Getting there
If you are travelling to New Zealand on a long-haul flight, chances are you will land in either Christchurch or Auckland. Many travellers choose to start their Kiwi experience in Christchurch with its proximity to some of the country’s premier attractions. Christchurch Airport is situated 12km from the city centre, and shuttles and taxis take about 10 to 20 minutes to reach the city. There are two Christchurch bus services that run from the airport to the city centre, the number 29 via Fendalton and the number 10 via Merivale. All buses arrive and depart from the front of the main terminal building.
Despite domestic air travel becoming cheaper in recent years, many still choose to travel the country by bus or train – simply to watch the stunning landscape go by. New Zealand is served with good rail and bus networks which are moderately priced if booked in advance. The Christchurch Railway Station is situated in Addington, near the city centre, with rail links to Greymouth on the South Island’s West Coast, and Picton – linking with the ferry services to Wellington in the North Island. Several companies offer bus services in and out of Christchurch to a variety of destinations around the South Island.
Getting Around
Put on the comfortable shoes and get walking. There is plenty of Christchurch to see by wandering around the city centre with most civic attractions clustered around Cathedral Square. The city is also serviced by a regular and cheap suburban bus service. To explore the region, however, many opt to hire a car or camper van. New Zealand roads are generally good and congestion free, but can be steep and windy in some areas. However, be wary of traffic police who love nothing better than to dish out tough fines for speeding.
