Nelson Airport (NSN) is New Zealand’s fourth-busiest facility after the country’s three international airports: Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Daily non-stop flights are scheduled from these airports to Nelson. Passengers can also fly non-stop from Hamilton, New Plymouth and Palmerston North several times each week.

Air New Zealand, the national carrier, provides service to all of the country’s commercial airports daily. There are also three subsidiary airlines related to Air New Zealand, the largest of which, Air Nelson, operates from Nelson Airport. Routes include hourly service to Wellington, flights to Auckland five times every day, and several daily flights to Christchurch.

A number of additional, smaller operators offer planes for charter and scenic flights around the Nelson area. Motueka and Takaka airports service direct flights from Wellington and scenic tours, and Lake Station Airport services Nelson Lakes with scenic and charter flights.

Transfer from Nelson Airport to city hotels is provided by the Super Shuttle service, and taxis are a good means for getting around the city once you’re there. Nelson City Taxis and Sun City Taxis are the main operators.

Bus services in the city of Nelson are limited. There are regular services on offer, however, from Nelson to Abel Tasman National Park, Golden Bay and Motueka. A number of companies operate daily with services more frequent during the summer months. Some of the buses connect with services originating in Picton. The information office, located in the centre of the city, is the main bus stop. However, inter-city services operate from a stop on Bridge street.

Several small sea charter companies operate from Nelson. These charters typically require you to be in a group for them to be economical. A regularly-scheduled service also operates from the beaches of the Abel Tasman National Park during the summer.