The Interislander and Bluebridge ferries run between Wellington and Picton several times a day in each direction — the crossing takes between three and three and a half hours, and the last hour winding through Queen Charlotte Sound is reason enough to take the trip in daylight. Book ahead in summer, especially if you are taking a vehicle. The ferry terminal is right in the town.
By road, Picton is the northern end of State Highway 1; Blenheim is 30 km south, Nelson 110 km west by Queen Charlotte Drive (slow but beautiful) or by SH 6 inland (faster, less scenic). The nearest commercial airport is at Blenheim, with daily flights to Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.