Make it a trip · Christchurch, New Zealand
What Christchurch costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Christchurch Central City.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Arriving
-
NZeTA plus the visitor levy Fixed
For GB, US, CA, IE, NL, DE, FR, SG passports.
NZ$17 for the NZeTA in the official app plus the NZ$100 International Visitor Levy, paid together. On the website the NZeTA costs NZ$23.
Sources: Wego, New Zealand visa fees and levy 2026 (2026), AirTraveler Club, IVL 2026 (2026-10)
NZ$117 -
Metro bus 29 from the airport to the Bus Interchange Fixed
Standard Metrocard fare, the same as any city trip. Cash costs more.
Sources: Metro Christchurch, fares from 7 July 2025 (2025-06), The Trusted Traveller, getting around Christchurch (2023-09)
-
No visa, NZeTA or levy Fixed
For AU passports.
Australian citizens are exempt from the NZeTA and the visitor levy.
Source: AirTraveler Club, IVL 2026 (2026-10)
Free -
Home Fixed
For NZ passports.
Nothing to pay.
Source: Wego, New Zealand visa fees and levy 2026 (2026)
Free
Getting around
-
NZ$3
-
Christchurch Tram all day pass Fixed
Source: Christchurch Attractions (2026)
NZ$42
Eating and drinking
-
Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Christchurch (2026-06)
US$13.10 -
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Christchurch (2026-06)
US$58 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Christchurch (2026-06)
US$3.50 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Christchurch (2026-06)
US$7.30
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Christchurch (2026-06)
US$0.90 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Christchurch (2026-06)
US$2.40 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Christchurch (2026-06)
US$3.40
Doing
-
NZ$45 Get tickets
-
Punting on the Avon Fixed
Source: Christchurch Attractions (2026)
NZ$45 Get tickets
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed Range
Middle half of 7 central hostels on Hostelworld, 30 Oct 2026. The cheapest bed was 37 NZD. Weekends and peak season cost more.
Source: Hostelworld, Christchurch hostels (2026-10)
NZ$46 to NZ$56 Find a hostel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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