InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton
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Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 428 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton worth booking?
InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton is a 3.5-hour experience in Wellington, New Zealand, from $62 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4/5 rating across 428 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (428)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $62 per person
For over 60 years, Interislander has been sharing the stunning scenery of Wellington Harbour and the breath-taking Marlborough Sounds with over 800,000 passengers every year. The voyage between the North and South Isla
What you get
About this experience
For over 60 years, Interislander has been sharing the stunning scenery of Wellington Harbour and the breath-taking Marlborough Sounds with over 800,000 passengers every year. The voyage between the North and South Islands of Aotearoa New Zealand has been described as one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world and is a ‘must do’ experience for everyone exploring our stunning country. The three-hour journey gives plenty of time to soak in the scenery and enjoy the fresh, local food and beverages we pride ourselves in. The spacious and comfortable Interislander ferries run 7 days a week, all year round. Book your tickets now!
What's included
Included
- One way InterIslander ferry trip from Wellington to Picton
- Access to viewing decks
- 2x 23kg baggage allowance
- Free shuttle from Wellington Railway Station (Platform 10) 75 mins before sailing departs
Not included
- Food and drinks (can be purchased on board)
- Kennels may be purchased at the terminal for travelling animals
- Bicycles and sporting gear may incur a fee, payable at the Terminals
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Wellington
Interislander Ferry Terminal - 1 Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
4:00pm + Premium Lounge
4:00pm departure from Wellington with Premium Lounge included
1pm + Premium Lounge
1pm departure from Wellington with Premium Lounge included
8:45am departure
Ferry departing Wellington at 8.45am arriving Picton at 12.15pm
8:45am +Queen Charlotte Lounge
foot passenger + lounge access
8:45am + Premium Lounge
8:45am departure from Wellington with Premium Lounge
8:45am + Car 5.5m + Passenger
Passenger + vehicle
1pm departure
1pm departure from Wellington
3.30pm departure
3.30pm departure from Wellington
4:00pm departure
Ferry departing Wellington at 4:00pm arriving Picton at 7:30pm
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Interislander
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Apart from designated areas, smoking is not permitted inside the ship.
- The InterIslander fleet has 2 vessels: The Kaitaki and Kaiārahi.
- From Picton, some InterIslander ferry sailing's connect with the Coastal Pacific train service to Kaikoura and Christchurch.
- Check in at the terminal at least 60 minutes prior to departure time
- Cafes and a food court
- Fast-food takeaway bar
- Movie theater (on selected ships)
- Lounge and tavern bar
- Observation deck
- Children's play area and nursery
- During off-peak sailing's, some facilities are only open for a limited time
- Surcharge applies to additional services including extra luggage, large sporting equipment, traveling with pets. The option of carrying additional bicycles and sporting gear (for example, canoes or surfboards), is an additional cost per item. If you are traveling with dogs, kennels are provided at an extra cost, ensuring your pet's comfort and safety, and your peace of mind. There are a limited number of kennels available.
- The luggage allowance is two (2) items of baggage per person. Additional baggage items may be carried, subject to availability and on the payment of an additional charge. Larger baggage, including backpacks, must be checked in at the Wellington terminal. Baggage can then be collected from the carousels at the port of arrival. InterIslander will not accept individual baggage items which exceed either 23 kilograms in weight, or 200 linear centimeters (height and length and width) in dimension. For safety reasons, there are no exceptions to the weight restriction. However, the restriction in dimension is relaxed for sporting equipment.
- Infants aged 1 year and under travel free of charge.
- Children aged 2 to 17 years inclusive qualify for the child rate.
- Youths aged 17 years and under are not permitted to travel in the Premium Lounge.
- Children 15 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 428 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Organization
7 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
428 verified traveler reviews for InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
So organised. A great way to travel.
A really enjoyable part of our holiday. All of the way from boarding to disembarking the staff were wonderful and so organised. The ship was really clean and comfortable. Plenty of seating. Food, coffee available. Standing on deck as we came into Picton was fantastic. The scenery was perfect. Dock area is right in town so no worries getting to our accomodation. We were lucky with perfect weather 😁
via Tripadvisor
Smooth sailing
Easy booking online. On and off loading process easy. Had a wonderful sunny day, smooth crossing.
via Tripadvisor
Exceptional
Amazing, great staff and wonderful Captian
via Tripadvisor
Great way to travel between North and South
Nice, comfortable seating annd well organized. It was a very calm sea for us so not too much rocking on board. Even though it was full, didn’t feel too crowded. Nice way to travel and will do it again.
via Tripadvisor
Get lounge access on the ferry!
Depending on the season the crossing can be very choppy. We went in Feb 2026 on the first ferry of the day and were the only ferry out that day and they didn’t go the following day Cancellations and delays can happen as the weather in area changes fast. Be prepared for changes Treat yourself and buy access to the lounge- it was fantastic! Light food and drinks available and very comfortable seats in the lounge. They also offer free bus in Picton to the town centre
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $62 to $429
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 150
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Wellington.
How much does InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton cost?
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Prices start at $62 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Wellington usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton take?
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Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Wellington is not rushed.
Is InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 428 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Wellington, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton?
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Around 150 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Wellington can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Wellington and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Wellington within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Wellington?
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On Outty we rank every Wellington experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Overnight Experience Tour on Kapiti Island, Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour, Martinborough Wine and Wild Coast Tour from Wellington. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Wellington?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Wellington?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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