
Get exclusive travel offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
Updated
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
One of two international airports on New Zealand's South Island, Christchurch Airport is the second largest in the country with direct flights available from Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Being in close proximity to ski fields, hiking tracks and stunning scenery, Christchurch serves as a good starting point for a South Island adventure, whether you're wanting to head north, west or south.
Car and campervan hire is popular with visitors and you can find rental companies both inside and outside the airport grounds.
From Brisbane, Sydney and the Gold Coast, you can get return flights to Christchurch for under $400. Return flights from Adelaide can cost under $600 and those travelling from Perth can secure return flights for under $800.
The cheapest time to fly to Christchurch from Australia is between May and August. If you want to avoid the crowds and inflated accommodation prices, it's best to travel in June.
If you're heading to Christchurch between the winter months of June and August, you can expect to see more people out and about, as the snow season is a popular time of year for travel in New Zealand. If you plan to get among the snow sports action, it works in your favour that the cheapest time to fly is also the best time to hit the ski fields.
If you know when you want to jet off to Christchurch, it's best to book your flights seven weeks in advance.
There are four airports in Australia with direct flights to Christchurch:
If you don't live in one of these cities, you will need to take a domestic flight from your closest airport to one of the above cities, before boarding your flight to Christchurch. Booking a two-leg journey on one ticket can often work out cheaper than booking two separate flights.
There are five airlines that operate direct flights from Australia to Christchurch:
Some airlines only operate flights on certain days, so you may need to be flexible if you have a preference for who you fly with.
Make sure to check what your fare includes, as if you need to pay extra for a checked bag, meals and entertainment, your ticket may not end up being as cheap as you thought. Qantas, Emirates and Virgin Australia do include these things on their trans-Tasman flights, but Jetstar sells a base fare with the option to add on extras. Air New Zealand has four economy fare types, so you can choose the appropriate one based on your needs for the flight.
If you are looking for a way to get to your hotel from the airport, you have a few different options, depending on your budget. For the cheapest journey, you can take one of the two bus lines that connect to the city centre with stops along the way. This costs $8.50 per adult and $4 per child.
A shuttle service will take you from the airport to the door of your accommodation for $19 per person. A taxi will cost between $45 and $65 to take you to the city centre, or you can order an Uber, which may work out a bit cheaper.
Australian passport holders do not need a visa to enter New Zealand, provided they meet the entry requirements. Australian permanent residents need to apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority before they can travel. This can take up to 72 hours to process, so it's best to complete the application and pay the appropriate fee in advance of your departure date.A New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority is also required by passport holders of countries mentioned on the visa waiver list, including the UK, the US, Italy and Canada. This authority allows British citizens to stay for up to six months, or three months for other citizens, but you are still subject to border security checks on arrival.
Make the most of the great outdoors by comparing your options and the latest deals for campervan hire in Hobart.
Ready to explore the wonders of Queensland? Here’s our guide on hiring a campervan from Brisbane.
EXPIRED: Calling all holidaymakers! It's time to see what's up Down Under.
Score cheap flights locally and internationally with CheapOair's Black Friday deals.
EXPIRED: Book a flexible ticket now with the option to travel when you're ready. The streets of Spain, Italy, Greece, England and Turkey await with these flexible tickets that can be used for up to 24 months.
If you’re looking for Amazon Prime Day luxury beauty deals, we’ve got all the info you need to know.
Check out the latest and greatest deals on books throughout the Amazon Prime Day event right here.
Lose yourself in the top accommodation tropical north Queensland has to offer.
If you’re looking to save on health and personal care items with an Amazon Prime Day deal, we’ve got all the info you need to know.
If you’re looking to save on your next camera purchase with an Amazon Prime Day camera deal, we’ve got all the info you need to know.