Where to Stay in Christchurch: The Areas Compared

Christchurch is spread out, so where you stay decides how much you drive. For most trips the city centre is the best base. Here is what each area is known for, and how quickly you get there from our motel.

The city centre

Good for: a first visit, events, conferences and getting around on foot.

Our motel is here, at the north end of the city centre on Colombo Street: a 4-Star Plus motel (Qualmark) with free onsite parking and a kitchenette in every room. See our rooms.
From the motel, the Town Hall is a 5-minute walk, Te Pae 7 minutes, the tram 7 minutes and Riverside Market 16 minutes. See things to do near the motel and places to eat.
One NZ Stadium is about a 20-minute walk, and the Isaac Theatre Royal 10 minutes. See Christchurch events.
The Bus Interchange is in the centre, and the Bus 29 airport bus runs through it. See Christchurch Airport to the city.
Parking is paid on the street and in the parking buildings, so a place with free parking saves you money. See parking in central Christchurch.

Riccarton

Go there for: shopping and the Sunday market.

Around Riccarton Road, west of Hagley Park. Westfield Riccarton is about 10 minutes by car from our motel.
The Riccarton Sunday market at the racecourse and the Saturday Farmers' Market at Riccarton House are out this way. See Christchurch markets.
Staying in Riccarton puts you further from the central city sights, theatres and the stadium.
From our motel, Riccarton is a 10-minute drive, and you come back to free parking.

Merivale

Go there for: cafés and shops on Papanui Road, and St George's Hospital.

Just north of the city centre. Merivale Mall is about 5 minutes by car or a 27-minute walk from our motel.

Addington

Go there for: concerts at Wolfbrook Arena, the races at Addington, and the TranzAlpine train.

South-west of the city centre. Wolfbrook Arena is about 11 minutes by car from our motel, and the railway station on Troup Drive about 10 minutes. See the TranzAlpine from Christchurch.

Near the airport

Go there for: the Antarctic Centre and Orana Wildlife Park.

The airport is about 14 km from our motel, 20 to 30 minutes by car, and the Bus 29 airport bus stops a 1-minute walk from our motel.

The beaches: New Brighton and Sumner

Go there for: the beach, the pier and the hot pools.

New Brighton, with its pier and the He Puna Taimoana hot pools, is about 14 minutes by car from our motel. Sumner is about 21 minutes. See our hot pools guide.
Staying at the beach puts you a long way from events and the central city in the evening.

So where should you stay?

For most trips, the city centre. From our motel you walk to the Town Hall in 5 minutes and to the tram and Te Pae in 7, and everything else is a short drive with free parking when you get back:

Shopping or the Sunday market: Riccarton is a 10-minute drive.
A concert at Wolfbrook Arena or the TranzAlpine: about 10 minutes by car.
A flight: the airport is 20 to 30 minutes by car, and Bus 29 stops a 1-minute walk away.
The beaches: New Brighton is 14 minutes by car and Sumner 21.

Questions

What is the best area to stay in Christchurch?

For most visitors, the city centre. The Town Hall, Te Pae, the tram, Riverside Market and the Botanic Gardens are all a short walk, and One NZ Stadium is about 20 minutes on foot.

Where is ASURE Centrepoint Motel?

At 859 Colombo Street, at the north end of Christchurch's city centre. The Town Hall is a 5-minute walk, and parking is free for guests.

How far is the city centre from Christchurch Airport?

About 14 km from our motel, 20 to 30 minutes by car or about 30 minutes on Bus 29.

Is parking free in central Christchurch?

Not usually: street parking and the parking buildings charge. Our guests park free onsite, one space per room.