Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Christchurch railway station
( 03-341 2588;
www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz
;
Troup Dr, Addington;
ticket office 6.30am-3pm)
is the terminus for two highly scenic train journeys. At the
time of writing there was a free shuttle from city-centre accommodation to the station, al-
though this may not continue; enquire at the i-SITE or ask your accommodation provider.
The
Coastal Pacific
runs daily from October to April departing from Christchurch at
7am and arriving at Picton at 12.13pm ($79 to $159). Other stops include Waipara ($59,
56 minutes), Kaikoura ($49 to $69, three hours) and Blenheim ($79 to $159, 4¾ hours).
It then departs Picton at 1pm, returning to Christchurch at 6.21pm.
The
TranzAlpine
is widely considered one of the best train journeys in the world. It
operates year-round with a daily train between Christchurch and Greymouth ($99 to
$198, 4½ hours) via Springfield ($89, one hour), Arthur's Pass ($89, 2½ hours) and Lake
Brunner ($99 to $198, 3½ hours).
Getting Around
TO/FROM THE AIRPORT
Christchurch Airport is only 10km from the city centre but a
taxi
between the two can
cost a hefty $45 to $65. Alternatively, the airport is well served by
public buses
(
www.metroinfo.co.nz
). Bus 3 heads through Riccarton (25 minutes) to the central bus
station (35 minutes) and on to Sumner (70 minutes). Bus 29 heads through Fendalton (10
minutes) to the bus station (30 minutes). Both services cost $8 and run every half-hour
from roughly 7am to 11pm.
Shuttle services include the following:
Steve's Shuttle
(
0800 101 021;
www.steveshuttle.co.nz
;
city centre fare $18, plus $5 per addi-
tional passenger;
3am-6pm)
Super Shuttle
(
0800 748 885;
www.supershuttle.co.nz
; city centre fare $19, plus $5 for addi-
tional passengers;
24hr)
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Hire
Most major car- and campervan-rental companies have offices in Christchurch, as do nu-
merous smaller local companies. Operators with national networks often want cars to be
returned from Christchurch to Auckland because most renters travel in the opposite dir-
ection, so you may find a cheaper price on a northbound route.
Local options include the following:
