Christchurch and Canterbury Travel Guide
Buy New Zealand DollarsChristchurch and Canterbury at a glance
Christchurch, the South Island's largest city, is a common first stop for international visitors, with direct flights from Singapore, Dubai (via Sydney) and Australia, though none from India. Its centre was largely rebuilt after the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011; Quake City (NZD 25, now at 299 Durham Street North) tells that story, and the Transitional Cathedral, built from cardboard tubes, is still in use while the stone cathedral in Cathedral Square is restored.
The Botanic Gardens, planted from 1863, are free, and the Avon is best seen from a punt (NZD 45 for 30 minutes) or the heritage tram (NZD 42 for a day pass). The Christchurch Gondola (NZD 45) rides about ten minutes up to its summit station on Mount Cavendish, about 500 m above sea level, for views over the city and the plains. Canterbury Museum's main building is closed for redevelopment until about 2029; a pop-up museum is open at 66 Gloucester Street.
The TranzAlpine runs once a day each way between Christchurch and Greymouth, except on Christmas Day and a few holiday dates, in just under five hours, over Arthur's Pass and through the Otira Tunnel. Scenic class costs from NZD 249 and Scenic Plus from NZD 519.
Akaroa, a harbour town on Banks Peninsula founded by French settlers, is about 90 minutes away by road; Black Cat's two-hour harbour cruise (NZD 130) looks for Hector's dolphins, among the world's smallest. Hanmer Springs is also about 90 minutes away, and Aoraki/Mount Cook about four hours. Indian passport holders need a Visitor Visa, applied for online before travel: NZD 441, including the NZD 100 International Visitor Levy, and Immigration New Zealand decides 80% within two weeks. The NZeTA is not open to Indians.
What to see and do
The central city, the gardens and the Avon are walkable; the TranzAlpine and Akaroa each take a full day.
The Botanic Gardens
Free gardens beside the Avon in Hagley Park, planted from 1863, with glasshouses and old trees. The Canterbury Museum pop-up is a few minutes away at 66 Gloucester Street.
The Transitional Cathedral
The "Cardboard Cathedral", built after the earthquakes and still the congregation's home, open daily until 4 pm. Quake City (NZD 25) explains what happened in 2010 and 2011.
The TranzAlpine
One train a day each way to Greymouth, just under five hours over Arthur's Pass. Scenic class from NZD 249; the open-air viewing carriage is the highlight.
Akaroa
About 90 minutes from Christchurch on Banks Peninsula, with a French past and Hector's dolphins in the harbour: Black Cat's nature cruise costs NZD 130 for two hours.
Paying in Christchurch and Canterbury
For the dollar itself, entry rules for Indians, biosecurity and how much cash to carry, see the New Zealand travel guide and the New Zealand dollar page, and before you fly, read how to avoid extra ATM fees in New Zealand.
Cards and contactless work everywhere in the city. For day trips into rural Canterbury, keep a little cash for small stops.
What Christchurch and Canterbury actually costs
Set the length and style of your trip to see what to budget, in New Zealand dollars and Indian rupees.
Indicative, excluding international flights and accommodation, per person per day. Converted at the verified mid-market rate on 9 October 2026, NZ$1 ≈ ₹54.30, not a Matrix board rate.
Budget roughly ₹4,890 to ₹17,380 per person per day on the ground, excluding flights and accommodation.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| TranzAlpine: Scenic / Scenic Plus | from NZD 249 / 519 |
| Christchurch Gondola, adult | NZD 45 |
| Quake City, adult | NZD 25 |
| Punting on the Avon, 30 minutes | NZD 45 |
| Black Cat Akaroa nature cruise | NZD 130 |
| Coffee | NZD 5-7 |
| Casual meal | NZD 18-32 |
Getting around
The central city is flat and walkable, and the heritage tram loops past many of the sights. The TranzAlpine leaves from a station outside the centre, so allow time for a taxi. For Akaroa, Hanmer Springs or Arthur's Pass, hire a car or join a tour.
Common mistakes in Christchurch and Canterbury
Expecting an NZeTA
Indian passport holders cannot use the NZeTA, even with a US, UK or Canada visa. Apply for a Visitor Visa online (NZD 441) well before you fly.
Booking the TranzAlpine for a day it does not run
There is one train each way a day, and none on Christmas Day or some holiday weekends, such as 24 to 26 October 2026. Check the calendar first.
Heading to the old Canterbury Museum
The main building is closed for redevelopment until about 2029. Go to the pop-up at 66 Gloucester Street.
Rushing straight through
Christchurch, the TranzAlpine and Akaroa reward two or three days, not one night between flights.
Christchurch and Canterbury FAQs
Yes: just under five hours from Christchurch to Greymouth over Arthur's Pass, once a day each way. Scenic class costs from NZD 249.
Yes. Indian passport holders need a Visitor Visa, applied for online in advance: NZD 441 in all, including the NZD 100 International Visitor Levy, and Immigration New Zealand decides 80% of applications within two weeks. The NZeTA is not open to Indian passport holders, even with a US, UK or Canada visa; only Australian permanent residents can use it. Everyone also completes the free New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
To its summit station on Mount Cavendish, about 500 m above sea level, on a ride of about ten minutes. Adults pay NZD 45.
Its main building is closed for redevelopment until about 2029. A pop-up museum is open daily at 66 Gloucester Street.
About 90 minutes by road. Black Cat's two-hour harbour cruise, which looks for Hector's dolphins, costs NZD 130.
On 9 October 2026 one New Zealand dollar was ₹54.30 at the mid-market rate, so NZD 100 is about ₹5,430.
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