The Greymouth to Christchurch train is a scenic rail journey from Greymouth to Arthurs Pass and Christchurch through the Southern Alps, from the west coast to the east coast of New Zealand's South Island on the Tranz Alpine train.

From Greymouth, the train travels east through lush alpine beech rain forests of the South Island's west coast towards the Southern Alps, ascending through the Otira tunnel to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass - a base to explore Arthurs Pass National Park.  From Arthurs Pass the train slowly descends through spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River,  crossing the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch - known as the garden city and the South Island's largest city.

The Tranz Alpine train carriages have advanced air bag suspension system for quieter and smoother travel, un-tinted, non-reflective, panoramic side and roof windows to capture the beauty of the Southern Alps and alpine forest landscape views of the central South Island, GPS triggered journey commentary in five languages at your seat via headphones, plus information displays and overhead HD video and are centrally heated/air conditioned for passenger comfort.

Each carriage has onboard washroom/toilet facilities, with '2 Seat-Aisle-2 Seat' seating either as reclining  forward facing seats with head and foot rests or 'Table Group' (4 people around a table) seating allowing to experience the amazing views of the magnificent North Island, through panoramic side and roof windows, while enjoying the company of other passengers.

The train has a café carriage offering a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and light meals and an open viewing carriage for views of the Southern Alps and alpine rain forest landscape of the South Island's west coast. 

For mobility-impaired passengers, there are spaces for wheel chairs and a disabled public toilet. Wheelchair hoists provide access to the café carriage from track level.

For hearing-impaired passengers - a hearing loop covers all of the café carriage saloon and serving area.  . 

This train is a reserved seating 'One Class/Non-smoking' service.

You can travel on this scenic train service on RailBus New Zealand's Queenstown to Franz Josef, Greymouth and Christchurch scenic travel journey.

This train connects at Greymouth with bus and coach services from Nelson, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier and from Christchurch travelling via Nelson.

From Christchurch, there are scenic bus and coach services from Christchurch to Mt Cook/Aoraki, Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau, Stewart Island, Queenstown, Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland.

There is also a range of suggested 'Hop On/Hop Off' bus pass travel options available from Christchurch north to Rotorua, Waitomo Caves, Auckland and the beautiful Bay of Islands.

So, sit back and enjoy a genuine kiwi rail experience through the rugged Southern Alps and alpine rainforests of the South Island on this award winning train service.

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