Taiere Gorge Train or Tranz Alpine Express

[aneka]

We are cruising on Celebrity's Solstice March 4th. We can sign up for the Taiere Gorge Train trip out of Dunedin or the Tranz Alpine Express Train trip out of Akaroa. I don't think we would want to do two train trips. Which one would you experienced New Zealand cruisers recommend?

 

Thanks for your help,

Annette & John

[rkacruiser]

This is a difficult question. I have done both and enjoyed both. Not knowing the details of the shore excursions, the Tranz Alpine Express trip would probably be one way by train with a motor coach the other way. On the Tranz Alpine trip, we started in Christchurch and enjoyed seeing the changing scenery going up in altitude. Our return to Christchurch included a stop for Roast Lamb lunch at a sheep paddock. Really a memorable journey.

 

The Taiere Gorge train travels through some lovely countryside and into the mountains, running along some beautiful streams/rivers. Seating, at least in the coach I rode, was a booth-type format with a table. Comfortable for two, one facing each other. More than that, I thought the seats were cramped.

 

I hope this helps. Ask if you have other questions, please.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

The Tranz Alpine is a little different now since the earthquake. From Akaroa there is an extra hour or so bus travel to get to the train, and I believe the bus takes you to a station further inland to catch up with the train.

It is still a spectacular trip up to Arthurs Pass,

just expect more time on the bus to get there and back.

 

 

[cruisechaos]

We had to make a similar choice and went with the Taiere Gorge Train over the Tranz Alpine Express. Our main reasoning behind this decision was (1) the amount of time you are on a bus for the Tranz Alpine Express and (2) we could do the Taiere Gorge Train on our own cutting down on the expense.

 

To read our review of the Taiere Gorge trip, visit our blog at: http://www.thenextjourney.com/2011/11/dunedin-were-going-on-a-train/

If you have any questions, please feel free to send us an e-mail through our website. We are more than happy to help!

[luvs2travl]

We had to make a similar choice and went with the Taiere Gorge Train over the Tranz Alpine Express. Our main reasoning behind this decision was (1) the amount of time you are on a bus for the Tranz Alpine Express and (2) we could do the Taiere Gorge Train on our own cutting down on the expense.

 

To read our review of the Taiere Gorge trip, visit our blog at: http://www.thenextjourney.com/2011/11/dunedin-were-going-on-a-train/

If you have any questions, please feel free to send us an e-mail through our website. We are more than happy to help!

 

Wonderful review on your blog. Thanks so much for posting it. We are booked on the same Taieri Gorge trip on Jan 31, 2013. After reading your review and seeing your lovely photos, we are even more anxious to get on board. We booked directly online with the railroad, and saved mega-bucks over what the cruise line wanted.

 

Smooth Sailng always!! :):)

[NancyIL]

We had to make a similar choice and went with the Taiere Gorge Train over the Tranz Alpine Express. Our main reasoning behind this decision was (1) the amount of time you are on a bus for the Tranz Alpine Express and (2) we could do the Taiere Gorge Train on our own cutting down on the expense.

 

To read our review of the Taiere Gorge trip, visit our blog at: http://www.thenextjourney.com/2011/11/dunedin-were-going-on-a-train/

If you have any questions, please feel free to send us an e-mail through our website. We are more than happy to help!

 

Another huge thank you for your wonderful blog! Although we don't have 100 days to visit Australia and NZ, we will spend a few days in Sydney before our 14-night cruise that ends in Auckland. My husband will return home, but I will spend an additional week in NZ before an 11-night Queensland cruise from Sydney. My latest idea is to fly to Dunedin to spend a few days, then take the Taieri Gorge train plus coach one-way to Queenstown with the Track and Trail Connection (http://www.taieri.co.nz/trackntrail.htm). If the TransAlzpine Express is still running in Feb. 2014 - I'd like to take the bus from Queenstown to Frans Josef (overnight) to Greymouth, and then the train to Christchurch - before flying to Sydney for the rest of my trip.

[mscass]

We want to take the train on our own also but am confused as to how far the train goes? Is one route better than another? I guess I may not be reading their schedule correctly.

 

thanks for any help.

Jan

[NancyIL]

We want to take the train on our own also but am confused as to how far the train goes? Is one route better than another? I guess I may not be reading their schedule correctly.

 

thanks for any help.

Jan

 

The train goes to Pukerangi every day, and a bit further to Middlemarch on Fridays and Sundays during the summer: http://www.taieri.co.nz/summer_timetable.htm. The Seasider to Palmerston (up the coast) is only available on weekends. Here is the map of the routes: http://www.taieri.co.nz/map.htm