Christchurch Travel

Passport/Visa

Citizens of Australia and the UK, as well as visa waiver countries, do not need to apply for a visa for short visitor stays, but may need to produce documented proof of onward travel. Visa waiver countries include the USA and multiple countries across Europe and Asia, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, and Vatican City. Since 2019, travelers that are visa waiver must request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) prior to travel. It is mandatory for all sea and air arrivals, including transit. The issued authorisation is valid for two years. Citizens of other countries will need to apply for a visa in advance, which can be done online for solo travelers and in paper format for those traveling with a partner or as a group. The applicant’s passport validity in this case will need to last 3 months after the planned departure date.

mana5280/unsplash

Best Time to Visit

Christchurch is an all-year destination. During the summer season, December to February, Christchurch can get high temperatures with an average temperature of 21–23°C (70°F). The daylight can last up until 9:30 pm during this period. December, February and March is the peak season, it is also in December and January many domestic travellers have their holiday since the schools are closed. If you decide to visit Christchurch during this season, you probably need to book in advance since it is not easy to find accommodation. If you prefer the winter season, then June to August are good months to visit. Winter in Canterbury is beautiful and it becomes a true winter wonderland. With good ski areas and a wide range of après activities, you will find yourself busy during this season.

Karissa Best/unsplash

Public Transport

Public transport in Christchurch consists of bus services operated by two bus companies supported by a ferry, all jointly marketed as Metro. The Orbiter service travels past all the major suburban shopping centers in Christchurch and other services can take you to the city arriving at Central Station and onto the seaside village of Sumner, surf beach at New Brighton, Sign of the Takahe in Cashmere and into the country to Lincoln and Rangiora as well as many other areas around Christchurch city. Most hotels in the city also offer free rental bicycles for guests.

Phill Brown/unsplash

Taxi

Numerous taxi companies operate throughout Christchurch. Rideshare apps like Uber are a convenient way to find a ride, too.

Art Markiv/unsplash

Post

Post offices in Christchurch are run by NZ Post, providing several services throughout the town. The offices have a red sign on the outside, with New Zealand Post written on. One of the post offices in the city is NZ Post Christchurch Central where you can post parcels, letters and purchase postage.

Diana Light/unsplash

Pharmacy

Pharmacies, often referred to as 'chemists' in New Zealand, are typically open during standard retail hours, generally 9am to 5:30pm on weekdays. However, hours can extend to late evenings and weekends in larger cities and shopping centres. New Zealand's largest pharmacy chains are Unichem and Life Pharmacy, with stores spread nationwide. These pharmacies stock a wide range of over-the-counter medicines, healthcare products, and often provide additional services like flu vaccinations.

Karolina Grabowska/pexels

Telephone

Country code: +64 Area code: (0)3

Mark Broadhead/unsplash

Electricity

New Zealand operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency. The country uses Type I power plugs, which feature two flat pins forming a 'V' shape, along with a grounding pin. This standard is also commonly used in Australia, Argentina, China, and several Pacific island nations. Remember to pack a universal adapter if your devices use a different plug type to ensure hassle-free charging.

Mitchell Luo/unsplash