Christchurch International Airport

Christchurch Airport is in Harewood, about 12 km (7.5 miles) northwest of the city center. The drive usually takes about 20 to 25 minutes along Memorial Avenue or Russley Road, longer at rush hour. Metro bus route 3 runs to the center via Riccarton, and taxis wait outside International Arrivals.

Christchurch has one integrated terminal for both domestic and international flights. It has a shared check-in hall on the ground floor and three wings: regional gates 3 to 14, domestic gates 15 to 22a and international gates 23 to 35. All arriving passengers leave through the ground-floor arrivals area, so there is no terminal to change between.

Yes. Metro route 3 runs to the city center via Avonhead and Riccarton every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes at weekends, and route 29 runs via Fendalton every 30 minutes. Buses leave from the northern end of International Arrivals, next to the Novotel, through Door 9. They stop along the way, so they suit light luggage.

The taxi stand is outside International Arrivals; walk out through Door 7. Several local companies serve it, including Blue Star Taxis and Gold Band Taxis. Domestic passengers walk to the same stand along the ground floor of the terminal, since domestic and international arrivals share one building.

Metro route 8, the Port to Port bus, runs from the airport through the city center to Lyttelton every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes at weekends. A taxi or pre-booked car goes straight to the port through the Lyttelton road tunnel, which is easier with luggage or when you are joining a cruise ship.

Bring a valid passport and complete the New Zealand Traveler Declaration (NZTD) online or in the app within 24 hours before you fly. Most visitors who travel without a visa also need an NZeTA, usually with the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), approved before departure; Australian citizens do not. Check the rules for your nationality.

Declare all food, plant and animal products on your NZTD and at biosecurity, or put them in the amnesty bins. Used hiking boots, tents and other outdoor gear must be declared too. Officers, detector dogs and X-ray machines check bags after baggage claim, and undeclared risk goods bring an instant fine, so declare anything you are unsure about.

Air New Zealand flies the most routes, across New Zealand and to Australia. Jetstar and Qantas serve Auckland, Wellington and Australian cities. Emirates flies to Dubai and Sydney, Singapore Airlines to Singapore and Fiji Airways to Nadi, while United, Cathay Pacific and China Southern fly seasonally to San Francisco, Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Yes. Air New Zealand has domestic, regional and international lounges, each following the airline's own entry rules. The independent Manaia Lounge in International Departures, opposite gate 29, serves eligible passengers of airlines including Qantas, Emirates and Fiji Airways, and other travelers may pay at the door when space allows.

The terminal opens at 3:00 every day and closes after the last scheduled flight, and it has no sleeping facilities. Travelers with early or late flights often stay at the Novotel right outside International Arrivals, or at the Sudima and LyLo hotels a short walk from the terminal.

Christchurch Airport has Express Park beside the terminal, Short Stay about a 3-minute walk away, Long Stay about 5 minutes away, the Orchard Road lot about 7 minutes away, and Park and Ride with a free bus every 10 minutes. You can book parking ahead online. Drivers collecting passengers can wait free in the Wait Zone.

Yes. Travelex has currency exchange stores in the check-in hall, in International Arrivals and in International Departures. Travelex ATMs are throughout the terminal, some dispensing New Zealand, Australian and US dollars and euros, and an ANZ ATM is in the food court on level one.

The International Antarctic Centre is next to the airport, and the Novotel faces International Arrivals. Riccarton, with its shopping center and Hagley Park beyond, lies between the airport and the city center. The airport also sits beside State Highway 1, the main road north to Kaikōura and south through Canterbury.

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.