If you want to get around Wellington on public transport, the Metlink train network is your best friend. Several lines fan out from Wellington Railway Station into the suburbs, giving you rail access to outlying residential areas, coastal towns, and even horse-riding country. Combine the trains with buses and you can move around the greater Wellington region with ease.
If you've used commuter rail elsewhere, Wellington's trains will feel familiar and straightforward — but knowing how the transit card works and a few boarding tips will make everything smoother. This guide walks you through riding Wellington's trains step by step.
Metlink Train Lines
Wellington has several train lines:
- Johnsonville Line: Wellington Station to Johnsonville, serving the residential suburbs to the north of the city
- Kapiti Line: Wellington Station to Waikanae, heading north toward the Kapiti Coast
- Hutt Valley Line: Wellington Station to Upper Hutt, serving the Hutt Valley area
- Wairarapa Line: Wellington Station to Masterton, taking you to the famous Wairarapa wine region (a popular day trip)
- Melling Line: a branch line within the Hutt Valley
Visitors most often use the Kapiti Line and the Hutt Valley Line. The Wairarapa Line is handy for a day trip out to wine country.
The Snapper Card (Transit Card)
Wellington's trains and buses accept the Snapper card, a contactless stored-value transit card — the local equivalent of London's Oyster or Japan's Suica. You top it up with credit and tag on when you ride.
Why get a Snapper card:
- Fares are often around 30–40% cheaper than paying cash
- Boarding and alighting is quick — just tap the card
- You can top up your balance via the app or online
Where to buy: Wellington Station, convenience stores (such as Z Energy), and some supermarkets. The card costs NZ$10 to issue (as a deposit), and top-ups start from NZ$10.
Short-term visitors can pay cash, but if you'll be riding more than two or three times, a Snapper card quickly pays for itself.
How to Ride: Step by Step
- Check your route: Look up timetables and lines on the Metlink app or website
- Find your platform: Wellington Station has multiple platforms, so check the departure boards
- Ticket gates: Most stations have no gates. Tap your Snapper card on the reader beside the carriage door
- On board: Seating is unreserved. Priority seats (marked in blue) are for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, and pregnant travelers
- Getting off: Press the door button at your stop, and don't forget to tag off with your Snapper card
Typical Fares
Fares are zone-based (when using Snapper):
- Short trips within the city (zones 1–2): around NZ$2–4
- Suburban trips (Hutt Valley and similar): around NZ$4–8
- Out to Wairarapa: around NZ$15–20
Cash fares are higher than these.
The Views from the Train
One of the joys of Wellington's trains is the scenery. The Kapiti Line hugs a coastline overlooking the Pacific — stunning on a clear day — while the Hutt Valley Line runs alongside the Hutt River through a lush green valley.
A Wairarapa Day Trip
Take the Wairarapa Line from Wellington to Masterton and you'll reach one of New Zealand's premier wine regions. The trip takes about an hour and a half each way, with numerous wineries along the route including Martin Borogh and Aster Wines. Pairing the train with a rental bike for a self-guided winery tour is a favorite activity even among locals.
Things to Watch Out For
- Delays aren't unusual — especially on windy days, and Wellington is famously windy
- Services run less frequently on weekends, so check the timetable in advance
- Don't forget to tag off with your Snapper card, or you may be overcharged
- The Metlink app is English-only, but it's fairly intuitive to use
Connecting with Buses
You can transfer between trains and buses using a single Snapper card, and transfer discounts apply. With Wellington Station as your hub, combining trains and buses lets you explore the greater Wellington region comfortably without a car.
Wellington's rail network is simple compared with big-city systems, so once you've ridden it once, you'll rarely get lost. Grab a Snapper card and use the trains for some easy day trips beyond the city.