Taking the ferry between Wellington and Picton – prices, times, booking

The ferry between Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island) is THE unmissable crossing of any New Zealand road trip. There’s no bridge and no tunnel between the two islands: if you’re travelling by car, van or campervan, this boat is your only option. Full stop.

I took it twice during my road trip, once in each direction, and honestly it’s anything but a chore. Three and a half hours of crossing, the last of which is spent winding through the Marlborough Sounds, between green hills that tumble down into turquoise water. Plenty of people reckon it’s one of the most beautiful ferry crossings in the world, and I can see why. It really is stunning.

Anyway, here’s everything you need to know before booking: the two companies (Interislander and Bluebridge) and how they differ, the timetables (with a live widget just below), the 2026 fares, the rental-car trap, and the alternatives if you’re travelling without a vehicle. And how to book.

Book your spot on the ferry!

Next Wellington–Picton ferry departures, live

Here are the next departures in both directions, with the company operating the crossing (colour dot) and the name of the boat. You can also choose a date to see all the departures for that day and slot the ferry into your itinerary.

Note that the times are given in New Zealand time (that’s 10 hours ahead of France in the European winter, 12 in summer time… yes, it really is the other side of the world ).

Two things to bear in mind when reading this widget. First, from late June to 25 September, Interislander switches to a reduced timetable (annual maintenance): a single boat, the Kaiārahi, runs 2 departures per direction per day. The full service resumes on 26 September with the return of the Kaitaki. Bluebridge, for its part, runs all year round.

Second, Interislander’s overnight departures (3.30am from Wellington, 9.30pm from Picton) do appear on the company’s official schedule, but they don’t show up with resellers: they’re very freight-focused sailings. If one of them suits you, book it directly on interislander.co.nz rather than on a comparison site.

Is the ferry essential to get from one island to the other?

With a vehicle: yes, 100%. There’s no bridge, no tunnel, no other ferry between the North Island and the South Island. The Cook Strait is 22 km at its narrowest, but it’s one of the roughest stretches of water on the planet, wedged between two oceans. No bridge project has ever stood up to scrutiny. So if you’re driving, you’re getting on board: Wellington–Picton, or nothing.

A word of caution all the same: check that your vehicle is actually allowed on board.

On foot: no, you have a choice. Several options exist:

• Sounds Air flies Wellington–Picton in a small plane in ~25 minutes, and also serves Blenheim and Nelson
• Air New Zealand connects Wellington to Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown… in 45 min to 1h30
• InterCity coaches sell combined bus + ferry tickets

But honestly, if you have the time, take the boat. A 25-minute flight will never let you see the Marlborough Sounds from the deck of a boat, coffee in one hand, camera in the other. It’s a genuine piece of the journey, not just a transfer.

The two companies: Interislander and Bluebridge

That’s the quirk of this route: two companies share the strait, with different boats, terminals and philosophies. Good news for you: it means lots of departures, and competition on price.

Interislander — the long-standing one, the most “ocean liner”

This is the KiwiRail company, which has been operating the strait since 1962. Its boats are bigger, with more services on board: cafés, a bar, a cinema, a kids’ area, a premium lounge, big outdoor decks. The Kaitaki (the largest ship on the strait, more than 1,600 passengers) and the Kaiārahi currently run the route.

• Boats: Kaitaki and Kaiārahi (the Aratere, the last rail ferry, was withdrawn in August 2025)
• Departures: up to 4 a day in each direction (3.30am, 8.45am, 3.30pm, 8.30pm from Wellington), cut to 2 per direction in the southern-hemisphere winter
• Duration: 3h20 advertised, 3h30 in practice
• Wellington terminal: Kaiwharawhara, 3 km from the centre — free shuttle from the station
• Fares: from ~55 NZD per foot passenger, ~135 to 260 NZD for a car

Bluebridge — the most convenient, often the cheapest

Bluebridge belongs to the StraitNZ group. Its boats are a bit more basic (less “ocean liner”, more freight), but two things really stand out: the terminal is right in the centre of Wellington, a stone’s throw from the station, and the prices are generally 10 to 20% below Interislander. The fleet has been renewed with the Livia, which replaced the old Strait Feronia, alongside the Connemara.

• Boats: Connemara and Livia
• Departures: 4 a day in each direction (2.00am, 8.15am, 1.30pm, 8.30pm from Wellington), all year round
• Duration: 3h30
• Wellington terminal: Waterloo Quay, opposite the station — unbeatable on foot
• Fares: from ~48 NZD per foot passenger, ~115 to 235 NZD for a car
• The little extra: private cabins from 65 NZD, including “dog friendly” cabins

Interislander or Bluebridge: which to choose?

Honestly, the view is exactly the same and the duration nearly identical. The real deciding factor is the departure time that fits your itinerary, and secondarily the terminal. Here’s the comparison:

My verdict: I did both my crossings with Bluebridge, in a campervan, and I’ve no reason to switch. On a vehicle, it’s regularly €75 to €136 cheaper than the competitor for exactly the same trip, and the Wellington terminal is in town. The trade-off you have to accept: the boats are less “ocean liner” than Interislander’s Kaitaki, with fewer services on board — if you’re travelling with children to keep entertained, that matters. Otherwise, just take the departure that suits you.

I took Bluebridge quite simply because the timing was perfect, 9am, so I got absolutely incredible light in the early morning.

If you’re on foot without a car, Bluebridge has a real edge with its city-centre terminal. If you’re travelling as a family and want the big boat with a cinema and a kids’ area, take Interislander’s Kaitaki. And if you want to sleep during the overnight crossing, the 65 NZD Bluebridge cabin is an excellent plan.

Compare both companies and book!

Timetables and frequency

The Wellington–Picton ferry runs all year round, 7 days a week, including overnight. Combining both companies, you generally have 7 to 8 departures a day in each direction, which gives you plenty of leeway to organise your day.

A few useful reference points:

• The overnight departures (2.00am from Wellington and 2.30am from Picton with Bluebridge, 3.30am from Wellington and 9.30pm from Picton with Interislander) are handy for eating up the miles… but mainly used by lorries. A Bluebridge cabin completely changes the experience.
• The morning departure (8.15am Bluebridge / 8.45am Interislander) is the most pleasant: you arrive in Picton around midday and still have the whole day to drive on to Nelson, Kaikoura or Blenheim.
• The afternoon departure (1.30pm / 3.30pm) is my favourite in summer: you cross the Sounds in full golden light.
• Between late June and late September, Interislander scales back for annual maintenance: down to 2 departures per direction per day. Bluebridge then becomes the more flexible company.

The simplest thing is still to check the widget at the top of this article: it gives you the next departures and those for the date you choose, in both directions.

How much does the Wellington–Picton ferry cost?

Right, let’s say it straight away: it’s expensive. It’s actually the most painful line in the transport budget of a New Zealand road trip, and there’s no miracle deal.

Two things to understand before looking at the prices.

First, you don’t pay for “the car and its passengers” the way you do on European ferries. You pay for the vehicle, and each person on board. Two adults in a car makes three lines on the bill.

Second, the two companies use yield management, exactly like the airlines. There’s no public fare table. The same departure can double between a Tuesday in September and a Saturday in January.

So here’s what I recorded, with the date of the check.

My real price check (August 2026, for two adults)

I did the check on three typical dates, in the Wellington → Picton direction, for two adults. Prices shown in euros, one way, all inclusive.

Three takeaways, and they’re useful.

1. On foot, it’s €42 to €54 per person. The gap between a Tuesday in September and a Tuesday in January exists, but it stays moderate: about +20%. If you’re crossing on foot, don’t stress too much about the date.

2. The 2am departure is consistently the cheapest. In January it’s €87 when the 8.15am one is €108 — a 20% gap for the same boat, the same duration, and one fewer night at the hotel. The downside: you have to get up at 1am, and the Sounds are crossed in the dark. You’ll see nothing of the scenery. It’s up to you to decide what you’d rather sacrifice.

3. The 8.30pm was sold out on foot-passenger fares on all three of my dates. All three. Curiously, the same departure was still bookable with a vehicle (€201 to €225, see the next table): it’s the foot-passenger quota that goes first on this very freight-focused sailing. If the 8.30pm suits you and you’re on foot, book it well in advance or move on.

And with a car? That’s where it hurts

Same exercise, one car + two adults:

Here, two things jump out.

The car adds €90 to €215 to the bill. Two foot passengers in January: €87. The same two with a car: €187 to €323. Remember that gap, it explains why some rental companies make you cross on foot — I come back to this below, and it’s not as advantageous as people think.

Bluebridge is clearly cheaper as soon as there’s a vehicle. In low season, €176 to €201 against €275 with Interislander — that’s a €75 to €100 gap for exactly the same trip. In January, the gap climbs to €136 on the morning departure. On foot, the two companies are neck and neck; with a car, Bluebridge wins almost every time.

And in a campervan or van?

That’s how I crossed, twice. And it’s the simplest scenario: the van drives on, you switch off the engine, you head up to the deck. No vehicle swap, no bags to unload.

On the other hand, it’s impossible to give you an advertised price: both companies charge campervans by length, and the comparison sites refuse to quote without the exact dimensions of the vehicle. I tried, nothing comes out.

What to remember:

• The fare starts from the overall length — and “overall” really means everything: bike rack, rear box, roof rack that sticks out. Measure it, or take the official length given by the rental company.
• The threshold that tips you into a different category is 5.5 m. Below that, you’re in the “van” or “car” band; above it, the bill climbs in bands.
• As a ballpark, reckon on 250 to 500 NZD (€130 to €260) for the vehicle alone, plus the passengers.
• The van and campervan rental companies (Jucy, Britz, Maui, Wilderness…) allow the ferry, unlike the car rental companies. Many even book the crossing for you at the time of the rental: ask, it’s often at the negotiated rate.
• Height isn’t an issue: the vehicle decks are amply sized. What counts is the length, and the length alone.

Watch the category you declare, because it isn’t intuitive. With Bluebridge, “campervan” and “motorhome” are two different boxes: a campervan is a normal-sized van with a sleeping area, often above the cab, and possibly a basic toilet or kitchenette. A motorhome is the step up — a double or queen bed, a living space behind the front seats, a proper kitchen and proper toilet. There are also separate boxes for utes, buses, fifth wheels and even horse floats. Getting the box wrong means a surcharge at the counter, and a refused boarding if the boat is full.

And if you’re towing something, two rules to know: only the A-frame drawbar hitch is accepted — no rope or chain — and the length to declare is that of the whole coupled unit, drawbar included. Trailers under 2 m are charged as 2 m. Above 3.5 tonnes, you no longer go through the standard booking but through the freight service.

The rest of the fares in detail

• Adult foot passenger, high season (1 December → 31 March): 74 NZD, that’s ~€38. Child aged 2 to 17: 42 NZD (~€22). Under 2s: free.
• Adult foot passenger, off season: it drops back to around 55 NZD (~€29)
• Motorbike: around 60 to 110 NZD · bicycle: around twenty NZD
• Bluebridge cabin: 65 NZD (2 berths), 85 NZD (4 berths), 89 to 109 NZD in the “dog friendly” version
• Bluebridge Pōhutukawa lounge (16+, drinks and food included): 80 NZD booked in advance, 85 NZD on board
• Kennel on the vehicle deck: 15 NZD

In short, for a car + 2 adults, count on €176 to €323 one way depending on the company, the time and the season. That’s the price of the only link between the two islands. No point kidding ourselves.

The three fare types, and which to take

The two companies work on the same model:

• Saver / Web Saver: the cheapest. Changeable, but with fees (with Interislander: 20 NZD per person, 30 NZD per vehicle, 15 NZD per motorbike). Non-refundable.
• Flexible: free changes up to 1 hour before departure. Still non-refundable.
• Refundable: the most expensive, cancellation and refund up to 1 hour before departure.

My take, and it’s a firm one: Saver if your dates are locked in (hotel booked on both sides, itinerary fixed), Flexible as soon as you have a non-cancellable flight or excursion afterwards. The extra cost of Flexible is trivial compared with a missed flight because the strait was closed due to wind.

One small detail so you’re not caught out: at the Interislander terminals, cash is no longer accepted, and paying on the spot adds a 1.75% card fee. Book online.

Tip: book as early as possible, especially with a vehicle. Prices rise noticeably as the date approaches, and the high-season “vehicle” slots go weeks in advance. The most efficient thing is to compare the two companies on Direct Ferries: you see the times and prices of both at a glance, without doing the search twice.

Euro conversions for guidance only (1 NZD ≈ €0.52): check the day’s rate when you book.

Compare both companies and book!

Do you need to book in advance?

On foot, you can book the day before or the same morning off season without any problem. In December–January, it’s better to plan a few days ahead.

By car, van or campervan, it’s another story. The number of vehicle spaces is limited, and the large vehicles (lorries, campervans) take priority. In high season — December to February, plus the New Zealand school holidays and the long bank-holiday weekends — crossings fill up several weeks in advance. If your itinerary hinges on a specific date, book as soon as you have your flights.

Another argument: price. The lowest fares are the “early bird” fares, and they disappear first. Booking 2–3 months ahead often means 30 to 40% saving on the same boat.

Rental car: the trap to know about

This is the most important piece of information in this article if you’re renting a vehicle, and a lot of travellers find out too late — sometimes at the counter, the day before the crossing.

In New Zealand, rental companies fall into two families, and it changes your whole budget.

Family 1: those that allow the car on the ferry

GO Rentals, Jucy, Omega… let you take your vehicle on board. You keep the same car from start to finish, on a single rental contract, with no break in the insurance. You pay the ferry’s vehicle ticket (my fares recorded above: €176 to €323 with two adults), and that’s it.

It’s by far the simplest. And on a long rental, it’s often the cheapest overall — I explain why just below.

Family 2: those that forbid it and impose a vehicle swap

Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty, Firefly, Keddy, InterRent… won’t let their car go on the boat. You have no choice: it’s the vehicle swap.

1. You return your car at the terminal branch in Wellington
2. You cross as a foot passenger, with your luggage
3. You pick up another car from the same rental company in Picton

On paper, it looks like a good deal: two foot-passenger tickets (€87 in January) instead of the vehicle + passengers ticket (€187 to €323). Except that the saving on the ferry is largely eaten up elsewhere, and this is where most articles stop too soon.

Why the swap costs more than it looks

Three reasons, in order of importance.

1. They’re two separate rentals, so you lose the tapering discount. This is the point everyone forgets. A car rental gets cheaper per day the longer it goes: two two-week rentals cost considerably more than a single one-month rental. With Hertz, bookings covering both islands aren’t even possible on a single file any more. On a one-month road trip, this extra cost far exceeds the €90 to €215 saved on the ferry ticket.

2. There are fees, and minimums. Hertz and Firefly charge 50 NZD at the counter, require 4 consecutive rental days minimum and insist the second car be picked up within 5 hours. Avis and Budget impose 3 days minimum per island (so 6 in total), 5 days for a 4×4 or an estate, plus terminal fees and 72 hours’ notice. Europcar, Keddy and InterRent also split into two files with 72 hours’ notice.

3. If you get it wrong, the bill is steep. Returning the car on the other island without having arranged the swap means relocation fees: minimum 450 NZD with Avis and Budget, and up to 1,000 NZD + tax with Hertz. That’s no longer about optimisation, that’s a budget accident.

My advice, and it’s a firm one: don’t choose your rental company first and then your method. Do the opposite. If your road trip is long and covers both islands, go straight for a rental company that allows the ferry (GO Rentals, Omega, Jucy) and keep a single continuous rental. If you’re already with Hertz, Avis or Europcar, the swap isn’t a trick, it’s an obligation — and you have to declare it when booking, not at the counter.

The downside of the swap, even well organised: you have to completely empty the car and carry your things on board. With two big suitcases and a tired child, it’s a good deal less fun than on paper.

And in a van or campervan?

Here the question doesn’t arise: the swap doesn’t exist. Nobody’s going to make you move an entire van from one boat to another. So the van and campervan rental companies (Jucy, Wilderness, Britz, Maui…) all allow the ferry, and many even book the crossing for you at the time of the rental, at the negotiated rate.

You pay the vehicle ticket by length, full whack. That’s the price of the comfort of sleeping in your van on both sides of the strait.

On board: what you’ll find on the ships

Three and a half hours goes quickly if you know what to do with it. First thing to know: there are no assigned seats. You settle wherever you like and move freely around the ship — which is why it pays to board among the first if you’re after the best window-side benches.

On both companies, you’ll find:

• Cafés and bars: sandwiches, hot meals, coffee (decent — we’re in New Zealand), beer and Marlborough wine
• You can bring your own food — however, alcohol bought elsewhere isn’t allowed on board. On a crossing for four, a picnic really brings the bill down.
• Free Wi-Fi on board and in the terminals — but it crawls in the middle of the strait, so don’t count on it
• Outdoor decks: this is where you want to be, especially coming into the Sounds. They close during docking manoeuvres, so make the most of them before arrival.
• Premium lounges: Bluebridge’s Pōhutukawa lounge (16+, food and drinks included, 80 NZD) and Interislander’s premium lounge
• Kids’ areas, films, and a cinema on the Kaitaki
• Bluebridge private cabins with an en-suite, from 65 NZD — the absolute luxury on the 2am crossing. They aren’t offered on every departure: check when choosing your time.
• Accessibility: the ships are adapted for people with reduced mobility and staff are trained. One exception to know about: on the 2.30am departure from Picton, Bluebridge states that it can’t provide assistance. Flag your needs when booking.
• Card payment only: cash is no longer accepted at Interislander terminals

What to have in your bag, and it’s not obvious at all: a fleece or windbreaker and a hat — up on deck, the strait wind is freezing even in the height of summer — and sun cream. We’re in New Zealand, under one of the most aggressive suns in the world: you catch sunburn on deck at 15°C under a hazy sky. I’ll let you guess how I know.

Taking in the scenery during the crossing

The crossing plays out in two very different acts, and that’s what makes it interesting.

Act 1 — Cook Strait (about 2h30). You leave Wellington harbour, follow the southern coast of the North Island, and take on the strait. This is the exposed stretch: two bodies of water meeting, wind, often a swell. In good weather, you can make out the snow-capped peaks of the Kaikoura on the horizon. In rough weather… let’s just say the bar does less business. If you leave in the morning, you’ll get fantastic light!

Act 2 — the Marlborough Sounds (about 1h). This is the highlight. The ship enters the Tory Channel, a corridor so narrow you feel you could touch the hills, then the Queen Charlotte Sound all the way to Picton. Smooth water, deserted bays, a few houses reachable only by boat, and regularly dolphins or fur seals. The good window for dolphins is about 45 minutes before arrival: head out on deck at that point, camera ready. Big, lush green hills, loads of little inlets, like mini fjords — it really is magnificent.

In the Picton → Wellington direction, it’s the reverse: the Sounds at the start, the strait next, then the entrance into Wellington bay with the city rising like an amphitheatre. Both directions are worth it.

Seasickness: Cook Strait has a bit of a reputation, and it’s deserved. If you’re sensitive, take a tablet before boarding, settle in the middle of the ship and on a low deck, and keep the horizon in view. And check the weather the day before: when the wind tops 40 knots, crossings can be cancelled.

Book your Wellington–Picton crossing!

Terminals, check-in and boarding

In Wellington

Bluebridge is the clear winner for convenience: its terminal is on Waterloo Quay, about 5 minutes’ walk from Wellington station and 15 minutes from the centre. You arrive by train or bus, cross the road, and board.

Interislander is at Kaiwharawhara, about 3 km north of the centre. No public parking at the terminal. A free shuttle leaves from platform 10 at Wellington station, 70 minutes before each departure (between roughly 7.30am and 7.20pm), and takes 5 minutes. Otherwise, taxi or Uber.

In Picton

The two terminals are side by side, a 5-minute walk from the village centre, the bus station and the Coastal Pacific station (the scenic train to Christchurch). On the Interislander side, expect around 400 m of walking with stairs to reach the ship: flag it when booking if you need assistance.

Check-in times

• Interislander: 60 minutes before departure, vehicles and foot passengers alike
• Bluebridge: check-in closes 1h before departure; allow 75 minutes before with a vehicle, 45 minutes on foot
• Photo ID required for those over 18
• Luggage: a small handbag or laptop bag in the cabin, the rest in the hold (2 bags of 23 kg max with Interislander)

And a bit of common-sense advice: never plan a flight the same day just after the crossing. Weather cancellations do happen, and rebookings go onto the next departure, not necessarily within the hour.

Sleeping near the Picton and Wellington terminals

You need to arrive quite a bit in advance to board. So if, like me, you’re taking an early-morning ferry, or if you arrive late, I’d advise sleeping literally a few steps from the boarding terminal rather than driving (on the left) at night.

WELLINGTON

• If you have to take the Interislander ferry, then the accommodation you want has the perfect name (and a stunning view): The Perfect Stopover, just above
• If you’re travelling with Bluebridge, then there’s a bit more choice. If you’re in backpacker mode, then the Hotel Waterloo fits the bill. But if you want a bit more comfort then the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor which, despite its posh-sounding name, has really affordable prices and a car park.

PICTON

There are plenty of lovely options in Picton, a charming little spot. The Harbour View Motel is a great pick because it’s cheap, has a view over the bay, and a car park.

What to do when you arrive in Picton?

Picton is a tiny port and it’s really pretty. Well, the town itself is nice but it’s above all its two bays in the sounds that are magnificent! Many travellers pass through without stopping, heading for Nelson or Kaikoura. That’s a mistake, because the finest thing to do in the Marlborough Sounds sets off from its wharf.

Me, on getting off, I went straight into the mail boat cruise before spending a night there (waking up on the beachfront, a small taste of paradise). And it’s a wonderful memory!

The idea: you board New Zealand’s only official mail-delivery service by boat, which for more than 150 years has served the Sounds homes reachable only by sea. This isn’t a tourist excursion in disguise, it’s the real round.

The skipper delivers the mail bags, the groceries and the freight, stops at each jetty, and the route changes every day depending on the area to be served. Between stops, he tells the story of the Sounds and spots dolphins and seals for you.

The detail that had me smiling for four hours: on the jetties, it’s the dogs that wait for the boat before their owners. The skipper has treats for each one, and he knows them all by name.

The drawback to know about: the commentary is in English only. If you’re not comfortable, you’ll enjoy the scenery but you’ll miss half of what makes the trip special. And allow plenty of time: it’s 4 hours, with check-in 30 minutes before departure at the Beachcomber Cruises office.

Well, honestly, English or not, the scenery is so beautiful that you absolutely have to do this trip.

After that, you can head off to Abel Tasman park, one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand!

Practical info in brief

• Booking: compare Interislander and Bluebridge on Direct Ferries — as early as possible with a vehicle
• ⏱️ Check-in: 60 min before departure (Interislander), closes 1h before (Bluebridge)
• Duration: 3h20 to 3h30, allow 5h door to door
• Payment: card only at Interislander terminals (1.75% fee on site)
• Hire car: pick a rental company that allows the ferry (GO Rentals, Omega, Jucy) to keep a single rental. With Hertz, Avis, Europcar or Thrifty, a vehicle swap is mandatory, on two separate contracts
• Campervans: priced by length, measure everything (bike racks included)
• Foot passengers: no constraints, and it’s the cheapest option
• Pets: accepted (vehicle, kennel or dog-friendly cabin with Bluebridge)
• Weather: keep some margin in your planning, cancellations do happen

Book your Wellington–Picton crossing!

FAQ — Wellington–Picton Ferry

How long does the Wellington–Picton crossing take?

Between 3h20 and 3h30 depending on the company and the weather. With check-in and disembarking, allow around 5 hours door to door.

Do you need to book the ferry in advance?

On foot, a few days is enough out of season. With a vehicle, book several weeks ahead in summer (December–February): car spaces go fast and prices rise.

Interislander or Bluebridge: which company to choose?

The view and the duration are identical. Bluebridge is often cheaper and its terminal is in central Wellington; Interislander has bigger ships with more services. Choose above all according to the time that fits your itinerary.

Can you take a hire car on the ferry?

It depends on the rental company, and it’s worth checking before booking. GO Rentals, Omega and Jucy allow it: you keep the same car, on a single contract. Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty, Firefly, Keddy and InterRent forbid it: you have to do a vehicle swap, on two separate rentals. Beware, the swap isn’t necessarily a saving: you lose the tapering rate of a long rental, and there are fees (50 NZD with Hertz) and minimum durations per island.

Does the ferry run all year round?

Yes, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. The only nuance: Interislander reduces its service to 2 departures each way between late June and late September, for the annual maintenance of its ships.

Is the crossing rough?

Cook Strait is known for being rough, especially in strong wind. The first two hours can be bumpy; the last hour, in the Marlborough Sounds, is always calm. Bring a tablet if you’re sensitive.

Is there an alternative to the ferry between the two islands?

With a vehicle, no: it’s the only link. On foot, you can fly with Sounds Air (Wellington–Picton in 25 minutes) or Air New Zealand to Nelson, Christchurch or Queenstown.

Can you sleep on board?

Yes, Bluebridge offers private cabins with an en-suite from 65 NZD — ideal on the overnight 2am departures.

What happens if my crossing is cancelled?

In the event of a weather cancellation, you’re rebooked onto a later departure subject to availability. That’s why you should never line up a flight or a non-refundable booking right behind it.

And tomorrow? The Kupe and Cook ferries in 2029

The topic is a hot one in New Zealand. The Interislander fleet is ageing: the Aratere, the only ship able to carry trains, was withdrawn from service in August 2025, and the breakdowns of recent years have made headlines.

The government has finally made its call: two new ferries, named Kupe and Cook, have been ordered. On the programme: around 200 metres long, 11 decks, up to 1,530 passengers, and above all a rail deck once again allowing trains to be carried directly. Construction from 2027, delivery expected in 2029, operated by KiwiRail. Total cost of the programme, ports included: nearly 2 billion New Zealand dollars.

In the meantime, port works have begun at Picton and Wellington: there may be temporary changes to vehicle and pedestrian movement at the terminals. Nothing show-stopping, but follow the on-site signs.

Travelling with your dog

Good news: both companies accept pets, and since it’s a domestic trip, no passport or certificate is needed (New Zealand is rabies-free).

• In the vehicle: this is the simplest option, your dog stays in the car during the crossing (access to the vehicle deck is forbidden during the trip)
• In a kennel on the vehicle deck: 15 NZD each way with Bluebridge
• In a “dog-friendly” cabin with Bluebridge on the Connemara, up to 2 dogs per cabin, from ~89 NZD — clearly the most comfortable option
• Certified assistance dogs: admitted in the passenger areas with the appropriate documents

In every case, pets aren’t allowed in the lounges, restaurants and standard passenger areas.

If you need more information, don't hesitate to ask me by clicking here 🙂How can I help you ?

In summary

The Wellington–Picton ferry is the rare case where the compulsory journey is also one of the most beautiful moments of the trip. Three and a half hours, two companies, departures all day long, and an arrival in the Marlborough Sounds that alone is worth the price of the ticket.

What I take away from my two crossings: book early (especially with a vehicle), check your rental company’s policy before paying for a car ticket for nothing, and stay outside on deck in the last hour. The rest is a bonus.

To go further, my other articles on New Zealand:

• Planning your trip to New Zealand — the complete guide to organising your road trip from A to Z
• The most beautiful roads in New Zealand — enough to build your itinerary between the two islands
• 12 exceptional places in New Zealand — my favourites across both islands
• The 13 most beautiful landscapes in New Zealand — in photos, to whet your appetite
• Visiting Milford Sound — the must-see fjord of the South Island
• Lake Tekapo — the country’s most beautiful turquoise lake
• The Tongariro hike — the finest day’s walking on the North Island
• Sunrise at Lake Matheson — the reflection of Mount Cook, a must once you’ve crossed to the South Island
• My most beautiful photos of New Zealand — enough to finish convincing you