How to get from Christchurch Airport to Hanmer Springs

Welcome Pickups

Your friend on the ground

November 29, 2024

Whether you are looking for relaxation or adventure, Hanmer Springs is an awesome destination for all types of travellers. Hanmer Springs is a charming alpine town in New Zealand’s Canterbury region. The town is best known for its thermal pools and spa with mineral waters. The surrounding mountains offer gorgeous views as well as the perfect place to spend some time outdoors hiking the trails in the summer or hitting the ski slopes in the winter.

Hanmer Springs is 132 kilometres from Christchurch airport and you can make the trip by an airport taxi or a bus. The taxi trip from Christchurch Airport to Hanmer Springs takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes and is estimated to cost at least €240 (NZD 400). Taxis are available 24/7. If you travel by bus, you will first have to take a local bus to Christchurch, and then you can take the Hanmer Connection bus to reach Hanmer Springs. The Hanmer Connection departs Christchurch once daily at 8:50. The total cost to go from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs by bus is €23.40 (NZD 39.20), and the trip will take at least 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Christchurch at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

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Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2 PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€240	110min	24/7
Bus	€46.80	150min	08:50–08:50
Welcome Airport Transfer	€469	100min	24/7

How to get from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs by taxi

Taking a taxi is the easiest way to get from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs. Taxis offer door-to-door service and are available 24/7. Several companies offer service at the Christchurch airport, and fares vary amongst them. Generally, you can expect to pay around €240 (NZD 400) for your transfer from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs. One option is to book your transfer in advance with a friendly, professional Welcome Pickups driver for a flat rate with no additional fees.

Taxi fare from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs

Taxi fares vary among the different Christchurch taxi companies. We recommend you ask for a fare estimate from your driver before taking the ride. You can get an approximate fare by calculating a base rate of €1.80 (NZD 3), €1.80 (NZD 3) per kilometre, and €18.10 (NZD 30) per hour of standing or waiting where applicable. All taxis also charge €3.30 (NZD 5.50) for airport pickups or drop-offs. You can typically expect to pay at least €240 (NZD 400) to reach Hanmer Springs from Christchurch airport. For a competitive flat rate with no additional fees, you can also book your ride in advance with Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€240

Trip Duration

1 hr 50 min

Fares may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs are available 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi?

Once you disembark from the plane and collect your luggage, you can head to the taxi rank located outside of International Arrivals. If you exit through Door 7, you will find taxis waiting at the curb.

Convenience

Travelling by taxi is the fastest way to get from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs. You can hop in a taxi as soon as you are ready to leave the airport, and you will be brought directly to the front door of your destination. Also, if you are travelling after the Hanmer Springs Connection bus departs in the morning, a taxi may be your only option if you don’t want to spend the night in Christchurch.

Editor’s Note

Taxi fares vary, so you may want to ask your driver for an estimate before starting your ride.

Useful Tips

Christchurch taxis accept payment by card.

Tipping is not expected in New Zealand, but if you had a great driver, you can consider rounding up the fare.

How to get from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs by Bus

You can also get a bus from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs although the trip is not direct. First, you will have to get a transfer to Christchurch by bus 29 or 3. The trip takes around 20 minutes and costs €2.60 (NZD 4.20) for a single adult ticket. Then from downtown Christchurch, you can take the Hanmer Connection bus to reach Hanmer Springs. The Hanmer Connection departs once daily at 8:50am, and the trip takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, not including wait times. The fare costs €20.90 (NZD 35).

How much is fare for the bus from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs?

You will need to purchase a ticket for the local 29 or 3 bus to get to Christchurch as well as a separate ticket for the Hanmer Connection bus. The fare for a single adult ticket for the 29 or 3 bus costs €2.60 (NZD 4.20). Tickets for kids ages 5 to 18 cost €1.50 (NZD 2.40), and kids under the age of 5 can ride for free. Tickets can be purchased in cash from the bus driver. The adult fare for the Hanmer Connection costs €20.90 (NZD 35) with the fare for kids ages 3 to 12 being €13.70 (NZD 23); babies under 2 can ride for free if they ride on an accompanying adult’s lap. In total, to go from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs, the 2-hour and 30-minute trip will cost €23.40 (NZD 39.20) per traveller.

Cost

€23.40

Trip Duration

2 hrs 30 min

You may have to wait 30 minutes for bus 29 or 3. The Hanmer Connection bus departs once daily.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The Hanmer Connection bus departs daily at 8:50.

Where can I find the bus?

After you gather your luggage, head to the northern end of International Arrivals. You can find the bus stop for buses 29 and 3 outside Door 9 next to the Novotel hotel. Once you arrive in Christchurch, can then take the Hanmer Connection bus from outside of the Bus Interchange on Lichfield St.

Convenience

If you happen to be arriving at Christchurch airport early in the morning, the bus is a great way to reach Hanmer Springs with a little more spending money in your pocket. But if you are arriving a little later in the day, you may need to stay in Christchurch for the night and catch the bus the next morning or consider taking a taxi instead. If you do take the bus to Hanmer Springs, you may need to do some additional walking or take another form of transport to reach your final destination.

Timetables

Bus 29

Bus 3

The Hanmer Connection

Editor’s Note

If you want to take the bus back from Hanmer Springs to Christchurch, the Hanmer Connection departs from Hanmer Springs daily at 16:30.

Useful Tips

You can bring 2 bags of up to 25kg along the French Connection bus, plus a carry-on with no additional charge.

Additional charges apply if you want to make changes to your booking whilst you can make changes to your booking up to 2 hours before departure.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Christchurch. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€264.0

NIGHTTIME

€317.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs?

There are two ways to transfer from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs – by taxi or by bus. Taking a taxi is the most convenient option as taxis are available 24/7, whereas the bus to Hanmer Springs only departs once daily and requires a change at downtown Christchurch. The taxi trip takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes and is estimated to cost €240 (NZD 400). The trip by bus takes at least 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs €23.40 (39.20 NZD).

What's the cost of a taxi from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs?

Taxi fares vary between the different Christchurch taxi companies. Generally, you can estimate fare by a base rate of €1.80 (NZD 3), €1.80 (NZD 3) per kilometre, and €18.10 (NZD 30) per hour of standing or waiting. All taxis are also charged €3.30 (NZD 5.50) for airport pickups or drop-offs. You can expect to pay at least €240 (NZD 400) for the trip from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs.

Is there a direct bus from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs?

No bus goes directly from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs. If you want to make the trip by bus, you will have to take bus 29 or 3 to Christchurch. Then from Christchurch, you can take the daily Hanmer Connection to get to Hanmer Springs.

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How to get from Christchurch Airport to Hanmer Springs

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

How to get from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs by taxi