Travelling to and from Christchurch Airport

Take the hassle out of trying to find a car park and paying for ride shares: catch the bus

Please note: You can now pay a standard adult Metro fare with contactless debit and credit cards on all Metro services in Greater Christchurch. See below for more information.

Christchurch is one of those fortunate cities with its airport located only a short distance from the city centre. Better still, it’s super easy to get from the airport to the city by bus.

Taking a bus to and from the airport is one of the most cost-effective transport options. There are four options to choose from, three of which service the city centre. Both of the airport to city services are pretty direct, so you can take whichever comes along first.

Airport services

Route 8 Port to Port/Airport to Lyttelton: This high-frequency route connects Christchurch Airport with the CBD and Lyttelton. On weekdays, the service runs every 15 minutes. This service will have you arriving in the city in 30 minutes. View Route 8 timetable.

Route 29 Airport to City: You can reach the city within 30 minutes onboard this service. This route takes you all the way down Memorial Avenue and through Fendalton, skirting the beautiful North Hagley Park before reaching the city. Buses run every 30 minutes most of the day.
View Route 29 timetable.

Route 3 Airport to Sumner via City: This service will have you arriving in the city in 30 minutes. Travel past the university and Westfield Riccarton, then through iconic Hagley Park before reaching the Bus Interchange. If you are catching Route 3 to the airport, make sure your bus has “Airport” on its destination board. Only every third Route 3 bus enters the airport. The Airport Route 3 buses go every 30 minutes most of the day.
View Route 3 timetable.

Route 125 Redwood to Westlake: This suburban route connects the airport with Christchurch’s northern and western suburbs and does not go to the city. Enjoy easy access to the retail hubs in Halswell, Hornby, Avonhead, Bishopdale and Northlands.
View Route 125 timetable.

Ways to pay on Metro

There are several ways to pay a fare on Metro buses and ferries.

Contactless payments

You can board any Metro service with contactless payments. Use the Motu Move card reader on the right when you board the bus. Contactless fares are the same price as a standard adult Metrocard fare.

• Contactless debit or credit card
• Google Pay and Apple Pay

→ More information on contactless payments

Other payment methods

• Metrocard (includes concessions)
• Cash

→ More information on ways to pay

Important information

• Free transfers apply within two hours making it easier to connect multiple bus trips to wherever you need to go. 
• A trip on a Metro bus is cheaper when you pay with contactless payments or Metrocard, no matter how far you're travelling!
• Please note that for safety reasons, we keep limited cash float levels on buses and request that customers avoid paying with $20 notes or higher.
• If you're interested in buying a Metrocard, you can pick one up at the Metroinfo Counter at the Bus Interchange when you arrive in the city, or at these handy locations across Greater Christchurch. Metrocards are not available at the airport or from the driver.

→ Find more information on our Fares page

Bus stop location

Buses depart frequently from the northern end of the International Arrivals hall, next to the Novotel Hotel. The short walk is undercover almost all the way from both the domestic and international baggage claim areas. There is signage inside and outside the terminal to guide you in the right direction.

Getting started: Check out our Getting Started page and make the most of getting out and about in Christchurch.