Getting to Marlborough

Getting Here

You're going to love getting to Marlborough whether you choose to come by ferry, train, car, bike or plane. Marlborough is a 30 minute flight from Wellington and around 20 mins’ drive from Picton if you’re arriving by ferry. It’s also just 1.5 hours’ drive from Nelson and a scenic four hour drive from Christchurch.

Image: NZW, Richard Briggs

• Travel Advice

  For the latest information about travel within New Zealand during COVID-19 alert levels please visit this website.

• By Air

  Arrive by air and get a birds-eye view of the stunning Marlborough landscape and sea of grapevines, the stunning mountains at the tip of the Southern Alps as well as the Marlborough Sounds. Two airlines fly direct to the region, Air New Zealand and Sounds Air.

• By Road

  Once you're here, Marlborough is an ideal place to explore by road, with little traffic and lots of scenery. Much of Marlborough’s stunning landscape is accessible by vehicle, with brilliant scenic drives taking you to a range of towns, valleys, hills, mountains and coastlines across the province. If you're visiting from another country, we encourage you to learn more about driving in New Zealand at the New Zealand Transport Agency website.

• By Ferry or Boat

  Cruise across the Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds - one of the most picturesque ferry journeys in the world. You can travel between Wellington and Picton with Interislander or Bluebridge and the journey takes approximately three and a half hours.

• By Bus

  Sit back, relax, and enjoy the views as you travel by bus to Marlborough. This is a great option for those without a car. You can get to Marlborough with InterCity.

• By Bike

  There are some brilliant wine cycle tours available in Marlborough. If you're planning on cycling from Christchurch, check out the alternative cycle route, or via State Highway One here.

  The Whale Trail will be an incredible world-class cycling and walking trail, connecting coastal communities between Picton and Kaikōura.

• By Train

  The Coastal Pacific is due to restart 29 September 2022 and operate from Thu – Sun.

Image: MarlboroughNZ, Cloudy Bay

Vineyard Accommodation 

Nothing completes a New Zealand wine holiday quite like staying at a vineyard. Discover vineyard cottages, lodges, and holiday homes; true hidden gems where you can stay among the vines including quaint cottages tucked in the vines, private luxury homes, or the perfect place to park your campervan.

Find wineries with accommodation here.