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Travel by bus

You can get to and from the airport using Metro public transport services for $2 or less with a Metrocard.

There are a lot of buses that will help you connect to the city centre and heaps of other places around Christchurch.

Buses depart from the northern end of International Arrivals, next to the Novotel hotel (exit through Door 9).  

Payment details and fares

Customers can pay for a trip on the bus using cash or Metrocard (our local transit card). Free transfers apply within two hours making it easier to connect multiple bus trips to wherever you need to go. Eftpos and credit cards are not accepted. Cash tickets can be purchased directly from the driver.

A trip on a Metro bus costs only $2 when you pay with a Metrocard, no matter how far you're travelling. Or a trip can cost just $1 if you're eligible for one of the Metrocard concessions.

Cash fares cost more no matter where you're travelling within Great Christchurch, so paying using a Metrocard saves you valuable cash that’s better spent on enjoying your visit.

Customers should avoid paying with $20 notes or higher, due to limited cash float levels on buses.

For fares and other information, please visit the Metro website or call +64 (3) 366 8855.

Pick up a Metrocard to use while you’re in Christchurch. There are plenty more Metrocard benefits. 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.


Number 3 - Airport to Sumner, via Avonhead and City Centre

A regular bus service every 10 minutes all week, and every 15 minutes on weekends. Seven days a week. View timetable

View timetable

Number 29 - Airport to City via Fendalton

A regular bus service every 30 minutes, available seven days a week.

View timetable

Number 125 - Redwood to Westlake via Christchurch Airport

A regular bus service available seven days a week.

View timetable

Number 8 - Port to Port (airport to Lyttelton)

A regular bus service every 10 minutes all week, and every 15 minutes on weekends. Seven days a week.

View timetable

100% electric and zero emissions

Three electric buses are running on route 29, which operates between the Bus Interchange and Christchurch Airport, making route 29 Christchurch’s first wholly electric bus service.

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