Trip Report: Christchurch to Greymouth by train
Leaving Christchurch where I finished my sightseeing in 2.5 hours, I took the Tranz Alpine train across the Southern Alps to the town of Greymouth on the west coast. Here's the train parked at the middle stop, Arthur's Pass.
This was really talked up as one of the world's most scenic train rides, and in fact, the people I was sitting with were making the round trip in a single day. 4.5 hours one way, 1 hour in Greymouth, 4.5 hours back to Christchurch (or Chch as they abbreviate it here!).
When I looked to book the train online, I could only get a one-way fare of NZ$150. But then I went to the visitor's center in Chch, I got a NZ$79 winter special fare, plus they threw in free "Traditional Devonshire Tea." This consisted of two huge scones, raspberry jam, and butter. Plus tea. Interestingly, they gave me whipped cream with my Chinese green tea. The whipped cream tasted good with the scones! (Nov 1, 2016 edit: umm, I think that "whipped cream" is clotted cream, meant for the scones ;) )
And the scenery? It was nice. But ALL of New Zealand is gorgeous: you just have to walk outside! So I don't think you really need to take a special train trip just for the scenery (especially if it costs $300 round trip). But if you need to go from the South Island east coast to the west coast, it's a good way to go.
