

New Zealand’s borders are fully open
New Zealand is open to vaccinated visitors from anywhere in the world. Unvaccinated travelers are not allowed to enter the country unless they are New Zealand citizens or residents.
Before traveling to New Zealand by air, all visitors must complete a declaration, and receive a Traveller Pass by email. If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).
Transit is only allowed through Auckland Airport as long as you stay in the transit area and your next flight is within 24 hours. Some travelers may need to apply for a transit visa.
Arriving in Christchurch
- If you are flying to Christchurch from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airport — Christchurch Airport
CHC
, situated approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) northwest of the Christchurch city center.
Christchurch Airport is New Zealand's second-largest airport. It has a single terminal with a combined check-in hall for domestic and international flights. Unlimited free WiFi is available throughout the terminal (connect to the wireless network called "Free Unlimited Airport WiFi").
Passengers on transit with long layovers can use one of the nearby hotels: Sudima Christchurch Airport Hotel (located just a few minutes walk from the terminal building), JUCY Snooze Christchurch Airport (budget-friendly option just across the road from the terminal), Novotel Christchurch Airport (right next to the terminal building; modern rooms, restaurant, fitness center), or Commodore Airport Hotel (5 minutes drive from the airport on a free airport shuttle).
The airport location - near the junction of several major roads, including State Highway 1 and State Highway 73 - provides easy access to Christchurch city and to other parts of the South Island. Just outside the terminal building, you can catch a taxi to the city center (fares from NZD 45 to 65), use shared shuttle services as a more budget-friendly option (from NZD 20 per person) or take advantage of convenient ride-sharing services like Uber. There is also general public transport available, including metro buses which run regularly between the airport and the city center (around NZD $8).
These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Christchurch. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result. - Once in Christchurch, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Sunair, Barrier Air, Stewart Island Flights, Air Chathams, Golden Bay Air, Origin Air, and Sounds Air. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Christchurch can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Jetstar, Air Chathams, and Sounds Air. If you have a layover in Christchurch and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.
Airports of Christchurch

CHC
, situated approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) northwest of the Christchurch city center. The airport location - near the junction of several major roads, including State Highway 1 and State Highway 73 - provides easy access to other parts of the South Island.
What is the best time to book flights to Christchurch?
The best time to book flights to Christchurch is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for Christchurch flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. During this period, you should monitor airfares by setting alerts on popular flight search websites. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices for Christchurch flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to Christchurch, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Set alerts
Track flight price fluctuations for your desired routes to Christchurch using email alerts on search sites like Google Flights to catch price drops. These drops will be your chance to book the flight at its best price.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to Christchurch less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up (learn more about last-minute pricing).
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays (including holidays in New Zealand), and check the best time to fly to Christchurch. If you must travel during peak times, book a bit earlier – 6 to 8 months in advance.
Join ATC
A useful way to find discounted airfare is to sign up for a deal newsletter such as Air Traveler Club. The ATC team is constantly looking for price drops on popular routes, and we share them with our members free of charge.
Airlines flying to Christchurch | Air Chathams, Air China, Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, ANA, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Jetstar, LATAM, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Sounds Air, SWISS, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Australia |
---|---|
New Zealand airlines | Air New Zealand, Air Chathams, Sunair, Sounds Air, Barrier Air, Stewart Island Flights, Golden Bay Air, Origin Air, Air Auckland |
Airports in Christchurch | Christchurch Airport (CHC) |
Regular price (roundtrip) | ✈ €900 – €1400 (from Europe) ✈ $400 – $900 (from USA) |
Flight hacks | 40% — 80% off regular fare |
Airline discounts | Discounted airline tickets to Christchurch (student/family/seniors/military) |
The cheapest time to fly to Christchurch
The cheapest time to fly to Christchurch is during the low season – June through October. These months are considered the winter season in New Zealand, with shorter daylight hours and much lower temperatures than during the summer months of December, January, and February (high season). The off-peak tourist season sees fewer visitors, and because prices are dictated by supply and demand, typically, you can find some fantastic deals on airline tickets to Christchurch, accommodation, rental vehicles, and activities.
The shoulder months from March to May and September to November are also good options to fly to Christchurch as they offer pleasant temperatures and mostly sunny days but still thin tourist crowds and lower airfares.
To travel in peace, try to avoid school holidays – the two-week periods at the end of July and October, and popular “red days” such as Waitangi Day (8 February), Anzac Day (26 April), Easter, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. If you really have to travel to Christchurch during these peak periods, it’s wise to book the flights well in advance.
South Pacific time travel (the international date line)
The international date line (IDL) is an imaginary line on the Earth’s surface that stretches from the North Pole to the South Pole, running through the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It roughly follows a 180-degree longitude and defines the border between one day and the next.
When you cross the ID westward, you gain a day, and if you are traveling eastward, you lose a day. It may seem like you are moving forward or backward in time, but obviously, you’re just adjusting to a different time zone.

IDL is not a straight line, though. It zig-zags back and forth across the Pacific Ocean, so it is not always at the same longitude. Starting from the north, it passes west of the Hawaiian Islands and east of the Marshall Islands. As it moves further south, it reaches the Pacific island nation of Kiribati and makes a major deviation east to encompass the Kiribati and Line Islands. Then it passes between Samoa and American Samoa, keeping the former west and the latter east of the IDL. It then stays parallel to the meridian, keeping to the east of the line so that Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand are all west of the IDL.
Prearrange your New Zealand visitor visa
Passport holders from most countries need a visa to come to New Zealand, even if they are just visiting the country for a short holiday. You might even need a visa to transit through New Zealand to another destination.
The visa must be obtained before traveling to Christchurch from abroad. You can do this electronically via the New Zealand Immigration website, or your travel agent can arrange this for you.
Promo Radar™ 2023
Ready-to-book promotions, sales and discounts from 100+ airlines
Flight sales and promotions to Christchurch
Flight promotions, ticket sales, student discounts, and airline promo codes are your best bet for saving on airfares to Christchurch. These special offers can save hundreds of dollars or give you free travel perks like seat upgrades or extra checked baggage.
OTAs miss out on most sales
Airlines flying to Christchurch often use sales and promotions as key marketing tools to attract and retain customers while boosting seat occupancy. However, when you search for airfares on popular OTA websites like Expedia, Kayak, or Skyscanner, you won’t find these heavily discounted tickets there. Airlines often reserve the most aggressive or enticing promotions for their own direct sales channels — primarily their websites.
How to find Christchurch promotions?
To take advantage of promotional flights to Christchurch — including special codes, vouchers, student discounts, and even flights discounted by up to 50% — your best strategy is to check airline websites consistently. You can also follow their social media channels and subscribe to newsletters from leading carriers.
The catch
That being said, finding truly valuable promotions can be tricky, as the uncomfortable details are often hidden in the fine print. Many sales are limited to unpopular routes, with inconvenient layovers or blackout dates. Some promotions come with strings attached or conditions that are difficult to match.
Top promotions from 100+ airlines
That’s where our team steps in. We do all the heavy lifting for you, keeping track of all ongoing sales and promotions from more than 100 airlines! We vet each sale, discount, or promotion and ensure that only quality offers with authentic value make it onto our final list.
Christchurch flight promotions can often be found among our list of best airline discounts — emailed weekly to 110,000 Air Traveler Club subscribers.
Flights to Christchurch from United States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Christchurch. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Christchurch, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop.
- Christchurch is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Christchurch with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL
, DallasDFW
, DenverDEN
, ChicagoORD
, Los AngelesLAX
, Las VegasDFW
, MiamiMIA
, SeattleSEA
, HoustonIAH
, New YorkJFK
, and San FranciscoSFO
in the United States and TorontoYYZ
, VancouverYVR
, CalgaryLAS
, and MontrealYUL
in Canada. - The best airlines to fly to Christchurch from the US and Canada are: Air New Zealand, ANA, Emirates, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
US and Canada to Christchurch.Ticket prices in November 2023.
View today’s prices or learn how to cut costs with flexible dates:
Best aircraft for long-haul flights to Christchurch
For long-haul flights, the aircraft type can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board — especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, USB charging ports, WiFi connectivity, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin.
When booking a flight to Christchurch, it’s worth spending a few minutes researching the type of aircraft you’ll be flying on. Look for airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as:
- Airbus A350. Best choice. Known for its advanced air filtration and higher cabin pressure, which enhance overall passenger well-being. Operated by Delta Air Lines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
- Airbus A380. Offers unparalleled spaciousness and amenities like onboard lounges and shower spas in premium classes. Used by non-US airlines such as Emirates, Qantas, Lufthansa, and British Airways.
- Boeing 767. Often features a 2-3-2 seating configuration in economy, reducing the number of middle seats. The largest operators are Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Japan Airlines and ANA.
- Boeing 777. Renowned for its wide cabin, it offers a sense of spaciousness and often includes advanced in-flight entertainment options. Used by American Airlines, United Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, and Air France.
- 787 Dreamliner. Celebrated for its larger windows and dynamic lighting, designed to help regulate passengers’ circadian rhythms and reduce jet lag. Operated by Air Canada, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, and Etihad Airways.

Book domestic flights on airnewzealand.co.nz
When booking Air New Zealand flights, always use its website located at the co.nz domain – irrespective of where you are based.
It’s surprising, but often the domestic flights listed at airnewzealand.co.nz are much cheaper than on the .com, .eu, .co.uk and com.sg sites (sometimes you can save 50% of the ticket price or more). Book your flight on airnewzealand.co.nz when flying to Christchurch!
Qantas Explorer Pass: discounted domestic fares in New Zealand
Are you planning to visit more destinations after arriving in Christchurch? The Qantas Explorer Pass can be an excellent way to save some money. With this pass, you can book multiple domestic flights in Australia or New Zealand at discounted rates – great for hopping between some of the region’s most iconic cities, beaches, and landscapes.
The Qantas Explorer Pass allows travelers to create their personalized itinerary with multiple stopovers, choosing from over 30 destinations, including major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. However, the pass is only available for domestic flights within Australia or New Zealand – you can’t use it to fly internationally between the two countries.
To access the Qantas Explorer Pass, you must be traveling from overseas to Australia or New Zealand with Qantas. Use the airline website to book your international flight to Christchurch, and choose the multi-city option to get access to Explorer Pas cheaper fares.
Traveling from Christchurch to Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia
The Pacific Islands can be divided into three main groups based on physical geography and cultural significance:
- Micronesia (“small-islands”). Located north of Papua New Guinea. It includes Federated States of Micronesia (the Caroline Islands), Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau.
- Melanesia (“black-islands”). Anchored north of Australia, and bordering Indonesia to the east, this region includes Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
- Polynesia (“many-islands”): This large triangular area of the east-central Pacific Ocean includes American Samoa, Cook Islands, Easter Island, French Polynesia, Hawaiian Islands, Line Islands, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna.
Hawaii, Fiji, French Polynesia, and Easter Island are the most well-connected Pacific Islands and act as hubs when flying from Asia (especially Korea, Taiwan, and Japan), Australasia and the USA. The poorly connected island countries like Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, or Tuvalu are best visited via these main hubs.

Please note that the whole region is expensive to get around. Once you get there, costs can quickly add up to well above that in your home country, especially if you require comforts and imported products (on islands everything comes by plane or by ship).
Arriving and transiting in Auckland, the easy way
Arriving in Auckland with Air New Zealand is pretty straightforward (see this guide).
When transferring to a domestic flight, there’s no need to drag your bags to the domestic terminal. Instead, after collecting them off the plane and exiting customs and immigration, you can check them in at “Zone A” of the international terminal. The bags will be transferred to your domestic flight.
Likewise, if you are flying abroad from an NZ domestic airport, you can ask for your bags to be checked through to your final destination.
Long waiting times when calling the helpline?
Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and others).
When it comes to Twitter there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue (add “@airline_handle”, for example: “@FlyAirNZ” if contacting Air New Zealand). The social media team will often notice it immediately, ask you for a direct message, and respond privately.
Flights to Christchurch from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Christchurch — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. It's a long trip from Europe to Christchurch (over 18,000km/11,000 miles and 25-35 hours of flight time), so all airlines plan at least one stop en route. Choose your airline wisely - look for exceptional in-flight experience and comfortable seats. For the long-haul flights from European countries to Christchurch we recommend British Airways, Air New Zealand, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qantas
- Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Christchurch include British Airways, Finnair, Lufthansa, SWISS, Air New Zealand, Emirates, Qantas, and Turkish Airlines.
- Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Christchurch from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
- These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to Christchurch: London
LHR
and ManchesterMAN
in the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRA
and MunichMUC
in Germany, ParisCDG
and NiceNCE
in France, AmsterdamAMS
in the Netherlands, MadridMAD
and BarcelonaBCN
in Spain, RomeFCO
and MilanoMXP
in Italy, BrusselsBRU
in Belgium, CopenhagenOSL
in Denmark, OsloOSL
in Norway, StockholmARN
in Sweden, ZurichZRH
in Switzerland, LisbonLIS
in Portugal, ViennaVIE
in Austria, WarsawWAW
in Poland, PraguePRG
in the Czech Republic, and DublinDUB
in Ireland.
Europe to Christchurch.Flight schedule and ticket prices.
Check prices, see how to save big if your travel dates are flexible:
Christchurch flight deals. How to book the best fares?
Our go-to solution for finding and booking the best deals to Christchurch is Google Flights. Whenever we send SuperDeals to 110,000 members of Air Traveler Club, we include links to Google Flights so each deal can be secured immediately.
Google Flights’ powerful engine simplifies deal hunting. It searches and compares flight prices available from airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs) such as Expedia, Opodo, or eDreams. However, it doesn’t sell flights directly to travelers—instead, it passes users on to the airline or OTA to book directly with them.
How to know if the Christchurch deal we sent you is actually saving you money? One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar underneath the booking options. This bar provides a visual representation of the price compared to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline)—indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher. If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”), don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly — 40% to 80% — cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.

If you see that your flight has the marker within the orange zone (“price is typical”) or in the red zone (“price is higher”), it means that the deal has already ‘expired’. Airfare deals often ‘expire’ because airlines frequently move cheaper flights further away from the departure date. This is when the Google Flights Price Graph tool comes in handy:

Using this tool, you can experiment with various dates and trip lengths. This perfect deal to Christchurch may still be available — but for different date combinations.
Last-minute flights to Christchurch. The real cost of convenience.
Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Christchurch almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.

The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.
Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.
Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Christchurch is 2-8 months before the takeoff.
Looking for the best deals for Christchurch? Check different departure airports.
Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Christchurch from different airports – even if they are in close proximity to one another. So don’t limit yourself to just your nearest airport. The neighboring cities may have lower-priced flights that include a layover at Christchurch, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.
For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Christchurch, it may be worth checking prices for flights departing from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Rome. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to these hubs, but domestic low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for less than €100.

The same goes for long-haul flights to Christchurch from anywhere in the world. By broadening your search to include neighboring airports, you may discover lower-priced options that can save you hundreds of euros!
Domestic flights from Christchurch
Most domestic routes in New Zealand are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Auckland, Queenstown, Wellington, Rotorua, Dunedin, Nelson, Napier from Christchurch Airport, you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Sunair, Barrier Air, Stewart Island Flights, Air Chathams, Golden Bay Air, Origin Air, and Sounds Air.
This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of New Zealand destinations.
“Hot seats” on long-haul flights
Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Christchurch, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.
If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Booking group flights to Christchurch
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Christchurch can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.
To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.
Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.
If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Christchurch and can help with logistics and scheduling.
Flights to Christchurch from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia
- There are no direct flights from Asia to Christchurch — plan for at least one stop en route. The most convenient option is to choose a layover in Australasia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Auckland have frequent direct flights to Christchurch.
- Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Christchurch look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
- Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Christchurch will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
- Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting New Zealand and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
- Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Christchurch — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.
Christchurch from major Asian airports.Flight prices in November 2023.
View today’s prices and learn how flexibility can save you hundreds on airfare:
Proof of onward travel – a simple hack
Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from New Zealand to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.
The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of New Zealand and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Fly now, pay later
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans for flights have become a popular trend in the travel industry, allowing travelers to book flights and pay in installments. Among the airlines that offer this option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They partner with external financial companies to offer their loan services on the checkout page.
The BNPL plans come with varying terms and fees. Some may be interest-free but have fees for late-payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR).
When considering BNPL financing for your flight to Christchurch, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.
User Review
4.33 (411 votes)Flights to Christchurch
If you have specific travel dates, it's worth booking as soon as possible. The optimal time to book international flights to Christchurch is 2–8 months in advance, with a "prime booking window" at 4–6 months before departure for the best bargains.
In economy class, medium to long-haul flights to Christchurch range from $150 to $600, and can go up to $1,000 for routes exceeding 6,000 km. Round-trip bookings offer savings between 20% and 35%. Strategic planning like early booking, flying in low-season, booking directly with airlines, or chosing a route with a layover can save an additional 5–30%.
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