Transport and parking
Car parking at Christchurch Hospital
There is very limited metered parking in front of the Waipapa building that we encourage is used for patient drop-off and pick-up only.
The first 30 minutes of parking is free. After 30 minutes the following charges will apply:
- 30-60 minutes: $7.50
- From 60 minutes onwards: additional $5 per half hour or part thereof ($80 maximum charge for a 24-hour period).
There are also a number of P180 mobility parks in this area. These parks are free for permit holders.
There is limited car parking around Christchurch Hospital including on-street metered parking and a number of paid parking lots in surrounding streets.
TIP// Using the FREE shuttle bus, from the Deans Avenue car park, or a taxi or a bus may be faster than driving and trying to find a car park space near Christchurch Hospital. There are also several bike parks at Christchurch Hospital.
See hospital pages for details about car parking at all our hospitals.
More details on patient and visitor car parking at Christchurch Hospital.
At Alert Level 1:
- Shuttle passengers are asked to use the hand sanitiser upon entry to the shuttle.
- While it is not mandatory to wear masks or face coverings on public transport at Alert Level 1, it is recommended. We will not supply them, but you are encouraged to bring your own for the trip from the car park to your appointment.
About the shuttle service
The free Christchurch Hospital shuttle runs from the new Deans Ave Car Park.
- Monday to Friday: Shuttles run every 15 minutes between 7.15am and 8.30pm
- Saturday and Sunday: Shuttle runs every 15 minutes between 11.00am and 8.00pm
- Please note, there is a mandatory break between 2.30pm and 3.15pm on the weekends for our drivers, so no shuttle will operate at this time.
- IF YOU HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS PLEASE DON’T USE THE SHUTTLE.
How to use the shuttle
- The Deans Ave Car Park, near the Moorhouse Ave end of Deans Ave, is now sealed, fenced and lit in the evenings.
- Please take your ticket from the machine at the barrier arm as you enter the car park, and park anywhere there is a space. You can park for up to 24 hours.
- Make your way to the covered waiting area in the middle of the car park with seating provided. The Hospital Shuttle will pick up from and return here.
Paying for your parking
- Pay for your parking at one of the pay machines before you return to your car.
- Payment is available via cash (coins and notes), credit card and eftpos $0.60 transaction fee applies.
Parking costs and time limits
- Monday to Friday (Day): $5.00 for first four hours parking. $1.50 per 1 hour thereafter or part thereof to a maximum of $15.00.
- Monday to Friday (Nights - Entry after 6pm): Max charge $10.00. Valid until 9am the following morning.
- Weekends: $5.00 for first four hours parking. All day (Valid until 6am the following morning) $10.00.
About the shuttle
The shuttle is free and operates between 7.15am and 8.30pm on weekdays and between 11am and 8pm Saturday and Sunday.
There is a mandatory break between 2.30pm and 3.15pm on the weekends for our drivers, so no shuttle will operate at this time.
Shuttles leave every 15 to 20 minutes and drop off and pick up at Christchurch Outpatients, Christchurch Hospital main entrance, and Waipapa outside the Emergency Department.
The shuttle journey takes around 8-10 minutes depending on traffic.
The new car park is a clear walk through Hagley Park to the hospital. This walk takes around 15-20 minutes and there is a sealed footpath all the way.
The shuttles are clearly marked with our new bright orange livery, so please make sure that you get on the correct shuttle.
Parents are responsible for bringing their children's car seats. The shuttle can accommodate prams.
The shuttle is not suitable for wheelchairs. There is mobility car parking on site and near Christchurch Hospital.
Please note that drivers take a half-hour lunch break around 1pm and so there may be some delay at this time.
There is a mandatory break time on weekends for our drivers between 2.30pm and 3.15pm, so no shuttle will operate at this time.
Note
- This is the only shuttle service run by Canterbury District Health Board.
- Please make sure that you get on the correct shuttle when you leave the hospital.
- Our shuttles are clearly marked in bright orange with the Deans Ave Car Park destination.
To find out if you can get National Travel Assistance, visit the Ministry of Health website.
The National Travel Assistance scheme can assist Canterbury DHB-registered patients who have to travel outside of Canterbury for their treatment.
To claim travel assistance (if eligible) please contact:
Patient Travel Coordinator
Support Services
Christchurch Hospital
Phone: 03 378 6398
Email: CDHB.Travel@cdhb.health.nz
Office Hours: 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
If you are from the Canterbury health district but live far away from the hospital, the Ministry of Health may pay all your travel expenses to and from Christchurch.
- Please discuss this with the Nurse in Charge or Social Worker before you leave hospital.
- You may also get travel and accommodation funding, depending on the distance from home to the hospital.
St John volunteers run two rural shuttles to hospitals. St John does not charge a fee for this service, but it does accept donations to help cover costs.
Aoraki Health Shuttle from Timaru to Christchurch
The St John Health Shuttle service provides people with transport for health-related appointments in Christchurch and operates Monday to Friday for people with medical appointments in Christchurch between 11am and 2pm.
To book a seat on the shuttle:
Phone: 0800 103 046
Bookings close at 3pm the day prior to transport.
The St John shuttle stops at: Timaru - Temuka - Geraldine - Christchurch
The shuttle leaves from Timaru at 7:30am and departs Christchurch at 3:00pm (depending on numbers of passengers).
For more information about the Aoraki shuttle bus service, read the Aoraki Health Shuttle Pamphlet (PDF, 400KB)
Ashburton and Rakaia Health Shuttle to Christchurch
The St John Health Shuttle service provides people with transport for health-related appointments in Christchurch and operates Monday to Friday.
To book a seat on the shuttle:
Phone: 0800 103 046
Bookings close at 3pm the day prior to transport.
Pick up / drop off points:
Ashburton Cancer Society, McKenzie Centre, cnr Mona Square and Kermode Street, Ashburton
Departs 9:00am, returns approximately 4:30pm (depending on the number of clients)
Rakaia Four Square, 41 Elizabeth Ave, Rakaia
Departs 9:20am, returns approximately 4:10pm (depending on the number of clients)
For more information about the Ashburton shuttle bus service, read the Ashburton Health Shuttle Pamphlet. (PDF, 400KB)
North Canterbury Health Shuttle to Christchurch
The St John North Canterbury Health Shuttle service operates Monday to Friday for people with medical appointments starting after 10am and finishing before 3pm.
The St John shuttle stops at: Amberley - Leithfield - Pegasus Town - Woodend - Rangiora - Kaiapoi
To book a seat on the shuttle:
Phone: 0800 103 046
Bookings close at 3pm the day prior to transport.
For information about the St John North Canterbury shuttle bus service, read the North Canterbury Health Shuttle Pamphlet. (PDF, 400KB)
There are bicycle parks at most of our hospitals, see each hospital location for more details.
You can view a bike park map for bike park locations at Christchurch Hospital.
Page last updated: 18 January 2021
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