Cheap flights to Christchurch
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Quick summary
Country
New Zealand
Continent
Oceania
Airport
CHC
Currency
New Zealand dollar
Time zone
UTC+12 (UTC+13 during austral daylight saving time)
Deals already spotted to Christchurch
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and getting into town
An airport about 12 km north-west of the centre
Christchurch (CHC)
Christchurch International Airport is in Harewood, about 12 km north-west of the centre. Several Metro bus routes link the airport with the centre in roughly thirty minutes; taxis, ride-hailing and shuttles leave from the terminal exit. It is the country's second-busiest airport by traffic, with services to Australia and other destinations in the region. Next to the airport, an Antarctic centre is a reminder that the city is a base for the polar programmes of several countries. From Europe, the journey almost always involves at least one connection, often several.
Indicative distance and time, cross-checked on Wikipedia (FR, EN, DE, ES) and Wikivoyage; a German-language source says about 9 km, hence the order of magnitude given. Fares are not given because they change.
Christchurch (Ōtautahi in Māori) is the largest city on the South Island, with about 400,000 people in the urban area according to recent estimates. It spreads across the Canterbury plain between the Pacific and the Southern Alps, and its very flat centre is easy to explore on foot and by bike. It is known as the Garden City for its parks and gardens, and as the gateway to the South Island. Note that Akaroa and Banks Peninsula, both very popular, lie outside the city; their distances are given below.
Landmarks and heritage
A Gothic Revival garden city, rebuilt after the earthquakes
Christchurch has a strong English character, with stone buildings, willow-lined rivers and large parks. The four places below come with photos; Cathedral Square, the Cardboard Cathedral, the botanic gardens and the Avon are described in text only.
The Arts Centre, a former Gothic Revival campus
The Arts Centre occupies the stone Gothic Revival buildings of the former university, in the heart of the city's cultural quarter. Damaged by the 2010-2011 earthquakes, they have been largely restored: today they hold galleries, workshops, performance spaces and cafés. The visit is pleasant on foot, between courtyards and vaulted passages; it is also a stop on the heritage tram.
The heritage tram in the centre
Christchurch's old tram was put back into service as a tourist attraction in 1995, on a short loop that passes Cathedral Square, the Arts Centre and Canterbury Museum, among others. It is above all a pleasant way to see the centre rather than daily transport: a full tour takes about 50 minutes. In autumn the trees of the centre turn warm colours, as in the photo.
Akaroa and its flowering cottages
Akaroa is a small harbour village on Banks Peninsula, about 80 to 85 km by road from Christchurch: allow half a day to a full day. Its atmosphere comes from the history of a French colonisation project of the 1830s-1840s, reflected in street names and several small businesses. The photo shows a cottage covered in wisteria, typical of the village's wooden houses and gardens.
The coastal cliffs, between hills and sea
Banks Peninsula is volcanic in origin, with cut hills, deep bays and cliffs facing the Pacific; the Port Hills range separates Christchurch from Lyttelton harbour. Several coastal paths and scenic roads let you enjoy the view. The image shows a coast of grassy cliffs without a specific place; we do not attribute it to any particular site. Bring a windproof jacket: the weather changes fast.
Excursions and nature
Akaroa, Banks Peninsula and the Port Hills
Akaroa, French harbour and Hector's dolphins
Akaroa sits in an old volcanic crater flooded by the sea, at the head of a sheltered harbour. It was a whaling base, then the site of an attempted French colony. The harbour is home to Hector's dolphins, a rare species found only in New Zealand; supervised boat trips to watch them are offered. Always follow the operators' distance and safety instructions.
Port Hills and the Summit Road
The Port Hills, south-east of the centre, offer viewpoints over the Canterbury plain, the Alps and Lyttelton harbour. A ridge road and the Crater Rim walkway can be done on foot, by bike or by car; a gondola climbs from the Heathcote valley. In strong wind or rain, give the ridges a miss.
Parks, river and gardens
Hagley Park, a huge park in the middle of the city, and the neighbouring botanic gardens make the reputation of the Garden City. The Avon runs through the centre, and you can glide along it in a flat-bottomed punt as in Cambridge. Cycle paths are plentiful: the centre is flat and vehicle speeds are limited to 30 km/h.
Crossing the Alps by train
The TranzAlpine, which links Christchurch with the west coast across the Southern Alps, is often listed among the world's great train journeys; it can be done in a day. It is a tourist train: check timetables and operating days before planning.
Museums and culture
The Arts Centre, museums and the city's memory
Canterbury Museum and the art gallery
Canterbury Museum, near the botanic gardens, presents colonial history, Māori collections, natural history and Antarctic exploration. According to Wikivoyage it is closed for rebuilding until 2029: check before you come. Christchurch Art Gallery, in the arts quarter, is one of the South Island's main galleries. We do not give prices, which change.
The memory of the earthquakes and the rebuilding
The 2010 and 2011 earthquakes deeply marked the city: the centre was rebuilt over many years, and some monuments were restored. The Cardboard Cathedral, a transitional cathedral designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and completed in 2013, has become a symbol of that rebuilding; a national memorial beside the Avon honours the victims. These places are visited with respect.
Antarctica, wildlife and gardens
The International Antarctic Centre, near the airport, presents polar research and the history of expeditions, the city having served as a base for many explorers. Other sites, such as the wildlife parks on the outskirts or the Bridge of Remembrance over the Avon, complete the visit: the bridge, with its memorial arch, honours those who died in the First World War.
Food and drink
Markets, local produce and cuisines of the world
Markets and local produce
An indoor market in the city centre and a Saturday farmers' market on the outskirts showcase producers, brewers and artisans from the Canterbury region. Seasonal fruit and vegetables are often much cheaper in small greengrocers than in supermarkets. We do not name businesses.
Seafood and specialities
Local specialities are those of the South Island: lamb, fish and shellfish from the coast, dairy products. The harbours of Banks Peninsula offer fresh fish; artisan smoked salmon can also be found. The region's craft breweries go well with these dishes.
Districts and cafés
The Asian district in Riccarton gathers many restaurants of varied cuisines, and the café scene has been much renewed since the centre was rebuilt. Pedestrian streets and courtyards, including a Spanish Mission-style street opened in the 1930s, hold shops and terraces.
Getting around
Metro buses, heritage tram, taxis and bikes
In town
The centre is flat and compact: on foot or by bike, getting around is easy. The Metro bus network serves the whole urban area, with a central bus interchange and a ring route (the Orbiter). Taxis and ride-hailing complete the offer.
Heritage tram and gondola
The heritage tram is above all a tourist attraction rather than everyday transport: it runs a short loop in the centre. A gondola climbs from the Heathcote valley towards Mount Cavendish in the Port Hills.
Rental car and trains
A rental car is useful for Akaroa, Banks Peninsula and the Alps; people drive on the left. From Christchurch, Queenstown is about 6 to 6.5 hours by road and Picton more than 6 hours by the coast (according to Wikivoyage). The TranzAlpine and the Coastal Pacific are tourist trains.
Budget and precautions
A medium-to-high budget, without cross-checked figures
Price level
Christchurch is a medium-to-high budget destination compared with many European countries: accommodation and restaurants can be expensive in high season, while markets, parks and free walks help keep the budget down. We give no figures, as we could not confirm them from two independent sources.
Flights
The long-haul flight remains the most variable cost. SniperAir tracks prices to CHC and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets.
Entry requirements and precautions
New Zealand generally requires a travel authorisation or a visa depending on nationality: check the official New Zealand government websites. Also consult the official recommendations of your country of departure. The country lies in a seismic zone: find out about local guidance and follow staff instructions in case of an alert. When hiking, the weather can change fast.
When to go
Reversed seasons: summer from December to February, winter from June to August
Austral summer (December to February)
Mild, with average highs of about 22 °C in January, long days and sometimes a hot north-westerly wind; it is the high season.
Austral autumn (March to May)
Mild temperatures, beautiful light and autumn colours in the parks and streets of the centre: a pleasant period.
Austral winter (June to August)
Cool, with average highs of about 11 °C in July and frequent night frosts; snow is rare in town but common on the hills.
Austral spring (September to November)
Changeable weather, with flowers in the gardens and increasingly mild days.
Mind the reversed seasons: New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, so austral summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August, the opposite of Europe.
Christchurch has a temperate oceanic climate, with mild summers, cool winters and moderate rainfall. The north-westerly wind, warm and dry, can blow hard; in winter, clear nights are cold. A windproof jacket and several layers are advised in every season.
By length of stay
What to do in Christchurch depending on the length of your stay
The essentials
The Arts Centre, the gardens and Hagley Park, a punt ride on the Avon, a museum and the heritage tram.
Port Hills and Akaroa
A day in Akaroa and on Banks Peninsula, or an outing on the Port Hills ridges.
The Alps and beyond
The TranzAlpine as a day trip, or a road trip to Queenstown and the south of the South Island.
In pictures
Christchurch and its surroundings in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Christchurch
How do I get from Christchurch Airport to the centre?
The airport (CHC) is about 12 km north-west of the centre. Several Metro bus routes, taxis, ride-hailing and shuttles cover the trip, in roughly thirty minutes depending on mode and traffic.
When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
December to February for mild weather and long days, March to May for autumn colours. The seasons are reversed compared with Europe.
Is Christchurch expensive?
The budget is medium to high depending on the season. Markets, parks and free walks help keep it under control.
How long should I stay in Christchurch?
Two days for the city, one more for Akaroa and Banks Peninsula, then longer if you continue towards the Alps or Queenstown.
How do I get around Christchurch and the area?
On foot or by bike in the centre, by Metro bus across the urban area, by rental car for Akaroa and the Alps. The heritage tram is mostly an attraction.
What should I taste in Christchurch?
Produce from Canterbury markets, lamb, coastal seafood and craft beers.
How much does a flight to Christchurch usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the period and the booking date. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Christchurch drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Christchurch as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching fare is detected.
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