New Zealand · CITY TOURS IN CHRISTCHURCH

Top 15 City Tours in Christchurch

34 tours  ·  from $19 a head

Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 city tours in Christchurch justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.

Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo - Cathedral Junction is the easiest place to collect your tickets
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Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo

1.Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 725 reviews · 1 day · from $46Our pick

Use a full-day hop-on-and-off pass on Christchurch’s antique trams, with live English commentary and stops near Riverside Market, the Botanic Gardens, Cathedral Junction, and Canterbury Museum. Add a roundtrip gondola ride to Mount Cavendish for views over Christchurch, Lyttelton Harbour, the Canterbury Plains, and the Southern Alps. Transport between the city and gondola costs extra.

“Had the best day ever. Up the top in the Gondola and fish and chips at the cafe, then jumping on and off the tram exploring the city of Christchurch. My only concern was ,as a 67 yr old, having to get on the Gondola while it is still moving. Quite scary for anyone who isn't fleet of foot”

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Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch - Barry’s Bay Cheese is short, local, and easy
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Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch

2.Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 256 reviews · from $167

Travel from Christchurch to Akaroa by air-conditioned coach, passing Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth, Little River, and Banks Peninsula viewpoints. In Akaroa, enjoy free time, optional restaurant lunch, Barry’s Bay cheese tasting, and a two-hour Black Cat catamaran cruise for Hector’s dolphins, seals, seabirds, and other marine life. Guides vary by departure, including Jude, Pete, Stephanie, Craig, and Scotty.

“A wonderful day out. Our guide Scotty was informative and knowledgeable, funny and a great driver. Akaroa was charming and picturesque. The catamaran cruise was fun. It was a beautiful drive with amazing views and the last stop at Barry’s Bay Cheese was delicious!”

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Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights - Mona Vale Gardens gives the tour room to breathe
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Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights

3.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 209 reviews · from $62

Travel from Lyttelton port into Christchurch with a local driver-guide such as Scotty, Joseph, or Larry. See Mona Vale Gardens, hear how the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes changed the city, and take in wide views from the Sign of the Takahe. Central-city free time includes a chance for lunch.

“This tour went over the Dyer Pass which gives great views of Christchurch. I enjoyed the walk through Mona Park and the bus did a circuit of the city where all the sights were pointed out and the earthquake history and damage were explained.”

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Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center - Mona Vale Gardens: a quieter half hour
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Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center

4.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 194 reviews · from $114

Travel from Lyttelton into Christchurch with a local driver-guide such as Scotty or Joseph. See hilltop views, Mona Vale Gardens, Cathedral Square, and Riverside Market before spending two hours at the International Antarctic Centre, including rescued blue penguins, a simulated blizzard, and a Hagglund ice-vehicle ride.

“We had a good time and enjoyed the guides. The Antarctic experience was a lot of fun but we ran out of time to visit the souvenir shop. We can recommend this excursion.”

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Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo - Ride the full tram circuit before choosing your stops
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Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo

5.Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 120 reviews · 1 day · from $46

Spend a day exploring Christchurch by vintage tram, with 18 stops near Cathedral Square, Riverside Market, Canterbury Museum, Hagley Park, and New Regent Street. Add a 30-minute Avon River punt from Antigua Boat Sheds, guided by an Edwardian-costumed punter such as Luke. Reserve your punt time after booking.

“This activity was run by Christchurch city and was extremely well organised. You could have bought tickets on the day for both the tram and punting for the same price.”

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Ōtautahi: Christchurch Small-Group Inner City Food Walking Tour - Seeing Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake
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Ōtautahi: Christchurch Small-Group Inner City Food Walking Tour

6.Ōtautahi: Christchurch Small-Group Inner City Food Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · from $133Top rated

Amiki Tours takes you through central Christchurch for about two and a half hours, starting at the Bridge of Remembrance. Expect Māori and European history, earthquake-rebuild stories, lunch, local drinks, chocolate, honey, and gelato. Guides such as Ash, Emily, and Riwai Grace add personal local insight, with groups capped at 12.

“Most informative, educational and enjoyable. Lunch and ice cream were excellent. Recommendations of further places to visit were appreciated. Highly recommend the tour. Thank you Riwai for an excellent tour”

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Arrival Transfer: Christchurch Airport to Christchurch Central City Hotels - Inside the air-conditioned minivan
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Arrival Transfer: Christchurch Airport to Christchurch Central City Hotels

7.Arrival Transfer: Christchurch Airport to Christchurch Central City Hotels

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 80 reviews · from $22

Travel from Christchurch Airport to selected Christchurch City Centre hotels in an air-conditioned shared minivan. The ride takes about 45 minutes, carries up to 11 passengers, and includes driver luggage help. Drivers such as Keith, John, Cynthia, and Jonathan have offered local tips, though pickup instructions and booking records can sometimes cause delays.

“Friendly and efficient service which got me to my hotel on time. Clean car. What more can you ask for.”

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Christchurch Sightseeing Pass - Avon River punting: a quiet half-hour among the gardens
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Christchurch Sightseeing Pass

8.Christchurch Sightseeing Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 66 reviews · from $70

Use one pass for Christchurch’s restored tram, a 30-minute guided punt on the Avon River, and the Christchurch Gondola with Summit Station access. Ride the tram all day, prebook your river time, and allow extra time for transport to the Gondola. Guides such as Abi and Theo add lively commentary to the peaceful river ride.

“All 3 attractions are great, especially the gondola, fantastic veiws. Could easily spend 2 - 3 hours on a good day taking in the veiw and even the gift shop had some unique things. The punting is great fun on the rivet and with the tram ride you can learn some interesting history of the city.”

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Discover Christchurch Sightseeing Tour - Mona Vale gives the tour its calmest stop
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Discover Christchurch Sightseeing Tour

9.Discover Christchurch Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 45 reviews · from $58

See Christchurch’s central sights, Mona Vale’s gardens, and the Cashmere Hills on a 3-hour coach tour with live commentary and hotel pickup. Guides such as Joseph, Scotty, Jude, and Cally bring local stories to the route. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, or add the International Antarctic Centre and Hagglund ride to a morning booking.

“We were very lucky to be the only two people on the tour so had complete attention from the guide, he was brilliant from beginning to end.”

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Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Jet Boating - Climbing to the Sign of the Takahe
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Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Jet Boating

10.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Jet Boating

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · from $148

Spend about six and a half hours touring Christchurch with a local driver-guide, stopping at the Sign of the Takahe, Mona Vale, Cathedral Square, and Riverside Market before a 20 to 30 minute jet boat ride on the shallow Waimakariri River. Guides such as Joseph, Diana, Scotty, and Anne are known for lively local commentary.

“Had hoped the jet boat ride was more than a quickie! It was fun, just know it’s a 20 minute activity at the end of sightseeing Christchurch!”

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Chairlift Sightseeing Pass at the Christchurch Adventure Park - Reaching the summit and finding your own pace
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Chairlift Sightseeing Pass at the Christchurch Adventure Park

11.Chairlift Sightseeing Pass at the Christchurch Adventure Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · from $18Best value

Take the 1.8-kilometre chairlift at Christchurch Adventure Park to the hilltop in 9 to 12 minutes. From the top, walk, take photos, and enjoy views of Christchurch, the Pacific Ocean, and the Southern Alps. You choose your ride time between 10am and 4pm. Children under 10 ride free with a responsible adult.

“Bit of a walk on uneven ground among lots of cyclists to get to the start of the lift. Also very uneven ground and a bit of difficulty getting to seats to take in the view.l, and have to dodge mountain bikers who are very keen to start their awesome downhill journey!! Definitely take this into account if your mobility is at all limited.”

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Lyttelton Cruise Excursions: Christchurch Sightseeing with Sheep Farm - The Sign of the Takahe and the view over Christchurch
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Lyttelton Cruise Excursions: Christchurch Sightseeing with Sheep Farm

12.Lyttelton Cruise Excursions: Christchurch Sightseeing with Sheep Farm

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 20 reviews · from $123

Leave Lyttelton for Christchurch gardens, Cathedral Square, Riverside Market, and the Sign of the Takahe. Then head into the country for sheep dogs, shearing, wool-making, home baking, and tea with the farm hosts. The day lasts about six hours, with a driver-guide, commentary, and cruise-friendly pickup.

“Wonderful, fulfilling tour of countryside, sheep farm experience, and Christchurch city tour. The tour guide was a great driver but should not be assigned guiding duties. Unable to hear his diminutive voice and he was unable to exude a sense of wonder that we expect from Viator Tour Guides.”

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Lyttelton Shore Excursion - City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour - Mona Vale Gardens and a quieter side of Christchurch
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Lyttelton Shore Excursion – City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour

13.Lyttelton Shore Excursion – City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 17 reviews · from $139

Spend the morning seeing Christchurch from Lyttelton to the city, with views from the Sign of the Takahe, Mona Vale Gardens, and Christchurch Cathedral. Then head north to Waipara for lunch and tastings at Waipara Springs, Torlesse Wines, and Georges Road Wines. Guides may include Andrew, Rob, Carmen, Tania, or Di.

“City Highlights & Waipara wine tour was great. Carmen our guide was really great! The ‘city highlights’ was just that. Most of the day was at the 3 wineries. The hosts were exceptional at George Road Winery, and the wines were good. ThRead more”

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Wine trail and Christchurch City - Luxury, Small Group Tour - What the wine tasting feels like in practice
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Wine trail and Christchurch City – Luxury, Small Group Tour

14.Wine trail and Christchurch City – Luxury, Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $387

Travel from Christchurch to Waipara with a guide such as Mary or Georgi, tasting boutique wines and Pinot Noir, enjoying lunch, then seeing Christchurch, Port Hills, Lyttelton Harbour, and She Chocolate. The group is capped at eight, with hotel pickup, drinks, and transport included.

“Absolutely amazing! We were made to feel incredibly special at every turn from been asked if there was anything special we wanted to see, places enroute we wanted to stop at to the vineyard experiences. You can tell she has a genuine conRead more”

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Christchurch City Highlights Half Day Tour - Cashmere Hill gives you the big picture
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Christchurch City Highlights Half Day Tour

15.Christchurch City Highlights Half Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · from $114

Spend about four hours seeing Christchurch with a guide such as Justin, Sam, Andrew, or Mr. Ahn. You’ll visit Cashmere Hill Lookout, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, the Cardboard Cathedral, and the Botanic Gardens in a vehicle limited to four people. Expect local stories, city views, and a separate NZ$34.50 wildlife admission fee.

“Kashmir is interesting and Botanical Garden is amazing and beautiful.. Our guide, Mr. Ahn explained town throughly and was knowledgeable and kind!!”

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New in City Tours in Christchurch

★ 4.0Private Christchurch City Highlight Half Day TourFrom $1763 reviews
★ 5.0Christchurch City Private Day Tour with GondolaFrom $1338 reviews
★ 5.0Christchurch Secret Inner City Walking Tour and Hidden GemsFrom $804 reviews
★ 3.5Christchurch City Scenic flightFrom $3693 reviews
★ 5.0Christchurch International Airport :Airport to City Centre5 reviews
★ 4.0City Highlights by Tesla – 3hrs4 reviews
★ 5.0Christchurch International Airport To/From City Center TransferFrom $313 reviews
★ 5.0Christchurch INTL Airport Car Transfer to City max 4 persons4 reviews
★ 3.0Christchurch Domestic Airport to City Hotels – Max 4 Pax & 2 Bags6 reviews
★ 5.0Christchurch City Top Spots Half Day Tour(Small Group Tour)From $1193 reviews
★ 5.020-Minutes City Helicopter Flight6 reviews
★ 4.81/2-Day Scenic Highlights Small Group TourFrom $1784 reviews
★ 4.8Canterbury: Mount Aorak/Cook Sightseeing Helicopter FlightFrom $2307 reviews

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Slow days

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