Akl-Wgtn by train - who has done it?

Forums › Travel (planes, train, cruise) › Akl-Wgtn by train - who has done it?

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#3017468 5-Jan-2023 17:01

I've done Auckland to Wellington twice and Wellington to Auckland once - I enjoyed the train ride myself, the scenery was stunning - the second time I went down however the speed was restricted to 40km/h so the trip took about 12-13 hours - the 45 minute flight back to Auckland was very welcomed.

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#3017514 5-Jan-2023 17:13

Batman:
MadEngineer: I’ve done Auckland to Palmy on a bus once. Never again.

FWIW

Buses are slow and bumpy/dizzying and once my bus left the road and nearly crashed.

I try to avoid buses

YMMV. I've done Whangarei to Auckland a couple of times in the bus in the last few years, and I prefer it to driving - the suspension handles Northland roads' godawful potholes far better than my car, and there are fewer idiots to worry about.

It takes maybe 15 minutes longer than driving (2:30 vs 2:15), and I can doze, read a book, or watch a movie. If I don't need a car in Auckland, I'd definitely consider doing the bus again, at least for that distance. Much further, maybe not.

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#3017518 5-Jan-2023 17:30

A possibility for rental car in Wellington might be Mevo - it is a car sharing service that allows for per hour or per day rental and you use an app to pick up the car from the street. I see there is one available close to Wellington Station at the moment, but that might not be the case when you get there as they move around - but should be parked up after use in the CBD.

PS: Have not used Mevo myself, but have used similar services and have enjoyed the experience.

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#3017521 5-Jan-2023 17:55

Stu: The reason you have to catch it at Papakura, is because it doesn't stop at Pukekohe (even when Pukekohe isn't closed). If it stopped at every station it would take 24 hours to get to Wellington at the speed it travels! My point is, I'm not sure it actually stops at Miramar and Upper Hut, so Wellington station may be your only option.

https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours-and-trains/scenic-trains/our-railway-stations/

It doesn't stop at Upper Hutt as that's not on the line to Auckland (which goes via the Kapiti Coast line). Miramar is a suburb well south of the rail terminus.

I think Eva was pointing out that the platform for the Upper Hutt train is only a short walk away from the platform where the Auckland-Wellington will stop at.

However I think given the circumstances either a taxi or a pick up would be easiest all round.

alisam

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#3017571 5-Jan-2023 20:10

I have done a return journey. Auckland to Wellington was 1.5 hours late, due to the track being too hot.

I have vowed, never again.

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#3017595 5-Jan-2023 22:52

For the menu, you can check out GreenerGrass. Menu linked here

The same guy (Jeb Brooks), recently did the Tranz Alpine & Costal Pacific. This will give you a rough idea of what it's like on board, and a small review of some of the food

Also, once in Wellington, buses are running on a Saturday timetable in January, might be best to get either a Mevo or car rental

EDIt: Added link to Metlink re buses Saturday timetable

https://www.metlink.org.nz/news-and-updates/news/powellington-and-porirua-buses-to-use-saturday-timetables-in-january/

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#3017611 6-Jan-2023 06:36

I can't get over the cost of some of the scenic trains. Bit of a shock to the system.

johno1234

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#3017617 6-Jan-2023 07:41

Sounds like your mum might not be very comfortable being on the train for such a long time. I wouldn’t do this with mine for this reason. If she needs assistance with boarding this might not be available especially at the Auckland end.

Personally I’d stick with the airlines.

alisam

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#3017620 6-Jan-2023 08:06

alisam:

I have done a return journey. Auckland to Wellington was 1.5 hours late, due to the track being too hot.

I have vowed, never again.

Forgot to mention.

The train was 30 minutes late (or slightly more) on the return journey back to Auckland).

But what was a 'shock' was that on the floor was some exposed electrical wiring, near to where your feet would reside. We hadn't left Wellington by then.

We contacted a member of staff, who quite rightly asked us to vacate the seats (but had to stand as there no free seats). An engineer was called, and the seats were cordoned off. We had to sit in the buffet car until seats became available.

Lias

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#3017671 6-Jan-2023 09:14

GV27:

I can't get over the cost of some of the scenic trains. Bit of a shock to the system.

In the 90's rail was comparable to bus in price and much much cheaper than flying. Now it's squarely aimed at tourists and is stupidly expensive.

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alisam

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#3017675 6-Jan-2023 09:21

Lias:

GV27:

I can't get over the cost of some of the scenic trains. Bit of a shock to the system.

In the 90's rail was comparable to bus in price and much much cheaper than flying. Now it's squarely aimed at tourists and is stupidly expensive.

Not everyone can do this, but book as early as you can. The fares are so much cheaper. However, if I remember correctly there are only so many seats at the cheapest price.

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#3017678 6-Jan-2023 09:28

Lias:

In the 90's rail was comparable to bus in price and much much cheaper than flying. Now it's squarely aimed at tourists and is stupidly expensive.

Looks like it's more cost effective to get a heritage package deal for the train than the actual modern tourism offer and paying for accommodation separately on the Northern Explorer.

What an insane set of circumstances.

trig42

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#3017687 6-Jan-2023 09:59

For getting back, if you'd rather drive, look at relocating a rental car - they offer 1 or 2 days free rental for this:

https://www.transfercar.co.nz/search?pickup=custom%3Awellington&dropoff=custom%3Aauckland

Brunzy

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#3017867 6-Jan-2023 16:16

I did it once not long after arriving here in the late 70s.

Having done Glasgow to London a few years previous which is a similar distance. I thought that It may take around the same time.

When it left the Wellington , it was dawdling and I wondered when it was going to speed up. It didn’t.
Wouldn’t choose to do it again.

Eva888

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#3017931 6-Jan-2023 17:13

Personally as long as time wasn’t a constraint I’d choose trains or coaches over flying any time. We did Sydney to Melbourne by train about 10 hours and it was a memorable pleasure. The journey is part of the holiday and far more relaxed and low key than standing or being herded in long lines at airports

If mum has a walking problem flying back will be very tiring as walking to and from gates and to parking either end is quite far unless you can borrow an airport wheelchair. PM if you run into trouble in Wellington.

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