The Solo Scale:

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All aboard! If you need to head from the West side of the South Island back to Christchurch (or maybe you’re going the other way), one of the most convenient ways (and most beautiful) is the TranzAlpine Express that will take you from Greymouth to Christchurch’s train station. It also heads in the other direction, in the event you want to start in Christchurch before heading to the West Coast. On my journey, it was the penultimate day of my three-week New Zealand vacation, which would take me back to Christchurch (and unfortunately, back home after that).

The trip will take you 4 hours and 50 minutes. That means it’s going to eat into most of your day. If you’re travelling to Greymouth from another location (like Punakaki or Franz Josef), you’ll spend the morning just getting to Greymouth. If you head there on the bus, that includes making some stops in fantastic little towns on the way.

Once you arrive, you’ll check your bag in like you’re at the airport. Then it’ll be you and your carry-on/personal effects for the train ride. There is a dining car, as well as an observation car. You don’t have to go far for great views. There are high glass windows in every car that deliver amazing sights.

The seats are like most other public bus/train transportation. You’ll have two seats and decent space for your trip. I booked in advance and I was there during a shoulder season. As a result, my cabin wasn’t full and there wasn’t anyone sitting beside me, so I had plenty of room.

I also had the window, so I was able to observe the transition as we headed across the mountains and some very rickety bridges. If you have a fear of heights, you may not want to be watching at that point.

Since the journey is so long and takes you from the West Coast back to Christchurch, you’ll get to see a variety of landscapes and ecosystems, shifting from rainforest to mountain to more arid before arriving back. If you travel as I did in the shoulder season, sunset will creep in early. That means the last bit of the journey is spent against the setting sun.

You should definitely make sure to pack some entertainment. While it’s wonderful to look out the window and watch the country go by, it’s still a long journey and you’ll want to make sure that you have enough to keep yourself from getting bored at any point. That said, also don’t take the incredible scenery for granted. There’s a reason you take the TranzAlpine beyond convenience and the New Zealand countryside is a large part of that.

When we arrived in Christchurch nearly five hours later, it was already dark. I had arranged for a shuttle to pick me up and take me to my hotel. This was a pretty popular option. Many other people on the train did the same thing. That means once you get your luggage from the carousel (just like the airport), a small crowd heads off in the same direction. The train station is close to the hotels, thankfully. That means the shuttle is a quick ride, plus it’s quick, easy, convenient, and a great price!

Ready to make the journey? Buy your tickets here!

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