In short
- Our Christchurch timetables list 30 bus routes, the Diamond Harbour ferry and about 2,100 stops.
- The Orbiter runs every 10 minutes in both directions; routes 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 are also high-frequency.
- An adult bus fare costs $3.00 with Motu Move or Metrocard and $4.00 in cash, capped at $6 a day and $30 a week (checked 24 October 2026).
- Metrocard can no longer be used from 23 November 2026.
Metro runs the buses of Greater Christchurch, including Selwyn and Waimakariri, plus the ferry across Lyttelton Harbour. Our timetables list 30 bus routes, the Diamond Harbour ferry and about 2,100 stops. Live departures appear on route and stop pages. Fares below were checked on 24 October 2026.
Which routes run most often?
Metro calls six services high-frequency:
- The Orbiter: a ring through the suburbs, every 10 minutes clockwise and anticlockwise.
- Route 1: Rangiora to Cashmere through the city.
- Route 3: the airport to Sumner via the city, every 10 minutes during the week.
- Route 5: Rolleston to New Brighton, every 10–15 minutes most of the day.
- Route 7: Halswell to Queenspark, around every 10 minutes on weekdays.
- Route 8: Port to Port, from the airport via the city to Lyttelton, around every 15 minutes.
Most city routes meet at the central Bus Interchange on Lichfield Street. Direct routes link the city with Lincoln, Rolleston, Darfield, Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Pegasus. See all routes in the Christchurch timetables.
Is there a ferry?
Yes. The Diamond Harbour ferry (F) crosses Lyttelton Harbour between Lyttelton and Diamond Harbour. Route 8 takes you from the city to Lyttelton for the connection.
How do I pay?
Christchurch was the first region to move to Motu Move. You can tap a debit or credit card, a phone or smartwatch, or a prepaid Motu Move card (with an initial $5 top-up). Child, youth, Community Services Card and SuperGold concessions can be linked to every Motu Move method.
- Bus: $3.00 with Motu Move or Metrocard, $4.00 in cash.
- Ferry: $5.00, or $6.00 in cash.
- Caps: on buses you pay at most $6 a day and $30 a week, so you never pay for more than two trips a day or ten a week.
- Transfers: up to two free transfers within 2 hours with the same payment method.
Metro says the Metrocard can no longer be used from 23 November 2026, and cash fares are being retired as well.
How do I get to Christchurch Airport?
Buses leave from the northern end of the International Arrivals hall, next to the Novotel. Route 8 runs every 15 minutes on weekdays and reaches the city in about 30 minutes; route 29 goes via Memorial Avenue and Fendalton every 30 minutes; every third route 3 bus also serves the airport. Route 125 links the airport with the northern and western suburbs without going into the city.
Can I see when my bus is coming?
Yes. Metro publishes real-time data, so buses.app shows live departures for Christchurch. Metro’s own MetroGo tool and the QR codes at bus stops show the same information.
