World City Guide

Getting Around

Public transport
All local buses in Christchurch operate out of the Bus Exchange, Colombo and Lichfield streets. The main operator is Red Bus Limited (tel: (03) 379 4260 or 0800 733 287; website: www.redbus.co.nz).

For information and details on fares, passes, time-tables, etc. contact Bus Info Centre, located on the second floor of the Bus Exchange (tel. (03) 366 8855; website: www.metroinfo.org.nz).

After hours, the Midnight Express Service leaves on four major suburban routes on the hour between midnight and 0400. Just look out for the distinctive purple buses, or call Bus Info for route details.

There is also a free central-city electric shuttle (bright yellow): its pickup points are designated by bright-yellow street towers. The shuttle travels between the Casino, Town Hall, Victoria Square, Cathedral Square, City Mall, South City, Smiths City, and Hoyts 8 on Moorehouse Avenue at 10-minute intervals during the day, 15-minute intervals at night.

The City Circuit Bus (tel. (03) 332 6012) offers transportation to the area's most popular attractions, including Willowbank, the Antarctic Centre, Orana Park, the Gondola and Lyttelton Port. There are two different circuites, but both start at the visitor center in the Square.

Christchurch's tram (website: www.tram.co.nz) runs from Cathedral Square down Worcester Boulevard, crossing the Avon River to the Arts Centre. From here, it turns right to Rolleston Avenue and travels on to Armagh and New Regent streets and back to the Square. Tickets can be purchased on board.

Taxis
Blue Star Taxis (tel: (03) 379 9799) has Christchurch’s largest taxi fleet. First Direct (tel. (03) 377 5555) is another reputable company.

Car Hire
Car rental companies in Christchurch include: Avis (tel: (03) 379-6133; website: www.avis.co.nz); Budget (tel: (03) 366 0072; www.budget.co.nz), Hertz (tel: (03) 366 0549; website: www.hertz.co.nz); and Thrifty (tel: (03) 353 1940 or (0800) 73 70 70; website: www.thrifty.co.nz). All have offices in town and at the airport.

Local operators such as Britz (tel: (03) 358 4159 or (0800) 831 900; website: www.britz.com), Kea Campers (tel: (03) 359 2820; website: www.keacampers.com) and Maui (tel: (03) 358 4159 or (0800) 651 080; website: www.maui-rentals.com) hire motorhomes and campervans. This is a popular way to travel around New Zealand.

Bicycle Hire
Because Christchurch is so flat it really lends itself to cycling. This is the preferred mode of transportation for many of the city’s students, and there are quite a few cycling lanes. Bikes can be hired from Natural High Adrenalin Dealers, Unit 3, 14 Kennaway Road (tel: (03) 982 2966; e-mail: cycletouring@cyclenewzealand.com) or delivered to your door by City Cycle Hire (tel: (03) 3394020 or (0800) 343 848; website: www.cyclehire-tours.co.nz).