Although there are limited commuter train services operated in New Zealand,  there are a number of train services that will appeal to the tourist market,

These are the TranzAlpine, the Overlander and the Coastal Pacific services

The TranzAlpine service operates daily between Christchurch and Greymouth, the 4 and a half hour journey travels via through the Southern Alps, making stops at ten stations along the route including Arthurs Pass, the train departs Christchurch at 8.15am and arrives Greymouth at 12.45pm, the return train departs Greymouth at 1.45 pm arriving Christchurch at 6.05 pm This train journey  is rated by many seasoned rail travellers as one of the best train journeys in the World.

The Overlander service operates between Auckland and Wellington, and takes  throught the central region of the North island, and makes stops at Middlemore, Papakura, Pukekohe, Hamilton, Otorohanga, Te Kuiiti, Taumarunui, National Park, Ohakune, Taihape, Marton, Feilding, Palmerston North, Levin, Waikanae, Paraparaumu and Porirua,

The trains depart from Auckland and Wellington at 7.30 am and arrive at 7.30pm, for a travelling time of 12 hours, thw same schedule applies to either direction, the service operates daily for the majority of the year, and reduces to 3 times a week at the other times of the year, periods of operation are available on request

The Coastal Pacific, ( this service is being renamed as the Tranz Coastal ) runs daily between Christchurch and Picton, with 6 stops along the way including stops at Kaikoura and Blenheim, it's a great way of travelling the north east cost of the South Island.the train departs Christchurch at 7.00am and arrives Picton at 12.15pm, the return train departs Picton at 1.00 pm arriving Christchurch at 6.20 pm

There are  three Train/Ferry passes available,

7 Day, 2 Train Pass,  for use on the Tranzalpine & Coastal Pacific Only is £135 (approx) per person

7 Day, 2 Train Pass,  for use on the Tranzalpine & Coastal Pacific  and  Inter- Island Ferry,  for £265 (approx) per person

14 Day, 3 Train Pass,  for use on the Tranzalpine , Coastal Pacific and the Overlander plus the Inter-Island Ferry, £350 (approx) per person

One or all of these sevices can be incorporated into your own tailor made itineray of New Zealand, just give us a call for more details on how this option can be arranged.