Connecting our North Island and South Island together since 1962, our Interislander ferry service is New Zealand's original Cook Strait ferry. Sailing between Wellington and Picton several times a day, the Interislander journey is considered one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world and one of New Zealand's most iconic experiences.
Interislander is one of The Great Journeys of New Zealand. Heading south, our Interislander ferry Wellington to Picton connects with our Coastal Pacific train, getting you from Wellington to Christchurch in one beautiful day.
Book a family adventure aboard the TranzAlpine this summer with our $20 child fares.
Kaitaki can carry 1,350 passengers and is the largest ferry operating in New Zealand waters. On board she features a huge Ocean View restaurant, Hector's Café, Local Heroes Sports Bar with Sky Sports, a large soft play area for young children, a shop, cabins, nurseries, and a number of lounges. Kaitaki's most prominent features is her Lookout Lounge Atrium area, which brings the scenery floating in through two floors of enormous windows!
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Aratere is our longest serving vessel. With eight separate viewing areas, including a large roof top seating area and a viewing deck on the bow, Aratere was built to show off the picturesque Marlborough Sounds. Inside, she features a large Food Court, a Hector's Coffee Bar and Shop, a children's play area with slide, nurseries and Quiet Lounge.
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Kaiarahi is the newest member of our ferry fleet. On board, she features a large Ocean View restaurant, panoramic Lookout Lounge and spectacular views from her Local Heroes Bar. On Deck 8, you will find an outdoor seating area that is perfect for those summer sailings through the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds.
Read morePlease see our Travel information page to find the best way to get the latest travel information for your journey.
You can change your sailing at any point prior to Check-In opening (i.e. one hour before scheduled departure). To change your sailing, simply log in to your booking online and select an alternative available sailing. For Saver fares, a change fee does apply. For Flexible and Refundable fares, you can change to an equivalent fare for free or pay the difference change to a more expensive sailing.
The easiest way for you to make your ferry booking is through our website. However, if you need to get in touch with us to assist with or change your booking, please contact us on 0800 802 802 (international: +64 4 498 3302) or by email on bookings@interislander.co.nz.
Pets are definitely allowed to travel with Interislander - so feel to bring them on holiday with you!
For dogs, we recommend you hire one of our kennels. These are available on each of our ships and can be added to your booking. Alternatively, you can leave them in your vehicle.
Cats and other small animals can either be left in your vehicle or carried in a suitable pet carrier and checked-in.
Please notify the Check-in attendant if you have a pet in your vehicle and we will try our best to park you in the shade.
Please read our travel tips and pet policies before travelling to help your pet stay comfortable during the journey.
Promocodes are offered regularly through our monthly newsletter, in selected publications and through business partners such as the AA. To use a Promocode, simply proceed to complete your online booking. After you have entered your passenger details and have clicked to proceed you will come to the Payment Details page where you will find the Promocode box. Simply type or paste your Promocode into the box and hit the enter button and the discount will apply.
If you’re using a promo code for a group booking, please go to ‘group bookings’ under our book menu. The promo code will be the first thing you’ll be asked to enter before you can continue with the booking.
Please note that many Promocodes are only valid on certain fares types and are date limited. If your Promocode is not working, then please check the booking date range, travel date range and fare types that were specified with the advertised Promocode.
If you want to transport goods, you’ll need to contact a professional freight forwarding company to transport them for you.
When travelling on foot, you can only bring personal items (luggage, sporting equipment, tents, bikes, etc). If you wish to transport goods or equipment (e.g. gardening equipment, machinery, etc), then you will need to bring a vehicle in which to transport them.
We can transport unaccompanied vehicles or trailers for you via our Commercial Vehicles sales team on 0800 660 670 or freight@interislander.co.nz.
Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults are considered to be anyone over the age of 15. Those aged 15-17 years old will need to call us on 0800 802 802 if they wish to travel on a child fare without an adult fare included in the booking.
