How much does it cost?

From £6,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $8,509 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

It's an escorted tour, with a UK Tour Manager accompanying the group from London Heathrow through to the return flight.

Which trains are included?

The tour includes the Northern Explorer (Hamilton to Wellington), the Coastal Pacific (Picton to Christchurch), the TranzAlpine (Arthur's Pass to Christchurch), and a heritage steam ride on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.

What hotels are used?

The tour uses 3 and 4-star hotels for 17 of the 20 nights, in Auckland, Paihia, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Twizel, Te Anau, Queenstown and Franz Josef.

Departures are set for October, November, January, February and March, with 7 departures listed across 2026 and 2027.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of New Zealand

Escorted 21-day New Zealand rail and coach circuit on three named trains

Great Rail Journeys runs this 21-day escorted tour from London Heathrow to Arthur's Pass and back, covering New Zealand's North and South Islands with a UK Tour Manager present throughout. The pace mixes long travel days, two of them spent flying out via Singapore, with blocks of two or three nights in cities like Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, so there is time to unpack and explore rather than repack every morning. Days combine guided sightseeing, such as the Waitangi Treaty House tour and Rotorua's Te Puia Thermal Park, with the tour's signature rail journeys: the Northern Explorer from Hamilton to Wellington, the Coastal Pacific into Christchurch and the TranzAlpine crossing the Southern Alps. A handful of free days, including a full day in Christchurch and another in Queenstown, let travellers set their own pace. The trip suits travellers who want a fully organized itinerary covering both islands' national parks, fjords and cities without planning logistics themselves.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £6,299 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Two of the 21 days are spent in transit by air between London and Auckland, and most of the sightseeing between the three signature train rides happens by coach rather than rail.
Several days are unguided free time, including a full free day in Christchurch on day 12 and another in Queenstown on day 17, when travellers explore independently.
Solo travellers pay a notable premium: the twin share price from 6,299 pounds rises to 8,149 pounds for a single traveler.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: In flight
London Heathrow to Singapore
Your New Zealand adventure begins at London Heathrow, where we meet the Tour Manager and our travelling group before boarding our flight to Auckland, travelling via Singapore or Hong Kong. Ahead of us are 18 full days of exploring New Zealand in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, a small island nation which packs a punch in terms of diversity - from multicultural cities and rural towns to untamed wilderness, glacial lakes and spectacular mountains.
Day 2overnight: In flight
Singapore to Auckland
Our long journey by air is broken with a stopover in Singapore, where we join a connecting flight to Auckland, New Zealand's most populous city in the North Island. New Zealand was first inhabited by the Māori people who arrived by canoe in the early 13th-century from Eastern Polynesia. Centuries later, the explorer Abel Tasman landed there and the islands were named after the Dutch province of Zeeland in 1642. The country became a British colony in the 19th-century, with Auckland as its capital.
Day 3overnight: Auckland
Arrival in the harbour city of Auckland
With an outstanding location between two harbours and bordered by rainforest, Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, known locally as the 'City of Sails'. Arriving in Auckland around midday, we transfer to our centrally located hotel, where you are free for the rest of the day until dinner this evening.
Day 4overnight: Paihia
Paihia & Waitangi Treaty House
After breakfast, we drive north through scenic farmland to Paihia, a small coastal town on the North Island known as the gateway to the Bay of Islands. We stop enroute in Whangarei where there is time to purchase lunch, before heading to the Waitangi Treaty House, New Zealand's founding document, on a guided tour. Later, we continue by coach to Paihia, where we check in to our hotel for two nights.
Day 5overnight: Paihia
Cruising into the Bay of Islands
One of the highlights of our tour awaits after breakfast this morning - a cruise on a luxury catamaran around the spectacular Bay of Islands to rugged Cape Brett, passing the Cape Brett lighthouse, Motukokako Island and the famous Hole in the Rock. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Day 6overnight: Auckland
Kawiti Glowworm Caves & Auckland
Heading to Auckland after breakfast, we travel first into the Waiomio Valley to visit the magical Kawiti Glowworm Caves. After lunch, we arrive in Auckland and enjoy a guided sightseeing tour, taking in views from Bastion Point, Parnell Village and Viaduct Harbour.
Day 7railovernight: Rotorua
Glenbrook Vintage Railway and the natural wonders of Rotorua
Our day starts with a nostalgic journey on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, New Zealand's premier heritage line, aboard a beautifully restored steam train. We continue by coach through the Bombay Hills and Waikato Valley, arriving in Rotorua, the spiritual home of the Māori, which will be our base for the next two nights.
Day 8overnight: Rotorua
Experiencing Rotorua and a Māori cultural evening
We set out on a sightseeing tour of Rotorua including the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest, the Blue and Green Lakes and Lake Tarawera, before visiting Te Puia Thermal Park for a guided tour and Māori cultural experience, including the Pohutu Geyser, the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, and a hāngī buffet dinner with song, chant and dance.
Day 9railovernight: Wellington
Discovering the scenic route of the Northern Explorer
Today we board the renowned Northern Explorer for one of the world's greatest rail journeys, through 'King Country', past Te Kuiti and the Raurimu Spiral, and the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park, arriving into Wellington where we are transferred to our hotel.
Day 10overnight: Wellington
Getting to know Wellington, New Zealand's capital
This morning, we set out on a half-day sightseeing tour, starting with a ride on the historic Wellington Cable Car to the Botanic Gardens, then past city highlights including Oriental Bay and the 'Beehive'. The tour ends at Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum. The afternoon is free to explore.
Day 11railovernight: Christchurch
The Coastal Pacific to Christchurch, South Island
We board the Interislander ferry across Cook Strait, arriving in Picton, before joining the Coastal Pacific Train for a scenic rail journey to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island, where we spend the night.
Day 12overnight: Christchurch
A free day to explore the green city of Christchurch
A day at leisure in Christchurch, with a complimentary day pass on the city's historic tram to explore the Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Art Gallery, the Christchurch Gondola, or venture further afield on a wine tour of the Waipara Region.
Day 13overnight: Twizel
To Twizel, in the Mount Cook National Park
After breakfast we leave Christchurch for a scenic coach journey to Twizel via Fairlie and Burke's Pass, stopping for lunch in Tekapo and travelling alongside Lake Pukaki into Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki.
Day 14overnight: Te Anau
Te Anau, and New Zealand's sensational Fiordland
Today we drive to Te Anau, on the eastern shores of Lake Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland, passing the summit of the Lindis Pass and the Kawararu river gorge. On arrival we visit the Fiordland Cinema for a screening of 'Fiordland on Film'.
Day 15overnight: Queenstown
Fiordland National Park and cruise on Milford Sound
A full-day coach excursion into Fiordland National Park, stopping at the Mirror Lakes and the Hollyford valley en route to Milford Sound, where we cruise the fjord with a boxed lunch served on board. We continue via the Eglinton Valley and Homer tunnel to our lakefront hotel in Queenstown.
Day 16overnight: Queenstown
Discovering Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu on the steamship TSS Earnslaw
A guided sightseeing tour of Queenstown including historic Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley Wine Cave, before boarding the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu, mooring at the Colonel's Homestead for a barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country farm and a night-time sailing back to Queenstown.
Day 17overnight: Queenstown
A free day to discover Queenstown
A full free day to explore Queenstown at your own pace - take the gondola up to Bob's Peak, visit the Queenstown Gardens, walk the coastline or indulge in a spa experience at the Onsen Hot Pools.
Day 18overnight: Franz Josef
The iconic Franz Josef Glacier
An excursion to the Franz Josef Glacier via the Kawarau Valley Gorge and Cromwell, stopping at the Jones Family Fruit Stall, then on through Glacier Country past Wanaka and Hawea and over the Haast Mountain Pass to the town of Franz Josef.
Day 19railovernight: Christchurch
The stunning TranzAlpine railway
We travel by coach through forests and farmlands to Hokitika for free time, then on to Arthur's Pass to board the TranzAlpine train into the Southern Alps, arriving in Christchurch where we mark our last night in New Zealand with a farewell group dinner.
Day 20overnight: In flight
Leaving Christchurch
This morning after breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight to London Heathrow, where we arrive the next day.
Day 21
Homeward bound
This outstanding New Zealand adventure has taken us from the dynamic city of Auckland to the breathtaking Bay of Islands, and from the spiritual home of Māori, Rotorua, to the harbour city of Wellington. We have experienced the epic scenery of the South Island, from Mount Cook National Park to Fiordland and the Franz Josef Glacier, and travelled on some of the world's most celebrated railways. On arrival back in London Heathrow this morning, our 'Grand Tour of New Zealand' concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 9The Northern Explorer train travels from Hamilton to Wellington, passing the Raurimu Spiral and Tongariro National Park.
Day 15A full-day excursion into Fiordland National Park ends with a cruise on Milford Sound, including a boxed lunch on board.
Day 16The tour boards the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu, followed by a barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Day 19The TranzAlpine train crosses the Southern Alps from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch in panoramic viewing carriages with an open-air viewing platform.
Day 8Te Puia Thermal Park hosts a hāngī (traditional Māori earth-oven) buffet dinner with Māori song, chant and dance.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
17 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
Scenic Class rail travel
All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
Flights from London Heathrow to Auckland, Christchurch to London Heathrow, via Singapore
Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £6,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $8,509 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: It's an escorted tour, with a UK Tour Manager accompanying the group from London Heathrow through to the return flight.
Which trains are included?: The tour includes the Northern Explorer (Hamilton to Wellington), the Coastal Pacific (Picton to Christchurch), the TranzAlpine (Arthur's Pass to Christchurch), and a heritage steam ride on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
What hotels are used?: The tour uses 3 and 4-star hotels for 17 of the 20 nights, in Auckland, Paihia, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Twizel, Te Anau, Queenstown and Franz Josef.
When does it depart?: Departures are set for October, November, January, February and March, with 7 departures listed across 2026 and 2027.