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Christchurch on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, Christchurch works on a budget with hostels, free parks and self-catering. Allow about NZ$140 a day per person for a dorm or shared room, simple meals, one paid activity and buses.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | NZ$55 | NZ$110 | NZ$220 |
| Food & drink | NZ$50 | NZ$90 | NZ$160 |
| Sights & tickets | NZ$25 | NZ$70 | NZ$140 |
| Local transport | NZ$10 | NZ$40 | NZ$80 |
| Per person, per day | NZ$140 | NZ$310 | NZ$600 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Christchurch day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park
- The earthquake memorial on the Avon and the Cardboard Cathedral exterior
- Tūranga central library, with free exhibitions and city views
- The Port Hills walks and the Bridle Path
- New Brighton Pier and beach
- Riverside Market and the central city street art
Cheap eats
- Pie and coffee from a bakery: about NZ$10–14
- Fish and chips at Sumner or New Brighton: about NZ$12–18
- Dumplings or noodles in Riccarton: about NZ$15–20
- Riverside Market food stalls: about NZ$15–22
- Supermarket picnic in Hagley Park: about NZ$10
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers use hostels in the central city and near Hagley Park, where dorm beds cost roughly NZ$35–55, or motels on Riccarton Road for groups.
Getting around cheaply
Metro buses connect the airport and city (route 29 or 8) for a few dollars; a taxi costs about NZ$40–60. In the city, walk or use buses with a Metrocard. For day trips, shuttles run to Akaroa, but a shared rental car is often cheaper for two or more.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park (free)
- Lunch: Riverside Market, about NZ$18
- Afternoon: Quake City (about NZ$25) and the central city on foot
- Evening: supermarket dinner cooked at the hostel, about NZ$12
- Total: about NZ$130–140 including a dorm bed
More ways to save
- Travel in shoulder seasons (March–April, October–November) for lower rates and decent weather.
- Buy groceries at Pak'nSave or Woolworths rather than eating out for every meal.
- Walk up to the Port Hills summit and take in the view for free instead of the gondola.
- Fill water bottles from the tap; there is no need to buy bottled water.
- Share a car to Akaroa with other hostel guests.
- Look for weekday lunch specials in central laneway restaurants.
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Common questions
How much do I need per day?
About NZ$140 per person on a budget: NZ$55 for a bed, NZ$50 for food, NZ$25 for sights and NZ$10 for transport.
What is free in Christchurch?
The Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, Tūranga library, the earthquake memorial, the Port Hills walks and New Brighton beach.
How do I get from the airport cheaply?
Metro buses run to the city for a few dollars in about 30 minutes. A taxi costs roughly NZ$40–60.