A modern piece of railway history
Christchurch Railway Station is home to our legendary TranzAlpine train and Coastal Pacific train, and is located within the modern Tower Junction retail park in Addington on the southwestern edge of Christchurch city.
Also called Addington Station, today's bright and modern station opened in 1993. It is the third Christchurch Railway Station, but the first on this location. Both previous incarnations were located on Moorhouse Avenue, with the 1960s station dismantled after sustaining irreparable damage during the 2011 earthquake.
Today's Christchurch Railway Station is located on the historic site of Addington Railway Workshops. Here, New Zealand's first locomotive was manufactured, while the historic water tower that rises above the station is the first reinforced concrete structure ever built. It is this great railway legacy that gives the modern retail park its name.
Christchurch Railway Station Map
Troupe Drive, Addington, Christchurch 8011
Coastal Pacific train to Picton
Our Coastal Pacific Christchurch to Picton train departs Christchurch Railway Station in the early morning, reaching Picton by early afternoon in time to connect comfortably with the Interislander Cook Strait ferry to Wellington.
Christchurch Station opens at 6:00am for with Check-in and Ticketing opening from 06:15am. You can buy tickets for the Coastal Pacific at Christchurch Station on the day of travel, but we strongly encourage you to book online in advance. Alternatively, the Christchurch Train Station is open for ticket purchase between 8:15 am - 3:00 pm daily. Standing is not allowed, and if all seats are sold out, you will not be able to travel.
Coastal Pacific Check In
- Station opens at 6:00am
- Check-in opens 6:15am
- Collect Boarding Pass and Luggage Labels at Check-in
- Check in all wheeled cabin bags, large bags, backpacks and suitcases
- Label luggage and deposit at our secure Luggage Carriage
- Locate your seat using the Carriage and Seat number on your Boarding Pass
- Check-in closes 6:40am
Coastal Pacific train timetable
Our Coastal Pacific Picton to Christchurch train journey travels on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
TranzAlpine train to Greymouth
Our TranzAlpine Christchurch to Greymouth train departs Christchurch Railway Station in the early morning, reaching Greymouth by early afternoon and arriving back into Christchurch in the early evening.
Christchurch Station opens at 6:00am for TranzAlpine ticketing. You can buy tickets for the TranzAlpine at Christchurch Station on the day of travel, but we strongly encourage you to Book online in advance. Alternatively, the Christchurch Train Station is open for ticket purchase between 8:15 am - 3:00 pm daily. Standing is not permitted and if all seats are sold out you will not be allowed to travel.
TranzAlpine Check In
- Check-in opens 7:00am
- Collect Boarding Pass and Luggage Labels at Check-in
- Check in all wheeled cabin bags, large bags, backpacks and suitcases
- Label luggage and deposit at our secure Luggage Carriage
- Locate your seat using the Carriage and Seat number on your Boarding Pass
- Check-in closes 7:55am
TranzAlpine timetable
Our TranzAlpine Greymouth to Christchurch train runs long weekends (Friday to Monday) until 24 December 2022.
From 26 December 2022, the TranzAlpine will be running seven days a week.