Scenic crossing
Cook Strait ferry
Through Tory Channel
Compare routesYour group, priced
Wellington to Queen Charlotte Sound, and every other way to Picton
The quick version
From Wellington to Queen Charlotte Sound the usual route is the Cook Strait ferry to Picton, about three and a half hours, which sails up the sound on its final stretch.
Plan ahead
Weigh up 3 options
Price the crossing and a cruise for your group
Choose the ferry and a first trip on the sound, then compare.
- Ferry to PictonAbout 3.5 hours · per visitor from $59
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View - Interislander ferryEither direction · per visitor from $57
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View - Mail boat runFrom Picton · per visitor from $95
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View
GetYourGuide's starting prices, converted at the ECB reference rate; exact pricing appears when you book.
The ferry from Wellington sails straight up the sound, a small plane hops the strait, and a coastal train arrives from Christchurch. Each route below comes with its timing, its fares and the parking at the far end.
Editorial team, queencharlottesoundcruise.click · Updated November 8, 2026 · Quick read: 8 min
The ferry that sails up the sound
The classic way from Wellington to Queen Charlotte Sound is the ferry, which doubles as a cruise. Interislander and Bluebridge both sail daily in each direction between Wellington and Picton.7 The crossing is 96 kilometers and takes around three and a half hours, and Interislander says two-thirds of it is spent in the shelter of Wellington Harbour and the channels of the Marlborough Sounds.1,8
Heading south, the ship turns sharply into Tory Channel at East Head about 2 hours 10 minutes after leaving Wellington, a 90 degrees swing between the heads that feels dramatic from the deck.9,10 It reaches Queen Charlotte Sound itself about 2 hours 50 minutes into the voyage, then glides past mussel buoys and salmon pens to Picton.11,12,13 Stay outside for that last stretch if the weather allows.
Interislander reports frequent dolphin sightings in Tory Channel and the sound in every season, and whales pass through the strait in the winter months.14,15 A regular ferry has linked Wellington and Picton since 1875, and the dolphin on the Interislander logo recalls Pelorus Jack, a dolphin that escorted ships across the strait for 25 years.16,17 It is a fitting welcome to a sound full of dolphins.
Compare the routes
Ways to reach Picton
| Route | Time | Runs | Arrives at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry from Wellington | About 3.5 hours | Daily7 | Picton terminal |
| Flight from Wellington | 30 minutes2 | Scheduled | Koromiko, 8 km away27 |
| Train from Christchurch | 5hrs 20mins29 | 1 September to 30 April4 | Picton station |
| Drive from Christchurch | 5 hrs28 | Any day | Picton |
| Drive from Blenheim | 30 mins5 | Any day | Picton |
Times as each official source gives them; check timetables for your date.1,2,29,28,5
Booking the Queen Charlotte Sound ferry
For the Queen Charlotte Sound ferry, Interislander says foot passenger fares typically start from around NZD 90 and vehicle fares from NZD 258, depending on the sailing and how early you book.20 Vehicle spaces often sell out before foot passenger places, so book early if you are bringing a car.21 Some rental companies let their cars cross on the ferry, while others ask you to swap cars at the terminals.22
Arrive at least 60 minutes before departure at either terminal, as a foot passenger or with a vehicle.18 In Wellington, a free shuttle for foot passengers leaves Platform 10 at the railway station 70 minutes before each sailing.23 Foot passengers may check in two bags of up to 23kg each.24 Carry-on space is limited to a small bag and a handbag or laptop bag, so put anything bulky in the hold and keep a jacket with you for the deck.25
The ticket on this page is a one-way Interislander sailing from Wellington to Picton, listed at about 3.5 hours and priced from $59; the listing refunds in full if you cancel a day ahead. A second listing sells the same crossing in either direction, also about 3.5 hours. If storms close the strait, the operator delays or cancels sailings for safety, so leave slack in your plans and keep the operator's contact details handy on the day you sail.26
Flying in to Picton or Blenheim
The quickest hop is the small plane. Sounds Air flies Wellington to Picton with an approximate flight time of 30 minutes, landing at Picton Airport on State Highway 1 at Koromiko, 8 km south of the town.2,27 Its shuttle into Picton costs NZD 25 per person each way, must be booked in advance, and collects passengers 50 minutes before departure for the flight back.30,33 Paid parking is also available at the airport if you leave a car there.34
Larger planes use Marlborough Airport near Blenheim, which Destination Marlborough describes as a 20 minute flight from Wellington and a five-minute drive from Blenheim.35 Air New Zealand flies there from Auckland and Wellington, and Sounds Air from Christchurch, Wellington, Napier and Paraparaumu.3 From Blenheim it is a short drive up to Picton and the sound, about 30 mins on State Highway 1, through farmland and vineyards.5,32
Which airport suits you? Koromiko puts you closest to the boats, and Blenheim closest to the vineyards. From the window of a small plane you can trace the shape of the Sounds below, a fine preview of the bays you are about to explore.3 Pack light for the smaller aircraft, check the baggage rules when you book, and leave a little room in the day in case the weather shifts your flight.
Choose your route
Which way into Picton suits you?
Start from where you are and how much you want to see on the way.
If I am in Wellington and love views
Take the ferry
It sails through Tory Channel and the sound.11
If I am short of time
Fly to Koromiko
Sounds Air gives the flight time as about 30 minutes.2
If I am coming from Christchurch
Take the Coastal Pacific
Trains run every day between 1 September and 30 April.4
If I am bringing a car
Book the ferry early
Vehicle spaces often sell out before foot passenger places.21
If I am touring the wineries
Base in Blenheim
Three ways in
Ferry, plane or train
Fastest
Small plane
Wellington to Koromiko
Compare routes
By rail
Coastal Pacific
From Christchurch
Compare routesThe Coastal Pacific train from Christchurch
The Coastal Pacific links Christchurch and Picton by rail, a daily seasonal service from 1 September to 30 April that does not run in winter or on Christmas Day.4 The northbound train leaves Christchurch in the morning, and the southbound service leaves Picton in the afternoon.31 Along the way you can stop at Kaikōura and Blenheim as well as at Christchurch and Picton, which makes it easy to build a coastal holiday around the line.39
The official track site gives the train trip between Picton and Christchurch as 5hrs 20mins, roughly the time it takes to drive.29,28 In Picton the train ends at the port, where it connects with the Interislander ferry to Wellington, and you can cross from one island to the other on a single day.40 Check that your train and ferry tickets line up, and give yourself time between them for the walk and check-in.
Rail suits travellers without a car and anyone who would rather watch the coast than drive it. The line runs beside the Pacific north of Kaikōura and through Marlborough's vineyards near Blenheim before dropping to the port. Book ahead in summer, carry a jacket for the open viewing areas, and check the timetable for your date, since the season ends on 30 April and starts again on 1 September.4 Outside those dates, InterCity buses are the public option by land.41
On the ferry
Wellington to Picton, hour by hour
Driving to the sound
From Blenheim the drive is short: the official track site gives 28km and about 30 mins, and State Highway 1 links the two towns.5,32 Going the other way, from Queen Charlotte Sound to Blenheim, it is the same quick run south, which makes a vineyard lunch easy to combine with a morning on the water. Tourism New Zealand puts the wine region about 25 minutes south of Picton, close enough for an afternoon of cellar doors after a morning cruise.42
Longer drives need more time. The official track site lists Picton to Christchurch as 336km and about 5 hrs, and the drive to Nelson at about 2hrs 30mins, based on open-road speeds of 80 to 100 km per hour with short stops.28,43,44 From Nelson, Queen Charlotte Drive offers the scenic last leg, winding between Havelock and Picton above the water.45 InterCity buses also run to Marlborough.41
Roads here have taken a beating. DOC warns that storm damage has hit many roads across Marlborough and Kaikoura, so check the official road status before you set out.36 Side roads into the Sounds are narrow, winding and mostly unsealed.45 Allow extra time, fill up in Picton or Blenheim, and avoid driving the winding coast road at night if you are new to it, and take breaks at the lookouts.
Video
The Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton
From the Window Seat on YouTube · The video waits until you tap play to load.
The Cook Strait ferry crossing is 96 kilometers (52 nautical miles) and takes around three and a half hours.
Arrival checklist
Before you travel to Picton
Booking4
Arriving in Picton and parking
Picton is small, with fewer than 5,000 permanent residents, and compact enough to walk.46 Its Māori name is Waitohi, settled by Te Ātiawa in 1828, and it briefly served as the capital of Marlborough province from 1859.47,48 From the Interislander terminal, the main cruise office on the waterfront is about a 10-minute walk.49 Early starters can find breakfast from 7.00am, handy before a morning boat to the track.50 Supermarkets in town cover last-minute food for walkers.51
If you drive, the council's car parks at Coathanger, High Street and Dublin Street cost NZD 1.20 an hour or NZD 6.00 a day, and most on-street spaces in the inner town are free for 60 minutes.52,6 The Picton Foreshore Reserve car park allows P240 free parking.53 For multi-day trips, long-term coupons in the Dublin Street or Coathanger car parks run from NZD 12.00 for 2 days to NZD 42.00 for 1 week.54
The council's First Hour Free offer does not apply in the Port Marlborough car parks around the ferry terminals.37 Freedom camping and overnight stays are banned in every public car park in Picton.55 Leave valuables out of sight, note your car park and plate number for the pay machines, and keep the receipt on the dashboard if you are away on the track for several days, so the coupon is easy to see.
Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton
Once you are in town, everything on the water starts at the Picton waterfront. Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton opens in front of you: water taxis, cruise boats and kayak hire all leave from the foreshore and the marinas.56 The scheduled Ship Cove cruise leaves at 9 AM all year, and the mail boat departs at 1:30 PM on its days, so a morning arrival on the ferry still leaves time for an afternoon on the water.57,58
Plan a buffer. The main cruise operator says it cannot guarantee return times in time for connecting flights, ferries or trains, so leave slack on both sides of a cruise.38 An overnight in Picton turns the trip into a relaxed one, with an evening on the foreshore and an early start on the sound the next day. Accommodation is plentiful, but the official track site says booking is essential in peak seasons.59
For the Queen Charlotte Track, the boat to Ship Cove leaves from Picton, and the track ends at Anakiwa, linked back to town by on-demand shuttles.60,61 For a day trip from Wellington, the early ferry plus an afternoon cruise is possible but tight; staying over in Picton gives you a cruise, a walk and time to watch the ferries come and go. The sound rewards slow travel more than a tight schedule.
FAQ
The short answers to your questions.
How long is the ferry from Wellington to Picton?
About three and a half hours.
The crossing is 96 kilometers and takes around three and a half hours.1
How early must I arrive for the ferry?
At least 60 minutes.
Interislander asks foot passengers and vehicles to arrive at least 60 minutes before departure.18
Can I fly into Picton?
Does the train run all year?
No.
The Coastal Pacific is a seasonal train, daily between 1 September and 30 April only.4
How far is Picton from Christchurch by car?
336km.
The official track site gives about 5 hrs for the drive on open roads.28
Is parking free in Picton?
Can I sleep in my campervan in a Picton car park?
No.
Freedom camping and overnight stays are banned in all public car parks.55
Sources
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · What you'll see on your journey ↩
- Sounds Air · Fly Wellington Picton ↩
- Destination Marlborough (MarlboroughNZ, official visitor guide) · Getting to Marlborough ↩
- Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail) · Train timetables ↩
- Queen Charlotte Track (official site, Queen Charlotte Track Inc) · Location ↩
- Marlborough District Council · Parking fees and locations - Picton ↩
- Destination Marlborough (MarlboroughNZ, official visitor guide) · Raukawa/Cook Strait Ferries Heritage ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · What you'll see on your journey ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · What you'll see on your journey ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · What you'll see on your journey ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · What you'll see on your journey ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · What you'll see on your journey ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · What you'll see on your journey ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · What you'll see on your journey ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · What you'll see on your journey ↩
- Destination Marlborough (MarlboroughNZ, official visitor guide) · Raukawa/Cook Strait Ferries Heritage ↩
- Destination Marlborough (MarlboroughNZ, official visitor guide) · Raukawa/Cook Strait Ferries Heritage ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · Interislander ferry FAQs ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · Cook Strait winds, swells and smooth sailing ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · Interislander ferry FAQs ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · Interislander ferry FAQs ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · Interislander ferry FAQs ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · Interislander ferry FAQs ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · Interislander ferry FAQs ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · Interislander ferry FAQs ↩
- Interislander (KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry) · Cook Strait winds, swells and smooth sailing ↩
- Sounds Air · Fly Wellington Picton ↩
- Queen Charlotte Track (official site, Queen Charlotte Track Inc) · Location ↩
- Queen Charlotte Track (official site, Queen Charlotte Track Inc) · Location ↩
- Sounds Air · Picton Shuttle ↩
- Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail) · Coastal Pacific train ↩
- Destination Marlborough (MarlboroughNZ, official visitor guide) · Getting to Marlborough ↩
- Sounds Air · Picton Shuttle ↩
- Sounds Air · Fly Wellington Picton ↩
- Destination Marlborough (MarlboroughNZ, official visitor guide) · Getting to Marlborough ↩
- Department of Conservation (DOC) · Queen Charlotte Track ↩
- Marlborough District Council · Parking fees and locations - Picton ↩
- Beachcomber Cruises (beachcombercruises.co.nz) · Frequently Asked Questions ↩
- Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail) · Coastal Pacific train ↩
- Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail) · Coastal Pacific route ↩
- Destination Marlborough (MarlboroughNZ, official visitor guide) · Getting to Marlborough ↩
- Tourism New Zealand (newzealand.com) · Picton ↩
- Queen Charlotte Track (official site, Queen Charlotte Track Inc) · Location ↩
- Queen Charlotte Track (official site, Queen Charlotte Track Inc) · Location ↩
- Department of Conservation (DOC) · Mistletoe Bay tracks ↩
- Tourism New Zealand (newzealand.com) · Picton ↩
- Destination Marlborough (MarlboroughNZ, official visitor guide) · Waitohi/Picton Heritage ↩
- Destination Marlborough (MarlboroughNZ, official visitor guide) · Waitohi/Picton Heritage ↩
- Beachcomber Cruises (beachcombercruises.co.nz) · Frequently Asked Questions ↩
- Queen Charlotte Track (official site, Queen Charlotte Track Inc) · Location ↩
- Queen Charlotte Track (official site, Queen Charlotte Track Inc) · FAQ's ↩
- Marlborough District Council · Parking fees and locations - Picton ↩
- Marlborough District Council · Parking fees and locations - Picton ↩
- Marlborough District Council · Parking fees and locations - Picton ↩
- Marlborough District Council · Parking fees and locations - Picton ↩
- Department of Conservation (DOC) · Mistletoe Bay tracks ↩
- Beachcomber Cruises (beachcombercruises.co.nz) · Ship Cove Cruise ↩
- Beachcomber Cruises (beachcombercruises.co.nz) · Mail Boat Cruise in Queen Charlotte Sound ↩
- Queen Charlotte Track (official site, Queen Charlotte Track Inc) · Location ↩
- Destination Marlborough (MarlboroughNZ, official visitor guide) · Queen Charlotte Track: getting there & away ↩
- Queen Charlotte Track (official site, Queen Charlotte Track Inc) · Journey to the Track ↩