Christchurch Airport (CHC) is the largest international airport in the South Island of New Zealand. It offers direct domestic flights to most airports in the country and international access to the South Island, making it one of the best major airports to fly into to reach the Southern Alps, together with Queenstown Airport (ZQN).
The airport is located 12 km northwest of Christchurch’s city centre.
Christchurch Airport handled more than 6.5 million passengers in 2025, making it New Zealand’s second-busiest airport after Auckland (AKL).
Major Airlines - Air New Zealand
Christchurch is a hub for Air New Zealand, the national carrier. It is the dominant domestic and international operator at the airport, with its 12 domestic routes and direct international flights to most of Australia’s largest airports. Air New Zealand operates more than 2000 flights per month.
Jetstar, an Australian low-cost airline, follows in second place for the airlines with the most flights and routes. It flies to several destinations in New Zealand and Australia. One of its main competitors, especially for flights to Australia, is Qantas, which also flies to Brisbane and Melbourne.
Other domestic airlines that fly to Christchurch include Air Chathams and Originair.
Christchurch is not as connected internationally as New Zealand’s largest airport in Auckland, but nonetheless handles several long-haul direct international services, including by:
Fiji Airways to/from Nadi.
Emirates to/from Dubai and Sydney.
Cathay Pacific to/from Hong Kong (seasonal route).
Singapore Airlines to/from Singapore.
Solomon Airlines to/from Port Vila.
United Airlines to/from San Francisco (seasonal route).
To see all airlines that serve CHC, click here.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Christchurch Airport has 1 terminal that handles both domestic and international flights.
The check-in area, on the ground floor, is shared by all, but passengers are separated depending on their flight after Security. The Departures area is upstairs.
CHC has a total of 37 gates:
12 gates for regional flights, capable of handling turboprop aircraft.
Gates 15, 15a,15b, 15c can handle either domestic or regional turboprop flights, depending on the need.
Gates 16 to 22a handle domestic flights.
Gates 23 to 35 handle international flights.
Most gates have jetbridges, while Gate 30 has dual jetbridges, making it capable of handling Airbus A380.
The terminal opens at 3:00 AM and closes after the final scheduled flight of the day. You may be allowed to remain within the terminal, but you have to show that you had a very late arrival or a very early departure, and you won’t be allowed to sleep inside the terminal.
Connecting Flights and Transit
Christchurch Airport serves as a regional hub for the South Island, particularly for domestic connections.
Given there is only one terminal, transfers are quite easy, especially compared to bigger airports.
In most cases, as long as you’re traveling on a flight by the same airline, your luggage will be checked through to your final destination. If connecting between two flights by different airlines (i.e., self-connecting), you may have to re-check it yourself.
The exception is when you arrive on an international flight. In this case, you must claim your luggage and pass through Immigration and Customs before proceeding to check in for your next flight.
Christchurch Airport does not have an international transit area, and international-to-international transfers are not possible - they are treated as separate flights and require that you officially enter New Zealand, even if for just a few hours.
Free Wi-Fi and other services
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal. Connect to “FREE Unlimited Airport WiFi” and open your browser if it doesn’t launch automatically. There, fill in the required information and accept the terms and conditions to connect.
Other passenger services at CHC include:
ATMs: machines provided by ANZ and BNZ are available in the Arrivals Hall and in the Food Court on level 1.
Currency exchange: Travelex counters are available both landside and airside.
Baby-care rooms: Available in both the Domestic and International Departure areas.
- Kids activities:
Giant Puzzle located on Level 1 of Domestic Arrivals.
Mini Explorer Passport Activity Book + crayons can be taken from the Information desks.
Postal services: There are post boxes in the Food Court and in the Relay store in International Departures, where you can also buy stamps.
Prayer Room: Open to all faiths. Located on the Ground Floor, next to the Domestic luggage reclaim.
Luggage wrapping: Machine wrapping is available in the Relay store. Prices are from 10 to 40 NZD, depending on the item to wrap.
Luggage storage: Available in the Relay store. Pre-booking isn't required. Prices start from 10 NZD for 8 hours for small items, with discounts for longer durations.
Digital Innovation Zone: Located on Level 1, next to Domestic Arrivals. Showcases emerging technologies, including humanoid robots, flight tracking screens, wireless charging, and more.
Information desks: Available in the Check-in Hall, near the Food Court, and in International Arrivals. Open from 8 AM to 4 PM.
- Entertainment: various things to do to kill time at the airport for youngsters and adults:
Antarctic Attraction in International Arrivals.
Dozens of art pieces are scattered throughout the terminal.
Table tennis: Landside near the terminal entrance. Free to use.
Piano: Available to be played and moved around the airport.
Lounges at Christchurch Airport
Air New Zealand manages three lounges at CHC for each type of destination:
Air New Zealand Domestic Lounge: Located in Domestic Departures. Opens one hour before the first flight and closes after the last departure.
Air New Zealand Regional Lounge: Located on the Ground Floor, next to Gates 3-14. Opens at 5:30 AM and closes after the last regional flight.
Air New Zealand International Lounge: Located within Aelia Duty Free in the International Departures area. Opens 2.5 hours before an Air New Zealand international flight.
You can access these lounges if you’re a business class passenger on an Air New Zealand flight or fit one of the other requirements for status or membership. These lounges offer food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and workspaces.
Additionally, there is also a Manaia Lounge in the International Departures area of CHC, opposite Gate 29. It is available to select passengers travelling on Qantas, Emirates, Fiji Airways, China Southern Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Jetstar flights and accepts Priority Pass. Its opening hours are from 4:15 AM to 6 PM and from 8:30 PM to 10 PM daily. The pay-at-the-door price is 65 NZD for an adult or 42 NZD for a child for a 3-hour pass.
Dining Options at CHC
You may opt to eat before you get to the airport at Harvard Park (a 3-minute drive away on State Highway 1) or at the Spitfire Square mall (a 10-minute walk from the terminal).
You can also eat at the terminal’s Food Court on Level 1, where you can pick from:
Burger King: Burgers and fries.
Fern & Co: Locally brewed coffee.
Mama’s Kitchen: Korean street food.
Hikari: Authentic Japanese.
Portal Bar and Eatery: Drinks and bar fare.
Tank: Fresh smoothies, juices, salads, wraps.
The Sushi Platter: Handmade sushi.
Most of these open around 6 AM, some as early as 4 AM, and close after the last scheduled flight for the day.
The departure areas for domestic and international flights, respectively, also have outlets where you can grab a drink, food, or coffee. For example:
Mountain View Cafe: Enjoy coffee with a view in International Departures. Open from 4 AM to 5:45 PM.
The Voyager Bar: Offers coffee, cocktails, pizza, and other comfort food, all with an incredible view. Located in International Departures and open for all flights.
Fush: Serves iconic fish and chips and other fried goodies. Located in Domestic Departures. Opens at 8 AM and closes after the last flight.
Tātou Tātou: Offers coffee, drinks, and toasties in Domestic Departures. Open from 5 AM until the last flight.
The Arrivals area also has a few coffee shops where you can buy a snack to last you until you reach the city.
Check out the best things to do in Christchurch.
Transport to and from the airport
Christchurch Airport is connected to the city’s public transport network. Various buses connect to places of interest within the CBD (city center) as well as some of the suburbs. Buses depart from the northern end of International Arrivals, next to the Novotel hotel, near Exit Door 9.
Bus Line 3: Goes to Sumner, via Avonhead and the city centre. Runs every 10 minutes during the week and every 15 minutes on the weekend.
Bus Line 29: Goes to City via Fendalton. Runs every 30 minutes, 7 days a week.
Bus Line 125: Goes from Redwood to Westlake via Christchurch Airport. Runs every 30 minutes, 7 days a week.
Bus Line 8: Goes from the Airport to Lyttelton. Runs every 10 minutes during the week and every 15 minutes on the weekend.
You can pay using your contactless card directly on the bus, which will always get you the cheapest fare (the standard fare is 3 NZD). Alternatively, buy a Metrocard from the Metroinfo Counter at the Bus Interchange and top it up or pay the driver directly using cash.
Taxis are a more comfortable and faster way to reach any destination within Christchurch, but also significantly more expensive. The taxi rank is outside International Arrivals, near Exit Door 7. The fare to the city center is approximately 50-60 NZD, including a mandatory 6 NZD fee for airport pick-ups.
Similarly, Uber is also available at CHC. The pick-up and drop-off location is outside International Arrivals, near Exit Door 7.
Electric car sharing, courtesy of Zilch, is available at Christchurch Airport and has six more locations around the city.
You can also book a shuttle:
Super Shuttle provides door-to-door service. Their rank is near Exit Door 9, outside of International Arrivals.
Courtesy Shuttles stop near Exit Door 1, outside the Regional Departures.
Hiring a vehicle is an incredibly popular way to explore the South Island and New Zealand. You have several options here, too:
Hire a car from the major car rental companies with desks in International Arrivals. These include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Ezi Car Rental, Hertz, Enterprise, and SIXT.
Hire a campervan or a motorhome from the same companies.
You can reach the rental vehicles by taking a courtesy transfer shuttle from outside Exit Door 2.
Parking at Christchurch Airport
The pick-up and drop-off area is under the Express Park building, very close to the terminal. Despite the barrier, it is free to enter, but if you intend to spend more than 5 minutes inside, you should instead go to the Wait Zone.
The Wait Zone is located 500 metres from the pick-up and drop-off area. It is free to remain inside while waiting for a message from the passenger you’re picking up. You must remain with your vehicle at all times.
The different parking options in order of proximity to the terminal are:
Express Park: The premium parking option. Next to the terminal. Costs 3 NZD per 15 minutes for the first hour. Daily maximum - 55 NZD.
Short Stay: Uncovered parking, three-minute walk from the terminal. Costs 12 NZD for the first hour, with a daily maximum of 45 NZD and 26 NZD per day for longer stays.
Long Stay: Uncovered parking, five-minute walk from the terminal. Costs 12 NZD for the first hour, with a daily maximum of 45 NZD and 24 NZD per day for longer stays
Orchard Road Car Park: A car park with EV charging stations about 7-minutes on foot from the terminal. Parking charges start at 12 NZD for the first two hours, with a daily maximum of 40 NZD.
Park and Ride: The most affordable parking option with a free bus every 30 minutes. Costs 29 NZD for the first day and less every subsequent day, down to 18 NZD per day for longer stays.
Motorbikes and bicycles can be parked for free on the ground floor of the Express Park building. There are also two e-bike charging points there.
Hotels near Christchurch Airport
The most convenient place to stay near CHC is the Novotel Christchurch Airport, which is located directly next to the terminal, just 200 meters from the entrance. It also offers guests a fitness center, private parking, a garden, and a restaurant, and is liked by travelers for its modern facilities, thoughtful staff, and pleasant views.
The Sudima Christchurch Airport is a suitable alternative. It’s also a 4-star hotel and very close, too - just 450 meters from the terminal’s entrance. It offers well-appointed rooms and runs a 24/7 shuttle to the airport for early departures and late arrivals alike.
Christchurch, New Zealand
