Looking for the cheapest date to travel?
Within 7 days
Outbound fromWithin 1 month
Outbound fromWithin 3 months
Outbound fromChristchurch to Nelson by train
It takes an average of 9h 29m to travel from Christchurch to Nelson by train, over a distance of around 215 miles (346 km). There are normally 11 trains per day travelling from Christchurch to Nelson and tickets for this journey start from £113.10 when you book in advance.
| First train | 04:19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 23:20 | |
| Departure station | Christchurch | |
| Arrival station | Nelson | |
| Journey time | From 6h 56m | |
| Distance | 215 miles (346 km) | |
| Frequency | 11 trains per day | |
| Changes | 3 changes | |
| Price | From £113.10 | |
| Train operators |
Take the train from Christchurch to Nelson in 6 hours 56 minutes
If you want to travel from Christchurch to Nelson by train, you've come to the right place.
You can expect the journey from Christchurch to Nelson by train to take around 9 hours 29 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 6 hours 56 minutes on the fastest services. You'll usually find around 11 trains per day running on this route, which spans 215 miles (346 km). You'll have to make 3 changes along the way on your journey to Nelson. You can travel on this route with either Avanti West Coast, South Western Railway or CrossCountry. As the main train operators on this route, all offer comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.
Train tickets from Christchurch to Nelson start from £113.10 when you book in advance, which can be cheaper than buying them on the day. Travelling during Off-Peak times or using a Railcard can also help you save money on train travel. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including money-saving tips, or check our timetable above where you can view live train times.
FAQs about the train journey from Christchurch to Nelson
Want to know more about your journey from Christchurch to Nelson? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there direct trains from Christchurch to Nelson?
What's the distance between Christchurch and Nelson by train?
Can you travel from Christchurch to Nelson without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Nelson from Christchurch?
What time is the first train from Christchurch to Nelson?
What time is the last train from Christchurch to Nelson?
How often do trains go from Christchurch to Nelson?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from Christchurch to Nelson?
Is there a return trip from Christchurch to Nelson?
Cheap train tickets from Christchurch to Nelson
Book in advance
Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.
Consider a Season Ticket
If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Christchurch to Nelson is right for you.
Use your Railcard
National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.
Split your tickets
Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.