Akl-Wgtn by train - who has done it?

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kiwifidget

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#302938 5-Jan-2023 11:37

Mum and I have to go to Wellington for a few days at the end of the month and I am considering taking the train.

I've discovered I can't get on at Pukekohe, but Papakura instead. A bit inconvenient but not a show stopper.

I know it stops a few times along the way. Does it stop for very long?

Also, at the Wellington end, are there car hire facilities or will I need to get someone to pick us up?

Anything else they dont mention in the brochure or website that they should?

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#3017260 5-Jan-2023 11:52

Also, at the Wellington end, are there car hire facilities or will I need to get someone to pick us up?

What's your final destination (suburb wise) , there is a major bus interchange connected to the station via a short subway walk..

There is no car hire at that end of Town, but plenty of taxis...

Stu

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#3017263 5-Jan-2023 11:57

From memory, the stops don't take long. A little longer if they're doing a driver change.

The food isn't cheap, and not a huge selection.

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#3017276 5-Jan-2023 12:28

It's been a goodly number of years since I did it, because they keep bumping the price up and trying to make it an overpriced tourist experience, and the others have it mostly covered but here's my 2 cents.

It's barely faster than taking a bus, driving or flying is notable faster.
The food was okay, but overpriced and there wasn't a lot of it (don't be surprised if you try to buy something later in the journey and everything is out of stock)
If the weather is nice, the views are decent, particularly the central north island.
It will deliver you right into the northern end of the CBD with outgoing metro bus/trains, taxis, ubers, and rental scooters, but no hire cars.
The only stop I recall being of any significant duration (and only maybe 15-30 minutes) was the driver swap somewhere up near National Park.

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kiwifidget

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#3017284 5-Jan-2023 13:04

Thx, mum doesnt walk too well these days, and she's always wanted to do the train, and this seems like a good opportunity.

Looks like we should organise a pick-up or a taxi.

Have to see people in Miramar and Upper Hutt, so we could pull up almost anywhere in between.

BYO snacks - good to know.

May opt for flying back, but will drive it if it means less hassle all round.

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#3017286 5-Jan-2023 13:08

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

FWIW

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#3017287 5-Jan-2023 13:14

I purchased a return ticket to Auckland a number of years ago and by the time I got to Wellington I threw the train ticket away and purchased a plane ticket home to Auckland

It was peak of summer and train was on restricted speed to 60km/h

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#3017288 5-Jan-2023 13:33

Linux:

It was peak of summer and train was on restricted speed to 60km/h

That is a feature, not a bug.....

Its a 680km trip over 10.5 hours, the average speeds is only just above 60Km/h to start with :)

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#3017290 5-Jan-2023 13:50

wellygary:
Linux:

It was peak of summer and train was on restricted speed to 60km/h

That is a feature, not a bug.....

Its a 680km trip over 10.5 hours, the average speeds is only just above 60Km/h to start with :)

Train arrival into Wellington was 2.5 hours late

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#3017357 5-Jan-2023 14:16

I went from Paraparamu to Papakura once. There was no water (so had to buy from their shop or at a stop run inside to a toilet to fill drinking bottles hoping to make it back before the train left).

The view is OK but not really much different from a car. I would suggest driving is better as you can stop and have lots of flexibility.

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#3017359 5-Jan-2023 14:20

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

FWIW

Worst I've done was AKL to WLG on a sleeper bus 24 hours after being in a head-on collision on the way to AKL. Given the feral types that were on the bus (and you thought the day bus was bad!), it was probably a good thing for my continued enjoyment of my possessions that I couldn't sleep due to the pain I was in.

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#3017363 5-Jan-2023 14:40

I took that service twice about 10-15 years ago when it was then called the Overlander (or as some would say, the Overdue due to its frequent delays of up to 1-2 hours). It was a lovely trip and to be fair both my trips were more or less on time (including one trip that saw me arriving at Britomart over half a hour early to my surprise!). Took it once by myself and another time with my friend. I would love to do it again!

The train terminates at the Wellington station. Be assured that there are plenty of public transport options (e.g. suburban trains and frequent buses going in pretty much all directions to many suburbs in Wellington) and taxis there which most people probably use for the last mile to wherever you're staying. Not sure about car hire but if someone can pick you up (or at least advise which bus/train to catch) that is probably easier. Also keep in mind the train arrives at around 7pm (if it's not late) so car hire places are probably closed by then, so perhaps bus/taxi on arrival in Wellington and sort out the car the next day?

Pukekohe station is closed for all services until late 2024 which is why trains are not stopping there, not even AT suburban services. They do run a rail replacement bus up to Papakura but wouldn't rely on it as the operator is known for cancelling buses due to staffing issues. I'd just go direct to Papakura and catch the train from there.

When it was the Overlander it would stop at National Park for about 30mins (IIRC!) in order to meet and swap crew with the train running in the opposite direction. The new Northern Explorer train now runs only in one direction each day so there is technically no need for trains to stop at National Park. I can only assume at worst the train will now just run right through to Wellington with minimal stops. Looking at the timetable it seems it is scheduled to arrive and depart National park at the same time and there are no other point along the journey where the train is scheduled to stop long enough for people to get of and have a look around.

I remember the onboard food being good-ish if pricey. Feel free to bring your own lunch/snacks if you prefer.

I wouldn't worry too much and just enjoy the journey. It is an unique experience in our otherwise car-obsessed country! :)

You may like to read this from Seat61: https://www.seat61.com/auckland-to-wellington-by-train.htm and share this with your mother.

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#3017365 5-Jan-2023 14:46

I have done this last year with the in laws, wife and 4 kids.

It's now a lot more touristy, which means the train is nice, food selection is ok if a bit expensive, and there are headsets with a commentary for most of the ride.

The windows are large and offer excellent views and the scenery is pretty epic. There are some seats with tables for groups of four.

Auckland boarding is basically a Portacom in the dark with not a huge amount of shelter. That was a little unpleasant as it was drizzling.

Wellington it's a train station with uber/taxis available right out the front.

Recommended as a tourist trip, not so much as an efficient form of transportation.

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#3017457 5-Jan-2023 16:33

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

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#3017461 5-Jan-2023 16:44

If mum doesn’t walk well, the distance from the platform to the busses for Miramar will be quite difficult for her and I wouldn’t recommend it.

If you are going directly to Upper Hutt, the platform is close enough to walk to after you get off the Auckland train so that is very doable.

The easiest would be for a taxi or uber to pick you up directly next to the platform where you get off the train and which is on the seaward side of the Railway Station.

Stu

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#3017467 5-Jan-2023 17:00

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/

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