Christchurch Travel Guide

By Plane -- Christchurch has frequent air service from all major centers via Air New Zealand (tel. 0800/737-000; www.airnewzealand.co.nz) and Air New Zealand Link. Christchurch International Airport is 10km (6 miles) from Cathedral Square and it receives direct flights from several countries. The international terminal features everything travelers will need, including boutique shopping and a visitor information center (tel. 03/353-7783; www.christchurchairport.co.nz). A massive upgrade is now underway and the first stage -- a new covered carpark -- is already completed. Further plans include the integration of international and domestic terminals with improved services and retail outlets. The airport will function as usual throughout the upgrade, scheduled for completion in 2009. The visitor information center in the domestic terminal (tel. 03/353-7774; www.mynzholiday.com) will book accommodations and transportation at no charge. Also here are car-rental firms, a bank, a florist, a bookstore, a confectionery store, a hair salon, Internet kiosks, a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and a duty-free store. For further international airport details, check www.christchurchairport.co.nz.

Several shuttle companies operate between the airport and Central City. Super Shuttle (tel. 0800/748-885 in NZ; www.supershuttle.co.nz) runs daily 24 hours and charges NZ$18 to NZ$20 (US$13-US$14/£6.50-£7.20). The Red Bus City Flyer (tel. 0800/733-287 in NZ) departs from the airport and from Worcester Street, near the Square, opposite Regent Theatre and calls at the Bus Exchange before returning to the airport. It leaves on the half-hour Monday through Friday, on the hour Saturday and Sunday, and costs NZ$12 (US$8.50/£4.30) one way. For a 20-minute taxi ride, call First Direct (tel. 03/377-5555). The fare to Central City should be NZ$25 to NZ$30 (US$18-US$22/£9-£11).

By Train & Coach (Bus) -- Train service to and from Christchurch has been greatly reduced as railway companies rationalize their operations. The TranzAlpine (Greymouth), and the TranzCoastal (Picton) are the only two still running. For information, call Tranz Scenic at tel. 0800/872-467 in NZ, or 03/341-2588. The Christchurch Railway Station is on Clarence Street, in Addington. Regular shuttles run from the station to the city.

InterCity (tel. 0800/468-372 in NZ, or 03/379-9020) covers most of the South Island, offering service between Christchurch, Dunedin, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, Greymouth and the West Coast, Wanaka, Queenstown and Mount Cook, Invercargill, Timaru, Picton, and Kaikoura. If you prefer something cheaper, go with Kiwi Experience (tel. 03/377-9810).

By Car -- If you're coming from the north, you'll drive in on State Highway 1 and enter the city through the northwest suburbs of Papanui and Merivale. It's 4 to 5 hours from Picton and 2 1/2 hours from Kaikoura. From Dunedin, via Timaru and Ashburton, you'll also be on State Highway 1. It takes 5 hours from Dunedin, 2 from Timaru. From the southwest, via Lake Tekapo and Geraldine, travel on Highway 79 to Highway 77 and then Highway 73; this takes you to Mount Hutt and over the Rakaia River. If you're coming from the West Coast, you'll go over Arthur's Pass and enter Christchurch at Upper Riccarton. This trip takes 4 hours. Christchurch is 366km (227 miles) north of Dunedin, 350km (217 miles) south of Picton, and 254km (157 miles) southeast of Greymouth.