Cheap flights to Christchurch

Peak season

Christchurch’s peak tourist season coincides with the summer holiday months of December through to February, when warm temperatures and clear skies are the norm and local tourists are on their annual vacation. Accommodation and flight tickets can get booked out and crowds experienced at many of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. The Easter weekend is another particularly busy time, while the surrounding ski fields see their peak conditions and biggest crowds over the winter months of June through to August.

Off season

Both Spring and Autumn are quieter times to visit Christchurch when the weather is still warm and good accommodation and flight deals can be found. Changing leaves throughout the city’s historic streets are beautiful from March through to May, while its reputation as the “Garden City” is evident during the Spring flower blooms from September through to November.

How long is the flight to Christchurch?

Flights from Auckland to Christchurch ­ 1h 20m

Flights from Wellington to Christchurch ­ 55m

Flights from Dunedin to Christchurch ­ 1h 5m

Flights from Rotorua to Christchurch ­ 1h 45m

Flights from Queenstown to Christchurch ­ 1h 5m

Which airlines operate to Christchurch?

There are multiple daily flights to Christchurch from both Auckland and Wellington with Air New Zealand and Jetstar. Of these two airlines, Jetstar tends to offer the cheapest flights to Christchurch, particularly if you only have carry-on luggage, but there are good deals available with Air New Zealand if you book early. There are also multiple daily flights to Christchurch from Dunedin, Rotorua and Queenstown with Air New Zealand.

How to get from the airport to the city centre?

The Christchurch Airport is located 12 kilometres northwest of the city centre in the suburb of Harewood.There are regular local buses that connect the Christchurch Airport to the city centre along a number of different routes. They depart from outside the international arrival terminal and take around 30 minutes, and tickets can be purchased from the driver.

There is also a free Airport Hopper bus that operates from the airport’s long term carpark, departing every 30 minutes and taking 10 minutes.

For door to door service, there is a Super Shuttle which meets every flight coming into Christchurch Airport with tickets available online or from the driver, as well as metered taxis that offer the fastest option.

What is good to know if travelling to Christchurch?

• If you’re addicted to good quality coffee and the prospect of going without on holiday scares you ­ fear not! Christchurch boasts excellent cafes with a reputation for excellent coffee and gourmet delicacies. Here’s our pick of 10 of the best cafes in Christchurch.
• Christchurch is the reason to visit to New Zealand’s South Island and the ideal base for exploring everything this region has to offer.
• Christchurch is the starting point of the Misty Mountain Hop 12 day cycling adventure that takes in some of the South Island’s most picturesque locations.
• Just to the south of Christchurch is some of the country’s best salmon fishing in the Rakaia River and a 12 metre high salmon statue which is literally one of the biggest attractions in New Zealand.
• Fancy exploring New Zealand by car? From Christchurch you can drive north through Canterbury on the Alpine Pacific Triangle route, taking in the wildlife­ spotting mecca of Kaikoura, the wineries of Waipara, and the hot springs of Hanmer.

What airport do you fly into for flights to Christchurch?

If you book a flight to Christchurch, you will be flying into Christchurch, which is the city’s only airport. Christchurch (CHC) is located 9.5 km from the centre of Christchurch. There are 55 flights from Auckland to Christchurch per day from 2 different airlines.