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Interislander Cook Strait Ferry

Pricing From
$88

North Island / South Island
Book Now

Overview

One of the most scenic cruises in the world, the InterIslander ferry traverses Cook Strait that separates the North from the South Island, and spans the 92km (85 mile) journey between Wellington, the coolest little capital, in the North, and Picton, gateway to the Marlborough Sounds, in the South. 

As the cultural hub of the country with its own set of natural attractions, Wellington offers a range of activities enjoyed on transit for those passing through, or on an extended stay for those who wish to see more than what’s on Wellington’s surface.

On the other end of Interislander connection, Picton is the point of departure and arrival of travellers coming in for South Island’s wine-growing regions, and farther afield, Christchurch, the West coast glaciers, the Mount Cook mountain range, and the Fiordland National Park.

You can enjoy the convenience of loading your car or campervan onto the Interislander, poised to discover the wonders of both the North and South Islands. Their services are renowned for the warm Kiwi hospitality. Each of Interislanders ferries boasts a delectable range of food and beverages. Café menus feature dishes thoughtfully chosen to represent the traditional and contemporary tastes of New Zealand. Whether you crave cold or hot, sweet or savory, or you are seeking gluten-free or vegetarian options, Interislander have something delightful in store for everyone! Additionally, their bars are stocked with a premium assortment of New Zealand wines and beers.

There are three ships in the Interislander fleet: Aratere, Kaitaki, and the newest addition, Kaiarahi. On board any of their ships, a variety of entertainment awaits. With movie theaters on the Aratere and Kaitaki, vast flat-screen TVs, and play zones for kids, there's never a dull moment. And for an added touch of local flair, many Kaitaki sailings feature live bands performing in the bar!

Interislander Ferry between Wellington and Picton

Vehicle on board

Interislander Ferry between Wellington and Picton

On board the Aratere. Views leaving Tory Channel

Interislander Ferry between Wellington and Picton

Kaitaki leaving Wellington

Interislander Ferry between Wellington and Picton

Kaitaki passing Whekenui Bay

Interislander Ferry between Wellington and Picton

Premium Lounge

Rental Vehicles

Passengers can collect or return their rental vehicles from select agencies at the Interislander ferrry Wellington and Picton terminals prior to your sailing departure. Before booking a rental car on the Interislander ferry, it's essential to confirm with the respective car hire company whether they permit their rental cars to be taken on board, as some rental companies do not allow this.

For all campervans and motorhomes, just proceed to our Vehicle Check-in zone, drive onto the ship, and then move to the passenger areas.

Luggage Allowance

  • Carry on: One small bag and one handbag or laptop bag.
  • Check-in: Two items of check-in luggage per person.
  • Size limits: 23kg / 200 linear centimetres per bag.

Luggage is checked in similarly to a flight at an airport. Only small carry-ons are permitted on board, with a weight limit of 7 kgs.

Onboard Food & Amenities

Set sail with us aboard one of our three magnificent ships: Kaitaki, Aratere, and Kaiarahi. Every voyage promises an experience packed with amenities and entertainment.

Dining Options:

  • Cafes, Bars, and Eateries: Our spacious settings offer a vast selection of food and beverages to cater to every palate.
  • Indulge in hot, fresh meals at our food courts. From classic Kiwi fish and chips to a hearty full breakfast, we've got your cravings covered.
  • Delight the little ones with our ship-themed lunch and dinner boxes. Plus, don’t miss out on our freshly prepared specials!
  • For those on-the-go, our cafes serve a range of light meals, including barista coffee, paninis, sandwiches, and delectable baked goods.
  • Our bars come alive with a spread of snacks, premium coffee, and an extensive selection of local and international beers and wines. If you’re sailing on the Kaitaki, you might even enjoy a live band performance!

Entertainment for Families & Kids:

  • Kids can revel in our dedicated play areas equipped with Nickelodeon TV.
  • Challenge yourselves at our onboard arcade or enjoy magical moments with our magicians during peak season.
  • Families can relax in our spacious lounges designed for comfort and interaction.
  • Child fares are available for ages 2-17, and infants under 2 years sail free of charge.

Additional Onboard Facilities:

  • Enjoy the latest movies in theatres available on Aratere and Kaitaki.
  • Elevate your journey in the exclusive Interislander Premium Lounge.
  • Shop for souvenirs and essentials at our onboard stores.
  • Stay updated with large flat-screen TVs throughout the ships, broadcasting local shows and sports channels.
  • Take in the scenic beauty from our vast outdoor viewing decks.

Join us for an unforgettable journey across the seas!

Premium Lounge Upgrade (only those 18 years and over are allowed)

Reserve a spot in our Interislander Plus Lounges for the ultimate Cook Strait crossing experience. Accessible on all our ships, the Interislander Plus provides an unparalleled blend of luxury and comfort as you navigate the Strait.

When you opt for the Interislander Plus Lounge, you will enjoy:

  • Gourmet meals complemented by an assortment of light snacks.
  • A curated selection of both hot and cold beverages, inclusive of premium wines and beers.
  • Seamless Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • A rich collection of magazines, newspapers, and entertainment with Sky television.
  • Plush, lounge-style seating for optimal relaxation.

Gangways and Accessibility

We offer two boarding gangways for our vessels. Both Kaitaki and Kaiarahi are equipped with an elevator and an escalator for boarding, whereas the Aratere has a walk-up-only gangway. For those with mobility concerns, our terminal team has buggies available to assist passengers with boarding.

Since each ship has its own structural design, we advise you to select the one that best fits your requirements. Given the limited elevator access on Kaiarahi, we recommend passengers with mobility challenges to opt for either Kaitaki or Aratere.

If you're booking for individuals with special accessibility needs, please inform our reservations team when booking.

Cost Per Person

1 Dec 2023 - 31 Mar 2024

  • Adult: NZ$92
  • Child: NZ$49
  • Premium Lounge Upgrade (18 years and over only): NZ$86

Extras:

  • Car/Van/Trailer/Caravan*: NZ$243
  • Van/Trailer/Caravan extra: NZ$30 per 500mm
  • Campervan/RV*: NZ$280
  • Campervan/RV extra: NZ$52 per 500mm
  • Bicycle/Canoe/Kayak: NZ$13

1 Apr 2024 - 30 Nov 2024

  • Adult: NZ$88
  • Child: NZ$53
  • Premium Lounge Upgrade (18 years and over only): NZ$93

Extras:

  • Car/Van/Trailer/Caravan*: NZ$235
  • Van/Trailer/Caravan extra: NZ$30 per 500mm
  • Campervan/RV*: NZ$247
  • Campervan/RV extra: NZ$54 per 500mm
  • Bicycle/Canoe/Kayak: NZ$13

1 Dec 2024 - 31 Mar 2025

  • Adult: NZ$98
  • Child: NZ$53
  • Premium Lounge Upgrade (18 years and over only): NZ$93

Extras:

  • Car/Van/Trailer/Caravan*: NZ$260
  • Van/Trailer/Caravan extra: NZ$30 per 500mm
  • Campervan/RV*: NZ$302
  • Campervan/RV extra: NZ$55 per 500mm
  • Bicycle/Canoe/Kayak: NZ$13

*Van/Trailer/Caravan/Campervan/RV up to 5.5m in length

Rental Vehicles

Passengers can collect or return their rental vehicles from select agencies at the Interislander ferrry Wellington and Picton terminals prior to your sailing departure. Before booking a rental car on the Interislander ferry, it's essential to confirm with the respective car hire company whether they permit their rental cars to be taken on board, as some rental companies do not allow this.

For all campervans and motorhomes, just proceed to our Vehicle Check-in zone, drive onto the ship, and then move to the passenger areas.

Luggage Allowance

  • Carry on: One small bag and one handbag or laptop bag.
  • Check-in: Two items of check-in luggage per person.
  • Size limits: 23kg / 200 linear centimetres per bag.

Luggage is checked in similarly to a flight at an airport. Only small carry-ons are permitted on board, with a weight limit of 7 kgs.

Onboard Food & Amenities

Set sail with us aboard one of our three magnificent ships: Kaitaki, Aratere, and Kaiarahi. Every voyage promises an experience packed with amenities and entertainment.

Dining Options:

  • Cafes, Bars, and Eateries: Our spacious settings offer a vast selection of food and beverages to cater to every palate.
  • Indulge in hot, fresh meals at our food courts. From classic Kiwi fish and chips to a hearty full breakfast, we've got your cravings covered.
  • Delight the little ones with our ship-themed lunch and dinner boxes. Plus, don’t miss out on our freshly prepared specials!
  • For those on-the-go, our cafes serve a range of light meals, including barista coffee, paninis, sandwiches, and delectable baked goods.
  • Our bars come alive with a spread of snacks, premium coffee, and an extensive selection of local and international beers and wines. If you’re sailing on the Kaitaki, you might even enjoy a live band performance!

Entertainment for Families & Kids:

  • Kids can revel in our dedicated play areas equipped with Nickelodeon TV.
  • Challenge yourselves at our onboard arcade or enjoy magical moments with our magicians during peak season.
  • Families can relax in our spacious lounges designed for comfort and interaction.
  • Child fares are available for ages 2-17, and infants under 2 years sail free of charge.

Additional Onboard Facilities:

  • Enjoy the latest movies in theatres available on Aratere and Kaitaki.
  • Elevate your journey in the exclusive Interislander Premium Lounge.
  • Shop for souvenirs and essentials at our onboard stores.
  • Stay updated with large flat-screen TVs throughout the ships, broadcasting local shows and sports channels.
  • Take in the scenic beauty from our vast outdoor viewing decks.

Join us for an unforgettable journey across the seas!

Premium Lounge Upgrade (only those 18 years and over are allowed)

Reserve a spot in our Interislander Plus Lounges for the ultimate Cook Strait crossing experience. Accessible on all our ships, the Interislander Plus provides an unparalleled blend of luxury and comfort as you navigate the Strait.

When you opt for the Interislander Plus Lounge, you will enjoy:

  • Gourmet meals complemented by an assortment of light snacks.
  • A curated selection of both hot and cold beverages, inclusive of premium wines and beers.
  • Seamless Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • A rich collection of magazines, newspapers, and entertainment with Sky television.
  • Plush, lounge-style seating for optimal relaxation.

Gangways and Accessibility

We offer two boarding gangways for our vessels. Both Kaitaki and Kaiarahi are equipped with an elevator and an escalator for boarding, whereas the Aratere has a walk-up-only gangway. For those with mobility concerns, our terminal team has buggies available to assist passengers with boarding.

Since each ship has its own structural design, we advise you to select the one that best fits your requirements. Given the limited elevator access on Kaiarahi, we recommend passengers with mobility challenges to opt for either Kaitaki or Aratere.

If you're booking for individuals with special accessibility needs, please inform our reservations team when booking.

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