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Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram

Recommended by 90% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Christchurch, New Zealand
High interest
Booked 4 times today.
  • 1 day (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.5
·
· Kevin_N ·
Mar 2026
It was a good, regular service that stopped at interesting places to visit. Commentary from the driver was both informative and entertaining. There were a variety of historic tram designs, and this made the experience all the more enjoyable. Tram stops were very easy to locate, you just follow the tram tracks.
· Margaret_T ·
Feb 2026
Full trip takes about 40 mins. Great way to orient yourself and very informative too. Easy to find the stops and there’s someone there to help.

Overview

Travel the full circuit of the Christchurch Tram, which departs about every 15 minutes from stops around the central city. Use your ticket to hop on and hop off at 18 stops and create your own sightseeing itinerary, or stay onboard for a comprehensive tour with live commentary. The ticket lasts all day so you can get on and off where you want.
  • See the ever-changing rebuilt city center of Christchurch
  • Explore at any of the 18 stops, from museums to historic streets
  • Comprehensive tour of the city with live commentary on board
  • An easy way to explore Christchurch if you don't have your own vehicle

What's Included

  • Live commentary on board
  • Local taxes
  • Personal expenses
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Operating hours
.10:00 am

Departure Point

  • You may start this tour at any of the stops listed.

Itinerary

Board the Christchurch Tramway at any of the 18 stops in the city center and journey in style. The restored vintage trams depart regularly and you can use your ticket to hop on and hop off anywhere along the newly extended route.

The circuit starts at Cathedral Junction and travels through Cathedral Square before passing the Avon River, Re:START Mall, and High Street. From here, the tram rejoins a loop and passes by the Canterbury Museum, Hagley Park, Victoria Square, and New Regent Street. Stops include Punting on the Avon and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Hear live commentary on the sights while you learn about the heritage and changing face of Christchurch. Knowledgeable drivers inform you about the city and its local landmarks along the way.
Tram City Tour

1 Stop

8 Points of Interest

Duration: 1 day

Operating Schedule: 9am - 5pm - Summer 9.50am-4pm - Winter

1

Cathedral Junction Body Corporate

Points of interest passed by on this route

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Canterbury Museum Pop-up

Avon River

Christchurch Tramway

Cashel Street

Hagley Park

Victoria Square

New Regent Street

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Seats are cozy and secure, but please note outside seats are not weatherproof
  • Children must be accompanied on the trams at all times by a paying adult. For safety reasons, we allow one adult to supervise up to three children/infants aged 15 years and under
  • Folded prams can be only be accommodated on particular trams
  • Please advise us in advance if you need wheelchair assistance
  • Tickets to be collected from the booking office located in Cathedral Junction 109 Worcester St
  • There may be a wait time at the Tram entry due to increased demand
  • Particular trams are wheelchair accessible and people with mobility issues may struggle with the height of the trams
  • There is a wheelchair hoist available from Stop 1 in Cathedral Junction with a weight limit of 220kg. Please note that the hoist is not accessible to electric wheelchairs

Frequently Asked Question (1)

Q:How long is a full circle ride on the Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off if I don't get off?

A:A typical circuit takes approximately 50 minutes to complete, however, it is highly recommended to hop off and see the sights to take full advantage of the tour.

Jun 2023

The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.5
based on 945 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Fun day in Christchurch

Jeanne_R, May 2026
Great way to get to know Christchurch and the driver is very helpful with directions to the sites in area.

Hop-n-Go-Car

Hemant_B, May 2026
We enjoyed riding the historic cable car around the central city. The cable car driver was very friendly and informative.

Don’t waste your money

mnelsen4, Apr 2026
I was very disappointed in the tram. It is not a very large route but I expected to learn a lot more about Christchurch than we did. It is far too expensive for what you get. This is my first experience that I have taken on Viator that I regretted.

Good commentary and entertainment

Barbara_M, Apr 2026
Drivers were very knowledgeable of all the sites around Christchurch city. They also have good sense of humour. Buses arrive very frequently even in April which is supposed to be winter

An absolute must See and Do in Christchurch

Christine_C, Apr 2026
Beautifully restored old trams which trundle through Christchurch, on the edge of the CBD as well literally through the middle streets. Has 18 tram stops which are adjacent to all the major sites of interest. Best money spent on an excursion. You have a very interesting commentary as well as you travel along. The round trip is about 50.minutes and you can get on and off wherever you like. And the staff on the trams are very entertaining, and they obviously love their jobs.

Easy access

Pamela_R, Apr 2026
Easy to access and use the tram system. We learnt lots about Christchurch and its history. Good value and relaxing.

The hop on off bus was...

JacquelineS_S, Apr 2026
The hop on off bus was non existence. No one in the tourist area knew anything about the hop on hop off bus. There was a hop on hop off tram which we ultimately used and it was fine but the viator experience was terrible

We went on the tram...

Stefanie_D, Apr 2026
We went on the tram through the city, it was so lovely! The staff was all really friendly and helpful, the commentary on the trip was very insightful and a nice touch. I would do it again and definitely recommend seeing Christchurch this way.

Great very informative...

Paul_E, Apr 2026
Great very informative alister gave lots of details into the city’s history even though it was only an hour in total it was worth it

Great ride.

john_p, Mar 2026
This was a great ride and experience, a fantastic way to see the city in an hour, with great commentary.

Don't miss taking the tram

Lonnie_K, Mar 2026
If this is your first time in Christchurch, the tram is a "must do" experience. The tram is a great way to beDon't introduced to the city and the hop on, hop off option is great. The tram drivers are amazing tour guides.

A Must- do

Geri_S, Mar 2026
Christchurch is an incredible city, and the Hop on Hop off tram is the perfect way to familiarize yourself with many of the sights and places you may want to explore further. Not only do you make a 50 minute loop to get the lay of the land, the conductors are informative and entertaining. It's a good idea to do the loop to see what Christchurch has to offer, then go back to stops of interest and get off and explore. Highly recommend this tour as a great way to see the highlights of Christchurch, including The Quake Museum, the Christchurch Cathedral, shopping and dining areas, and the Botanical Gardens. And don't miss viewing the eels that live in the Avon River!

An experience in itself!

Graham_G, Mar 2026
I’m normally reticence about hop on hop off city tours, but this one was really different. Stepping on the tram is like stepping into history. The drivers all added a personal touch and brought alive the history of Christchurch- a world of difference from the pre- recorded bus tours. A great way to see the city and an experience in itself.

Pretty train

Hangying_D, Mar 2026
Nice experience and good guide with great knowledge of the town. We enjoyed the ride and will recommend to everyone

Great to get on and off...

DEREK_S, Mar 2026
Great to get on and off as you wanted and see the sites of Christchurch city at your pace. Even if one was full you just waited for the next one

Great way to see the city centre

Kevin_N, Mar 2026
It was a good, regular service that stopped at interesting places to visit. Commentary from the driver was both informative and entertaining. There were a variety of historic tram designs, and this made the experience all the more enjoyable. Tram stops were very easy to locate, you just follow the tram tracks.

Fantastic way to see the city

Michelle_B, Mar 2026
The commentary from all drivers was informative in a personable manner. The conductors were friendly and helpful. We went round the whole circuit once then started again hopping off at the bits that interested us. A brilliant and cost effective way to familiarise yourself

From the Aussies

Barb_G, Mar 2026
Staff /Conductors all excellent - so proud of their country. Well informed & delivered with humour. Candice was so funny. Made the trip fun. We got on & off about 4 times.

Fun reconnaissance excursion

Jay_H, Mar 2026
Excellent way to scout the city and get a lay of the land. Very easy on and off. Conductor and driver were great!

Fascinating & Fun!

Melanie_B, Mar 2026
Such a lovely way to start a vacation and get an idea of the future places to visit! We did a full lap first, then jumped off at a preferred first stop, and went our own way from there. We did however get caught by weather so had to head back early, but we did enjoy the overall event. The commentators had some great little anecdotes to share along the route. Be sure to listen closely as you approach the stop with Queen Victoria for a fascinating story about a cat!

Great experience

Tonia_N, Mar 2026
Excellent way to see the city and convenient being able to get on and off when and where you want. Informative commentary

Great way to see the city

Sandy_B, Mar 2026
Loved all the different trams and their history. Commentators were all knowledgeable and great sense of humour. Lovely way to see the city and discover its history.

Magical way to visit Christchurch

Ruth_L, Mar 2026
I really enjoyed the city tram tour. It is a great way to view the city. The commentary was really informative pointing out many places of interest and areas to visit. I highly recommend.

Useful & Convenient

Aninda_P, Mar 2026
Great way to move around Christchurch. Comfortable - if u book online the tram driver will give your tickets with the booking reference number .

Great way to see the city...

SteveDebbieSalsbury, Mar 2026
Great way to see the city and get from place to place, not having to worry about things like parking.

Nice way to tour city...

Tim_G, Mar 2026
Nice way to tour city centre on your first day in Christchurch. Tour guides are informative and entertaining.

Holiday NZ

Deb_H, Mar 2026
Great way to see the city hop on hop off when ever you please runs frequently great driver with lots information about the city

Tramming Around Christchurch

JANNETT_B, Mar 2026
Great way to see the City Center. Easy to hop-off, sightsee, and catch another tram. Wait time about 10 minutes. Murals around the CBD make awesome photos. No need to board initially at Tram ticket office. Buy tix online and board at any stop. Tram drivers were knowledgeable and conductors were efficient. The Wizard happened to be out and about and he came over and "blessed" the Tram! Only in Christchurch! Highly recommend.

NO PROBLEM changing voucher into ticket. Cheaper than paying on the day.

Martin_T, Mar 2026
Absolutely no problem exchanging voucher for ticket. Cheaper to pre book with viator as $40NZD on the day. Had 6 different trams on loop today managed to ride 4 of them but was extremely busy as cruise ship was in port. Highly recommend doing even if you only do 1 round loop.

Great Informative Tram Ride.

Paul_C, Mar 2026
Lovely informative tram ride around the city. Would highly recommend. All the main stops allowing you to hop on and hop off.

From $25.56

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 25 days in advance.

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