Gondola and Tram Combo
This Christchurch Attractions combo pairs a ticket for the heritage tram that loops the inner city with a ride on the Christchurch Gondola, giving you two of the city's best-known experiences in one pass.
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Christchurch Tours: Compare Tours And Day Trips From Christchurch
Compare 25 Christchurch tours and day trips, grouped by category so you can scan fast.
- NZ$45lowest per-person from-price across these tours
- NZ$45Tours from · the cheapest of the 25 tours compared here; the top starting price is NZ$495
- 2.5 hoursKaikoura · drive north of Christchurch; the whale watch itself is just over 2 hours on the water, 3 hours 15 minutes in total
- 223 kmTranzAlpine · one way between Christchurch and Greymouth, just under five hours, per KiwiRail
Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise
from NZ$140 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site.
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Cancellation
- This harbour cruise can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before departure, with the full fare returned to you. Cancel later than that and the payment is kept, and the operator cannot accept changes made inside the window. Deadlines are counted in Akaroa local time, so double-check the hour difference if you are booking from overseas. Weather plays its part too. Should the cruise be called off because conditions on the water are poor, you will be offered a new date or a complete refund. The boat also needs a minimum number of passengers to sail, and if numbers fall short the same choices apply.
- Run by
- Akaroa Dolphins
Christchurch Tours By The Numbers
NZ$495
Roster top end · a full-day TranzAlpine and Arthur's Pass tour, the highest starting price of the 25 listed
9,283
Listed reviews · guest reviews across the 25 tours compared on this page
90 min
Akaroa · scenic drive from Christchurch, per Akaroa District Promotions
4.5 hours
Aoraki Mount Cook · drive from Christchurch to the national park, per the Department of Conservation; Lake Tekapo is about 3 hours
617.7 mm
Christchurch rainfall · mean annual rainfall, 1991 to 2020 normals at Christchurch Aero, with 2,128 sunshine hours a year
Christchurch Tours By Trip Type
City Sightseeing And Attractions
Antarctic Centre General Admission
Admission to the International Antarctic Centre, rated 4.5 by visitors.
Check availability
Gondola Ride Ticket
Run by Christchurch Attractions, the gondola carries you above the city for wide views from the Port Hills, with about two hours to take it all in, and it scores 4.5 across 335 reviews.
Check availabilityAkaroa And Banks Peninsula
Akaroa Dolphins 2-Hour Harbour Cruise
Akaroa Dolphins runs this two-hour nature cruise on Akaroa Harbour, rated 5.0 across 2275 reviews, with free cancellation.
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Akaroa Full-Day Tour, Lunch Included
A full-day Banks Peninsula sightseeing day trip from Christchurch with Leisure Tours.
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Black Cat Dolphin Nature Cruise
Black Cat Cruises runs this two-hour dolphin and nature cruise on Akaroa Harbour, searching for the rare Hector's dolphin among other wildlife, rated 4.6 across 276 reviews and priced from NZ$116.
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Swim With Dolphins Day Tour
Leisure Tours runs this nine-hour day from Christchurch to Akaroa for a swim with the dolphins.
Check availabilityKaikoura Whale Watching
10-Hour Kaikoura Whale Day Tour
Cheeky Kea's day tour from Christchurch up the coast to Kaikoura, built around a whale watching cruise, with 10 hours on the road and water.
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11-Hour Whale Watch Day Trip
Leisure Tours runs this 11-hour day from Christchurch to Kaikoura, pairing a coastal drive with a whale watching cruise.
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Small-Group Kaikoura Whale Day Tour
A small-group day tour from Christchurch to Kaikoura with Cheeky Kea, pairing the scenic coastal drive with a whale watching cruise and rated 4.4 from early reviews.
Check availabilityAlpine Rail And Scenic Day Trips
TranzAlpine and Castle Hill Day Trip
NZSI Tours & Travel combines the TranzAlpine train to Arthur's Pass with a coach return past Castle Hill, rated 4.8 across 499 reviews and priced from NZ$380.
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Edoras Day Tour, Lunch Included
Hassle-Free Tours' nine-hour trip from Christchurch to Mount Sunday, the filming location of Edoras.
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TranzAlpine One-Way to Greymouth
Great Journeys New Zealand's TranzAlpine service, a one-way rail journey from Christchurch across to Greymouth.
Check availabilityMount Cook And Lake Tekapo
Mt Cook and Tekapo Full-Day Tour
A 13-hour day tour from Christchurch to Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, run by NZ South Island Tours & Travel.
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Mt Cook Tour With Tasman Glacier
A 13-hour day trip to Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and the Tasman Glacier.
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Cheeky Kiwi Mt Cook Small Group
Cheeky Kiwi Travel squeezes Aoraki Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo into one 13-hour day from Christchurch, travelling in a small group with lunch included, and it rates 4.8 from 242 reviews.
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Cheeky Kea Mt Cook and Tekapo
Cheeky Kea's 13-hour day tour from Christchurch to Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, with lunch on the way.
Check availabilityWine, Food And Adventure
Waipara Wine Trail With Lunch
A half day Waipara wine tour with tastings and lunch, from Christchurch.
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Coastal Hike With Picnic Lunch
Crater Rim Walks leads this full-day coastal hike at Godley Head, with a picnic lunch included.
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Giles Tours Waipara Lunch and Tastings
A five and a half hour Waipara winery day with tastings and lunch included, run by Giles Tours.
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Sheep Farm, Lunch and Winery
A six-hour day trip pairing a working sheep farm visit with lunch and a winery stop, run by Real New Zealand Farm Tours.
Check availabilityNarrow The Christchurch Tours List To Your Day
Showing four of the best-reviewed options to start you off. Answer a question below and the list rebuilds.
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TranzAlpine Train, National Park Walk
9 hours 30 minutes · Free cancellation
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Giles Tours Waipara Lunch and Tastings
5 hours 30 minutes · Free cancellation
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Christchurch Tours Side By Side
Show
Meal
Sort by
All 25 tours, most reviewed first. Tap a sort chip twice to flip the order.
| Tour | Kind | Meal | Length | Meets | From | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akaroa Dolphins 2-Hour Harbour CruiseAkaroa Dolphins | Akaroa And Banks Peninsula | Meal not stated | 2 hours | 65 Beach Road, Akaroa | NZ$140 | ★ 5.02,275 reviews | Check availability |
| Gondola and Tram ComboChristchurch Attractions | City Sightseeing And Attractions | Meal not stated | 1 day | Christchurch Gondola | NZ$80 | ★ 4.6854 reviews | Check availability |
| Mt Cook and Tekapo Full-Day TourNZ South Island Tours & Travel | Mount Cook And Lake Tekapo | Meal included in the fare | 13 hours | Confirmed at booking | NZ$253 | ★ 4.8646 reviews | Check availability |
| Antarctic Centre General AdmissionInternational Antarctic Centre | City Sightseeing And Attractions | Meal not stated | 2 to 3 hours | International Antarctic Centre | NZ$74 | ★ 4.5555 reviews | Check availability |
| Waipara Wine Trail With LunchLeisure Tours | Wine, Food And Adventure | Meal included in the fare | 5 hours 30 minutes | Cathedral Square | NZ$199 | ★ 4.5515 reviews | Check availability |
| TranzAlpine and Castle Hill Day TripNZSI Tours & Travel | Alpine Rail And Scenic Day Trips | No meal in the fare | 10 hours | Confirmed at booking | NZ$380 | ★ 4.8499 reviews | Check availability |
| No tours match that mix. Clear a filter or two and all twenty-five tours return to the table. | |||||||
Best Months For Christchurch Tours
Rainfall (mm)
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero22.5 max / 11.8 min22.2 max / 11.5 min20.3 max / 9.5 min17.2 max / 6.6 min14.7 max / 3.9 min11.7 max / 1.2 min11.2 max / 0.7 min12.5 max / 2.0 min14.8 max / 3.9 min16.9 max / 5.8 min18.8 max / 7.6 min21.1 max / 10.4 min
- Under 45 mm
- 45 to 55 mm
- 55 to 65 mm
- Over 65 mm
- Not named
- This month
January
Rainfall (mm): 42.4 Rain days (1 mm or more): 6.0 Sunshine (hours): 227.5
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 22.5 max / 11.8 min
February
Rainfall (mm): 39.8 Rain days (1 mm or more): 5.3 Sunshine (hours): 195.2
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 22.2 max / 11.5 min
March
Rainfall (mm): 45.1 Rain days (1 mm or more): 5.7 Sunshine (hours): 190.6
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 20.3 max / 9.5 min
April
Rainfall (mm): 57.5 Rain days (1 mm or more): 7.7 Sunshine (hours): 158.1
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 17.2 max / 6.6 min
May
Rainfall (mm): 58.1 Rain days (1 mm or more): 7.1 Sunshine (hours): 141.2
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 14.7 max / 3.9 min
June
Rainfall (mm): 68.3 Rain days (1 mm or more): 8.6 Sunshine (hours): 115.3
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 11.7 max / 1.2 min
July
Rainfall (mm): 64.2 Rain days (1 mm or more): 7.7 Sunshine (hours): 127.8
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 11.2 max / 0.7 min
August
Rainfall (mm): 58.1 Rain days (1 mm or more): 7.3 Sunshine (hours): 156.5
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 12.5 max / 2.0 min
September
Rainfall (mm): 42.2 Rain days (1 mm or more): 6.2 Sunshine (hours): 169.1
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 14.8 max / 3.9 min
October
Rainfall (mm): 49.1 Rain days (1 mm or more): 7.2 Sunshine (hours): 205.4
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 16.9 max / 5.8 min
November
Rainfall (mm): 45.1 Rain days (1 mm or more): 7.0 Sunshine (hours): 226.7
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 18.8 max / 7.6 min
December
Rainfall (mm): 47.8 Rain days (1 mm or more): 7.0 Sunshine (hours): 215.0
Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C): 21.1 max / 10.4 min
Open the full table
| Month | Air temperature at Christchurch Aero (C) | Rainfall (mm) | Rain days (1 mm or more) | Sunshine (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22.5 max / 11.8 min | 42.4 | 6.0 | 227.5 |
| February | 22.2 max / 11.5 min | 39.8 | 5.3 | 195.2 |
| March | 20.3 max / 9.5 min | 45.1 | 5.7 | 190.6 |
| April | 17.2 max / 6.6 min | 57.5 | 7.7 | 158.1 |
| May | 14.7 max / 3.9 min | 58.1 | 7.1 | 141.2 |
| June | 11.7 max / 1.2 min | 68.3 | 8.6 | 115.3 |
| July | 11.2 max / 0.7 min | 64.2 | 7.7 | 127.8 |
| August | 12.5 max / 2.0 min | 58.1 | 7.3 | 156.5 |
| September | 14.8 max / 3.9 min | 42.2 | 6.2 | 169.1 |
| October | 16.9 max / 5.8 min | 49.1 | 7.2 | 205.4 |
| November | 18.8 max / 7.6 min | 45.1 | 7.0 | 226.7 |
| December | 21.1 max / 10.4 min | 47.8 | 7.0 | 215.0 |
City Sights, Akaroa, Kaikoura Or The Alps: How The Day Trips Compare
| City sights | Akaroa | Kaikoura | TranzAlpine | Mt Cook and Tekapo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance and time from Christchurch | In the city centre | About 90 minutes by road | About 2.5 hours by road | 223 km by rail, just under 5 hours one way | About 3 hours to Lake Tekapo, 4.5 hours to Aoraki Mount Cook |
| Tour length on the listings | 2 hours to 2 days | 2 hours, 9 hours, 9 hours 30 minutes | 10 hours, 11 hours, 8 to 10 hours | 4 hours 50 minutes to 10 hours | 13 hours |
| From-price (roster) | NZ$45 to NZ$399 | NZ$116 to NZ$385 | NZ$372 to NZ$390 | NZ$239 to NZ$495 | NZ$253 to NZ$299 |
| Tours listed | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
Where Christchurch Tours Depart And Go
Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.
Map tiles and place names: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Departure Points
- Akaroa Dolphins 2-Hour Harbour Cruisefrom NZ$140
- Gondola and Tram Combofrom NZ$80
Town
- Mt Cook and Tekapo Full-Day Tourfrom NZ$253
- TranzAlpine and Castle Hill Day Tripfrom NZ$380
Sight
- Mt Cook and Tekapo Full-Day Tourfrom NZ$253
- TranzAlpine and Castle Hill Day Tripfrom NZ$380
- Cathedral SquareDeparture Points
- Christchurch GondolaDeparture Points · 8.8 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- International Antarctic CentreDeparture Points · 8.5 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Antigua Boat Sheds (Avon punting)Departure Points · 740 m from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Christchurch Railway StationDeparture Points · 2.5 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Christchurch AirportDeparture Points · 9.5 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Lyttelton PortDeparture Points · 12 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Akaroa Main WharfDeparture Points · 40 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Canterbury MuseumDeparture Points · 710 m from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- 65 Beach Road, AkaroaDeparture Points · 41 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- AkaroaTown · 40 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Hanmer SpringsTown · 113 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- KaikouraTown · 152 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Arthur's Pass VillageTown · 109 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Aoraki Mount Cook VillageTown · 206 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Christchurch Botanic GardensSight · 1.2 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Willowbank Wildlife ReserveSight · 8.2 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Castle HillSight · 82 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake TekapoSight · 181 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
- Mount Sunday (Edoras)Sight · 141 km from Cathedral Square in a straight line
What Guests Say About Christchurch Tours
These guest quotes are copied verbatim from each tour's own booking listing; we do not collect or edit them, only choose which to show.
“Excellent harbor cruise! My family (mom, dad, 4mo baby) enjoyed every minute of this experience. We were able to see dolphins, penguins, and seals.”
“Very wet day but thoroughly enjoyed the commentary and local knowledge.”
“The guide is really nice and had a great day from Christchurch to tekapo and mt cook!”
“The exhibits are fun & interesting…the staff are super friendly,,,some seniors might find the hagglund ride bumpy but we thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Where To Stay In Central Christchurch
Christchurch City Hotel
699 Colombo Street, central Christchurch
Check ratesCity Central Motel Apartments
252 Barbadoes Street, central Christchurch
Check ratesCrowne Plaza Christchurch
Central Christchurch
Check ratesChristchurch Tours FAQ
How much should you budget per tour?
All 25 tours here list a from-price, and the gap between them is large. The gondola ride is the entry point at NZ$45, while the Arthur's Pass day tour with the TranzAlpine train tops the list at NZ$495.
Where can you swim with dolphins?
Banks Peninsula supplies four of the 25 tours compared here, and three of them feature dolphins. Watching beats swimming on price: Black Cat Cruises runs a two-hour dolphin nature cruise from NZ$116, while Akaroa Dolphins charges from NZ$140, rated 5.0 across 2275 reviews.
What is the free cancellation policy?
Every listing here carries free cancellation, all 25 of them. That covers the NZ$45 gondola ticket, Kaikoura whale watching, the Waipara wine days, Hanmer Springs, Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo trips, and the NZ$495 Arthur's Pass train day.
Which day trips run the longest hours?
Mount Cook days are the longest on this site. Each of the four Aoraki and Lake Tekapo tours runs a full 13 hours from Christchurch, so plan for nothing else that day.
How long is the TranzAlpine train journey?
Three TranzAlpine choices appear here. Great Journeys New Zealand sells the rail journey itself, Christchurch to Greymouth in 4 hours 50 minutes, from NZ$239.
Can I swim with dolphins near Christchurch?
The Akaroa Swim with Dolphins day trip from Christchurch covers 9 hours and costs from NZ$385 per person, rated 3.8 across 37 reviews. If you would rather stay dry, Akaroa harbour dolphin cruises start at NZ$116 per person.