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. Many of New Zealand’s early locomotives were built here, and 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
Troup 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.
On days when the Coastal Pacific train is operating, Christchurch Station opens at 6:00am with Check-in and Ticketing opening from 6:15am. 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 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 at 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 train is a seasonal service that travels long weekends in the Spring (October - December), and daily in the Summer (January - April).
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 7:00am 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 travels long weekends in the winter months (May - September), and daily in the summer (October - April).