The alternative Cook Strait crossing: Interislander ferry
Posted on 05/03/2018 by Spaceships Crew
If you want to explore the North and the South Island of New Zealand you'll need to cross Cook Strait by ferry. The Interislander ferry is an easy option. Simply drive your Spaceship campervan on the ferry, walk around, relax or have a snack in the restaurant/bar, then drive off on the other side.
Need more info about the ferry crossing itself? Then have a look at our Cook Strait ferry crossing info & tips. For specific info about the Interislander ferry, just keep on reading.
Easy & cheap ferry crossing
A Spaceship campervan is just like a regular car (less than 5.5m long), so you'll pay the same low rate as an ordinary car on the Interislander ferry. Motorhomes and big campervans pay a much higher rate.
You don't have to book your Interislander ferry crossing in advance, but it will make your life so much easier. Especially in the busy summer season (November to March), it's better to book early to avoid delays. And we can help you out with that.

The alternative way to cross Cook Strait: Interislander Ferry
Book your ferry ticket with us
The Interislander crossing is a great experience in its own right. Coming in or out of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds on a stunning day is fantastic. You can hang out on the top deck to soak up the views and the sunshine. Remember to use sunscreen.
There are several sailings a day. The friendly Spaceships crew can help you with finding the best times and the best fare for your Interislander ferry crossing. Although we prefer Bluebridge ferries as their deals are just better.
You can even add an open-dated, flexible Bluebridge ferry ticket when booking your Spaceships campervan online. You'll get the best campervan hire rate (guaranteed) and it's super easy to add that flexible ferry ticket.
Already have a ferry ticket included with your booking through one of our amazing deals? Then we'll book the ferry crossing for you. You can just sit back and plan your road trip. We'll take care of this!
Interislander ferry timetable
The Interislander ferry operates two routes between the North and the South Island:
- Wellington to Picton
- Picton to Wellington
The latest sailing schedule for the Interislander ferry on these routes can be found on their website. Times differ depending on the day of the week and the season.
Alternatively, you can go for the Bluebridge ferry for crossing Cook Strait. They often have lower rates. Or check with the Spaceships staff when picking up your vehicle. They can also explain the differences between Interislander and Bluebridge and book the ferry crossing for you.
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