Wellington – Picton
Ferry to New Zealand
Wellington – Picton
Ferry to New Zealand
You can get a ferry from Wellington to Picton. Ferries from Wellington to Picton are available all year round. This ferry route is operated by 2 ferry companies; Interislander & Bluebridge. With around 6 daily and 38 weekly sailings, there are plenty of options to choose from. Just use our Deal Finder to compare prices and availability and book your ferry to Picton today.
Wellington to Picton first ferry: departs Wellington at 02:00.
Wellington to Picton last ferry: departs Wellington at around 20:30.
Bear in mind that Wellington to Picton ferry times can vary by season. We recommend checking the latest Interislander & Bluebridge Wellington to Picton ferry timetable before you book.
How long the ferry crossing is from Wellington to Picton depends on whether you’re travelling on a Wellington to Picton fast ferry or a conventional ferry. The Wellington to Picton ferry time is usually around 3 hours 30 minutes on average.
Average Wellington to Picton ferry time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Fastest ferry crossing to Picton: 3 hours 15 minutes
Longest ferry crossing to Picton: 3 hours 45 minutes
The Wellington to Picton fast ferry takes 3 hours 15 minutes. Bear in mind, the Wellington to Picton ferry time can vary.
The ferry from Wellington to south island arrives in Picton. From here, you can go on to explore the rest of New Zealand's south island.
Ferries from Wellington to Picton are provided by 2 ferry companies; Interislander & Bluebridge. There are a combined total of 6 daily and 38 weekly sailings. Bear in mind, the Wellington to Picton ferry timetable can change throughout the seasons, with more options available in the summer months.
Ferry frequency: the Wellington to Picton ferry runs all year round
Interislander: 3 daily sailings and 18 weekly sailings
Bluebridge: 4 daily sailings and 25 weekly sailings
Wellington to Picton ferry prices can vary depending on the ferry company you're travelling with and the season you're travelling in. The price of the ferry from Wellington to Picton varies between £67.60 to £390.52.
Average Wellington to Picton ferry cost: £191.83
Cheapest Wellington to Picton ferry: £67.60
Wellington to Picton distance: approximately 53.9 miles (86.7km) or 47 nautical miles.
Yes, you can get the ferry from Wellington to Picton with a car.
Car operators: Interislander & Bluebridge
Average car price: £250.36
Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger on the Wellington to Picton ferry.
Wellington to Picton foot passenger ferries: Interislander & Bluebridge
Average foot passenger price: £78.92
Yes, you can take your camper on the Wellington Picton ferry.
Camper prices: usually between £132 and £405
Cheapest camper price: around £99
Pets are allowed on Wellington to Picton ferries. However, you must let the ferry company know you are travelling with a pet at the time of your booking.
Pet-friendly operators:
Interislander
Bluebridge
You will need the following things with you when travelling with your pet on board the Wellington to Picton ferry.
Bluebridge:
Interislander:
You can travel with guide dogs and assistance dogs on the ferry to Picton with Interislander & Bluebridge. However, you must let the ferry company know at the time of booking. You may also have to present any necessary certificates if asked to do so on board.
We recommend to book your ferry from Wellington to Picton in advance to get it at the cheapest price. The Wellington to Picton ferry cost varies depending on the season you’re travelling in. Most Picton Wellington ferry prices are higher in the peak summer months between June to September. Ferries during these months can sell out so if you’re wanting to travel on a Wellington to Picton ferry in summer it’s always best to make you book in advance. Check out our special offers page for all the latest ferry discounts and to find the best ferry from Wellington to Picton to suit you.
Yes, students can get a 5% discount on Wellington Picton ferry tickets all year round. Check out our special offers page for more discounts and to get the cheapest Wellington to Picton ferry booking.
It all depends on the size of the ship but disembarking the ferry can take around 15-45 minutes.
If you're getting the Wellington to Picton ferry with luggage, then there are certain restrictions that may apply. The amount of luggage you can take on the Wellington to Picton ferry depends on the ferry company you are travelling with.
There are a wide range of facilities available on board the Wellington to Picton ferry. These include cafes, restaurants, bars and gift shops. Bear in mind that each ship’s facilities will vary.
The accommodation and seating on the boat from Wellington to Picton differs depending on the ferry company and how long the journey is. Prices are also dependent on the company you travel with and the size of your cabin.
Yes, the ferries from Wellington to Picton are suitable for people with reduced mobility. The exact facilities on board will depend on the ship you’re travelling on. It's best to inform the ferry company at the time of booking to see if they can accommodate any requests.
If you're travelling from Wellington to Picton by ferry, we recommend arriving at Wellington port at least 1 hour before departure. However, if you are travelling with a vehicle, it’s best to arrive 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours before departure to allow time for parking. Wherever you’re travelling from, you should allow plenty of time to get to the port in case of traffic.
Your Wellington to Picton ferry tickets will be sent by email. You will then need to check in with the ferry company before you travel and you may receive an additional boarding pass.
The latest check-in time for your Wellington Picton ferry crossing should be in your confirmation email.
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| Wellington - Picton Ferry Route summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Origin | New Zealand | |
| Destination | New Zealand | |
| No. of Operators | 2 | |
| Operators | Interislander & Bluebridge | |
| Average Price | £192 | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 6 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 38 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 3 h 30 m | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 3 h 15 m | |
| First Ferry | 02:00 | |
| Last Ferry | 20:30 | |
| Distance | 47 Nautical Miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 October 2025.
"Excellent trip "
"From Picton to Wellington!"
"Great ride to the South Island "
"The best"
Ferries to Wellington will take you to the southern tip of the North Island. Perched between lush green hills and a natural harbour, New Zealand's capital city boasts a picture-perfect setting. But beautiful views aren't all Wellington has to offer. The creative city has a vibrant culture with countless galleries and museums to explore. Famous for its amazing culinary scene, it's also a paradise for foodies with markets serving up local produce and a never-ending list of eateries scattered across the city, ranging from casual brunch spots to fine dining establishments. Not forgetting the many independent cafes where you can experience Wellington's thriving coffee scene. It's the perfect starting point for your North Island adventure...
It’s best to explore the city by foot with Wellington's main attractions all within walking distance. It's great for cycling too, with many cycle lanes throughout the city. The Wellington Cable Car also connects Lambton Quay (CBD) with Kelburn. Wellington has a good public transport system, with buses and trains connecting the centre with the suburbs and beyond. There is also an airport express bus connecting the city with the airport.
Wellington ferry port is an important transport hub, connecting the North and South Islands in New Zealand. The port serves both foot passengers and vehicles and is separated into two different terminals; the Interislander Terminal and the Bluebridge Terminal. The Bluebridge Terminal is located at 50 Waterloo Quay, whilst the Interislander terminal is located at Aotea Quay. However, both terminals are located just a few minutes drive away from each other.
Bluebridge Terminal (50 Waterloo Quay)
You can walk from Wellington train station and the centre in around 10-15 minutes
Interislander Terminal (Aotea Quay)
This terminal is a little further away. However, you can get a free shuttle from Platform 9 at Wellington train station.
There are no long-term parking options at the Wellington ferry terminals. However, there are private car parks nearby.
At both terminals you’ll find amenities such as toilets, vending machines, seating areas and cafes.
Bluebridge: 50 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Interislander: Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Picton is a charming port town located at the top of New Zealand's beautiful south island. It's a gateway to some of the region's top attractions, with places like Marlborough Sounds and the Marlborough wine region on its doorstep. However, you can easily spend a day or two here, strolling around the marina, sunbathing on the beach, tucking into a delicious dinner along the waterfront or just admiring the town's natural beauty.
Picton is compact so it’s easy to get around on foot or by bike. There are also boat excursions available. If you’re wanting to explore the region further, you can rent a car or use Picton’s InterCity bus service which connects the town with other towns and cities on New Zealand's South Island.
Picton ferry port is a busy passenger and freight port located in the centre of Picton. It connects New Zealand’s South Island with the North Island, with passenger and vehicle ferries operated by Interislander and Bluebridge. There are two separate terminals for each ferry operator.
The port is centrally located on the waterfront in Picton so it’s easy to reach by foot. You can walk from the centre of Picton to the ferry port in around 5-10 minutes. There are also buses connecting the centre of Picton with destinations such as Blenheim, Nelson and Christchurch. Taxis are also available if you need them.
You'll find short-term parking outside the terminal for picking up and dropping off. There are also long-term parking options near to the terminal.
At the terminals you’ll find facilities such as toilets and a café. Due to the terminal’s close proximity to the centre, you’ll find many more amenities within walking distance of the ferry port.
Bluebridge Terminal: Bluebridge Terminal, 1 Lagoon Road, Picton, 7250
Interislander Terminal: Interislander Terminal, Auckland Street, Picton 7281
