Arriving by Air
Nelson Airport is the fourth busiest commercial airport in New Zealand, and scheduled flights run from 6 am to 10pm pm daily with more than 66 arrivals and departures daily. Air New Zealand connect to the main centres with very good frequency and Sounds Air and Air2there provide service through the top of the south and bottom of the north islands. A number of light aircraft and helicopter companies also operate from the busy regional airport.
Frequent domestic flights on Air New Zealand Q300 Bombardier aircraft provide convenient direct access to the region from international gateways in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
In addition, Air2There operate scheduled flights between Nelson and Paraparaumu four days/week in winter and daily in summer. Sounds Air operate scheduled flights between Nelson and Wellington seven days a week.
Golden Bay Air operate scheduled flights during the summer months between Wellington and Palmerston North to Takaka in Golden Bay, and Takaka to Karamea.
|
Direct flight times |
Approximate direct flying times (mins) |
| Auckland to Nelson City | 80 |
| Wellington to Nelson City | 35 |
| Christchurch to Nelson City | 50 |
| Paraparaumu to Nelson City | 45 |
| Wellington to Takaka | 50 |
| Palmerston North to Takaka (Dec-Apr) | 65 |
| Karamea to Takaka | 40 |
By sea
Regular Cook Strait ferries provide vehicle and passenger access between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. Regular coach services connect with the inter-island ferry services at Picton to bring you here to paradise!
Planning to take the ferry?
| Ferry crossing times | approximate sailing times |
| Wellington to Picton (Interislander) | 3 hours |
| Wellington to Picton (Bluebridge Service) | 3 hours 20 mins |
Arriving by road
Many visitors drive to Nelson as part of a South Island tour. Good roads connect Nelson to the West Coast, Blenheim and Christchurch. Whether you travel to Nelson through Murchison or follow the Kaikoura coast you will see some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Nelson Tasman Region is well serviced by coaches operating into and around the region.
| Driving times | km | driving time |
| Blenheim to Nelson City | 117 | 1 hr 45 mins |
| Picton to Nelson City | 144 | 2 hrs |
| Westport to Nelson City | 266 | 3 hrs 15 mins |
| Christchurch to Nelson City | 424 | 6 hrs |
