Busy commercial area near Hagley Park and the University of Canterbury. Many motels and restaurants.

About Riccarton / Hagley Park

Riccarton is Christchurch\'s most commercially active suburb, centered on Riccarton Road with Westfield Riccarton mall, diverse international restaurants, and the popular Riccarton Bush—a rare surviving stand of ancient kahikatea forest fenced and preserved since the 1850s. The suburb has a large student population due to its proximity to the University of Canterbury.

Adjacent Hagley Park is a 165-hectare Victorian park surrounding the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. The park features walking and cycling paths, sports fields, and the Hagley Oval cricket ground. The weekly Riccarton Farmers\' Market (Saturday mornings) is one of the South Island\'s best, with local produce, artisan bread, and Canterbury wine. Accommodation in Riccarton tends to be more affordable than the city center with easy access to both the airport and downtown.

Nearby Landmarks

Christchurch Botanic Gardens Hagley Park Riccarton Bush University of Canterbury

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost NZD $25-32 (~$15-19 USD)
Time 10-15 min

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost NZD $18-25 (~$11-15 USD)
Time 10-15 min

Arrivals pickup zone

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Take the Purple Line (No. 29) bus from Christchurch Airport.
2. Alight at Riccarton Road stop (approximately 10 min, NZ$4.50 with Metrocard).
3. Alternatively, taxi from the airport takes 10–15 min (NZ$20–30).
4. Uber is typically NZ$15–25 for this short trip.
5. Walk from Riccarton Road to Hagley Park is about 5 minutes.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi NZD $25-32 (~$15-19 USD) 10-15 min Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare NZD $18-25 (~$11-15 USD) 10-15 min Budget-conscious, app users

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

The Purple Line bus operates until about 11:00 PM and passes through Riccarton. After that, taxis and Uber are available—the fare from the airport to Riccarton is only NZ$20–30. Hotels along Riccarton Road are numerous and many offer airport shuttle services.

Luggage Tips

The very short transfer from the airport to Riccarton makes luggage handling easy regardless of transport mode. Buses and taxis both accommodate standard luggage without difficulty. Riccarton is flat, making wheeled luggage convenient on footpaths.

Accessibility

Riccarton's commercial areas have modern, flat footpaths and accessible building entrances. Westfield Riccarton mall is fully wheelchair accessible. Hagley Park paths are paved and mostly flat, suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Buses on the Riccarton route have ramp access.