The three-hour ferry between the islands is lovely and occasionally rough; the flight is one hour and rarely cancelled. How to choose, and how the rental car works either way.
If you're doing both islands, at some point you cross Cook Strait. Two options, both good, and the right one depends on your dates and your appetite for the sea.
The ferry
Wellington to Picton, about three and a half hours, several sailings a day. The first hour is the harbour and the strait; the last hour threads the Marlborough Sounds, which is the part everyone remembers. Book ahead in summer. It can be rough in a southerly — sailings are occasionally cancelled, so we never schedule anything tight on the other side.
Cars: most rental companies don't send cars across. You drop one at the Wellington terminal and pick up another at Picton. It's routine and we arrange it, but allow half an hour at each end.
Best for: travellers with time, anyone driving the east coast down to Kaikōura, and people who like boats.
Flying
Wellington to Christchurch or Nelson is under an hour; Auckland to Christchurch or Queenstown about 90 minutes. Flights are frequent and rarely disrupted. You lose the Sounds but gain most of a day.
Best for: trips under 14 nights, anyone starting the South Island in Queenstown, and travellers who get seasick.
What we usually suggest
- Both islands in 12–14 nights: fly. Spend the saved day somewhere good.
- 16 nights or more: take the ferry southbound and fly home from the south.
- Rough forecast: we'll tell you the day before and switch you to a flight if the crossing looks unpleasant.
Ready when you are
