Dont Waste Money on Tranz scenic TranzAlpine train - New Zealand

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During my last visit to New Zealand’s South Island I took a trip on the TranzScenic Tranz Alpine train from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass.

Bridal Veil track at Arthur's Pass

Don’t waste your money on it - do something else instead.

While the township of Arthurs Pass is a good base for trampers with various walks starting there I think catching the TranzAlpine train there isn’t worth it and the full day trip ticket costing $NZ194 Adult fare Christchurch to Greymouth return is a colossal rip off.

Perhaps I feel this strongly because I’ve seen so much better scenery in the more remote parts of South Island because other people on the train were much more excited than me taking photos by the dozen of fairly mundane scenery along the way.

Independent travellers would probably be better off catching a bus to Arthur’s Pass to go tramping and families will find much more value doing other activities like the Fox Glacier Helihike.

View a photo of a handpainted map of Arthur’s Pass inside the Train Station’s waiting room

Published: Sunday, April 6th, 2008
Filed in : New Zealand
Written by: Neerav Bhatt

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3 Comments about “Dont Waste Money on Tranz scenic TranzAlpine train - New Zealand”

  1. Comment by Margo (2 comments.) on April 11th, 2008:

    Having never seen New Zealand, I would probably be, one of these:
    “other people on the train were much more excited than me taking photos by the dozen of fairly mundane scenery along the way.”
    However, I hate to feel I’ve wasted my money, so if I ever make it to NZ, I’ll remember not to go on this TranzAlpine train.

  2. Comment by blair on April 22nd, 2008:

    I agree with you totally. I am from NZ and travelling by train to Greymouth is very dull. The best parts of the Southern Alps simple can not be seen from the inside of a train. One needs to get out and go hiking to see the amazing scenery. And I agree with your comment about Arthur’s Pass, it is a great base for some good hiking (tramping).

  3. Comment by rking on May 3rd, 2008:

    Thanks for the warning! It’s no fun getting hyped up about a vacation and then having it go bad…


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