended in 2016 after the Kaikoura earthquake caused significant track damage.

Passengers making the six hour journey between Picton, a popular point for ferry transit to the North Island, and Christchurch, the island's largest city will enjoy views of the island's east coast while passing through the Marlborough Wine Region, transiting 22 tunnels and 175 bridges.

Alan Piper, GM of Sales and Commercial for KiwiRail, advises travelers to book the popular service without delay. "We expect our services to fill up fast, particularly as many people will be keen to take advantage of the service to see the amazing job done to restore the road and railway line through this area." Piper also noted that the service carried 43,000 passengers during the summer season prior to the line's suspension.

The Coastal Pacific train will run daily except Christmas Day from December through late April 2019. Southbound journeys depart Picton in the early morning, and return from Christchurch in the early afternoon. The consist includes passenger coaches and a snack bar car which has beer, wine, and light meals and snacks on offer throughout the day.

Rail travel is popular for many New Zealand visitors, where vehicle traffic can slow touring progress during the popular summer season. Visitors unfamiliar with right-hand drive vehicles may also appreciate the opportunity to sightsee over a different geographic area than the journey by road without the added hassle.

For more information on the Coastal Pacific and other rail journeys including the South Island's TranzAlpine and the North Island's Northern Explorer, in addition to interisland ferry transfers, visit Great Journeys of New Zealand.

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