Compare Cook Strait Ferry Prices & Save on Your Next Crossing
Instant bookings for Interislander and Bluebridge Ferries. Secure the cheapest fare for your Wellington-Picton journey.
Current Season Pricing Overview (2026/2027)
Our pricing tracking provides a side-by-side snapshot of standard one-way adult passenger and standard vehicle baseline rates.
Ticket Category |
Bluebridge Fares (Normal / Peak) |
Interislander Fares (Normal / Peak) |
Best For Budget |
Adult Passenger |
$80.00 / $85.00 |
$90.00 / $100.00 |
Bluebridge Saver |
Child (2–17 Years) |
$35.00 / $40.00 |
$50.00 / $55.00 |
Bluebridge |
Infant |
Free (Under 2) |
Free (Under 1) |
Depends on exact age |
Car / Van (Up to 5.5m) |
$185.00 / $195.00 |
$250.00 / $275.00 |
Bluebridge |
Campervan (Up to 6m) |
$255.00 / $280.00 |
$320.00 / $360.00 |
Bluebridge |
Premium Lounge Access |
$80.00 |
$75.00 |
Interislander |
Note: Fares represent standard baseline pricing. "Normal Season" runs 1 April to late November, while "Peak Season" covers the busy summer holiday window from December through March.
Compare Cook Strait Ferry Operators
- Interislander Cook Strait Ferries: The original crossing service operated by KiwiRail. Great for premium lounge spaces and larger ship amenities.
- Vessels: Operating the Kaitaki, Aratere, and Kaiarahi.
- Perks: Features onboard cinemas, free kids' activities, and the premium Pelorus Jack or Queen Charlotte lounges ($75.00 upgrade).
- Discounts: Offers standard senior, student, and family packages, alongside special winter foot-passenger drops down to $50.
- Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries: Operated by StraitNZ. Renowned for consistent value pricing and excellent vehicle accommodation.
- Vessels: Sailing the Connemara and Livia up to 7 times daily.
- Perks: Earn Airpoints Dollars™ ($1 per $75 spent) and enjoy fresh, locally prepared food, craft beer, and Marlborough wine.
- Unique Features: Offers dog-friendly private sleeper cabins with communal outdoor exercise areas and the adults-only Pōhutukawa Lounge ($80 upgrade).
Insiders Guide: How to Secure the Cheapest Ferry Ticket
- Book Well in Advance: Fares scale upward dynamically as allocations sell out. Locking in your spot 2–3 months early secures entry-level tiers.
- Sail at Off-Peak Hours: Midnight and early morning departures (such as Bluebridge's 2:00 AM sailing) are drastically cheaper than midday slots.
- Leverage Membership Deals: Check your active memberships. Both operators support automated discounts for NZMCA (New Zealand Motor Caravan Association) and AA members.
- Accurate Vehicle Measuring: Measure your vehicle exactly bumper-to-bumper, including bike racks or towbars. Overestimating costs you extra per 500mm, while underestimating risks boarding delays.
