Christchurch Day Trips at a glance
- Our pick: Christchurch to Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train & Castle Hill Day Trip, NZ$ 380 per person (10h, 4.85★ · 505).
- Top rated: Christchurch Sheep Farm Day Trip: Hand-Feed & Shearing, NZ$ 345 per person (6h, 4.97★ · 65).
- Best value: Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Trip from Christchurch, NZ$ 275 per person (13h, 4.85★ · 396).
Price per person across the 9 options priced per person: NZ$ 275–NZ$ 579 (median NZ$ 345). With 100+ reviews: 3 of 9.
Of the 9 options: 9 with live guides in English, 9 with free cancellation, 8 with instant confirmation, 9 with hotel pickup, 8 kid-friendly, 4 private and 3 bookable last-minute.
How we rank: quality, number of reviews, availability, booking conditions and relevance to the topic. In the comparison table, our top 3 comes first. Price per person. “Top rated” = the highest score among options with at least 50 reviews.
Christchurch Day Trips — Arthur's Pass National Park, Lake Tekapo and 3 more
Based on each operator's calendar. Confirmed when you book.
9 options
Christchurch to Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train & Castle Hill Day Trip Wake up in Christchurch, ride the TranzAlpine train through the Southern Alps, hike Arthur’s Pass, and explore Castle Hill’s boulders. Includes pickup & guide. Every day except Monday and Wednesday · 07:00 · Pickup available · From age 4 ★ 4.85 (505 reviews) Duration: 10h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 380 per person
Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Trip from Christchurch Watch morning mist lift over Lake Tekapo, walk to Tasman Glacier, and share stories with your guide on this small-group Mount Cook day trip from Christchurch with lunch included. Mon, Wed and Fri · 06:30 · Pickup available · From age 4 ★ 4.85 (396 reviews) Duration: 13h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 275 per person
Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Trip from Christchurch: Good Shepherd Church Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo day trip from Christchurch with guide, hotel pickup and lunch included. Free time in Aoraki National Park for walks or scenic flights. Every day · 06:30 · Hotel pickup · All ages ★ 4.81 (257 reviews) Duration: 13h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 299 per person
Christchurch Sheep Farm Day Trip: Hand-Feed & Shearing Six-hour day trip from Lyttelton to Glenafric working farm with live shearing, hand-feeding sheep, and Waipara Valley wine tasting. Guaranteed return to cruise ship on time. Every day · 09:30 · Hotel pickup · From age 10 ★ 4.97 (65 reviews) Duration: 6h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 345 per person
Arthur's Pass day trip: Castle Hill & alpine lakes tour Eight hours through Arthur's Pass National Park from Christchurch, starting at Lake Lyndon and Castle Hill's limestone boulders, then the Otira Viaduct. Every day · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00 · Pickup available ★ 4.64 (25 reviews) Duration: 8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 320 per person
Arthur's Pass day trip: Alpine village & Castle Hill Eight-hour day trip from Christchurch through the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass village, with optional TranzAlpine Train. Every day · 07:30 · Pickup available · Up to age 65 ★ 4.94 (16 reviews) Duration: 8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 579 per person
Mt. Cook Private Day Trip: Tasman Glacier & Lakes Thirteen and a half hours from Christchurch to Mount Cook with a private guide and driver: start in Geraldine, cross Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. Every day · 07:00 · Pickup available ★ 4.93 (15 reviews) Duration: 13h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 345 per person
Christchurch to Hanmer Springs hot pools day trip with lunch Drive 1.5 hours from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs to soak in natural thermal pools fed by underground springs while exploring the alpine village over lunch. Every day · No fixed time · Pickup available · All ages ★ 5.00 (1 review) Duration: 6h–8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 349 per person
Hanmer Springs hot pool day trip private return from Christchurch Private day tour from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs with guide, driver and vehicle included. Customize your day between thermal pools, jet boating, hiking or the Animal Park. Every day · 07:00, 08:00, 09:00 and 16:00 · Pickup available ★ 5.00 (1 review) Duration: 8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 290 per person
All 9 options, side by side
✓ 2026-11-14| Option | Price | Duration | Rating | Days and times | Guide languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch to Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train & Castle Hill Day TripOur pickPickup offered | NZ$ 380 per person | 10h | 4.85★ · 505 | Every day except Monday and Wednesday · 07:00 | English |
| Christchurch Sheep Farm Day Trip: Hand-Feed & ShearingTop ratedPickup offered | NZ$ 345 per person | 6h | 4.97★ · 65 | Every day · 09:30 | English |
| Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Trip from ChristchurchBest valuePickup offered | NZ$ 275 per person | 13h | 4.85★ · 396 | Mon, Wed and Fri · 06:30 | English |
| Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Trip from Christchurch: Good Shepherd ChurchGroup of up to 15 · Pickup offered | NZ$ 299 per person | 13h | 4.81★ · 257 | Every day · 06:30 | English |
| Arthur's Pass day trip: Castle Hill & alpine lakes tourPrivate · Pickup offered | NZ$ 320 per person | 8h | 4.64★ · 25 | Every day · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00 | English |
| Arthur's Pass day trip: Alpine village & Castle HillGroup of up to 8 · Pickup offered | NZ$ 579 per person | 8h | 4.94★ · 16 | Every day · 07:30 | English |
| Mt. Cook Private Day Trip: Tasman Glacier & LakesPrivate · Pickup offered | NZ$ 345 per person | 13h 30m | 4.93★ · 15 | Every day · 07:00 | English |
| Christchurch to Hanmer Springs hot pools day trip with lunchPrivate · Pickup offered | NZ$ 349 per person | 6h–8h | 5.00★ only 1 review | Every day · No fixed time | English |
| Hanmer Springs hot pool day trip private return from ChristchurchPrivate · Pickup offered | NZ$ 290 per person | 8h | 5.00★ only 1 review | Every day · 07:00, 08:00, 09:00 and 16:00 | English |
By what you need
- Private (4): Arthur's Pass day trip: Castle Hill & alpine lakes tour (NZ$ 320 per person) · Mt. Cook Private Day Trip: Tasman Glacier & Lakes (NZ$ 345 per person) · Christchurch to Hanmer Springs hot pools day trip with lunch (NZ$ 349 per person)
- Small groups (up to 15) (2): Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Trip from Christchurch: Good Shepherd Church (NZ$ 299 per person) · Arthur's Pass day trip: Alpine village & Castle Hill (NZ$ 579 per person)