Our Air NZ flight is scheduled to arrive at 10:30 AM on Dec. 27 and the train to Christchurch departs at 1:30 PM. Sounds like enough time to get from plane to train. Is there enough time if the flight was an hour late? Longer?

We are interested in the scenic? train ride from Blenheim to Christchurh. Would consider staying overnight in Blenheim but haven't looked into what is there. Not at all interested in wine tours.

Do I understand correctly that you're flying into Blenheim?

If so, no worries. The airport is located near Renwick, 10 minutes west of Blenheim. The Tranzcoastal train station is located in Blenheim town center.

Blenheim is the main town in the area, but it's not very big and is easy to navigate.

Non-wine related activities in the Blenheim area include:

Regional museum, art gallery, Wairau Lagoons, some walking tracks, cycling, etc. Prenzel's Distillery is in the area, as are several shops that sell chutneys, jams and other items made from local produce.

Blenheim is only 29 km from Picton, where you can see the waterfront, take a boat into the Marlborough Sounds, walk the Queen Charlotte Track or drive the very scenic Queen Charlotte Drive.

Forgot to mention the Cork and Keg, a fun local pub located in Renwick.

Yes, that's correct: fly into Blenheim then train to Christchurch. Only 10 minutes? Great. We could be two hours late and still make it. Worst case I suppose would be we miss the train and take an intercity bus.

Is the ferry ride from Wellington to Picton very scenic? I could see flying to Wellington, spend a day or two, and then boat/train to Christchurch.

Sorry, can't help you with the ferry, I've never taken it. Only visited the NI once, and I flew there from the south. All my other visits have been SI only. Lots of folks on this board have taken the ferry, though, so you might want to post a new question if you don't get a response here.

How do you plan to get from Blenheim airport to town center? Shuttle? Taxi?

am sposing there is a taxi?

Don't know. Suggest you check with the operator when you book the train.

Guidebook says Marlborough Shuttle serves the airport to town. Or we can use Blenheim Taxi for the 6 mile trip. Only 26,000 people in Blenheim.