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06 December, 2022 - Updated Last updated on
16 January, 2023

Posted by Spaceships Crew

To answer the question of which part of New Zealand is more beautiful (North or South Island) you’ll need to cross Cook Strait by ferry. It’s just a relatively short ferry ride from Wellington to Picton or the other way around. You’ll find all the info you need to make the Cook Strait ferry crossing even easier on this page.

Whether travelling with or without a Spaceships campervan (although we can’t think of any reason why you wouldn’t travel by Spaceships campervan with amazing deals like these), any traveller will save heaps of money and time by using these tips.

Is there a promo code for the ferry crossing?

The following promo codes are active at the moment for the Cook Strait ferry crossing.

Note: all promo codes have been spotted in the wild by the Spaceships crew and/or fellow travellers. They are published as-is. Bluebridge may change deals or delete promo codes without notice. Book now or miss out on a great deal.

Cook Strait is that small blue area between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It’s only 22 kilometres (14 miles) wide (at its narrowest point), but it is one of the most dangerous waters in the world.

Luckily in this day and age, two companies are operating a Cook Strait ferry service: Bluebridge (see their deals) and Interislander. Both do an excellent job in getting you and your campervan, car or motorhome to the other side. From Wellington to Picton or from Picton to Wellington, you'll be on the other side in about 3.5 hours to continue your road trip.

Your Spaceships campervan on the ferry

There are two major advantages of exploring New Zealand by Spaceship. You are allowed to take your Spaceships campervan on the Cook Strait Ferry to go from Wellington to Picton or from Picton to Wellington. You can explore both NZ islands with the same campervan.

Another advantage of Spaceships campervans when it comes to the Cook Strait Ferry is that our campervans are classified as a car aka the cheapest vehicle category: category with a maximum length of 5.5m. This means that you’ll pay the lowest ferry rate. You'll pay less than people travelling with a campervan based on a cargo van. Another reason why Spaceships' compact campervans are so awesome.

Cook Strait Ferry info: how to find the cheapest rates

Travelling on the ferry is easy (and cheap) with a Spaceships campervan

Cook Strait Ferry ticket with your campervan booking

There are several ways to book your campervan and ferry ticket in one go, as a package deal. Check out these options to score the best deal on ferry tickets for the Cook Strait Ferry Crossing.

Book an open-date pre-paid ferry ticket via Spaceships

Not sure when you want to use the ferry? No worries. You can now add a prepaid open-date ferry ticket to your Spaceships booking. Book your campervan & ferry online or if you already have a Spaceships booking you can add a ferry ticket via the Online Check-in Portal.

Our prepaid ferry ticket can be used whenever you like. Simply use our ferry sailing date request form to turn your Spaceships Ferry Voucher into a ferry booking. Send in that form and our crew will make it happen. Change of plans once the ferry is booked? No worries, as of mid 2022 all Spaceships ferry vouchers are flexible ferry bookings, meaning you can change your sailing date & time up to a few hours before departure (ferry departure we mean).

When should you turn the Spaceships ferry voucher in a ferry booking? When travelling in the busy summer season - in December, January and February - we recommend sending in your sailing dates as soon as possible as lots of ferry crossings in the summer season are already booked out or close to being booked out.

Booking a ferry ticket made super easy (and cheap)

Prefer to book direct or don't need a flexible ferry booking? Then the easiest way to lock in the best rate for crossing Cook Strait by ferry is to check out Bluebridge Ferry and the deals they offer. You don't need your vehicle's registration number (or rego) when booking the Bluebridge ferry. Just select “Rental Vehicle” in the ‘make’ drop-down box. Then enter TBA (to be advised) in the ‘registration’ box.

 

Bluebridge ferry vs Interislander

Is there a difference between Bluebridge Ferry and Interislander? More than just the name you mean? Well, they are two different companies that operate the Cook Strait ferry crossing in their own way. And they both do a great job.

We just prefer Bluebridge as they have great rates year-round. We're more than happy to explain the difference in more detail and book you a great rate when you pick up your campervan. You don’t need a promo code, we’ll secure the best deal for you for the Cook Strait ferry on your preferred travel dates. No worries.

If you like to read a bit more, check out our information pages about Bluebridge and Interislander.

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