Getting around Christchurch

Public transport

All local buses in Christchurch operate from the Bus Interchange on the corner of Lichfield Street and Colombo Street. The main operator is Red Bus Limited (tel: +64 3 379 4260; www.redbus.co.nz) while Metro (tel: +64 3 366 8855; www.metroinfo.co.nz) coordinates the passenger transport network and provides information on fares, passes, timetables and routes. Using a preloadable Metrocard gives you savings of at least 25% per journey. Christchurch has three fare zones, with ticket prices rising if you cross into an additional zone.

Most Christchurch bus stops have real-time information about the buses on that route.

The Christchurch Tramway (tel: +64 3 366 7830; www.tram.co.nz) runs restored vintage trams through the city centre, with 17 stops along the way.

Taxis

Major taxi companies in Christchurch include Blue Star Taxis (tel: +64 3 379 9799) and Green Cabs (tel: +64 800 464 7336), which exclusively operates environmentally-friendly vehicles and has a real-time taxi booking app for smartphones.

Driving

Drive on the left, watch for one-way streets in the city centre, and note that in New Zealand you cannot park facing towards oncoming traffic – you will get a parking ticket. The city council operates 8 inner-city car parks as well as on-street metered parking. Meters accept coins, credit cards and mobile phone text payments.

Car hire

Companies in Christchurch include New Zealand Rent A Car (tel. +64 3 358 1358; nzrentacar.co.nz), Omega Rental Cars (tel. +64 3 360 2885; omegarentalcars.com), Avis (tel: +64 3 358 9661; www.avis.co.nz), Hertz (tel: +64 3 358 6730; www.hertz.co.nz), and Thrifty (tel: +64 3 353 1940; www.thrifty.co.nz).

Maui (tel: +64 9 255 3910; www.maui.co.nz) and Maui (tel: +64 9 255 3910; www.maui.co.nz) hire motorhomes and campervans.

Bicycle hire

Christchurch’s flat landscape really lends itself to cycling, and there are quite a few cycling lanes or shared pedestrian and bike paths. You can hire bikes from City Cycle Hire (tel: +64 3 377 5952; www.cyclehire-tours.co.nz) or The Vintage Peddler Bike Co (tel: +64 3 365 6530; www.vintagepeddler.co.nz).

Spark Bikes (tel: +64 3 373 4590; www.nextbike.co.nz) is a bikeshare scheme which launched in 2015. The first 30 minutes of any journey are free.

Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.