How to Get Around Christchurch
The cheap and easy way to get around Christchurch: take the bus. Although the large South Island city doesn’t have a very varied local transport system, you’ll find that you can get to most places on their super extensive bus network. What’s more, you can save money on public transport in Christchurch with the prepay card, the Metrocard. Other transport options within the city include a ferry service, taxis and a city tram!
To pay for public transport in Christchurch you’ll either need cash or a Metrocard. Fares are determined by zones, which is based on the distance of travel. The more zones you travel through the higher the fare. When you pay by cash, you get a free transfer to another bus route within two hours using your ticket. When using a Metrocard you get an unlimited number of transfers within two hours.
So follow the Christchurch public transport guide below to see how to get around. By the way, don’t miss these 10 Christchurch Must-Dos.
Metrocard
The Metrocard is a way of paying for Christchurch’s public transport without rummaging for change. More to the point, the Metrocard gives you at least 25% off the fare price. This card is only worth getting if you are planning on staying in Christchurch for a while, as you have to buy the card for NZ$10 and be topped up with a minimum of NZ$10.
All you need to do with the prepay smart card is load it up with some money, tell the bus driver your destination, and swipe it on the electric card reader.
To buy your Metrocard go to one of the many Metrocard agents, such as libraries, the Bus Interchange, and Northlands Shopping Centre. Remember to bring valid ID so they can issue you a card. You then top up your balance either online by creating an account on the Metrocard website, face-to-face at the Bus Interchange or at another Metro agent, or through the bus driver as you board the bus.
Christchurch Bus Interchange
The Bus Interchange is the transport hub of Christchurch. It is situated on the corner of Lichfield Street and Colombo Street. There are plenty of map and timetables to help you plan your journey, as well as real-time arrival screens.
You can also ask questions at the Metro Info Counter and buy a Metrocard from there.
Bus Services in Christchurch
The Christchurch bus network is the most extensive and essentially the only cheap and useful public transport network in Christchurch. If you are travelling to and from the region’s suburbs and attractions, then there will be a bus service to get you there.
Remember, you will need to signal the driver to get the bus to stop at a quiet stop.
All the local bus services you’ll ever need in Christchurch include:
- Blue Line – Princess Margaret Hospital or Cashmere – Sydenham Shops – Bus Interchange – Bealy Ave – Northland – Belfast – Kaiapoi – Rangiora
- Purple Line – Christchurch Airport or Sheffield Cres – Avonhead Mall – University of Canterbury – Westfield Riccarton – Christchurch Hospital – Bus Interchange – Ara Institute – Ferrymead Shops – Sumner
- Yellow line – Rolleston – Templeton – The Hornby Hub – Church Corner – Westfield Riccarton – Christchurch hospital – Bus Interchange – Fitzgerald Ave – Eastgate Shopping Centre – New Brighton
- Orange Line – Halswell – Addington – Christchurch Hospital – Bus Interchange – The Palms – Burwood Hospital – Queenspark
- The Orbiter – Eastgate Shopping Centre – St Martins – Princess Margaret Hospital – Barrington Mall – Westfield Riccarton – University of Canterbury – Northlands Mall – The Palms Shopping Centre – Eastgate Shopping Centre
- 952/951 – Waikuku Beach – Pegasus – Woodend – Kaiapoi – Ohoka Rd – Kaiapoi High School
- 820 – Burnham – IZone Business Park – Rolleston – Springston – Lincoln University – Lincoln
- 535 – Rapaki – Lyttelton – Ferrymead Shops – Eastgate Shopping Centre
- 150 – The Palms – Prestons (Marshland Rd) – Spencerville
- 145 – Westmorland – Barrington Mall – St Martins Shops – Eastgate Shopping
- 140 – The Hub Hornby – Russley – Church Corner – Westfield Riccarton – Moorhouse Ave – Eastgate Shopping Centre – Ferrymead Shops – Mt Pleasant
- 135 – Marshland – Burwood Hospital – Beach Rd / Bower Ave – New Brighton
- 130 – The Hornby Hub – Hei Hei – Church Corner – Westfield Riccarton – Canterbury University – Avonhead Mall – Burnside High School
- 125 – Redwood – Northlands Mall – Bishopdale Mall – Christchurch International Airport – Avonhead Mall – The Hub Hornby – Westlake – Halswell
- 120 – Sheffield Cres – Burnside – University of Canterbury – Westfield Riccarton – Addington Village – Selwyn St Shops – Spreydon – Barrington Mall
- 108 – Northwood Blvd – Regents Park – Casebrook – Sawyers Arms Rd – Northlands Mall
- 107 – Northwood Supa Centa – Northwood – Willowbank Wildlife Reserve – Styx Mill – Veitches Rd – Northlands Mall
- 100 – Halswell – Wigram – Church Corner – University of Canterbury – Westfield Riccarton – Merivale Mall – The Palms
- 95 – Waikuku Beach – Pegasus – Woodend – Kaiapoi McDonalds – Ohoka Rd – Kaiapoi High School – Bus Interchange – Ara Institute
- 80 – Lincoln University – Lincoln Township – Prebbleton – Westfield Riccarton – Christchurch Hospital – Bus Interchange – Eastgate Shopping Centre – Parklands
- 60 – Aidanfield – Hillmorton – Barrington Mall – Christchurch Hospital – Bus Interchange – The Palms – Travis Rd – New Brighton – Southshore
- 44 – Dallington – The Palms – Shirley – Warrington St Shops – Bus Interchange – Ara Institute
- 29 – Bus Interchange – Fendalton – Christchurch International Airport
- 28 – Papanui – Northlands Mall – Cranford St – Edgeware Village – Bus Interchange – Sydenham Shops – Opawa – Heathcote – Lyttelton
- 17 – Sheffield Cres – Sir William Pickering Dr – Rossall St / Leinster Rd – Park Tce – Bus Interchange – Moorhouse Ave – Waltham – St Martins – Huntsbury.
Ferry Service in Christchurch
The Diamond Harbour Ferry transports between Lyttelton and Diamond Harbour. Both commuters and sightseers use the ferry service and take about 8 minutes to complete.
The ferry departs at least once an hour during the day between the following times:
- From Lyttelton, Monday-Thursday – 6:10am-9:30pm, Friday – 6:10am-10:30pm, Saturday 6:50am-10:50pm, 7:50am-7:50pm.
- From Diamond Harbour, Monday-Thursday – 6:30am-9:40pm, Friday – 6:30am-10:40pm, Saturday 7:05am-11:00pm, 8:05am-8:00pm.
Christchurch Taxis
We, backpackers, try to avoid using taxis as much as possible, as they are not the most cost-effective method of transport. However, their convenience and the fact that you can find taxis operating 24 hours a day sometimes trumps the cost of them.
For more information on Christchurch’s taxi services, check out Christchurch Cab Fare: Taxi Prices in Christchurch.
Christchurch Tram
That’s right, there’s a tram in Christchurch. Although, this is meant to be a means of sightseeing more than public transport. You can even have a meal on the tram at night. If you really want to transport yourself around the city centre in style then the tram would be the way to do so.
The Christchurch tram takes passengers on a small one-way loop of the city centre stopping at 17 different places. You can hop on at any stop. Trams operate every 15-20 minutes.
So, What is There to Do in Christchurch?
Check these articles to see what fun places you could take this transport to!
Author
Robin C.
This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before calling New Zealand home. He has now spent over a decade in the New Zealand tourism industry, clocking in more than 600 activities across the country. He is passionate about sharing those experiences and advice on NZ Pocket Guide and its YouTube channel. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides.