✈ Getting from Nelson Airport to the City Centre

Nelson is a picturesque city located at the top of the South of New Zealand. The town is a popular destination, known for its abundant sunshine hours, stunning beaches, and its proximity to national parks. Nelson also boasts a thriving arts scene and delicious local cuisine with friendly locals – making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty and culture of New Zealand.

When landing at Nelson Airport and wishing to make your way to the city centre, you have two transportation options; you can take a taxi or a bus. Opting for a taxi or private shuttle from Nelson Airport to Nelson city centre is a great way to get around a new town. Taxis operate round the clock, ensuring fast and reliable door-to-door transfers, getting you to your Nelson accommodation in just 15 minutes. Alternatively, budget-conscious travellers can take the public bus No. 1 or 2; both are direct and take 30 minutes to reach downtown.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Nelson at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€14	15min	24/7
Bus	€2	30min	07:00–19:00

How to get from Nelson Airport to the city centre by taxi

Getting a taxi from Nelson Airport to Nelson city centre is by far the easiest and most convenient travel option. Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport’s dedicated taxi rank and offer door-to-door services, taking just 15 minutes to reach your Nelson hotel.

Taxi fare from Nelson Airport to city centre

Multiple taxi providers operate within Nelson and use taximeters to calculate their fares. A typical 15-minute journey from Nelson Airport to Nelson city centre costs around €14 (NZD 25) and €16.90 (NZD 30) at night, on weekends, and on public holidays.

Nonetheless, you can pre-book your Nelson Airport to city transfer with Welcome Pickups at a low fixed rate and have a dedicated driver meet and greet you at your arrival gate.

Cost

€14 (NZD 25)

Trip Duration

15 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Nelson Airport (NSN).

Where do I get a taxi from?

The taxi rank at Nelson Airport is located outside the main terminal building, adjacent to the baggage claim area – it is clearly indicated and well-signposted.

Convenience

When embarking on a trip to a new city, arrivals can be stressful, especially if you need to find your way through public transportation with heavy luggage. That is why taking a taxi or private transfer from Nelson Airport to the city centre is the best option to kick off your holiday without any stress. Opting for a taxi ensures reliable 24/7 transportation, getting you straight to your Nelson accommodation in 15 minutes.

Editor’s Note

Please note that a supplement of €0.85 (NZD 1.50) per km will be added to your end fare when travelling between 22:00 and 06:00, on weekends or holidays.

Useful Tips

It is not customary to tip your driver in Nelson. Although, if you had a pleasurable experience, you could leave a small tip to show gratitude.

Nelson taxis accept card payments, but checking with your driver beforehand is always recommended to avoid surprises.

Ensure your taxi driver turns on, resets and applies the correct tariff to their taximeter before heading to the city.

How to get from Nelson Airport to the city centre by bus

A cost-savvy alternative for anyone on a budget would be to take the public bus from Nelson Airport to the city centre. Route 1 and 2 provide direct trips to downtown, and both take 30 minutes to get to the city centre.

How much is a ticket on the bus from Nelson Airport to the city centre?

A one-way bus ticket for Zone 2 costs €1 (CAD 1.50) for adults and €0.70 (CAD 1) for children. You can purchase your tickets at the ticket vending machines, directly from the bus driver or use a prepaid “Bee card”.

Cost

€1 (CAD 1.50)

Trip Duration

30 Min.

Bus route 1 operates every 2 hours and bus route 2 operates every 30 minutes.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Bus route 1 is available from Monday to Saturday from 07:00 to 19:00 and route 2 operates Monday to Saturday from 06:45 to 18:30.

Where do I get the bus from?

The bus stop at Nelson Airport is located outside the main terminal building, on the right-hand side as you exit. The bus stop holds the route information and timetable.

Convenience

Although the cheapest transport from Nelson Airport to Nelson city, taking the bus can be long and stressful when travelling with children and/or heavy luggage, as vehicles are not equipped for larger items such as prams and big bags. Moreover, if you are travelling early in the morning or late in the evening, you will need to get a taxi to reach downtown.

Timetables

Bus Routes Timetable

Editor’s Note

Routes 1 and 2 run a Saturday timetable and on all Public Holidays except Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Useful Tips

Children under the age of 5 travel for free.

Buses do not typically provide luggage storage facilities on board; if you have larger baggage items, check with the driver beforehand.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How do I get from Nelson Airport to Nelson city?

There are two transport options to get from Nelson Airport to Nelson city; you can take a taxi or private transfer, which takes 15 minutes, or a public bus, which takes 30 minutes, excluding waiting times.

Is there a bus from Nelson Airport to the city?

Yes, you can take a public bus from Nelson Airport to the city centre. Bus routes 1 and 2 take you downtown in 30 minutes.

What's the average taxi fare from Nelson Airport to the city?

Taxis from Nelson Airport to the city centre calculate their fares using a taximeter. You can expect to pay around €14 (NZD 25) during the day and €16.90 (NZD 30) at night, on weekends and on public holidays.

Regardless, if you prefer travelling at a fixed price, with no hidden fees, you can pre-book your private airport taxi with Welcome.

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How to get from Nelson Airport to the city centre by taxi