About Christchurch
Christchurch, also known by its Māori name Ōtautahi, is the largest city in the South Island and the second-largest city by urban area population in New Zealand. Christchurch has an urban population of 407,800, and a metropolitan population of 556,500. It is located in the Canterbury Region, near the centre of the east coast of the South Island, east of the Canterbury Plains. It is located near the southern end of Pegasus Bay, and is bounded to the east by the Pacific Ocean and to the south by the ancient volcanic complex of the Banks Peninsula. The Avon River / Ōtākaro winds through the centre of the city, with a large urban park along its banks. With the exception of the Port Hills, it is a relatively flat city, on an average about 20 m (66 ft) above sea level.
Cheap flights to Christchurch
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $741 from Honolulu, travelling 13 May – 22 May. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- YVR Vancouver to Christchurch3 Feb – 24 Feb · CHC from$1,112
- LAX Los Angeles to Christchurch11 Mar – 21 Mar · CHC from$949
- JFK New York to Christchurch10 Nov – 3 Dec · CHC from$1,330
- YTO Toronto to Christchurch2 Mar – 19 Mar · CHC from$1,208
- SFO San Francisco to Christchurch5 Mar – 14 Mar · CHC from$955
- WAS Washington to Christchurch22 Jan – 7 Feb · CHC from$1,536
- CHI Chicago to Christchurch25 Nov – 2 Dec · CHC from$1,278
- DEN Denver to Christchurch21 Feb – 16 Mar · CHC from$1,495
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, Fiji Airways, Qantas Airways.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to ChristchurchPlaces to visit in Christchurch
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Christchurch Botanic Gardens
ParkSpacious gardens along the Avon River with rose beds, glasshouses and huge exotic trees planted in the 1800s. Rent a punt or kayak on the river nearby for a relaxed way to see the area.
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Hagley Park
ParkA vast public park surrounding the botanic gardens, popular with joggers, cyclists and picnickers. Visit in early spring, when the avenues of flowering cherry trees and daffodils are at their best.
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Canterbury Museum
MuseumA museum covering the natural and human history of the region, including Maori artifacts and Antarctic exploration. Check its current status before going, as the main building has been closed for major redevelopment.
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Christchurch Gondola
Viewpoint · 5 mi from centreA cable car that climbs Mount Cavendish to a summit station with views over the city, the Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour. Go on a clear day, ideally late afternoon, for the best visibility.
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Cardboard Cathedral
ReligiousA striking temporary cathedral built from large cardboard tubes and timber after the 2011 earthquake destroyed the original. Step inside to see how the colorful triangular window was designed to reflect the old cathedral's rose window.
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International Antarctic Centre
Museum · 5 mi from centreAn interactive attraction near the airport about life and science in Antarctica, with a storm simulator and rescued little blue penguins. It is a convenient stop on the way to or from a flight.
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New Regent Street
NeighborhoodA short pedestrian street of pastel Spanish Mission-style buildings housing cafes and small shops. Look out for the heritage tram that rolls slowly down the middle of the street as part of its city loop.
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Akaroa
Neighborhood · 25 mi from centreA harbor village on Banks Peninsula with French colonial roots, set inside a flooded volcanic crater. Join a harbor cruise to look for the rare Hector's dolphins that often swim in the bay.
Things to do in Christchurch by type
11 tours, tickets and experiences across 4 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 4 experiences Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill - Alpine Adventure Full-Day Tour -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 4 experiences Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill - Alpine Adventure Full-Day Tour -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 3 experiences Shamarra Alpaca Farm - Guided Tour in Akaroa -
Cruise & Water Tours 2 experiences Akaroa Harbour Nature - Cruise with Dolphin Sightseeing
- Over 6 hours 4
- Up to 1 hour 2
- 1-3 hours 2
- 3-6 hours 1
- Small group 2
- Private 1
Top experiences in Christchurch
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 11 available.
Luxury Private Guided Walk
From $303 per adult
Full Day Guided Walk
From $162 per adult
Shamarra Alpaca Farm - Guided Tour in Akaroa
From $58 per adult
Avon River Punting - Traditional Christchurch Boat Tour
From $42 per adult
Akaroa Harbour Nature - Cruise with Dolphin Sightseeing
From $118 per adult
Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo - Full-Day Small-Group Scenic Tour
From $243 per adult
Epic Southern Alps Journey: Christchurch to Queenstown via Franz Josef - 2-Day One-Way Adventure
From $485 per adult
The Ultimate Canterbury Experience: Sheep Farm, Gourmet Lunch and Vineyard Escape - Full-Day Tour
From $263 per adult
Wild Akaroa - Off-Road 4WD Scenic Nature and Wildlife Adventure
From $92 per adult
Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill - Alpine Adventure Full-Day Tour
From $187 per adult
Best time to visit Christchurch
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Christchurch is February, when average daytime highs are around 70°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Christchurch weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 66° 50° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 78° 48° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 63° 49° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 82° 51° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 75° 53° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 74° 56° 62%
Know before you go
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar (NZD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.77
- Languages
- English, Māori
- Calling code
- +64
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Pacific/AucklandUTC+13
- Capital
- Wellington
Upcoming public holidays in New Zealand
- Labour Day
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
- New Year's Day
- Day after New Year's Day
- Waitangi Day
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Christchurch
These are the airports closest to central Christchurch. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- CHC Christchurch International Airport6 mi (10 km) from the city centre
Getting around Christchurch
Christchurch is mostly flat with a grid-pattern layout, so navigation by road is generally simple. The central city is contained by the "four avenues": Bealey Ave in the north, Fitzgerald Ave in the east, Deans Ave in the west, and Moorhouse Ave in the south. Watch out for one-way streets and bus-and-taxi-only intersections in the central city.
By bike
Many people get around on bicycles, and special-purpose bicycle lanes have been added to many streets to help promote cycling. The city is more bike-friendly than many other New Zealand cities and almost all Australian cities. The Central City also has a uniform 30 km/h limit on all streets, which means that it is mostly safe to cycle even on the main street. Drivers in general are also a bit friendlier toward cyclists compared to other cities in the region.
By car
Parking in the city uses a pay and display system and costs $2.60/hour. You can pay with coins, credit card (Visa, MasterCard or AmEx) or with a mobile phone text message (the latter two attract a 50c surcharge) then display the ticket with the expiry time visible on the kerbside dash. Rental cars are available. Most depots are on the airport side of town, with just a few near the CBD.
By taxi
Grab a taxi via +64 33799799 (Blue Star), +64 33775555 (First Direct), or +64 33795795 (Gold Band). Uber is also available in Christchurch.
Christchurch travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Christchurch is February, when average daytime highs are around 70°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Christchurch?
February is usually the warmest month in Christchurch, with average highs of 70°F (21°C). July is the coolest, with average lows of 40°F (5°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 89 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Christchurch?
Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is the closest airport, about 6 miles (10 km) from the centre of Christchurch.
How much are flights to Christchurch?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Christchurch in the last 30 days was $741 from Honolulu, travelling 13 May – 22 May. February is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $741.
What currency is used in Christchurch?
Christchurch uses the New Zealand dollar (NZD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.77.
What time zone is Christchurch in?
Christchurch uses the Pacific/Auckland time zone (currently UTC+13). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Christchurch?
Christchurch is mostly flat with a grid-pattern layout, so navigation by road is generally simple. The central city is contained by the "four avenues": Bealey Ave in the north, Fitzgerald Ave in the east, Deans Ave in the west, and Moorhouse Ave in the south.
What are the best places to visit in Christchurch?
Top sights in Christchurch include Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, Canterbury Museum and Christchurch Gondola. Spacious gardens along the Avon River with rose beds, glasshouses and huge exotic trees planted in the 1800s. Rent a punt or kayak on the river nearby for a relaxed way to see the area.
What are the top things to do in Christchurch?
Popular experiences you can book in Christchurch include Luxury Private Guided Walk, Full Day Guided Walk and Shamarra Alpaca Farm - Guided Tour in Akaroa. Destina Holidays offers 11 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Christchurch?
The most popular types of experiences in Christchurch are day trips & excursions (4), outdoor activities & adventure (4), zoo, aquarium & nature (3) and cruise & water tours (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
