Taking the bus is a conscientious and cost-effective way to get around town.
Making your money go further
Check out the lists below to see what your bus ride will cost. Plus, you can save even more with a Metrocard - with discounts off the regular fares as well as special cardholder deals on unlimited daily and weekly travel. Find out more about travel savings with Metrocard.
- Greater Christchurch Metro fare structure
- Travelling within and between zones
- Free transfers
- Travelling on airport services
- Travelling on the Diamond Harbour Ferry
- Metro gift vouchers
Greater Christchurch Metro fare structure
| Fare type | Child | Adult | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metrocard | Cash | Metrocard | Cash | |
| Zone 1 | $1.50 | $2.40 | $2.65 | $4.20 |
| Zone 2 | $2.15 | $3.20 | $3.85 | $5.70 |
| Zone 3 | $2.60 | $3.70 | $4.70 | $6.70 |
| Airport one-way |
$1.50 | $4.90 | $2.65 | $8.50 |
| Airport return trip included |
NA | $8.40 | NA | $15.00 |
| Ferry one way | $2.60 | $3.70 | $4.70 | $6.70 |
| Ferry return trip included |
NA | $7.40 | NA | $13.40 |
87 Southbridge - City trial service
This service operates as a trial and does not have the same fare structure as other Metro services. This service has a flat fare for all locations and does not provide any transfer tickets onto other services. Fares are the same whether paid by Metrocard or cash. If transferring onto other Metro services you will need to pay for these separately. The adult fare is $6.00 and the child fare is $3.50.
Child Fares
Children under 5 years of age travelling with a parent or guardian travel free. Metro consider a ‘child’ as anyone between the ages of 5 and 17. Anyone 18 years or older is considered an adult. Any passenger who is eligible for the child fare (either paying by Metrocard or cash) may be required to provide proof of age identification to the driver. Accepted identification needs to include a photo and state the person’s date of birth – for example, a Cando card, school ID card or a driver licence. Failure to provide identification to the driver when asked can result in an adult fare being charged.
Travelling within and between zones
What fare you pay when travelling within and between zones.
| Where you are travelling | What you pay |
|---|---|
| Within Zone 1 only | Zone 1 fare |
| Within Zone 2 only | Zone 1 fare |
| Within Zone 3 only | Zone 1 fare |
| Between Zones 1 & 2 | Zone 2 fare |
| Between Zones 2 & 3 | Zone 3 fare |
| Between Zones 1, 2 & 3 | Zone 3 fare |
| Between Zones 1 or 2 and the ferry | Ferry fare |
If you are travelling within zone 1 and plan to transfer on to another route to travel to areas within zone 2 or on the Diamond Harbour Ferry, ask the driver at the start of your journey on your zone 1 bus to charge you the zone 2 or the ferry fare. This is so you don’t get charged for two trips (a zone 1 fare on the first bus and then, once you hop onto the other bus, – a zone 2 or the special ferry fare).
Free transfers
When you pay by cash, you are entitled to one free transfer within two hours using your ticket receipt. You can use your transfer on any Metro service within the same fare zones you paid for. The free transfer ticket does not include the Christchurch International Airport or the Diamond Harbour Ferry.
When using a Metrocard you are entitled to unlimited transfers within two hours. You can use those transfers within the same fare zones you paid for, including the Christchurch International Airport. If you travel on the Diamond Harbour Ferry service you get unlimited transfers within 2 hours on any bus or ferry service.
Travelling on airport services
You can travel to and from Christchurch International Airport services on the 3 Airport/Sheffield Crescent - Sumner, 29 Airport - City and 125 Redwood - Westlake. If you pay by cash, there are no free transfers when travelling into, or out of, the Airport. You can purchase an airport return ticket from your bus driver, which can be used for a return trip to the airport within a month from when the first trip is taken. If you are paying by Metrocard, the airport falls into the usual zone 1 fare.
If you use one of the airport services but don't travel into the airport, standard zone 1 fares and transfer rules apply.
Travelling on the Diamond Harbour Ferry
If you are connecting to the Diamond Harbour Ferry, let your bus driver know at the beginning of your journey to ensure you are charged the correct fare. Connecting Metro bus services to the ferry are the 28 Casebrook/Lyttelton and the 155 Lyttelton - Eastgate shopper service.
If you’re using a Metrocard, ask the driver at the beginning of your journey to charge the fare for the ferry ($4.70 for an adult, $2.60 child). This will give you free transfers between buses and the ferry within two hours.
If you’re paying cash pay the required bus fare for the zone, either zone one or two. Then when connecting with the ferry, another cash fare is required – either $6.70 for an adult or $3.70 for a child one way, or double that for a return ticket. There are no free transfers on the ferry when you are paying with cash. You can also pay a cash fare by EFTPOS card on the ferry.
Metro gift vouchers
Gift vouchers are available in multiples of $10 at the Metro Info Counter at the Bus Interchange and can be used to purchase a Metrocard, or redeemed as Metrocard credit at any Metro agent.