If you are planning to travel through New Zealand from North to South, one of the highlights of your trip will be crossing from the North Island to the South Island through the Queen Charlotte Sound, a beautiful sound with stunning mountains and surprisingly calm water compared to the rest of the Cook Strait.
But how do you take the ferry across the Cook Strait from the North to the South Island? First and foremost, you will have to get yourself to Wellington, and from there, you can take the ferry across to Picton via Queen Charlotte Sound.
There are a few things you need to know before you make the trip from Wellington to Picton, and you will find all your questions answered here. From which ferry to pick, to how long it takes, to where to stay and things to do in Wellington and Picton, you will find all the information you need in this travel guide.
Without further ado, let's begin with the first question you are probably asking: "Which ferry should I pick to get from Wellington to Picton? Bluebridge or Interislander?"
Bluebridge VS Interislander: Which Ferry Company to Pick?
There are two major ferry companies that charter people across Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton and vice versa every day that you can choose from. They are both quite different in terms of capacity and services, so in order to decide which ferry is better for you, we will have to discuss their differences.
Interislander is the older of the two operators and currently sails the route with Kaitaki and Kaiฤrahi. As of 2026, adult foot-passenger fares are around 100 - 141 NZD, and winter fares are around 50 NZD per adult and 25 NZD per child. Both ships have indoor seating, outdoor viewing areas, and food and drink available onboard.
The Bluebridge is a cheaper option at around 78 - 128 NZD, but their ferry is smaller than the Interislander ferries, with not a whole lot of space to wander around. The Bluebridge also runs less frequently, with only 2 ferries during the day compared to the 3 ferries offered by the Interislander.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to your preferences and the time you are planning to travel. If you like to be on a ferry with more space for you to walk around then go with Interislander, if not then Bluebridge.
Personally, I enjoyed traveling with Interislander. The spacious interior gave me plenty of room to move around and enjoy the views as we sailed through Queen Charlotte Sound. I would still happily use it again, but I would compare the current schedules and fares from both operators before booking.
How Much Does It Cost to Get from Wellington to Picton?
Depending on which ferry you pick, you can expect to spend around 78 to 140 NZD per person for the ferry ticket depending on the time. As mentioned earlier, the Bluebridge is cheaper, with the cheapest ticket costing 78 NZD, whereas the Interislander will set you back around 100 NZD.
How to Get to the Ferry Terminals in Wellington and Picton?
Interislander Ferry Terminal in Wellington
The Interislander ferry terminal in Wellington is at Kaiwharawhara, just north of the city center. For foot passengers, Interislander provides a free shuttle from Platform 10 at Wellington Railway Station. It currently departs 70 minutes before the scheduled sailing, so do not rely on the old shuttle information in earlier versions of this guide.
Bluebridge Ferry Terminal in Wellington
The Bluebridge ferry terminal in Wellington is at 50 Waterloo Quay, close to Wellington Railway Station and within walking distance of the central city. Bluebridge currently requires check-in to be completed one hour before departure.
Interislander Ferry Terminal in Picton
The Interislander ferry terminal in Picton is located just off 1 Auckland Street, right by the town center, and you can easily walk from there to your accommodation in Picton.
Bluebridge Ferry Terminal in Picton
The Bluebridge ferry terminal is still at 1 Lagoon Road. For walk-on passengers, Bluebridge operates a complimentary shuttle between the terminal and central Picton, with stops at the Picton i-Site on the foreshore and Wellington Street opposite Oxley's Bar and Restaurant. Pickup times are coordinated with the sailing schedule.
If you are on foot, there is a shuttle service that can pick you up at the Tourist Information Center (I-Site) in town. They will also offer a shuttle service to drop you off in Picton if you came from Wellington.
How Long Does the Ferry from Wellington to Picton Take?
The Cook Strait crossing still takes around 3.5 hours under normal conditions. Both operators have sailings at times that can make a private cabin useful. As of 2026, an Interislander Kaitaki private cabin costs 80 NZD per cabin, while Bluebridge private ensuite cabins start from 65 NZD. Cabin availability and pricing depend on the ship and sailing.
I personally don't think it's worth spending overnight on the ferry. I'd rather take the ferry during the day so I can enjoy the view of the Cook Strait and the Queen Charlotte Sound.
Where to Stay in Wellington?
Where to Stay in Picton?
Things to Do in Wellington
If you are looking to stay a few days in Wellington, here are a few things you might be interested in doing:
- Hike up to the Mount Victoria Lookout.
- Learn more about the history of New Zealand at the free Te Papa Museum.
- Stroll around Wellington Botanical Garden.
- Ride the Wellington Cable Car for a nice view above the city.
- Eat your way through Hannah's Laneway.
- Go for a morning stroll at the Wellington Waterfront.
- Visit the Harborside Market.
Things to Do in Picton
If you are planning to stay a little longer in Picton before you go out and explore the beautiful nature of the South Island, here are a few things you can do:
- Hike the Snout Track to see Queen Charlotte Sound.
- See the world's oldest merchant ship at the Edwin Fox Ship Museum.
- Stroll around the Picton Marina.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
First Published:
Last updated:
