Getting around Christchurch
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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