Christchurch Airport Transportation

By Andrew Lewis on 15 Sep 2023

Founded as an aerodrome in 1936, Christchurch International Airport was New Zealand’s first international airport, and it’s now the country’s second-largest, with 12 partner airlines from 25 destinations.

As the international gateway for Christchurch and the South Island for visitors, airfreight, and business, it gets pretty busy—in April 2023, a total of 504,288 passengers passed through. Plus it’s currently in the midst of a 2040 master plan, which will eventually result in an expanded terminal and minor runway extensions.

Christchurch International Airport is located northwest of Christchurch, within the suburb of Harewood. If you decide to head into the city of Christchurch, there are many indoor and outdoor things to do. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens pop with colorful native and nonnative plants and flowers, and the city’s street art scene is equally vibrant.

New Regent Street is an Instagram backdrop unto itself, a streetscape full of bars, restaurants, and theaters. (Be sure to get ice cream from Rollicking Gelato.) Quake City recounts the 2010 to 2011 Canterbury earthquakes through personal accounts and hands-on exhibits. You can also take the hour-long ride from Christchurch out to Akaroa, an attempted French settlement with impressive harborside scenery.

But first you need to get out of the airport. This how-to guide contains everything you need to know to ease the stress of navigating an unfamiliar airport, such as how to get into the city center, terminal transfers, and more. (Flying into Auckland instead? We’ve got you covered there too.)


Christchurch Airport Fast Facts

  • Name: Christchurch Airport
  • Code: CHC
  • Terminals: One
  • Airlines: 9
  • Services: Currency exchange, ATMs, lounges, restaurants, shopping, taxi service

Currency Exchange

There are three Travelex stores for exchanging major foreign currencies within international departures, international arrivals, and check-in for both types of flights.

ATMs

ATMs for two banks, ANZ and BNZ, are located throughout the terminal.

Lounges

There are three Air New Zealand lounges: a domestic lounge that is accessed from Domestic Departures; a regional departures lounge on the ground floor behind the Fly Thru Cafe and next to Gates 3 to 14; and an international lounge in International Departures within Aelia Duty Free.

Open to select passengers traveling on Qantas, Fiji Airways, and Jetstar flights, there’s also Manaia Lounge, which is located in International Departures opposite Gate 29.

Restaurants

Within the terminal, there’s a Level One food court with fast-casual brands, including Burger King, Number Eight, Tank, the Sushi Platter, Underground Coffee, and Wishbone. The International Departures area has an Alps Bar & Pizza, while Domestic Departures contains a Cassels Pop-up Bar and Icons. The ground floor holds a Coffee Culture, FlyThru Cafe, and Hub Cafe & Bar, and there’s a South Bar and Cafe next to Domestic Arrivals, also on Level One.

An eight-minute walk or one-minute drive from the airport’s terminal, Spitfire Square offers takeaway meal options from well-known fast-casual concepts, including BurgerFuel, Katsubi, KFC, Little India, Lone Star, Mexicali Fresh, Subway, SuRa Sushi, SuRa Teppanyaki, Taichi Restaurant, Tank, and the Coffee Club.

Shopping

Between its domestic and international departures, check-ins, and food court, the airport’s terminal has a mix of retail. The Official All-Blacks Store has merchandise for the New Zealand rugby team, and Whittaker’s is a famous New Zealand chocolate brand.

The Aelia Duty Free shop carries leading high-end brands. Spitfire Square has convenience stores, including the New Zealand supermarket brand Countdown. On the ground floor, the Travel Store provides luggage storage and luggage-wrapping services, along with a bicycle-parking service.

Taxis

Exit through Door 7 and look for the taxi rank outside of International Arrivals.

How Long Does It Take to Get to Christchurch Airport?

It is approximately a 15- to 20-minute drive from the airport to the city center.

Getting Between Terminals

Christchurch Airport has one main terminal building. Domestic and international flight gates and the Air New Zealand International Lounge and Manaia Lounge are all located on its first floor. The ground floor contains baggage claim, rental-car companies, a duty-free point, the Air New Zealand Regional Lounge, and other airline services.

Getting to and From Christchurch Airport

On the airport’s ground floor, you’ll find several convenient ways to get into the city center.

Taxis

The taxi rank is located outside the International Arrivals hall (exit door 7), and fares vary by taxi company. Six companies service Christchurch Airport: Blue Star Taxis, Corporate Cabs, EkoCabs, First Direct Taxis, Gold Band Taxis, King Cabs, and Mr. Singh Taxis.

Cab fares could range from NZ$45 to $65, but ask for an estimated cost before you begin your ride. Also note that there’s a charge of NZ$5.50 to bring you to and from Christchurch Airport.

Rideshares

There are many options for getting to and from Christchurch Airport. Uber, Zoomy and Ola offer ridesharing services.

Super Shuttle provides door-to-door pickups to and from Christchurch Airport.

Public Transit

Two bus lines, Number 29 and the Purple Line, connect the airport to the city. Tickets can be purchased from the driver. Courtesy shuttles go to and from outside the airport’s Door 1.

Hotel Transfers

Some hotels in Christchurch may offer complimentary or paid transfer services to and from the airport. Check with your hotel to see if they provide airport transfers.

The closest hotel to Christchurch Airport is the Novotel. It’s located right outside of International Arrivals; exit through Door 9.

Sudima Christchurch Airport is a five-minute walk away from the terminal. The hotel’s courtesy shuttle can be found outside of International Arrivals, next to the taxi rank; exit through Door 8. A 10-minute walk away, the JUCY Snooze is another accommodation option.

Parking and Car Rentals

Christchurch has five different parking options that can cater to your needs. They can all be booked in advance at a savings cost. Mobility parking is available and listed by parking option.

Express Park is the closest option to the airport terminal, offering 90-minute parks for quick and easy access to the terminal. It’s located on the ground floor; the first and second level are covered and the third is open.

Orchard Park is a short walk from the airport terminal and is best for pickups and drop-offs. It offers 30 minutes of free parking; electric-vehicle charging stations are found here.

Park and Ride is touted as the most affordable online option. It includes a free ride on an electric shuttle to and from the airport terminal at varying times.

The uncovered Short Stay parking lot is a three-minute walk to the terminal, while the uncovered Long Stay parking lot is a five-minute walk away.

Prepare for Your New Zealand Trip

Obtaining the proper visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a New Zealand visa. Start your visa application process.

For more information on other aspects of New Zealand travel, including local laws, health and safety, money and currency, and the possibility of extending your stay, visit our New Zealand content hub.