Dunedin Cruise Excursions
See more of Otago — right from the ship to the station.
Welcome to Dunedin.
Step off your cruise ship and onto one of New Zealand’s most scenic train journeys. We offer direct-to-passenger excursions, designed especially for cruise visitors who want flexibility and a true local experience.
Our trains depart from Dunedin’s historic Railway Station, located in the heart of the city. Whether you’re seeking a short coastal escape or a breathtaking inland adventure, there’s a perfect option for your day in port.
How do I book the Taieri Gorge train or other Scenic Train trips?
If you're arriving in Dunedin by cruise ship, there are two ways to book a train journey with Dunedin Railways:
1. Book through your cruise provider
Many cruises offer privately chartered Taieri Gorge train experiences. These typically include return transfers from Port Chalmers, a five-hour return journey through the spectacular Taieri Gorge, and lunch onboard.
2. Book a public train scenic trip directly with us
If you're booking one of our public departures — including the Taieri Gorge trip — you'll need to make your own way to the Dunedin Railway Station. We strongly recommend arranging transport in advance to ensure a smooth connection between your ship and our departure point.
You can book tickets directly with us online or in person from the Dunedin Railway Station Bookings Office (subject to availability).
If you’re unsure about your ship’s docking times, shore excursion options, or transfer arrangements, please check directly with your cruise provider.
Get in touch with our team if you have any questions.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +64 22 436 9074
Transport Options
Dunedin is known for being easy to get around and is often called the “15-minute City.” Whether you're walking, taking public transport, cycling, or driving, you’ll find that everything is close by.
Please contact the Dunedin Visitor Centre (Dunedin isite) if you need more information about getting around Dunedin: [email protected] or +64 3 474 3300
Getting from Port to Station is simple:
Cruise Shuttle
Most cruise ships provide shuttle buses between Port Chalmers and Dunedin city centre. Our station is just a short, flat walk from the drop-off point. Please talk with your cruise provider for more information.
Taxi or Rideshare
Taxis and rideshare services are available at Port and take around 20-30 minutes to reach the Dunedin Railway Station (depending on traffic).
Local taxi companies are:
Dunedin Taxis: 03 477 7777
City Taxis: 03 477 1771
Uber is also available.
Bus
Orbus is the public bus transport system in Dunedin and offers regular services around Dunedin. Click here for more information about bus routes.
Guided Tour
Join one of our partner tours for a full day itinerary combining your train journey with other Dunedin attractions.
On Foot
From Octagon/City Centre
The Railway Station is just 500m from the Octagon – less than a 5-minute walk. Directions: Head down Stuart Street and cross State Highway 1 to reach the station.
Click here for map.
Scenic Train Excursions for Cruise Visitors
Taieri Gorge
A World Famous Heritage Rail Experience
Departs 9:30am, Thursday-Monday.
Step aboard one of the world’s great heritage rail journeys. The Taieri Gorge train travels through rugged terrain, across towering viaducts, and deep into the Otago heartland — a landscape only accessible by rail.
Departing from Dunedin’s historic station, this 5-hour round trip offers spectacular scenery, live storytelling, and onboard refreshments provided by the local, award-winning team from Precinct.
Please note there’s limited cell reception for most of the journey, so if you’d like to purchase snacks or drinks from the onboard café, it’s a good idea to bring cash. However, don’t worry — if you don’t have cash, you can settle your tab once back in reception.
Seasider Express
The Best of Dunedin’s Coastline
Departs 12pm on selected days.
Short on time? The Seasider Express is a 1 hour 45 minute scenic journey showcasing Dunedin’s spectacular coastal scenery. Travel north along the Pacific coast towards Seacliff and Karitane, taking in sweeping ocean views, historic tunnels and Otago’s wild beauty.
This relaxed trip fits comfortably within most cruise port calls, giving you the chance to see Otago’s coastline from a truly unique perspective. There is no onboard cafe available on this trip. Feel free to bring food or snacks with you.
Booking Direct with Dunedin Railways
Flexible Booking
Book easily online with instant confirmation, buy direct from our booking office at the Dunedin Railway Station, or visit the friendly Dunedin i-SITE team at the Cruise Terminal. You’ll have the support of our Dunedin-based team every step of the way — and you’re always welcome to give us a call before you arrive to check availability onboard.
Choice of Journeys
Choose between two scenic options depending on your schedule — the Taieri Gorge or the Seasider Express.
Transfers to the Station
When booking directly with Dunedin Railways, transfers between Port Chalmers and the Dunedin Railway Station are not included. When you book on a charter trip with your cruise line, you will be picked up directly from the Port and dropped back again - after a short stop at the Dunedin Railway Station.
For direct bookings, you can take the cruise shuttle bus (usually provided by your ship), bus, taxi, or private transfer to the station — approximately a 20-30-minute journey.
Seasider Express Port Drop-Offs
Passengers on the Seasider Express can choose to disembark at Iona Church on the return trip, conveniently located near Port Chalmers. This option is ideal for cruise guests who wish to return directly to their ship after the journey.
Iona Church
240m downhill walk to the Cruise Terminal in Port Chalmers. We recommend only choosing this stop if you are comfortable with a steep downhill walk. Click here for map.
Local Support
From booking to boarding, our Dunedin-based team is here to help. We monitor cruise schedules closely and can assist with journey selection, accessibility needs, or last-minute seat availability — simply call or email us for assistance.
Everything you need to know for your Dunedin Railways Cruise Excursion
The Taieri Gorge departs at 9:30am (Thursday–Monday). If your ship arrives close to departure time, our team will do their best to accommodate you wherever possible. Chat with the Dunedin i-SITE team or give our Dunedin Railways office a call — we’ll work with you to find a solution. The Seasider Express has been specially timed to fit comfortably within most cruise visits.
All journeys depart from Dunedin Railway Station, approximately 20-30 minutes from Port Chalmers.
Cruise lines usually provide a shuttle bus to Dunedin city. Alternatively, there are several transport options available including bus, taxi, private transfers, and tour packages.
Yes — we offer mobility assistance for boarding and accessible facilities in selected carriages. See our Mobility Access for full details.
Please download or print your ticket and present it at the ticket desk before boarding. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and flat shoes. All carriages are climate-controlled, but if you plan to disembark, bring warm layers and a waterproof jacket — New Zealand weather can be unpredictable.
Yes, our onboard café accepts card payments. However, please note there is limited cell reception for most of the Taieri Gorge journey, which can occasionally affect EFTPOS connectivity. We recommend bringing some cash if you’d like to purchase snacks or drinks while on board. If needed, you can settle your tab once back in reception at the end of the trip.
All of our train services have toilets on every carriage, panoramic windows and air conditioning/heating for passenger comfort.
Most of our services also have a café onboard where you can purchase food and drinks. The team from Precinct create seasonal, locally made food. The café menu (subject to change) is available here.
Storage space onboard our trains is limited, so we prioritise luggage storage for one-way passengers only. If you’re planning to travel one-way and require space for luggage or prams, please contact us before you book and at least 72 hours prior to departure: [email protected]
Please note: there are no storage facilities at the Dunedin Railway Station. If you’re travelling on a return trip, luggage can be stored at the public convenience centre on Municipal Lane, just beside the Dunedin iSITE (you’ll find it on the map above).
Mobility Access
The Dunedin Railway Station features a mobility-accessible ramp that leads directly into the main foyer. From there, passengers can access the platform or visit our Bookings Office, located beside the foyer stairwell.
To assist with boarding and disembarking, ramps are available at the Dunedin Railway Station and at most destinations along our routes.
We also have one wheelchair-accessible carriage equipped with a lift. Please note that availability is limited, and this carriage is not offered on all services. The lift can accommodate wheelchairs up to 900mm long, 700mm wide, and weighing up to 250kg.
If you require wheelchair access, please email us at least 3 business days before your intended departure and prior to booking: [email protected]
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