Picton – Wellington
Ferries to New Zealand
Picton – Wellington
Ferries to New Zealand
The Picton to Wellington ferry route is provided by 2 operators and is available for booking all year round. The ferry crossing from Picton to Wellington takes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes on ferries servicing this route. The ferry duration for the Picton to Wellington ferry can range between 3 hours 30 minutes and 3 hours 45 minutes depending on the operator that you decide to travel with.
There are around 45 weekly sailings from Picton to Wellington.
Interislander provide 3 sailings daily, 23 sailings weekly. Bluebridge provide 3 sailings daily, 24 sailings weekly. Please keep in mind that ferry timetables often increase during the high season.
The first ferry leaves Picton Port at approximately 02:30 and the last ferry leaves at approximately 20:50. Ferry schedules can vary by operator and season.
The fastest ferry from Picton to Wellington is with Interislander & Bluebridge in 3 hours 30 minutes.
The fastest ferries from Picton to Wellington usually cost around $181.86.
You can take an overnight ferry on the Picton to Wellington route. The first overnight ferry from Picton to Wellington departs at 02:30.
You can book cabins on ferries that sail from Picton to Wellington with Bluebridge.
Pets are allowed on ferries travelling from Picton to Wellington with Interislander & Bluebridge.
Yes, you can bring your car on the Picton to Wellington ferry with Interislander & Bluebridge.
Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger on the Picton Wellington ferry with Interislander & Bluebridge.
The price of a ferry from Picton to Wellington can vary between $79.79 and $386.02 depending on the operator, season and whether you are travelling with a vehicle. The average price of a foot passenger is $79.79, with prices ranging from $53 and $158. The average price with a car is $200.17. Car prices can range from $141 and $358. Prices may vary for other vehicle types. All ferry prices can change from season to season. Please be aware that prices do not include booking fees. 1 May 2025
Find cheap ferry tickets using our deal finder. It is highly recommended that you book in advance to ensure yourself the best possible prices and availability on the Wellington ferry.
First class is available on ferries from Picton to Wellington with Interislander.
Unfortunately, you can't take a day trip from Picton to Wellington by ferry due to the long sailing duration. We recommend that you at least stay overnight in Wellington to make your trip worthwhile.
Enjoy a host of various amenities onboard your ferry from Picton to Wellington. Bluebridge offer an adults-only Pōhutukawa Lounge, where you can help yourself to all-inclusive food and drinks. There is also free WiFi available, as well as a movie lounge, which is free to access for all passengers, displaying the latest blockbuster movies.
The cheapest way to travel across the Cook Strait is by taking the ferry without a vehicle. Foot passengers on this route can travel for as little as $53.
The Cook Strait can be quite rough by ferry, depending on the weather and sea conditions. It is one of the windiest stretches of water in the world, as it lies between the North and South Islands of New Zealand, connecting the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. However, Bluebridge and Interislander both have large vessels designed to handle rough conditions.
The best way to travel from Picton to Wellington is by ferry. With 7 sailings per day, you are bound to find a suitable ferry crossing to suit your needs. However, there are alternative routes to explore if you require additional flexibility.
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| Picton - Wellington Ferry Route Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Departure Country | New Zealand | |
| Destination Country | New Zealand | |
| No. of Operators | 2 | |
| Operators | Interislander & Bluebridge | |
| Average Price | $176 | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 7 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 45 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 3 h 30 m | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 3 h 30 m | |
| First Ferry | 02:30 | |
| Last Ferry | 20:50 | |
| Distance | 47 Nautical Miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 May 2025.
Picton can be found near the north-east corner of the South Island of New Zealand and its port provides the main link between the South and North Islands over the Cook Strait. Picton ferry port is one of the busiest ports in New Zealand, hosting some 4,000 ship visits each year. With its connection to Wellington on the North Island, more than a million passengers pass through the port each year. The ferry terminal is just a few minute's walk from the Picton town centre. Built around a very sheltered harbour, Picton town has an attractive seafront dotted with cafés, restaurants and various types of galleries.
The ferry schedule for this ferry route has up to 7 ferries running per day, which means that there are up to 49 ferries running per week, all on one ferry route, and provided by 2 ferry operators, so there is not one single ferry timetable available here. Indeed, ferry timetables for Wellington can be affected by many different factors, such as seasonal changes, changes to the ferry route, changes made by the ferry operators, different ferry operators, and other such factors, but here at Direct Ferries, we will always give you the most relevant information regarding ferry sailings, so you can find the best ferry at the best time for you.
Ferry sail durations to Wellington can take between 3 hours and 10 minutes, and 3 hours and 30 minutes, and this variation is caused for many reasons. These can include different ferry routes, different ferry operators, changes made by the ferry operators, and external factors such as weather conditions at the time of sail, so be sure to check before you book, what your estimated sail time will be.
How much the ferry to Wellington will cost is defined by many separate aspects, such as what time of year you are travelling, which ferry route you are travelling on, which ferry operator you are travelling with, how you are travelling, and so on, so there are multiple ferry fares on offer here. Instead, we recommend checking out our useful fare finder tool, so you can find the best ferry at the best price for you, and be sure to sign up to our email newsletter, to be the first to hear about our latest deals and offers.
At Wellington ferry port, you will find 2 ferry terminals for the 2 different companies that provide sailings, but both are easily accessible from the main road, and both be reached by foot, car, and bus. There are many facilities available at both terminals, such as small cafes, seating areas, storage lockers, as well as being fully wheelchair accessible, and having all the basic amenities you may need.
