Why NZ's Tranzalpine is not worth it - Scenic Plus Review

Pretty cool

My husband and I did it over a decade ago. Well worth it. Thanks for sharing your experience and safe travels.

Done it a few years ago, was dark 80% of the trip back so never again.

Did the same trip in a car, had to get my own lunch!

All the seats on all three trains are the same. Far superior to anything on the present UK system.
If I travel on the TA, I will make sure I am getting the seat I paid for.
Being a local, and a railway enthusiast, I know my way round NZ trains.
The prices go up every year. In 2018 we paid $79.00 for a basic seat Picton to Christchurch which was a special. This 2024/25 year the cheapest seat is $219.00.

I've been on it, Scenic Plus and it definitley was worth it, a brilliant trip.

Cheers Patrick, a grand journey. I especially enjoyed Greymouth when I was there.

Black sand beach at Hokitika, near Greymouth. You didn't see any keas at Arthurs Pass? They make themselves well-known in the car park / lookout area there. Ps I'm not a fan of the click-baity and inaccurate title of this video! I watched to the end waiting to find out what was so bad that this journey is "not worth it", only to discover that's not what you say at all.

Thank you so much, Patrick, I've never seen a video of this train journey before. In fact, most of what I've seen has been of the north island. The scenery here is just spectacular. The train looked very comfortable and the food delicious. As for the fancy tables, I'd much prefer to eat at one of the airline style seats to be honest. The seat head rests seemed very low for a train by the way. Looking forward to your coach journey!