Christchurch Tramway, Christchurch Overview

The Christchurch Tramway offers a scenic and historic way to explore Christchurch’s key landmarks. Operating since 1995 as a heritage attraction, the restored vintage trams follow a 17-stop route, including highlights like the Canterbury Museum, Avon River, and the Botanic Gardens. Tickets can be purchased online or at the tram’s main departure point in Cathedral Junction.

The general journey is around 50 minutes long, and there are two packages: Christchurch Tramway Restaurant and a 4-course dinner tour and the Christchurch Pass. The tramway restaurant tour is a 2.5-hour tour that offers visitors a 4-course meal as they pass through the “Garden City”. The Christchurch Pass involves a guided punt tour to the Botanic Gardens. All in all, Christchurch Tramway is one experience that is affordable, convenient as well as time-saving, making it a leading attraction in New Zealand.

History

In the late 1800s, the City Council and Canterbury Tramway Company created a steam-run train line between Cathedral Square and the centre’s different train terminals. By the early 1900s, Christchurch Tramway had picked up momentum, with residents in the suburban areas commuting into town every day. However, after the war, the fuel-run buses led to a decrease in popularity for these trams. Nevertheless, the 1990s saw a drastic change when the city council tried to bring the trams into the heart of the town, connecting around 3-4 points. It was after 2005 that Christchurch Tramway finally got into the spotlight. Even though the 2011 earthquake caused a downfall, the tramway today is able to provide travellers with a historic as well as modern experience of the Garden City.

Route of the Tram

The Christchurch Tram Tour usually takes around 50 minutes to complete one journey as it stops at 17 places. These mainly include New Regent Street which is the starting point of the journey. The tram passes through Cathedral Junction, Canterbury Museum, Hagley Park, Art Gallery, Arts Centre, Gondola, Botanic Gardens, Cranmer Square and then the last junction which is the Victoria Square.

Time Taken

The entire journey of one tram is called a circuit. This takes around 50 minutes to complete and it includes 17 stops. This is the general amount of time taken to finish one tram journey. However, the journey might be longer in case one chooses to opt for a tour that involves punting. Each punting tour takes 30 minutes with informative commentary. This also involves the return journey.

Timings and Tickets

The entry fee is subject to each type of city tour. The rates for the tour are as follows:

-	Christchurch City Tour by Christchurch Tram	Christchurch City Tram Tour and Gondola Combo	Botanic Gardens Tour and Tram Combo	Christchurch Tram Tour and Punting on the Avon Combo	Christchurch Tram Tour and Punting, Gondola and Botanic Gardens Tour
Adult	NZD 25	NZD 45	NZD 50	NZD 75	NZD 90
Child	Free	NZD 19	NZD 15	NZD 25	NZD 30
Family	-	NZD 109	NZD 115	NZD 175	NZD 110

The tram runs every 15-20 minutes and the opening hours are as follows:

9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily during the summer (September to March)
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily during the winter (April to August)

Visitors can book their journeys online on the Christchurch Tramway official website, on getyourguide.com. or christchurchattractions.nz

Experiences

You’ll be able to get a 360-degree view of the entire city along with the Alps, Plains, the Harbour.
You’ll get a fine-dine experience along with a complimentary drink on arrival if you choose the Tramway restaurant tour
The historic interior will take you back to the 1800s.
You can simply hop on and off whenever you feel like, making it a convenient scenic journey for you.
The Edwardian-dressed Punter guide will give you an authentic feeling of the Heritage Tram.
You’ll travel more ground as you are in a Tram, making it more comfortable for you to see many places in only a few hours.

Travel Tips

You can either get a printed copy or a mobile voucher to redeem your ticket.
Children under the age of 15 get a free ticket if accompanied by an adult.
An adult can take up to 3 children and the fee is $5 per additional child.
One can take unlimited rides throughout the day of booking.
It is best to step out during the
Take the punting tour during the winter.
Don’t forget to check out the cafes and the gift shop at the top of Christchurch Gondola. You can get up to 10% discounts here.
Do not forget to check out the Botanic Gardens and the Canterbury Museum
Remember to book in advance.

How To Reach Christchurch Tramway

The train starts at New Regent Street and it is 10 kilometres (16 minutes) away from Christchurch airport. Visitors can take a cab, taxi or a bus from the airport to Regent Street. Visitors also have the option of dropping off and hopping on to the tram at any stop during the course of the journey. Cabs, Buses and taxis can easily be taken to and from all the 17 stops.