South Island Train Tours and Packages

Discover the scenically brilliant South Island of New Zealand through LOCO’s selection of enticing rail tours and packages. Choose from the famous Tranzalpine Train, the Coastal Pacific or other great rail tours which meet your desires. Our South Island train tours and packages visit popular areas such as the West Coast, traverse the Southern Alps, ride alongside Kaikoura’s coastline and can take you to Queenstown and stunning Milford Sound.

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Tours & Holidays

13 Day Twin Rail Journeys of NZ

Departing: Weekly
Departure From: Queenstown
13 Days | from NZ$3,699
Tour Type: Independent Tour - Fully Flexible

Enjoy the premier twin rail journeys of New Zealand on each island on this succinct, independent 13 day countrywide tour from Queenstown to Auckland.

20 Day New Zealand Rail Journey

Departing: Weekly Departures
Departure From: Auckland
20 Days | from NZ $5,499
Tour Type: Independent Tour - Fully Flexible

This NZ rail holiday will deliver you the best scenic attractions and memorable journeys on each of NZ’s three scenic rail experiences.

3 Great Journeys by LOCO

Departing: Flexible Dates
Departure From: Auckland or Christchurch.
from 3 Days | from NZ$1,869 - Save 15%*
Tour Type: Independent Tour - Fully Flexible

If your ambition is to travel on each of NZ’s scenic trains, this tour will achieve your dream. A fully flexible independent tour, LOCO will match your time, budget and expectations.

3 Great Rail Journeys – Premium Tour

Departing: Flexible Dates
Departure From: Auckland or Christchurch
from 3 Days | from $3,889
Tour Type: Independent Tour - Fully Flexible

Our Premium Three Great Rail Journeys itinerary delivers a fully encompassing luxury, independent, rail travel experience. Take your time and enjoy the very best New Zealand has to offer.

Auckland to Christchurch; Cities & Coastal Highlights

Departing: Monthly Departures
Departure From: Auckland
10 Days | from NZ$5,499
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

This 10-day city and coastal highlights tour will take you on a journey through the North and South Island’s from Auckland to Christchurch.

Captivating Coast; Wellington to Christchurch

Departing: Monthly Departures
Departure From: Wellington
6 Days | from NZ$4,999 - Special: Save $1,000pp
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Join us on this guided captivating Wellington to Christchurch train tour. Glide across the magnificent Cook Strait, along coastal beaches and through mountain valleys.

Christchurch to Queenstown; Alpine Highlights

Departing: Monthly Departures
Departure From: Christchurch
7 Days | from NZ$4,999
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Join us on this week long guided scenic train tour, through the mighty Southern Alps, to the wild West Coast and on to Queenstown.

Cities and Sea; Auckland to Christchurch Rail Tour

Departing: Monthly Departures
Departure From: Auckland
10 Days | from NZ $5,499
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Explore New Zealand’s cities and sea journey via its remote regions, travelling on this Auckland to Christchurch rail tour.

Inspirational Alps; Christchurch to Queenstown

Departing: Monthly Departures
Departure From: Christchurch
7 Days | from NZ$6,199 - Save $1,240pp
Tour Type: Escorted Tours

Join us on an unforgettable journey through the South Island on a Christchurch to Queenstown train adventure.

New Zealand Rail Highlights

Departing: Monthly Departures
Departure From: Auckland
15 Days | from NZ$9,749
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Join us on this fabulous scenic guided New Zealand rail highlights tour through the heart and soul of New Zealand, featuring all three Great Rail Journeys.

New Zealand Rail Tour – Up Close

Departing: Monthly Departures
Departure From: Auckland
17 Days | from NZ$14,999 - Special: Save $3,040pp
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Discover off the beaten track destinations and bustling urban centres by three world-famous scenic rail trips from Auckland to Queenstown.

NZ Rail Adventure

Departing: Summer/Spring/Summer 25-26
Departure From: Auckland
15 Days | from NZ$7,395 - Includes $600pp Saving
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Enjoy a taste of each of New Zealand’s scenic rail experiences on this NZ rail adventure, including a distinctive ride on the Glenbrook Vintage Steam Railway.

NZ Rail and Cruise Discovery

Departing: Summer & Spring 25/26
Departure From: Christchurch
19 Days | NZ$12,595 - Includes $1,200pp Saving
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Join us on this comprehensive 19 day land, New Zealand rail and cruise journey from Christchurch to Wellington. Discover New Zealand on this wonderful tour.

Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer

Departing: Throughout 2025 & 2026
Departure From: Christhchurch
13 Days | NZ$8,495 - FREE Cable Car Ride*
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Inspired by one of the most iconic adventurers of our time, this is an epic journey by heritage steam train and luxury coach. FREE Wellington Cable Car trip when you book with LOCO Journeys.

Sir Edmund Hillary Winter Explorer

Departing: June-September 2025
Departure From: Christchurch
12 Days | from NZ$6,995
Tour Type: Escorted

Inspired by one of the greatest and most iconic adventurers of our time, this Winter Edition offers NZ’s best with snow on top!

Southern Alps in Winter Glory

Departing: 10 August 2025
Departure From: Auckland
5 Days | FROM $2,585 NZD
Tour Type: Escorted

Traversing the Alps bedecked in its winter cloak delivers a very special magic. This trip offers the opportunity to experience it two-fold, once by road and again by TranzAlpine train.

Southern Rail Highlights from Wellington

Departing: Monthly Departures
Departure From: Wellington
11 Days | from NZ$7,199
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Join us on tour across Cook Strait, past the mighty Southern Alps and through the Wild West Coast to beautiful Queenstown. This journey features the Coastal Pacific and TranzAlpine.

Spectacular South; Wellington to Queenstown

Departing: Monthly Departures
Departure From: Wellington
11 Days | from NZ$9,099 - Special: SAVE $1,820pp
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Explore the Spectacular South on this signature rail tour. Glide through the mighty Southern Alps and along the Pacific coastline to Queenstown and Milford Sound

Top of the South Island Train Tour

Departing: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday*
Departure From: Christchurch
7 Days | from NZ$1,469
Tour Type: Independent Tour - Fully Flexible

Enjoy the Top of the South Island train tour on this succinct 7 day independent journey that includes TranzAlpine and Coastal Explorer rail journeys.

TranzAlpine Train, Glaciers & Fiords

Departing: Flexible Dates
Departure From: Christchurch
8 Days | from NZ$2,745
Tour Type: Independent Tour - Fully Flexible

The combination of TranzAlpine Train, Glaciers and Fiords offers one of the greatest lure’s of travelling in the South Island of New Zealand. The spectacular and diverse scenery catches your breathe at every turn.

TranzAlpine Winter Wonderland

Departing: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday*
Departure From: Christchurch
7 Days | from NZ $1,399
Tour Type: Independent Tour - Fully Flexible

Winter is a magical time to experience the South Island, and there is something romantic and dreamy about the TranzApine Winter Wonderland rail journey set against a backdrop of snow.

Wellington to Christchurch; Coastal Highlights

Departing: Monthly Departures
Departure From: Wellington
6 Days | from NZ $3,399
Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Join us on this guided scenic Wellington to Christchurch rail tour across the Cook Strait, past coastal beaches and through mountain valleys.

Short Breaks

3 Great Journeys by LOCO

Departing: Flexible Dates
Departure From: Auckland or Christchurch.
from 3 Days | from NZ$1,869 - Save 15%*
Tour Type: Independent Tour - Fully Flexible

If your ambition is to travel on each of NZ’s scenic trains, this tour will achieve your dream. A fully flexible independent tour, LOCO will match your time, budget and expectations.

Blenheim Rail Break; Wine & Wings

Departing: Daily from mid December to early May.
Departure From: Christchurch
2 Days | from NZ$1,139
Tour Type: Independent Tour

Departing from Christchurch, this delightful journey takes you along remote beaches, between mountains and sea to the Marlborough wine region.

Coastal Pacific Train Wildlife Encounter

Departing: Daily from mid December to early May
Departure From: Christchurch
2 Days | from NZ$749
Tour Type: Independent Tour

See the majestic seabirds or get up close to dolphins or whales and discover the spectacular wildlife of Kaikōura on the Coastal Pacific Train.

Kaikoura Experience from Wellington

Departing: Weekends in Summer
Departure From: Wellington
2 Days | from NZ$655
Tour Type: Independent Tour - Fully Flexible

Travel by ferry and scenic train from Wellington to Christchurch, and enjoy a wonderous Kaikoura experience including the natural wonders of this marine paradise.

Premium TranzAlpine Glacier Experience

Departing: Flexible Dates
Departure From: Christchurch
4 Days | from NZ$3,899
Tour Type: Independent Tour

Enjoy a heavenly escape into a world filled with fascination and grandeur on this premium TranzAlpine Glacier Experience including 5-star accommodation.

TranzAlpine – Explore Hokitika

Departing: Flexible Dates
Departure From: Christchurch
3 Days | from NZ$1099
Tour Type: Independent Tour - Fully Flexible

Jump aboard the TranzAlpine scenic train and explore Hokitika in style. Travel via rail through the Southern Alps to Greymouth enjoying the views from your window.

TranzAlpine – Taste of the West Coast

Departing: Flexible Dates
Departure From: Christchurch
2 Days | from NZ$845
Tour Type: Independent Tour - Fully Flexible

The TranzAlpine is a scenic rail trip running from the East Coast to the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

TranzAlpine & West Coast Glaciers to Queenstown

Departing: Flexible Dates
Departure From: Christchurch
2 Days | from NZ$665
Tour Type: Independent Rail & Coach Tour

Ride New Zealand’s premier rail journey on this two-day train tour from Christchurch to the West Coast. Discover the Glaciers and then head further south to the stunning lakes district and finally Queenstown.

TranzAlpine Glacier Experience

Departing: Flexbile Dates
Departure From: Christchurch
4 Days | from NZ$1,999
Tour Type: Independent Tour

Be amazed at this exploration of the West Coast on the stunning TranzAlpine Glacier Experience. Discover the ancient world of Glacier Country and its natural wonders, where ice rivers carve through mountains and rainforests thrive.

TranzAlpine Overnight

Departing: Flexible Dates
Departure From: Christchurch
2 Days | from NZ$899
Tour Type: Independent Tour

Journey to Greymouth on this TranzAlpine overnight adventure. Escape the city and travel to New Zealand’s famous West Coast. This rail break will take you through the heart of the Southern Alps to a land of timeless beauty.

TranzAlpine West Coast Explorer

Departing: Flexible Dates
Departure From: Christchurch
4 Days | from NZ$1949
Tour Type: Independent Tour

The 4 day TranzAlpine West Coast Explorer is a timeless and enjoyable escape to Lake Brunner, Punakaiki, & Hokitika. Break free from the ordinary and visit some great West Coast destinations.

Day Trips

The Coastal Pacific

Departing: Daily from mid December to early May.
Departure From: Christchurch or Picton
1 Day | from NZ$219 One-Way
Tour Type: Day Tour

Join the Coastal Pacific and explore the stunning Kaikōura coastline, through the idyllic Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of Christchurch.

The TranzAlpine Train

Departing: Daily in Summer. Friday-Monday in Winter
Departure From: Christchurch or Greymouth
1 Day | from NZ$219 One-Way
Tour Type: Day Tour

Take in the South Island’s stunning mountains and the vast Canterbury Plains aboard the TranzAlpine. NZ’s finest inland rail journey.