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Marlborough offers several key transport hubs for travellers. For air travel, Marlborough Airport (BHE) near Blenheim serves as the primary gateway, while a smaller regional airport (Koromiko Airport, PCN) is located close to Picton. Picton is also home to the Interislander and Bluebridge ferry terminals, connecting the South Island to Wellington on the North Island. Both Blenheim and Picton have bus and train stations, providing comprehensive travel options within the region and to other parts of New Zealand.
Travellers can fly into Marlborough Airport (BHE) near Blenheim. Direct flights are available from Auckland (approximately 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 33 minutes, from $89 NZD one-way) , Wellington (approximately 20-30 minutes, from $74 NZD one-way) , and Christchurch (approximately 2 hours 31 minutes, from $190 - $480 NZD one-way) . Sounds Air also offers flights from Wellington to Koromiko Airport (PCN) near Picton, a journey of about 25 minutes .
Regular ferry services connect Wellington on the North Island to Picton. Both Interislander and Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries operate this route. The scenic journey through the Cook Strait and Marlborough Sounds typically takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes . Foot passenger fares generally range from $55 - $80 NZD, while travelling with a car can cost between $65 - $400 NZD .
The Coastal Pacific train offers a scenic route along the east coast of the South Island. This service connects Christchurch to Picton, stopping in Blenheim. The journey from Christchurch to Blenheim is around 5 hours 10 minutes, and to Picton is approximately 5 hours 40 minutes . Fares from Christchurch to Picton start from around $219 NZD . Trains run four times a week, from Thursday to Sunday, and are a seasonal service, resuming in September 2025 .
InterCity provides bus services to both Blenheim and Picton from various South Island locations. A bus from Christchurch to Blenheim takes approximately 5 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 16 minutes, with fares ranging from $40 - $70 NZD . The journey from Christchurch to Picton is about 5 hours 40 minutes to 8 hours, with tickets from approximately €47 (around $80 NZD) . Buses from Nelson to Picton take around 2 hours 15 minutes, costing $26 - $55 NZD . Local InterCity and Marlborough District Council bus services also operate between Blenheim and Picton, taking about 20-25 minutes and costing $16 - $45 NZD .
Renting a car offers flexibility to explore Marlborough's renowned vineyards and scenic drives. Car rental services are available at Marlborough Airport, as well as in Picton and Blenheim . Driving from Nelson takes approximately 1.5 hours, and from Christchurch, it is a scenic four-hour drive . While taxis and shuttles are available at airports and between towns, ride-sharing services like Uber are not available in Blenheim, and taxi services can be costly for longer distances .
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