Cheap flights from London to Christchurch

October is the cheapest month on this route, and it lines up with spring in Canterbury — mild days, fewer crowds than the New Zealand summer. Fares climb from December through February, when New Zealanders travel home for the summer holidays and Christmas, and again around Easter. Departing midweek from Heathrow or Gatwick usually costs less than a Friday or Saturday, and the same goes for the return leg. If you can be flexible, look at dates in September and November either side of October; if you are tied to the New Zealand summer, book well ahead rather than waiting for a late deal. School holidays in both countries push prices up, so check the calendar before you commit.

None of the airlines here fly nonstop from London to Christchurch, so every ticket is a connecting itinerary — what differs is where you change and how long you wait. Emirates, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Royal Brunei connect through their home hubs, and Air New Zealand and Qantas also show up on itineraries into Christchurch. All of them are full-service carriers rather than low-cost, so what is included depends on the fare you pick: a checked bag, seat selection and flexibility are the usual variables. Compare journey time and layover, not just the headline fare.

Christchurch has a single airport, and it sits a short drive from the city centre rather than out in the countryside, so the transfer is quick. Buses and shuttles run into town, taxis and ride-shares pick up outside the terminal, and a pre-booked shuttle is the calmest option after a long journey with a connection behind you. New Zealand is strict about what arrives with you: declare food, plant material and any outdoor gear, and check the biosecurity rules before you pack. If you are picking up a rental car, the airport is the easier place to do it than the centre.

Currency

NZD (NZ$)

Power sockets

Type I · 230 V

Language

Māori, New Zealand Sign Language, English

Emergency number

111

Calling code

+64

Internet domain

.nz

Population of Christchurch

383 k (2020)

Time zone

UTC+12:45 (Pacific/Chatham)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check which London airport your fare leaves from — Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and London City all serve this route.
• Look at the baggage allowance on every leg, since a long-haul ticket can still leave you paying for a checked bag.
• Confirm whether your connection is on one ticket or two — a self-transfer means collecting your bags and checking in again.
• Check entry requirements for New Zealand and that your passport has enough validity left.
• Compare the layover length against the total journey time; a cheap fare with a long wait in a hub can cost you a day.
• Book early if you are flying in the New Zealand summer, and look at October if your dates are flexible.