Interislander vs Bluebridge: which Cook Strait ferry should you book?

If your New Zealand trip covers both islands, you will almost certainly cross Cook Strait between Wellington and Picton. Two companies run the route: Interislander and Bluebridge. Same water, same scenery, same rough three and a half hours. The differences are in the ships, the terminals and, most importantly, what your rental company lets you do with the car.

Here is how they compare as at November 2026.

The two operators side by side

Interislander is the bigger, better-known name and it is owned by KiwiRail. Bluebridge is the smaller operator and markets itself on comfort: private cabins, movies and a premium lounge.

Ships, sailing time and the route

Both operators sail the same route. You leave Wellington Harbour, pass Wellington Heads, cross the open water of Cook Strait, then enter Tory Channel into the Marlborough Sounds and cruise Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton. That last hour through the Sounds is the scenic payoff, so get out on deck for it if the weather allows. Bluebridge notes that dolphins and whales are often seen on the crossing.

Interislander currently runs two ships, Kaitaki and Kaiārahi. Its third ship, Aratere, was retired in August 2025 to make way for port works ahead of two new, larger ferries expected in 2029. Fewer ships means fewer sailings and tighter capacity. As at November 2026 the published timetable for public sailings is:

There are also overnight sailings for commercial vehicles only. Final check-in is 60 minutes before departure for both vehicles and foot passengers.

Bluebridge runs Connemara and Livia. Connemara was built in 2007, joined the fleet in February 2023 and carries up to 650 passengers. Bluebridge’s Picton shuttle timings line up with northbound sailings at 7:45 am, 2:00 pm and 7:15 pm, which gives you a sense of the timetable, but check the live timetable for your date because schedules change.

Insider tip: with only two ships each, a single weather cancellation knocks on through the day. Never book a non-refundable flight, tour or Milford Sound cruise for the same afternoon you cross.

Taking a car or campervan

Both ferries carry cars, vans, campervans, motorhomes, motorbikes, trailers and bikes. You pay for the vehicle by type and length, so measure a campervan properly (including bike racks) and enter the real length when you book. Bluebridge’s booking categories split cars, vans and utes at 5.5 metres, and any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes has to be booked through freight.

At peak times the car deck is the bottleneck. Interislander says peak periods such as the Christmas break, school holidays, long weekends, Waitangi Day, Easter, Anzac weekend, Matariki, King’s Birthday and Labour weekend book out faster, especially for passenger vehicles, and that last-minute private vehicle bookings are unlikely. If your dates are fixed, book the ferry as soon as your route is locked in.

Rental car ferry rules

This is the part that catches people out. Not all rental companies let their vehicles cross. Some have you return the car at the terminal on one island and pick up another on the other side, so you cross as a foot passenger with your bags.

Bluebridge publishes a list as at November 2026:

• Cars are swapped at each end (do not travel on board): Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar, and Ace Rentals if you are not returning to the original island.
• Cars can travel on board: Avis, Budget, Go Rentals, Omega, Apex, Enterprise, Ezi, Scotties, Snap, Sixt, Mode, Bargain Rental Cars, Hireace, and Ace Rentals if you are returning to the original island.

Policies can differ between ferry operators and change over time, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with your rental company before booking. If your company swaps cars, you only need foot passenger tickets, which are easier to get at short notice.

For campervans, most hire companies expect you to take the vehicle across, and some have preferred ferry arrangements. Ask when you book the van.

Terminals and getting there

Wellington, Interislander: the Kaiwharawhara terminal is on Aotea Quay, north of the central city. If you are on foot, a shuttle bus leaves from Platform 10 of Wellington Railway Station 70 minutes before each sailing.

Wellington, Bluebridge: the terminal is at 50 Waterloo Quay in the central city, opposite the railway station and an easy walk from many hotels. Free wifi, toilets and seating are available in the terminal. There is no long-term parking on site, but there are parking options nearby.

Picton: both terminals are close to the town centre. Bluebridge runs a complimentary shuttle for foot passengers into town after arrival and from the Picton i-SITE and Wellington Street before northbound sailings.

Picton, where both ferries dock, and the Marlborough Sounds. Photo: Daniel P via Pexels.

Comfort, food and seasickness

Both ferries have cafes, bars, lounges and outdoor decks. Bluebridge leans into comfort: private ensuite cabins (handy on a night sailing), free wifi and movies, and the 16+ Pōhutukawa Lounge with an all-inclusive food and drink buffet. As at November 2026 the lounge runs on Connemara sailings, with Bluebridge saying it is coming to Livia from 1 December 2026. Bluebridge is also the ferry that earns Airpoints Dollars.

If you get seasick:

• Check the marine forecast the day before. Strong northerlies or southerlies make the open-water section lumpier.
• Sit low and in the middle of the ship, where the motion is gentlest.
• Look at the horizon and get fresh air on deck if it is safe to go out.
• Take seasickness tablets before you board, not when you start feeling ill.

Ferry day checklist

A smooth crossing mostly comes down to timing and paperwork:

1. The night before: check the operator’s service alerts and the marine forecast. If a sailing is cancelled, both operators contact you by text or email, but it pays to look yourself.
2. Fuel and food: fill up and grab snacks before you queue. Ferry food is fine, but it is not cheap.
3. Arrive early: Interislander’s final check-in for vehicles and foot passengers is 60 minutes before departure. Aim to be in the queue before that, especially with a campervan.
4. Pack a deck bag: once the vehicle deck is closed you usually cannot go back to your car during the crossing, so take a jacket, chargers, medication, snacks and anything for the kids or dog.
5. Gas off: campervan and motorhome gas bottles usually need to be turned off for the sailing. Follow the crew’s instructions at check-in.
6. On arrival: if your rental company swaps cars, have your booking reference ready for the pick-up desk on the other side.

How to get a cheaper fare

Both operators use changing fares, so we do not quote prices here. What reliably helps:

1. Book early for vehicles, especially for summer and holiday weekends.
2. Be flexible on time. Early morning and late evening sailings are often easier to get than the middle of the day.
3. Go as a foot passenger if your rental company swaps cars anyway. Interislander also suggests going on foot when vehicle spaces are tight.
4. Check the fare type rules. Cheaper fares usually have stricter change and refund rules, which matters given Cook Strait weather.
5. Look for discounts that apply to you. Bluebridge, for example, has student and family offers listed on its site.

So which should you book?

• Pick Bluebridge if you want to walk to the terminal in central Wellington, want a private cabin, or like the idea of the premium lounge.
• Pick Interislander if its sailing times suit your day better, or your rental company has an arrangement with it.
• Pick whichever has space in peak season. Honestly, the scenery is the same.

Planning the South Island side? Our 14-day South Island road trip starts in Christchurch but is easy to start from Picton, and our guide to freedom camping rules covers where you can park a campervan once you are across.