FAQs
Tickets can be purchased online from our website, or in person from the Dunedin Railway Station during our opening hours.
Passengers can now process their own refunds and exchanges—by clicking Change Booking | Cancel Booking > on the digital ticket confirmation - in line with our Terms and Conditions policy (see below).
Depending on what journey you have booked, refunds and exchanges may be available as per our Terms and Conditions:
4.6 Charters, special interest trips and one-off services, are non-refundable and no exchanges are permitted for any reason.
4.7 No refunds or compensation will be given in the event of a breakdown or delay after boarding a DRL Service.
4.8 If DRL, in its reasonable discretion, allows Ticket refunds or exchanges for any DRL Service (as stated on the Ticket or otherwise notified by DRL), they are available if requested within the following timeframes, subject to clause 4.9:
(a) 21 days or more prior to train departure: FULL refund
(b) 7 days or more prior to train departure: 50% refund or gift voucher
(c) 48 hours or more prior to train departure: Exchange available
The Dunedin Railway Station is located on Anzac Avenue, right beside State Highway 1, in the heart of central Dunedin. Visit our Prepare For Your Trip Page for more information on transport, parking and accessibility.
All public train trips depart from and return to the Dunedin Railway Station which is located at 22 Anzac Avenue in the heart of Dunedin city. For more information, please check out our Prepare For Your Trip page.
Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your train trip departs. Check-in begins 60 minutes before a train’s scheduled departure and ends 15 minutes before the train departs.
Seating is allocated and is displayed on your ticket. Please note that seating is subject to change. Please check in at the front desk before boarding to receive your confirmed seat details.
Private carriages may be available on request if you book a group of 30 or more passengers: [email protected]
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There is plenty of public pay-and-display parking available around the Dunedin Railway Station. If you have a campervan, the best place to park is the Thomas Burns Road carpark. Check out our Prepare For Your Trip page for more information.
A locals’ ticket includes a special rate for all Otago residents. This includes:
Dunedin City
Waitaki District
Clutha District
Central Otago
Queenstown-Lakes District
If you buy a local’s ticket, you will need to show proof of residence (see more details in the next FAQ below).
Local tickets are available from the “?TEPOTI/DUNEDIN LOCALS” tab in the main menu.
When you purchase a local’s ticket, you will have to confirm that you are an Otago resident and you can provide proof at check-in. When you arrive at the Dunedin Railway Station to check-in, all you need to do is bring something along that shows your Otago address. This includes:
A household bill with a Dunedin/Otago address
An Otago Regional Council or Dunedin Library card
An Otago University or Otago Polytechnic student/staff ID
A New Zealand driver’s licence with a Dunedin or Otago address
Local tickets are available from the “?TEPOTI/DUNEDIN LOCALS” tab in the main menu.
Hot beverages, hot food and commercially produced food (i.e. Subway) are not permitted onboard.
Most of our services have a café onboard where you can purchase food and drinks.The team from Precinct create seasonal, locally made food — perfect for enjoying as the scenery rolls by. The café menu (subject to change) is available from the info drop-down tab.
Yes there is a toilet on every train carriage.
Ramps are available at Dunedin Railway Station and most destinations. One carriage has a wheelchair lift (max 900mm long, 700mm wide, 250kg), but availability is limited and not on all services. Please email [email protected] at least 3 business days before travel to confirm availability before booking.
Please see our Mobility Access page for more information.
We recommend comfortable clothing and flat shoes. New Zealand’s weather can be unpredictable, so bring warm layers and waterproof gear if you plan to disembark. All carriages are equipped with air conditioning and heating for your comfort.
Check out our Prepare For Your Trip page for more information.
Our heritage carriages have no WiFi or USB ports and limited wall power outlets.
Dunedin Railways journeys run year-round in all weather. Our carriages have air conditioning and heating for your comfort. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, and bringing an umbrella or rain jacket if rain is forecast.
Check out our Prepare For Your Trip page for more information.
For the comfort of all passengers, only assistance dogs are allowed onboard.
For the safety and comfort of everyone onboard, smoking is not permitted on any of our trains.
Passengers are responsible for their own belongings and Dunedin Railways is not responsible for any lost property.
To enquire about lost property please contact us at [email protected]
Storage space onboard is limited and prioritised for one-way passengers. To request storage, please email [email protected] before booking and at least 72 hours before departure.
There are no storage facilities at Dunedin Railway Station, but luggage can be stored at the public convenience centre on Municipal Lane (beside the Dunedin i-SITE).
For more information, please visit our Prepare For Your Trip page.