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Your parking questions answered

See below for helpful information about parking at the airport or using our online booking service.

If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, the best way to contact us is via email parking@christchurchairport.co.nz as all requests must be received in writing and we monitor this 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We’ll try to get back to you within four hours, but it may take us up to two days at busy times.

A reminder that online bookings can be changed or cancelled free of charge online, up to 24 hours before your car park entry time. Please visit Manage My Booking.


Online parking

  • What do I do when I get to the car park?

    At the entry to your booked car park, the licence plate reader will recognise your licence plate number and the barrier arm should automatically open. If the barrier arm does not open, tap or insert the credit or debit card used for booking to gain access. Do not take a ticket.  

    If you’re at the wrong car park or you insert a different credit or debit card to the one used for booking, you will start a new transaction and be charged at the rates displayed at the entry to the car park. If this happens, please contact us and we will refund your unused booking.  

    Your booking confirmation email contains instructions on what to do when you arrive at the car park.  

  • What do I need to bring with me to the car park?

    1. The car you specified on your booking. Your licence plate number will be read at the car park entry and needs to match what you entered when you booked online. 

    2. The credit or debit card you booked online with. This can be used to identify you at the car park entry in case the licence plate reader doesn’t recognise your licence plate.

    3. Your booking reference.

  • Where should I park once I have entered the car park?

    You are welcome to choose any vacant space in the car park when you arrive. Please follow all signs and road markings relating to any parking restrictions within the car park as parking restrictions will be enforced.  

    If parking in a mobility parking space, you must display a current mobility parking permit.  

  • What happens when I return?

    The barrier arm will lift automatically. If it doesn’t, tap or insert the credit card or debit card used for booking and the barrier arm will lift and allow you to exit.   

    If you’re at the wrong car park or you tap or insert a different credit or debit card to the one used for booking, you will start a new transaction and be charged at the rates displayed at the entry to the car park. If this happens please contact us and we will refund your unused booking.  

  • Is there a booking fee?

    No, we do not charge a booking fee.  

  • How far in advance can I book online?

    You can book up to 52 weeks in advance.   

  • Can I book at short notice?

    You can book up to 4 hours prior to arrival in Express Park, Short Stay, Long Stay, the Orchard Road car park and Park and Ride.   

  • How do I change my booking?

    Bookings can be amended free of charge online, up to 24 hours before your car park entry time.  

    To change your booking dates, entry or exit times or car park selection please visit Manage My Booking. You will need your email address and booking reference.  

    Please note that when you amend a booking, your new parking options will be based on the price and availability for your arrival time. The car park you originally selected or deal you originally purchased may no longer be available.  

    If you can't find your booking details, email parking@christchurchairport.co.nz  

  • Can I extend my booking once my vehicle is in the car park?

    No. Once your vehicle has entered the car park you will be unable to change, cancel or extend your booking.  

  • Can I change my licence plate number?

    Yes, you can change your licence plate number up to 24 hours before your booked entry time.  

    To change your licence plate for a single entry, please visit Manage My Booking. You will need your email address and booking reference.  

    To change your saved licence plate, please visit My Account where you will need your account email and password.  

    To change your licence plate within 24 hours of your booked entry time, please email parking@christchurchairport.co.nz 

  • What happens if I exit the car park later than my pre-booked exit time?

    If you have stayed longer than your booking allows you will be charged an extra fee when you exit the car park. Extra fees are calculated at the rates displayed at the entry to the car park, starting from the end of your booking.  

    To pay the extra fee, you will be required to insert a credit or debit card or pay via PayWave at the exit. If you need assistance, press the HELP button.   

  • Can I cancel my booking?

    Yes, bookings can be cancelled free of charge online, up to 24 hours before your car park entry time. To cancel please visit Manage My Booking. You will need your email address and booking reference.  

    Cancellations cannot be made within 24 hours of your booked entry time.  

  • Can I cancel or amend my booking if my flight is cancelled?

    You cannot cancel or amend your booking within 24 hours of your entry time. See the terms and conditions on our website for more details.  

  • What do I do if the barrier arm doesn’t open when I arrive at the car park?

    If the barrier arm doesn’t open when you arrive, do not take a parking ticket.  

    Please check you are trying to enter the correct car park and that you are entering no more than one hour before your booked entry time.  

    If you are at the correct car park at the correct time, then tap or insert the credit or debit card you used for booking. The barrier arm will open.  

    If you are unsure of what to do, press the HELP button and we will assist you.  

    Note: If you press the button for a ticket you will be charged at the rates displayed at the entry to the car park and your online booking will not be utilised.  

  • What do I do if the barrier arm doesn’t open when I exit the car park?

    If the barrier arm doesnt open when you exit the car park and you are exiting earlier than your booked exit time, insert the same credit or debit card you used for booking and the barrier will open.  

    If youve stayed longer than your pre-booking allows, you will be required to pay an additional fee by inserting a credit or debit card or paying via PayWave at the exit.   

    If you are unsure of what to do, press the HELP button and we will assist you.  

  • Why can’t I see the rate or deal I saw when I previously searched?

    Our online parking rates are variable and change depending on how far in advance you book and the expected demand in the car parks for your booking dates.   

  • How do I know if my booking has been confirmed?

    A booking confirmation page will be displayed once your booking has been accepted. You will also be sent a booking confirmation to your email address.  

    If you need a new copy of your booking confirmation, go to Manage My Booking and enter your email address and booking reference.  

  • If I don’t bring the credit or debit card I used to make my booking with me what do I do?

    Not to worry, at the entry to your booked car park, the licence plate reader will recognise your licence plate number and the barrier arm will automatically open.  

    If the barrier arm does not automatically open when you arrive, press the HELP button and we will assist you.  

  • What happens if I want to bring a different credit or debit card to the one I used for booking?

    If you are going to use a different credit or debit card to that shown on your booking confirmation email, you need to amend it to the new card online under Manage My BookingIf you enter and exit the car park using a card that is not the confirmed credit or debit card, you will be charged at the rates displayed at the entry to the car park.  

  • How can I make sure the camera will be able to read my licence plate?

    Our licence plate cameras are very reliable. Making sure your licence plate is readable and positioning your vehicle correctly at the barrier arm will help ensure they are able to read your licence plate.  

    • Before you come to the car park 
      Ensure your licence plate is not bent or damagedBent, marked or dirty licence plates can be difficult for the cameras to read. If your front licence plate is heavily damaged, you may need to use your nominated credit or debit card to enter and exit the car park. 
    • When driving up to the barrier arm 
      Position your vehicle so you can reach the ticket machineDon't park too far to the left as the camera may not be able to see the last digit on your licence plate. Don't drive hard up against the barrier arm, as it may block the camera's view of your licence plate. 

    If the camera doesn't read your licence plate number, insert the credit or debit card you used for booking and this will open the barrier arm.  

    If your credit or debit card still does not open the barrier arm, please press the HELP button and we will assist you.  

  • I’ve forgotten my password, how do I recover it?

    To recover your password visit My Account and click on "Forgotten your password?". You will be able to reset your password.  

  • How can I get a copy of my online parking receipt?

    To get a copy of your booking confirmation which is a GST receipt, visit Manage My BookingYou will need your email address and booking reference.  

  • What car parks can I pre-book online?

    All of our car parks are available to pre-book online, subject to availability.

  • Am I guaranteed a specific parking space when I book online?

    No, you will need to choose where to park within your selected car park when you arrive. Please ensure you follow all signs and road markings relating to any parking restrictions within the car park.  

  • What if the car park I booked online is full when I arrive?

    If you get to the car park you booked and there is a full sign at the entry, our Ground Transport team will find you an available space in one of our other car parksPlease press the HELP button and we will assist you. 

  • Can I use the same credit card for more than one concurrent booking?

    Yes, as long as each booking is made with the correct vehicle licence plate number.  

  • The booking system isn’t working, what do I do?

    If you can’t make a booking online, email us at parking@christchurchairport.co.nz 

    Please ensure you include as much information as possible about the fault you’re experiencing so our team can help fix the issue as quickly as possible.

  • Can I enter and exit the car park multiple times during my booking?

    No, your booking only allows you to enter and exit the car park once.  

  • Can I enter the car park earlier than my pre-booked entry time?

    You can enter the car park a maximum of one hour earlier than the time you booked. If you try to enter the car park earlier than this, you will be required to take a parking ticket at the car park entry and pay the rates displayed at the entry to the car park before you exit.

  • Why does Christchurch Airport store my credit card?

    Christchurch Airport secures your credit card details to make your future parking bookings quick and easy. All credit card details are stored securely in accordance with PCI requirements.  

  • How do I know my credit card details are secure?

    Our website is secured via SSL encryption and all our parking equipment is PCI compliant. We do not share your details with other companies.  

    If you create an online account when making your online booking, your credit card details will be stored securely in accordance with PCI compliance.  

  • What if I don’t receive a confirmation email after submitting my booking?

    Please check your junk email folder, sometimes confirmation emails are incorrectly identified as spam.  

    To confirm your booking, visit Manage My Booking where your booking will be displayed and you can print your confirmation if you didn’t receive one originally.  

    If you cannot find your booking confirmation, email parking@christchurchairport.co.nz

    Please include as much information as you can to help us locate your booking.  

  • What if I forget or lose my booking confirmation?

    If you do not have your booking confirmation, you are still able to enter and exit your booked car park by tapping or inserting your nominated credit or debit card at the car park entry and exit barriers.  

    You can also visit Manage My Booking where your booking will be displayed and you can print your confirmation.  

  • What methods of payment can I use to pre-book parking online?

    We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.  

  • How do I provide feedback?

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