Wellington's Metlink rail network is useful for reaching the northern suburbs, the Hutt Valley, the Kāpiti Coast and the Wairarapa without a car. This guide explains the train lines, Wellington Station, current payment options and the details that visitors most often get wrong.
Wellington train network and lines
Five passenger routes connect with Wellington Station:
- Johnsonville Line — Wellington to Johnsonville.
- Kāpiti Line — Wellington to Waikanae via Porirua and the Kāpiti Coast.
- Hutt Valley Line — Wellington to Upper Hutt.
- Melling Line — Wellington to Melling in Lower Hutt.
- Wairarapa Line — Wellington to Masterton, with limited long-distance services compared with the suburban lines.
Use the official Metlink journey planner or app before leaving. Planned rail closures and bus replacements are common enough that a live check is more reliable than a static timetable.
How to use Wellington Station
- Check the departure board for the line, destination and platform.
- Tag on at a Snapper reader on the station platform before boarding. The reader is not beside the carriage door.
- Take any available seat unless it is marked as a priority seat and needed by another passenger.
- At your destination, leave the train and tag off at the platform reader.
If you forget to tag off, Metlink may charge a default fare. When a bus replaces a train, follow Metlink's instructions because the correct reader may be on the replacement bus rather than the platform.
Snapper card, cash and current fares
Snapper is the stored-value card used on Metlink trains and buses. A card has a recommended retail price of NZ$10 and can be bought from Snapper retailers, online, and at selected locations including Wellington Station. It is a purchase price, not a refundable deposit.
Metlink fares are zone-based. From 15 May 2026, adult cash fares run from NZ$3 for one zone to NZ$23.50 for fourteen zones. Cash fares are at least 25% higher than the equivalent Snapper fare, and cash does not receive free transfers or the off-peak discount. Eligible Snapper trips receive a 20% off-peak discount.
Single cash tickets can be bought on board, but most trains do not accept EFTPOS or credit cards. Check the official fare calculator rather than relying on an old price table.
Wairarapa train trip information
The Wairarapa Line can work for a day trip, but services are much less frequent than Wellington's suburban trains. Masterton is not a walkable gateway to every winery, so plan local transport before travelling. Martinborough, the best-known wine village, is not directly on the railway line.
Maps, timetables and service alerts
Metlink publishes a rail network map, downloadable timetables, real-time departure information and service alerts. Weekend schedules can be less frequent, and planned engineering work may replace trains with buses.
Checked against official Metlink information in October 2026. Fares and service arrangements can change, so confirm them before travelling.