Car Rental at Christchurch Airport

Airport travel guide

The largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, Christchurch is one of the main gateways to everything that this majestic, sparsely populated region has to offer, as well as being an interesting destination in its own right. Continuing to admirably recover from the series of earthquakes that plagued the city at the beginning of the 2010s, it is home to a surprising number of landmarks and things to do and has many great places around it that are perfect for day trips. Here are some of them:

• International Antarctic Centre. One of the southernmost cities in the world, Christchurch is a global hub for the exploration of the relatively-nearby Antarctica. Shared by the New Zealandic, Italian, and American Antarctic programs, the International Antarctic Centre is a fascinating place to learn about the majestic seventh continent. Attractions include the experience of what an Antarctic field trip is like, a snow storm room, and even a rescue center for the kororā (or little blue penguin). Visit the centre’s website to find out about visiting.
• Orana Wildlife Park. The largest of its kind in New Zealand, Orana is a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the protection of threatened species. With minimal fencing and many of the animals roaming free, it feels more like a safari than a zoo (visitors, instead of animals, are kept inside portable cages where barriers are necessary). Some of Orana’s inhabitants include silverback gorillas, lions, and many native animals. It also has educational programs about conservation.
• Arthur’s Pass National Park. Named after a mountain pass in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, this is one of the largest and most popular nature reserves in the area. Retaining its original wilderness, Arthur’s Pass National Park is also a great place for climbing, hiking, skiing, or simply taking in the mountain views. Located about 135 km (84 miles) northwest of Christchurch, Arthur’s Pass takes less than two hours to reach and can thus be visited on a day trip (although there are opportunities for accommodation in and around the park). Other, smaller nature areas closer to Christchurch include the Torlesse Tussocklands Park and Waimakariri River Regional Park (both are on the way to Arthur’s Pass), as well as the Banks Peninsula to the east.
• Arts Centre. Located on Worcester Boulevard, in the city itself, this is one of the most important art spaces of Christchurch and South Island. The center is made up of a complex of stunning Gothic buildings that used to house local boys and girls’ high schools. There are 23 buildings in total, 21 of which have been given heritage status. The area was badly damaged in 2011, but impressively, about 75% of them have since been reopened.
• Akaroa. The famous little town on the Banks Peninsula around an hour's drive away from Christchurch. The harbor on which Akaroa was built is famous for its wildlife visitors — hector dolphins. Wildlife-watching boat tours are a major tourist attraction in the area. Akaroa is a great first stop on a road trip around the South Island. 
• Kaikoura. Located around a two-hour drive North of Chistchurch is Kaikoura, a beautiful little town that lies at the bottom of the Seaward range. Hiking, surfing, and wildlife watching are the top attractions in Kaikoura. In 2016, Kaikoura suffered a lot of damage from the earthquake, when the water level in the bay rose by up to two meters in places! Whale-watching tours are a must-do when visiting Kaikoura.

Top international routes

• Auckland
• Wellington
• Nelson
• Dunedin
• Invercargill
• Sydney
• Palmerston North
• Queenstown
• Hamilton
• Blenheim

Main airlines

Air New Zealand, the countries flag carrier, provides service from the major cities of New Zealand and Australia in addition to Singapore. Jetstar Airways, Air New Zealand’s low-cost subsidiary, provides service from Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand and Melbourne and the Gold Coast in Australia.

Qantas, Australia’s flag carrier, provides service between Christchurch and the three largest cities in Australian, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Virgin Australia provides year-round service between the airport and Brisbane and Melbourne and seasonal service to Rarotonga and Sydney.

China South Airlines and Emirates serve international routes to Guangzhou in southern China and Dubai, respectively.

Terminals

There is a single passenger terminal located at the intersection of two runways, which serves both local and international flights.

Location

Christchurch Airport is about 12 km (7.4 miles) from the city center. Memorial Avenue and Fendalton Road are the main streets connecting the airport to Christchurch.

Most popular types of rental car

• Medium cars - from $7 per day
• Small cars - from $5 per day
• Large cars - from $12 per day
• SUVs - from $17 per day
• Vans - from $24 per day
• Premium cars - from $52 per day
• Station wagons - from $19 per day

Car rental desks

The rental desks for those companies that are located at the airport are in the International arrivals hall across from the customs and biosecurity screening exit. The domestic Baggage Claim area is next to the desks.

The rental companies that are located outside of the airport all provide shuttles to their locations. These shuttles can be found outside of the Regional Lounge at the opposite side of the terminal (exit through Doors 1 or 2).

Services and facilities

There are many restaurants, cafeterias, and bars, stores, ATMs, a stretch and relaxation area, a beauty salon, a fitness center, a lost and found office, and a prayer room. The airport is disabled friendly. The Luggage Solutions office, which provides luggage storage services, is located in the check-in hall. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

An Allied Fuel gas station is located right next to the airport, at 75 Orchard Rd., from which the rental car returns of the companies located at the airport is just one kilometer away. Lucky Rentals is even closer to the station. It is open 24/7.

For renters returning cars to companies that are not located at the airport, other gas stations may be more convenient. Those returning cars to GO Rentals or Discount Car Rentals are best served by a BP station located on the roundabout of Highway 1 and Harewood Rd, which is directly on the way to those companies’ locations.

If coming from the city center of Christchurch and returning a rental car to Hitch or Right Cars, A Z service station on Wairakei Rd. is the best station to use. If coming from the north along Highway 1, the previously mentioned BP station would be best. And if coming from the south along Highway 1 a Caltex station located at the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 73, though a little further away, may be the best choice.

Popular one-way rentals

• Timaru (159 km / 99 miles)
• Queenstown (478 km / 297 miles)
• Blenheim (308 km / 191 miles)
• Dunedin (357 km / 222 miles)
• Nelson (409 km / 254 miles)
• Westport (331 km / 206 miles)