TranzAlpine train fares criticised as return trip for a family nears $2000

The TranzAlpine carried 190,000 passengers in the last financial year, generating $34.5 million in revenue. Many Kiwi families can't afford to experience it.

A scenic train trip from Christchurch to Greymouth costs nearly $2000 return for a family of four – a price on par with flights to Australia.

Despite being ranked number four on the New York Times’ list of “52 Places to Go” last year, many New Zealanders say they haven’t been able to experience the journey that international visitors rave about.

The TranzAlpine train is one of three New Zealand Great Journeys, operated by KiwiRail. It covers just over 220 kilometres each way, and takes just under five hours.

It carried 190,000 passengers in the last financial year, generating $34.5 million in revenue.

Residents on both sides of the Southern Alps told the Herald they feel unable to see what their own country has to offer, because of the cost.

Development West Coast chief executive Heath Milne said he often hears that locals would love to do the journey but can’t justify the price.

“It would be fantastic to have local deals,” Milne said.

There’s no shortage of demand without locals pricing, with the route through Arthurs Pass selling out 102 times in the year to June 2025.

In a statement, KiwiRail said its Scenic Services were “providing [a] unique experience for mid to premium customers.”

Heath Milne, chief executive officer at Development West Coast. Photo / Frank Film

Milne said while it’s commercially understandable that KiwiRail sells to as many premium customers as possible, “it’s likely out of reach for the average Kiwi family”.

In the peak of summer, a one-way adult ticket costs $289. For a family of four, that’s $982.60 each way, nearly $2000 for a return trip – similar to average economy fares from Christchurch to the Gold Coast or Sydney.

Regional Tourism New Zealand general manager David Perks said “it’s a familiar story that locals feel unable to see the places we promote so heavily to internationals”.

“New Zealand has more domestic travellers than international, so local prices could be an opportunity for a businesses to attract more Kiwis at off-peak times and spread tourism across communities,” Perks said.

“There’s an opportunity for operators to review how they differentiate prices from locals to visitors so tourism can thrive even more than it already does,” he said.

Differential pricing isn’t unusual for various tourist attraction across New Zealand and the world.

At the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, international adults pay $70, while New Zealand residents pay $35.

In Australia, Dreamworld on the Gold Coast has annual local passes available to “residents of Queensland and Northern New South Wales”, offering them a range of perks and access for A$159 ($177) – an A$20 discount.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Rebecca Ingram said experiences should ultimately be priced on the value they provide.

“We back our members to price their products appropriately to reflect this.”

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Rebecca Ingram. Photo / Alex Burton

“While differential pricing certainly has its place, this is something for each operator and tourism business to consider and implement as they feel is needed.”

In a statement provided to the Herald, KiwiRail said: “From time to time, we offer a range of local and discounted rates for locals to encourage New Zealanders to experience our world-famous scenic train journey.”

For many Kiwis though, the TranzAlpine remains a bucket-list trip rather than a realistic family holiday.

Rosie Leishman is a Christchurch-based reporter and multimedia journalist at Newstalk ZB. She joined ZB in April 2025, after experience working at the Bangkok Post in Thailand, covering topics from politics, people, tourism and environmental issues.