All local buses in Christchurch operate out of the Bus Exchange, Colombo and Lichfield streets. The main operator is Red Bus Limited (tel: (03) 379 4260 or 0800 733 287/REDBUS; website: www.redbus.co.nz). Metro (tel: (03) 366 8855; website: www.metroinfo.org.nz) coordinates the passenger transport network in Christchurch and can provide information and details on fares, passes (including the Metrocard), time-tables and routes.

After hours, the Midnight Express Service leaves on four major suburban routes on the hour between midnight and 0400. Just look out for the distinctive purple buses, or call Metro for route details.

There is also a free central-city electric shuttle (bright yellow): its pickup points are designated by bright-yellow street towers. The shuttle travels between the Casino, Town Hall, Victoria Square, Cathedral Square, City Mall, South City, Smiths City, and Hoyts 8 on Moorehouse Avenue at 10-minute intervals during the day, 15-minute intervals at night.

The Best Attractions double decker bus (website: www.chchattractions.co.nz) offers transportation to the area's most popular attractions, including Willowbank, the Antarctic Centre and the Gondola. There are two different circuits, but both start at the visitor centre in the Square.

Christchurch's tram (tel: (03) 366 7830; website: www.tram.co.nz) runs from Cathedral Square down Worcester Boulevard, crossing the Avon River to the Arts Centre. From here, it turns right to Rolleston Avenue and travels on to Armagh and New Regent streets and back to the Square. Tickets can be purchased on board.

Blue Star Taxis (tel: (03) 379 9799; website: www.bluestartaxis.org.nz) has Christchurch's largest taxi fleet. First Direct (tel: (03) 377 5555) is another reputable company.

Car hire companies in Christchurch include: Avis (tel: (03) 379 6133; website: www.avis.co.nz); Budget (tel: (03) 366 0072; website: www.budget.co.nz), Hertz (tel: (03) 366 0549; website: www.hertz.co.nz); and Thrifty (tel: (03) 374 2357; website: www.thrifty.co.nz). All have offices in town (on Lichfield Street) and at the airport.

Local operators such as Britz (tel: (03) 358 4159 or 0800 831 900; website: www.britz.com), Kea Campers (tel: (03) 359 2820 or 0800 520 052; website: www.keacampers.com) and Maui (tel: (03) 358 4159 or 0800 651 080; website: www.maui-rentals.com) hire motor homes and campervans. This is a popular way to travel around New Zealand.

Because Christchurch is so flat, it really lends itself to cycling. This is the preferred mode of transportation for many of the city's students, and there are quite a few cycling lanes. Bikes can be hired from Natural High Adrenalin Dealers, Unit 3, 14 Kennaway Road (tel: (03) 982 2966; website: www.naturalhigh.co.nz) or delivered to your door by City Cycle Hire (tel: (03) 339 4020 or 0800 424 534; website: www.cyclehire-tours.co.nz).