Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Christchurch?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Christchurch?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Christchurch, New Zealand? Most people spend two to four days in Christchurch during their visit. After all, the cultural city will let you swim at the beach, tour the famous sights and museums, discover the nearby hiking trails, and taste delicious cuisine.
Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island. It's a nice city with amazing hikes and biking trails. There are beautiful outdoor spaces, parks, and gardens. Many visitors enjoy the city's rich English heritage, and punting along the Avon River is a favorite activity.
Do you have one or two days to visit Christchurch? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Christchurch?
One day is usually not enough time to experience the cultural city of Christchurch, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to swim at the beach, tour the famous sights and museums, discover the nearby hiking trails, and taste delicious cuisine. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside two to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
How to spend a day in Christchurch
The beautiful beaches await you in Christchurch, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Jet Boat Day Trip from Christchurch ($134)
- Arthurs Pass Day Tour With Jet boat Ride ($238)
- Private Transfer from Lyttelton Cruise Port to Christchurch City ($83)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Waipara Wine Experience for 2 or more, inc tastings and lunch ($119)
- All-Inclusive Waipara Region Wine Tour from Christchurch ($119)
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion - City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour ($131)
Christchurch is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Christchurch?
To do everything that Christchurch has to offer, you'll need more than a weekend, but two or three days does allow you a bit more time to explore. You'll have a chance to experience at least some of the highlights. In addition to the great beaches and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the food, nightlife, and shopping. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here, and we have some suggestions below.
Christchurch, New Zealand
How to spend 2 days in Christchurch
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Christchurch will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Christchurch, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.
A few tour suggestions include:
- TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip ($233)
- Arthurs Pass Day Trip From Christchurch via Castle Hill ($134)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.
The public transit in Christchurch is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Christchurch, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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