How to get from Christchurch Airport to Akaroa

Welcome Pickups

Your friend on the ground

November 29, 2024

Akaroa is a harbour town nestled in an ancient volcano on New Zealand’s South Island not too far from Christchurch. The town is known for its charming French colonial flare. Visitors can enjoy strolling along the main street by the harbour with picture-worthy architecture, boutique shops, and restaurants on one side and the waterfront on the other.

You can transport from Christchurch airport, NZ, to Akaroa, NZ, by taxi or bus. Akaroa is 86 kilometres from the airport. The taxi trip takes around 1 hour 30 minutes and is estimated to cost €159 (NZD 257). Taxis are available 24/7. If you travel by bus, you will first have to take the local bus to downtown Christchurch, and then you can take the French Connection bus to reach Akaroa. The French Connection departs from Christchurch once daily at 8:50. The total cost to go from Christchurch airport to Akaroa is €23.40 (NZD 39.20), and the trip will take around 3 hours.

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	€159	90min	24/7
Bus	€46.80	180min	08:50–08:50
Welcome Airport Transfer	€239	86min	24/7

How to get from Christchurch airport to Akaroa by taxi

Taking a taxi is the fastest, comfiest way to get from Christchurch airport to Akaroa. 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 €159 (NZD 267) for your transfer from Christchurch airport to Akaroa. You can book your transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups for a flat rate with no additional fees.

Taxi fare from Christchurch Airport, NZ to Akaroa, NZ

Taxi fares differ among the various Christchurch taxi companies. We recommend you ask for a fare estimate from your driver before taking the ride. You can approximate 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 typically expect to pay at least €159 (NZD 267) to get from Christchurch Airport, NZ to Akaroa, NZ. For a competitive flat rate with no hidden charges, you can also book your ride in advance with Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€159

Trip Duration

1 hr 30 min

Fares may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis from Christchurch airport to Akaroa are available 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi?

After landing at Christchurch airport and gathering your luggage, you can find airport taxis at the designated taxi rank located outside International Arrivals. Exit through Door 7, and you can find the taxis waiting outside.

Convenience

Travelling by taxi is the fastest way to get from Christchurch airport to Akaroa. 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 daily morning bus to Akaroa departs, a taxi may be your only option if you don’t want to wait for the next bus.

Editor’s Note

If you are already in the city and want to take a taxi, you can get a ride by calling a Christchurch taxi company to request a ride, or you can use a Christchurch taxi app to book a driver.

Useful Tips

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

Christchurch taxis accept payment by card. Taxi fares vary, so you may want to ask your driver for an estimate before starting your ride.

How to get from Christchurch Airport, NZ to Akaroa, NZ by Bus

Your other option to go from the airport to Akaroa is by bus. First, you will have to transfer to downtown 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 Christchurch, you can take the French Connection to Akaroa. The French Connection departs once daily at 8:50, and the trip to Akaroa takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. Fare costs €20.90 (NZD 35). In total, to go from Christchurch airport to Akaroa, the trip will take at least 3 hours and cost €23.40 (NZD 39.20).

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

You will need to purchase a ticket for the local 29 or 3 bus to get to downtown Christchurch as well as the fare for the French Connection bus. A single adult ticket fare for the 29 or 3 bus costs €2.60 (NZD 4.20). Tickets for kids from 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 French Connection bus costs €20.90 (NZD 35), with the fare for kids aged 3 to 12 at €13.70 (NZD 23), while babies under 2 can ride for free if they ride on an accompanying adult’s lap. Tickets for the French Connection can be booked online in advance. The total cost for an adult travelling from Christchurch airport to Akaroa is €23.40 (NZD 39.20).

Cost

€23.40

Trip Duration

3 hrs

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

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The French Connection bus departs daily, at 8:50 only.

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, you can then take the French Connection bus from the Bus Interchange or from Rolleston Ave near the Canterbury Museum.

Convenience

If you happen to be arriving at Christchurch airport early in the morning, the bus is a great way to reach Akaroa and save some money. But if you are arriving a little later in the day, you may need to stay in Christchurch for the night to catch the bus the next morning or consider taking a taxi instead. If you do take the bus to Akaroa, 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 French Connection

Editor’s Note

If you want to take the bus back from Akaroa to Christchurch, the French Connection departs from Akaroa daily at 16:00.

Useful Tips

You can bring 2 bags of up to 25 kg plus a carry-on on the French Connection bus for 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

€180.0

NIGHTTIME

€216.0

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 Akaroa?

You can make the trip to Akaroa from Christchurch airport by taxi or bus. Taxis are available 24/7. The trip takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs around €159 (NZD 267). To take the bus, you first have to transfer to Christchurch on bus 29 or 3. Then you can take the French Connection bus, which departs once daily, to reach Akaroa. The total trip takes around 3 hours and costs €23.40 (39.20 NZD).

What's the cost of a taxi from Christchurch Airport to Akaroa?

Taxi fares vary among the different Christchurch taxi companies. Fares can generally be estimated 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. You’ll find that taxis charge an additional €3.30 (NZD 5.50) for airport pickups and/or drop-offs. To reach Akaroa from the airport, you can expect to pay at least €159 (NZD 267).

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How to get from Christchurch Airport to Akaroa

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 Akaroa by taxi