The Interislander, run by state-owned KiwiRail, is the main ferry link across Cook Strait between New Zealand's North and South Islands, sailing between Wellington and Picton through the sheltered, scenic Marlborough Sounds. For anyone travelling the length of New Zealand without flying, it's not just a practical necessity — the crossing itself is one of the country's better-known scenic journeys.
The route: Wellington to Picton
Ferries sail between Wellington, at the southern tip of the North Island, and Picton, gateway to the South Island's Marlborough region, a crossing that takes around three to three and a half hours. Visitors flying into the country can check our Wellington airport to the city guide for getting to the ferry terminal from the airport. The open-water stretch across Cook Strait itself is a relatively short part of the journey; a good deal of the sailing time is spent gliding through the calmer, more sheltered waters of Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound on the Picton side, widely regarded as the most scenic part of the trip. Several sailings run each day in both directions, though the exact schedule shifts by season.
Interislander vs Bluebridge
The Interislander isn't the only operator on this route — Bluebridge, a separate private company, sails the same Wellington–Picton crossing on a broadly similar schedule and journey time, generally at a lower price point. Both carry foot passengers and vehicles and use different terminals in each port, so it's worth checking which one better suits your onward connections (particularly rail, covered below) rather than assuming they're interchangeable in every respect. Comparing both before booking, especially in peak season, is worth the extra few minutes.
Walk-on passenger or vehicle?
As with most car ferries, fares are structured separately for foot passengers and vehicles. Walking on is cheaper and simpler if you're travelling by public transport or don't need a car on the other side — both Wellington and Picton have onward bus and rail connections from their ferry terminals. Bringing a car, campervan or motorbike makes sense if you're touring either island independently, and vehicle space is booked and charged separately from the passenger fare, with size affecting the cost for larger vehicles and campervans.
Booking and peak season
The route gets busiest around the New Zealand summer holiday period from December to February, as well as other school holidays, when both passenger and vehicle space can sell out on popular sailings — vehicle space especially. Booking well ahead for travel in these windows is sensible; outside peak season, sailings are generally easier to book closer to your travel date, though it's still worth checking rather than assuming space will be available on the day.
Connecting by train at each end
KiwiRail's long-distance passenger trains connect neatly with the ferry at both ends: the Northern Explorer links Auckland and Wellington on the North Island, while the Coastal Pacific runs from Picton down to Christchurch on the South Island, timed to work reasonably well around ferry arrivals and departures on the days it operates (it doesn't run daily year-round, so check current timetables if you're planning to link the two). Together, ferry and train can form the backbone of a car-free trip the length of both islands.
What to expect on board
Both operators' ships carry cafés, lounges and outdoor deck space, and it's worth spending at least part of the crossing outside if the weather allows, particularly through the Marlborough Sounds section, where the calm water and forested hillsides are the main reason people rate this as one of the world's more scenic short ferry crossings. Cook Strait itself can be considerably rougher than the sheltered sounds on either side, so if you're prone to seasickness, that open-water stretch is the part to prepare for. Dolphins are occasionally spotted from the deck, particularly around the entrance to the sounds, though as with any wildlife sighting it's a matter of luck on the day rather than something to plan a trip around.
Freight, history and the strait itself
Cook Strait has carried scheduled ferry traffic between the islands for decades, and the route remains as much a working freight and logistics link — carrying trucks and rail wagons between the North and South Islands' separate networks — as it is a passenger service. That dual role is part of why reliability and vessel condition matter so much to New Zealand's wider transport system, and why service disruptions on this particular crossing tend to make national news in a way a routine ferry delay elsewhere might not.
Which should you choose?
For a straightforward crossing without a vehicle, walk on and use the connecting trains or buses at each end. If you're touring independently, bring and book a vehicle well ahead for peak season. Between operators, compare Interislander and Bluebridge on both price and schedule before booking, since neither is consistently better on every sailing. Whichever you choose, keep an eye on current service status if your onward plans are tight, and try to get out on deck through the Marlborough Sounds — it's the best part of the trip. Our New Zealand by train and TranzAlpine guides cover the country's other great rail journeys, and our New Zealand overland guide covers stringing a full trip together without flying.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Interislander ferry crossing?
Around three to three and a half hours between Wellington and Picton, including the scenic run through Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound on the Picton side.
Is Bluebridge cheaper than the Interislander?
Bluebridge is generally priced a little lower, though fares on both operators vary by season and how far ahead you book, so it's worth comparing both directly before choosing.
Do I need to book the ferry in advance?
It's recommended, especially for travel in the December–February peak season or other school holidays, when both passenger and vehicle space can sell out on popular sailings.
Can I get seasick on the Cook Strait crossing?
It's possible on the open-water Cook Strait stretch, which can be considerably rougher than the sheltered Marlborough Sounds on either side. If you're prone to seasickness, that middle section is the part to prepare for.
Sources and further reading:
- KiwiRail Interislander — routes, fares and booking.
- Bluebridge — schedules and fares for the alternative operator.
- Our guide to driving in New Zealand for bringing a vehicle across.