Last updated November 2026
Nelson Airport sits on the coast between Tahunanui and Stoke, about seven kilometres from the city centre. For anyone staying in Stoke, that is a short trip, and there are four realistic ways to make it: the eBus, a taxi or rideshare, a pre-booked shuttle, or your own wheels. Which one suits you depends mostly on what time your flight lands, how much luggage you have and whether you need a car once you are here.
★View the Best Accommodation in Stoke→The eBus: cheapest, if your timing fits
Nelson’s electric buses stop at the airport half-hourly from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week, according to Nelson Airport’s own transport page. Route 4 (The Brook to Airport) is the one that serves the terminal. The buses carry free Wi-Fi, and you can pay with cash or a Bee Card. Eftpos is not accepted on board, so have coins or small notes ready if you do not have a card. Bee Cards are sold at the Customer Service desk inside the terminal.
Getting to Stoke itself usually means connecting with one of the two routes that run along Main Road. Route 1 runs between Richmond and Nelson via Waimea Road, and Route 2 runs between Richmond and Nelson via Tahunanui Beach and Rocks Road. Both stop at the Stoke Interchange on Main Road, which is the hub for most of Stoke. Check the eBus website or app for the current timetable and real-time tracking before you travel, because times change and the last buses of the day leave earlier than many people expect.
The bus works best for travellers with light luggage arriving during the day. If you land after 7pm, or you are carrying surfboards, bikes in boxes or a lot of bags, one of the other options will be easier.
Taxis and rideshare: quickest door to door
Nelson City Taxis wait right outside the terminal entrance, and the airport describes the trip to the city centre as typically around 15 minutes, traffic depending. Stoke is closer to the airport than the city centre is, so the ride is shorter again. Other pre-booked taxis are available too: the airport lists Sun City Taxis, Fifeshire Taxi and Uber, and the YourRide app can be used to book a taxi in advance.
A taxi makes most sense for late arrivals, early departures, families with children and anyone with heavy luggage. If you are flying out early in the morning, book the night before rather than relying on a rank.
Shuttles: good for groups and set times
A range of shuttle services can be pre-booked to and from the airport. For a sports team, a school group or a wedding party, a shuttle or coach booked ahead for a fixed time is usually simpler than juggling several taxis. Confirm the pick-up point and what happens if your flight is delayed when you book.
Some places to stay in the area also offer their own airport transfers. These are worth asking about before you book anywhere, because they can remove the problem entirely, but the conditions differ from place to place, so check exactly who they apply to.
Hiring a car or driving yourself
Rental car companies operate from the terminal, and if you plan to explore Abel Tasman, Golden Bay, the vineyards or the Great Taste Trail, a car gives you the most freedom. Stoke is well placed for this: it sits on the main road between Nelson and Richmond, so heading north to the city or south and west to Motueka is straightforward. Ask your accommodation about parking before you arrive, especially if you are bringing a trailer, a van or more than one vehicle.
Which option suits which trip
- Daytime arrival, light luggage: the eBus, connecting to Route 1 or 2 for Stoke.
- Late night or very early flight: a pre-booked taxi.
- Group or team travel: a pre-booked shuttle or coach.
- Touring the region: a rental car from the terminal.
Tips for a smooth arrival in Stoke
Check when your accommodation’s reception closes, and tell them your flight time if you are landing in the evening. Many smaller motels offer self check-in after hours, but they usually need to know you are coming. If your flight is delayed, a quick message saves a lot of standing around in the dark.
If you are relying on the bus, plan the last leg before you leave home: know which stop is closest to where you are staying, and keep the eBus app handy to see where your bus is. For a very early departure, consider staying close to the airport the night before. Stoke and the Monaco peninsula are among the nearest residential areas to the terminal, which takes some of the stress out of a 6am check-in.
Where Boutique Motel fits
Boutique Motel is a ten-room motel on Bail Street in Stoke, which it describes as about a ten-minute drive from Nelson Airport. Its arrival information covers check-in times, after-hours self check-in, and free airport transfers are available by prior arrangement for individual travellers booking direct. The Stoke Interchange bus stops are about a minute’s walk away, and the motel keeps its own guide to getting around by bus with the routes that pass through Stoke.
