Hokitika and Greymouth Car Rental: The Closest Pickups to the Glaciers

Quick summary: Hokitika and Greymouth are the West Coast’s two main rental car pickups and the closest to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. Hokitika Airport, on the edge of town, is around 135 km and two hours north of Franz Josef, with flights from Christchurch. Greymouth railway station, at the end of the TranzAlpine from Christchurch, lets you cross the Southern Alps by train, collect a car and drive south along the coast.

At a glance
Hokitika Airport	Around 135 km from Franz Josef, about 2 hours
Greymouth station	Around 175 km from Franz Josef, about 2 hours 30 minutes
Flights	Hokitika is served from Christchurch
Train	The TranzAlpine arrives in Greymouth from Christchurch
Stops	Hokitika Gorge, Ross, Lake Ianthe, Whataroa
Tours	Featured tours

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Why collect a car in Hokitika?

Distance. A short flight from Christchurch puts you two hours from the glaciers, saving the long drive over the Alps. Hokitika itself is worth a stop for its driftwood beach, pounamu (greenstone) carvers and sunset over the Tasman Sea, and the turquoise Hokitika Gorge is a short detour inland.

How does a train-and-car day from Greymouth work?

Step	What happens
1	Ride the TranzAlpine from Christchurch across Arthur’s Pass
2	Collect your rental car at Greymouth railway station
3	Drive south around 40 km to Hokitika for the night, or continue on
4	Reach Franz Josef the following day

Check that your rental counter will be open when the train arrives, and allow for the train running late.

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What is there to see on the drive south?

Stop	Highlights
Hokitika Gorge	Milky turquoise water and a swing bridge
Ross	An old gold-mining town with a short heritage walk
Lake Ianthe	A calm lake beside the highway
Whataroa	The base for white heron tours to Ōkārito’s colony

See nature and wildlife and browse nature and wildlife tours.

Can you start further north?

Yes. Westport Airport, around 100 km north of Greymouth, suits trips that include Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks and the Buller Gorge. See from Nelson and the north.

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Can you drop the car somewhere else?

Many companies offer one-way rentals from the West Coast to Queenstown or Christchurch, which suits a trip that continues south over the Haast Pass. Check any one-way fee, and confirm the drop-off depot’s hours. See Queenstown and Christchurch.

Frequently Asked Questions