How do I get to Marlborough Sounds from major cities in New Zealand?

Marlborough Sounds can be reached from major cities in New Zealand through various transportation options:

From Wellington: If you are in Wellington, you can take a scenic ferry ride from the Wellington Ferry Terminal to Picton, which is the gateway to Marlborough Sounds. The ferry journey takes around 3 hours and offers stunning views of the surrounding waterways.

Sounds Air regularly operates flights between Wellington and Picton Airports using late-model, turbo prop Cessna Caravans, known globally for their safety, reliability, and comfort for up to 12 passengers. With their high wings offering maximum visibility and full-size airline seating, each journey becomes a scenic flight, while the use of instrument flight rules ensures capability to navigate in various weather conditions.

From Christchurch: If you are in Christchurch, you can either take a domestic flight to Blenheim, the largest town in the Marlborough region, or drive to Picton. The flight from Christchurch to Blenheim takes approximately 30 minutes. From Blenheim, you can hire a car or join a guided tour to explore Marlborough Sounds.

You could embark on the Coastal Pacific train journey from Christchurch to Picton, traversing through some of New Zealand's most breathtaking landscapes for an unforgettable experience. Alternatively, driving from Christchurch to Picton takes around 4 hours.

From Nelson: If you are in Nelson, you can drive to various entry points of Marlborough Sounds, such as Havelock or Anakiwa. The drive from Nelson to Havelock takes about 45 minutes, and from Nelson to Anakiwa, it takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The InterCity bus service runs frequent routes from Nelson to Picton, with the journey typically taking around 2 hours and 30 minutes.