Getting to Christchurch and Canterbury
Getting to Christchurch & Canterbury
Christchurch International Airport (CIAL) makes it easy to reach
the Heart of the South Island. It is New Zealand's tourism gateway,
with 10 ski areas within two hours' drive of the airport, and 18 fantastic ski
and board experiences within the Canterbury region.
CIAL is a world-class airport experience, with the range of
modern facilities and conveniences, located only 20 minutes's drive
from the city centre.
Flight times from overseas, for example, are:
Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane/Gold Coast - 3 hours
Singapore - 10 hours
Tokyo - 11 hours
Los Angeles - 13 hours
London - 25 hours
Airport Route Map
http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/TravellersAndServices/FlightsAndAirlineInformation/CIALRouteMap/
Rail: If you enjoy travelling by train, don't
miss the scenic TranzAlpine and
TranzCoastal rail routes. The
TranzAlpine travels between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one
coast of New Zealand to the other. The TranzCoastal travels between
Christchurch and the port of Picton, located at the top of the
South Island. If you are coming from the North Island, the
TranzCoastal is a great way to continue travelling down to
Christchurch after your ferry crossing over Cook Strait.
Coach/Bus: There are a wide variety of quality
operators available to ensure your experience of the Christchurch
and Canterbury region is unforgettable. Ranging from five-star
luxury vehicles to group coach tours, you will find a great range
of choices to meet your needs. Regular services run from the West
Coast, Queenstown, Wanaka, Nelson, Picton, Dunedin, Southland and
many other locations.
Self Drive: - If you're driving from the North,
State Highway 1 will take you into Christchurch and the heart of
the South Island. From Southland, Otago and Queenstown, SH1 is your
route to reach Christchurch as well. If you're coming from the
west, follow the Great Alpine Highway, SH73, to Christchurch.
City: Amongst the many choices for seeing
Christchurch City, from rental car to
tram, from bike tours to
coach, the city has a public passenger transport
service called Metro.
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