Transport
Airport: Christchurch International Airport serves as the major airport for the South Island. Situated on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island, Christchurch is conveniently located next to many iconic tourism attractions and consequently the airport receives over 5.9 million passengers a year. It is also the major base for the Italian and United States Antarctic programmes as well as the New Zealand Antarctic programme. Christchurch International Airport is New Zealand's tourism gateway. It is located 12 kilometres to the northwest of the city centre, in the suburb of Harewood, and was opened in 1953. Due to increasing passenger numbers, the airport has begun construction on a domestic terminal upgrade costing over $200 million. The new construction is scheduled for completion in 2011-12.
Roads: The car still remains the dominant form of transport. The central city has very flat terrain and the City Council are establishing a network of cycle lanes on roads. State Highway 1 goes directly around Christchurch and is easy to follow.
Buses: Public transport in Christchurch is mainly by bus services operated by three companies and supported by a harbour ferry. The Christchurch Metro service now includes greater frequency, route extensions, more direct routes, and new services. The shuttle within the inner city is a zero-fare shuttle service which is provided by Environment Canterbury. The hybrid buses, which are battery powered using a small LPG-fuelled gas turbine engine to keep the battery charged, produce less air pollution than normal diesel buses].
Ferries: Diamond Harbour Ferry connects the suburb of Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour, a settlement on the opposite side of the harbour. Ferries first began crossing Lyttelton Harbour in 1888. This is the only ferry now running from Lyttelton but some smaller boats do dolphin tours etc. The port at Lyttelton is now a significant destination for rail freight traffic, particularly for coal from the West Coast transported over the Midland Line.
Trains: From Christchurch the Main North Line railway travels northwards via Kaikoura to Picton and is served by the famous Tranz Coastal passenger train, while the Main South Line heads to Invercargill via Dunedin and was used by the Southerner until its cancellation in 2002. The most famous train to depart Christchurch is the Tranz Alpine, which travels along the Main South Line to Rolleston and then turns onto the Midland Line. It passes through the Southern Alps via the Otira Tunnel and terminates in Greymouth on the West Coast. This trip is regarded by many to be one of the ten great train journeys in the world for the amazing scenery through which it passes. The TranzAlpine service is primarily a tourist service and carries no significant commuter traffic. Commuter trains used to operate in Christchurch but were progressively cancelled in the 1960s and 1970s. The last such service, between Christchurch and Rangiora, ceased in 1976.
Trams: There is a functioning tram service in Christchurch, but as a tourist attraction, its loop being restricted to a circuit of the central city. The trams were originally introduced in 1905 but ceased operating in 1954. They returned to the inner city as a novelty for tourists in 1995. Christchurch Brill Tram No 178 carries mainly tourists on the heritage tramway, providing a unique way to view the heart of Christchurch City. Your tram driver gives an informative commentary and you can leave the tram at any one of the 11 stops, rejoining it later. Tickets last for two consecutive days, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore. For a truly magical night out, you can dine aboard the restaurant tram while it follows the 2.5 km inner-city track. Special occasion tram charters are also available.
Cycling: Christchurch is a great place to cycle, due to much of the area being flat with many parks and gardens. The Metro is adding bike racks to lots more routes so you can take your bike on the bus for free so getting around is easy. If you're taking your bike on the bus, remember you are responsible for loading and unloading your bike.
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