Christchurch travel guide
New Zealand
A flat, green city on the Avon River, rebuilt with new energy after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. It is the main gateway to the South Island's Southern Alps, wine country and coast.
Essentials
- Language
- English; te reo Māori is an official language and appears on signs and place names
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar (NZD)
- Plugs
- Type I, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 111 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected; leaving a little extra for exceptional service is a kind gesture rather than a rule.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $50-80, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $130-210, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Christchurch
- Central City: the rebuilt heart, with New Regent Street, the Riverside Market and riverbank paths.
- Sumner: a seaside suburb with a surf beach, cafés and coastal walks, about 25 minutes from the centre.
- Lyttelton: a small port town over the Port Hills with bars, cafés and a Saturday farmers' market.
Getting around Christchurch
Metro buses connect the centre with the suburbs and the airport, and the central city is easy to walk or cycle. A heritage tram loops through the centre, though it is more of a sightseeing ride than transport.
Best time to visit Christchurch
December to March for warm, settled summer weather, or September to November for spring gardens.
Top things to do in Christchurch
- Walk through the Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park, the city's large green centre
- Glide along the Avon River in a punt steered by a guide in Edwardian dress
- Learn about the earthquakes and the rebuild at the Quake City museum
- Visit the Transitional Cathedral, known as the Cardboard Cathedral for its cardboard-tube design
- Eat your way through the Riverside Market, an indoor food hall in the rebuilt centre
What to eat in Christchurch
- Canterbury lamb: lamb from the farms of the surrounding plains, roasted or grilled
- Cheese roll: a slice of white bread rolled around a cheesy filling and toasted, a South Island staple
- Whitebait fritter: tiny juvenile fish bound in egg and fried, a spring treat when the season opens
- Feijoa: a tart, fragrant green fruit, scooped from the skin with a spoon in autumn
Day trips from Christchurch
- Akaroa: a harbour village with French roots and boat trips to see small Hector's dolphins, about an hour and a half by road
- Hanmer Springs: thermal pools and forest walks in an alpine village, roughly an hour and three-quarters by road
- Arthur's Pass: mountain walks in the Southern Alps, about two hours by road, or a little longer on the TranzAlpine train
Local etiquette
New Zealanders are relaxed and informal, and a simple "kia ora" as a greeting is welcomed. If you visit a marae, follow your hosts' lead and remove your shoes before entering the meeting house.
Staying connected
Prepaid SIMs from One NZ, Spark and 2degrees are sold at the airport and in supermarkets, eSIMs are widely supported, and free Wi-Fi is common in cafés and libraries, though mobile coverage thins out quickly in the mountains.
Staying safe
Theft from parked cars is the most common problem, so leave nothing on show at trailheads and beaches. New Zealand is earthquake country: learn the drop, cover and hold drill, and wear sunscreen, as the UV is strong even on cool days.
A local tip
Take the Christchurch Gondola up the Port Hills on a clear day for views of the city, the Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Christchurch on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Christchurch for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Christchurch, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Christchurch
- What currency is used in Christchurch?
- Christchurch uses the New Zealand dollar (NZD).
- What is the emergency number in Christchurch?
- In Christchurch, call 111 for police, fire and ambulance.
- When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
- December to March for warm, settled summer weather, or September to November for spring gardens.
- How much does a day in Christchurch cost?
- Roughly $50-80 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $130-210 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Christchurch?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Christchurch without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.