City in Canterbury, New Zealand
Christchurch for solo travelers
Is Christchurch good for solo travel?
South Island's biggest city, rebuilt after the 2011 earthquakes with modern streets, gardens and street art. Good gateway for road trips to Tekapo and Queenstown; the center is quieter than Auckland or Wellington.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Usual care at night and with hitchhiking. |
How to meet people in Christchurch
Hostels in the center, Hagley Park run and cycling groups, surf lessons at Sumner and day trips to Akaroa.
Good things to do alone
- Cycle Hagley Park and the botanic gardens
- See street art around the central city
- Visit the Quake City museum
- Day trip to Akaroa on Banks Peninsula
- Ride the gondola in the Port Hills
Where to stay in Christchurch
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| City Centre | Short stays: museums, restaurants, trams, hostels |
| Riccarton | Student area, cheap eats, near Hagley Park and Westfield |
| Sumner | Seaside village with surf, an easy bus ride away |
| Lyttelton | Port town with cafés and markets, 20 minutes away |
Solo travel across New Zealand
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Queenstown | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Auckland | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Wellington | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Christchurch | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Rotorua | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Wanaka | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Taupo | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bay of Islands | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Coromandel | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Tauranga | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Dunedin | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nelson | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kaikoura | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Milford Sound | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Lake Tekapo | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Waiheke Island | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Franz Josef | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Christchurch good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). South Island's biggest city, rebuilt after the 2011 earthquakes with modern streets, gardens and street art.
How do you meet people in Christchurch?
Hostels in the center, Hagley Park run and cycling groups, surf lessons at Sumner and day trips to Akaroa. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Christchurch?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Christchurch safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Usual care at night and with hitchhiking.
More about Christchurch
Going to Christchurch solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Christchurch meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.