Newly built in 2024

2025

Drifter Christchurch

Name: Drifter Christchurch
Address: 96 Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, 8011, New Zealand
Price range: room rates from per night (USD) - We Price Match!
Rating: 9.2

4 stars out of 5

96 Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, New Zealand, 8011

Highlights

- Central Christchurch CBD location keeps the city easy to explore on fo...

Great hostel, newly build, and just beside Bus Interchange.

- Spacious rooms and lofts give plenty of room to spread out, with sever...

Clean new a lot of space and super coll decoration

- Comfy beds stand out, especially bunks with privacy curtains, reading...

Room and bunk beds are comfortable and cozy.

- Friendly, helpful staff make stays easier, from smooth check-in and 24...

The staff helps to pick up the luggage for us.

- Rooms, pods, bathrooms, and common areas stay very clean, with many re...

Clean new a lot of space and super coll decoration

Facilities

Free Wi-Fi

Front desk [24-hour]

Fitness center

Restaurants

Bar

Yoga room

Family room

Kitchen

About us

Drifter Christchurch in Sol Square blends boutique-hotel polish with lively hostel energy—ideal for two travelers. Shared bar/restaurant, cinema, yoga/fitness, co-working zones, regular events, plaza buzz and easy central access. In Christchurch Central, Drifter is steps from leafy parks, cafes and the Avon River—ideal for two travelers. Relax at the stylish bar, grab specialty coffee in the café or order seasonal dishes via attentive room service. Air‑conditioned rooms open onto private balconies or terraces with calming views; complimentary Wi‑Fi and spa toiletries keep you refreshed and connected. Walk to the 185 Empty White Chairs memorial, The Colombo shopping complex and the family‑friendly Margaret Mahy Playground for a mix of culture, shopping and outdoor time. [Some content may be Generative AI assisted. Inaccuracies may occur.]

This property is in high demand!

Booked 11 times in last 24 hr

Overall, an amazing stay — stylish, social, and great value.
Xinyi
China
Clean new a lot of space and super coll decoration
Katarzyna
France
It has it's own cafe restaurant bar lounge on ground floor.
Phillip
New Zealand
Everything is tidy, well-designed, and feels cared for.
jenilimarie
New Zealand
Very clean, perfect location, and variety facilities.
Minhye
New Zealand

See map

9.7Exceptional

Location rating score

Exceptional location - 10 meters from city center

Popular neighborhood

Popular landmarks

185 Empty White Chairs - Earthquake Memorial
340 m
Cardboard Cathedral
440 m
Quake City
760 m
Hagley Park
1.0 km
Canterbury Museum
1.0 km

Closest landmarks

City New Life Church
80 m
Excelsior Reserve
80 m
Fresh Choice City Market
90 m
Brooke Gifford Gallery
100 m
Christchurch Bus Station
140 m

Value for money	9.3
Location rating	9.7
Nearest airport	Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
Distance to airport	9.7 km

Select your room

Image 1 of 14

Family Loft Suite with Queen and Bunk

26 m²/280 ft²

Max 4 adults

1 queen bed or 2 bunk beds

Fits groups

9.0

Exceptional

Room comfort

Hair dryer

Private bathroom

Shower

Toiletries

Towels

Internet access – wireless

Reading light

Satellite/cable channels

Telephone

TV [flat screen]

Wi-Fi [free]

Air conditioning

Heating

Linens

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Premium King Suite

21 m²/226 ft²

Max 2 adults

1 king bed

8.4

Excellent

Room comfort

Hair dryer

Private bathroom

Shower

Toiletries

Towels

Internet access – wireless

Reading light

Satellite/cable channels

Telephone

TV [flat screen]

Wi-Fi [free]

Air conditioning

Heating

Linens

Socket near the bed

Image 1 of 10

Loft Suite with Two Queens

26 m²/280 ft²

Max 4 adults

2 queen beds

8.3

Excellent

Room comfort

Hair dryer

Private bathroom

Shower

Toiletries

Towels

Internet access – wireless

Reading light

Satellite/cable channels

Telephone

TV [flat screen]

Wi-Fi [free]

Air conditioning

Heating

Linens

Socket near the bed

Image 1 of 9

Family Room

20 m²/215 ft²

Max 4 adults

1 queen bed or 2 bunk beds

Fits groups

8.8

Excellent

Room comfort

Bathtub

Hair dryer

Private bathroom

Shower

Toiletries

Towels

Internet access – wireless

Reading light

Satellite/cable channels

Telephone

TV [flat screen]

Wi-Fi [free]

Air conditioning

Heating

Linens

Image 1 of 8

Bed in Superior 8 Bed Ensuite Dorm

20 m²/215 ft²

Max 1 adult

1 bunk bed

9.4

Exceptional

Room comfort

Mirror

Private bathroom

Shower

Toiletries

Internet access – wireless

Reading light

Wi-Fi [free]

Air conditioning

Blackout curtains

Heating

Linens

Socket near the bed

Carpeting

Window

Locker

Image 1 of 8

Bed in Superior 4 Bed Ensuite Dorm

12 m²/129 ft²

Max 1 adult

1 bunk bed

9.5

Exceptional

Room comfort

Mirror

Private bathroom

Shower

Toiletries

Internet access – wireless

Reading light

Wi-Fi [free]

Air conditioning

Blackout curtains

Heating

Linens

Socket near the bed

Carpeting

Locker

Non-smoking

Smoke detector

Image 1 of 7

Bunkhouse Superior 4 Persons - Ensuite

12 m²/129 ft²

Max 4 adults

4 bunk beds

Hair dryer

Private bathroom

Shower

Toiletries

Towels

Internet access – wireless

Reading light

Telephone

Wi-Fi [free]

Air conditioning

Blackout curtains

Heating

Linens

Socket near the bed

Carpeting

Image 1 of 7

Bed in Deluxe 8 Bed Female Ensuite Dorm

31 m²/334 ft²

Max 1 adult

1 bunk bed

9.6

Exceptional

Room comfort

Mirror

Private bathroom

Shower

Toiletries

Internet access – wireless

Reading light

Telephone

Wi-Fi [free]

Air conditioning

Blackout curtains

Heating

Linens

Socket near the bed

Carpeting

Window

Image 1 of 7

Bed in Superior 4 Bed Female Ensuite Dorm

12 m²/129 ft²

Max 1 adult

1 bunk bed

9.4

Exceptional

Room comfort

Mirror

Private bathroom

Shower

Toiletries

Internet access – wireless

Reading light

Wi-Fi [free]

Air conditioning

Blackout curtains

Heating

Linens

Socket near the bed

Carpeting

Locker

Non-smoking

Smoke detector

Image 1 of 6

Superior Queen Room with Balcony

16 m²/172 ft²

Max 2 adults

1 queen bed

8.8

Excellent

Room comfort

Hair dryer

Private bathroom

Shower

Toiletries

Towels

Internet access – wireless

Reading light

Satellite/cable channels

Telephone

TV [flat screen]

Wi-Fi [free]

Air conditioning

Heating

Linens

Socket near the bed

Frequently asked questions

Drifter Christchurch is very close to public transport, with the Christchurch Bus Station only 0.14 km away.

Drifter Christchurch is 1.56 km from the Botanic Gardens.

Drifter Christchurch provides bicycle parking.

There is a car park nearby Drifter Christchurch.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch has a restaurant and a bar.

Drifter Christchurch provides bicycle parking.

Tap water in Christchurch is generally safe to drink.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch has a shared kitchen for guest use.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch provides airport transfer.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch has a shared lounge/TV area and a terrace.

Drifter Christchurch is 9.69 km from Christchurch International Airport.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch has an elevator.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch has a 24-hour front desk.

You can use the public bus system to reach the Christchurch Bus Station, which is located 0.14 km from Drifter Christchurch.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch has a shared lounge/TV area.

Check-in at Drifter Christchurch is from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and check-out is by 10:00 AM.

Yes, Fresh Choice City Market is located 0.09 km from Drifter Christchurch.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch has a laundromat.

Drifter Christchurch is a 100% non-smoking property.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch is located in the city center of Christchurch.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch provides a kitchen and a shared kitchen.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch offers free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas.

Yes, Drifter Christchurch offers family rooms.

More about Drifter Christchurch

Drifter Christchurch

Whatever your reason for visiting Christchurch, Drifter Christchurch is the perfect venue for an exhilarating and exciting break away.
The superior services and facilities offered at Drifter Christchurch will make for a memorable stay. Stay connected throughout your stay with free internet access provided.
Wear your favorite outfits again and again thanks to the laundromat offered at Drifter Christchurch. The hotel is entirely non-smoking. Guests are guaranteed a comfortable stay while at Drifter Christchurch. To enhance your stay, some rooms at the hotel come with linen service and air conditioning.
The specially-designed rooms at Drifter Christchurch offer a layout option like a balcony or terrace. Some rooms have television to keep guests entertained.
You may be assured to know that a refrigerator and mini bar are available in some select rooms. You can stay fresh and clean with a hair dryer and toiletries provided in some of the guest bathrooms.

Dining and things to do

What's better than a good cup of coffee? Start every vacation day at the hotel with an energizing cup of quality coffee. Throughout your stay, choose from a variety of delicious dining options at the hotel. Once there, be sure to check out bar for some in-house nighttime fun. Vending machines are on 24 hours a day, so you can grab a snack at any time of day or night. The hotel even has in-house cooking amenities such as shared kitchen for its most selective guests.
Never let a day go wasted when you're at Drifter Christchurch with all the activities and facilities provided. Test your skills! Get competitive with your travel group or other guests, at the hotel's yoga room.
No need to go anywhere after dinner -- play with friends or family at the shared lounge and TV area.

Around the property

Venture outside the hotel and explore Christchurch. Learn about the city's art history with a day at Canterbury Museum located 1.0 km away, where you can see collections by famous artists.

Show less

Amenities and facilities

Exceptional9.3

Facilities

Languages spoken

English

Internet access

Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!
Internet
Internet services
Wi-Fi in public areas

Things to do, ways to relax

Billiards
Fitness center
On-site entertainment
Yoga room

Cleanliness and safety

Anti-viral cleaning products
Cashless payment service
Daily disinfection in common areas
First aid kit
Hand sanitizer
Hot water linen and laundry washing
Staff trained in safety protocol

Dining, drinking, and snacking

A la carte in restaurant
Bar
Coffee/tea in restaurant
Coffee shop
Desserts in restaurant
Happy hour
Kitchen
Restaurant dinner
Restaurant lunch
Restaurants
Salad in restaurant
Shared kitchen
Vending machine

Services and conveniences

Air conditioning in public area
Audio-visual equipment for special events
Contactless check-in/out
Daily housekeeping
Elevator
Heating in public area
Indoor venue for special events
Invoice provided
Laundromat
Laundry service
Meeting/banquet facilities
Meetings
On-site event hosting
Outdoor venue for special events
Projector/LED display
Shared lounge/TV area
Smoke-free property
Smoking area
Terrace
Wi-Fi for special events

For the kids

Family/child friendly
Family room

Access

Buzzer/wireless intercom
CCTV in common areas
CCTV outside property
Check-in/out [express]
Check-in [24-hour]
Fire extinguisher
Front desk [24-hour]
Non-smoking rooms
Pets allowed unavailable
Safety/security feature
Security [24-hour]
Smoke alarms

Getting around

Bicycle parking
Car park [nearby]

Available in all rooms

Air conditioning
Free bottled water unavailable
Heating
Linens
Non-smoking
Smoke detector
Wi-Fi [free]

Location

96 Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, New Zealand, 8011

Exceptional9.7

Location

Airports

Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
9.7 km
Richard Pearse Airport (TIU)
141.9 km

Public transportation

Christchurch Bus Station
140 m
railway services Station
2.0 km

Hospital or clinic

Cosmo Pharmacy
200 m

Shopping

Westfield Riccarton
3.3 km

Convenience store

Patels Dairy
1.4 km

Cash withdrawal

ATM
100 m

What's nearby

Popular landmarks

185 Empty White Chairs - Earthquake Memorial
340 m
Cardboard Cathedral
440 m
Quake City
760 m
Hagley Park
1.0 km
Canterbury Museum
1.0 km
Botanic Gardens
1.6 km
Christchurch Gondola
7.9 km
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
8.7 km
International Antartic Centre
9.0 km
Orana Wildlife Park
16.0 km

Nearby landmarks

City New Life Church
80 m
Excelsior Reserve
80 m
Fresh Choice City Market
90 m
Brooke Gifford Gallery
100 m
Christchurch Bus Station
140 m
The Crossing
150 m
Good Spot Carpark
150 m
Cosmo Pharmacy
200 m
Dux Central
200 m
High Street
200 m

Distances shown are straight-line distances on the map. Actual travel distances may vary.

Property policies

Others

All credit card transactions made at the property will incur a 2% surcharge.
When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

Some helpful facts

Check-in/Check-out

Check-in from: 14:00
Check-out until: 10:00
Check-in until: 23:00

The property

Year property opened: 2024
Number of floors: 4
Number of rooms : 95
Non-smoking rooms/floors: yes

Reviews of Drifter Christchurch from real guests

Provided by verified guests of

9.2

Exceptional

From 1,056 reviews

Cleanliness score 9.5 out of 10 and is a high score in Christchurch
Facilities score 9.3 out of 10 and is a high score in Christchurch
Location score 9.7 out of 10 and is a high score in Christchurch
Service score 9.4 out of 10 and is a high score in Christchurch
Value for money score 9.3 out of 10 and is a high score in Christchurch

What guests liked

Summarized by AI

Location: Central Christchurch CBD location keeps the city easy to explore on foot, with the stadium, river, park, Botanic Gardens, Art Centre, restaurants, cafés, and attractions all nearby. (33 mentions)

General Services: Friendly, helpful staff make stays easier, from smooth check-in and 24-hour reception to quick help with luggage, lock issues, and general support. (28 mentions)

Room Cleanliness: Rooms, pods, bathrooms, and common areas stay very clean, with many reviews calling the hostel spotless and well maintained. (23 mentions)

Nearby Transport: Steps from the Bus Interchange and InterCity stop, with airport buses and public bus routes close by, so early departures and city travel stay easy. (21 mentions)

Value for Money: Strong value for money stands out, with many reviews describing hotel-like facilities, central location, and clean rooms at an affordable price. (17 mentions)

Overall Impression: Many reviews describe Drifter Christchurch as one of the best hostels in Christchurch or New Zealand and say the stay feels stylish, modern, and worth repeating. (14 mentions)

Guest Type

Room Type

Language

Select your country

Show reviews that mention

Location

Mentioned in 148 reviews

sentiment-positive-indicator

99% Positive

Cleanliness

Mentioned in 128 reviews

sentiment-positive-indicator

92% Positive

sentiment-negative-indicator

7% Unfavourable

Service

Mentioned in 65 reviews

sentiment-positive-indicator

90% Positive

sentiment-negative-indicator

9% Unfavourable

Property facilities

Mentioned in 59 reviews

sentiment-positive-indicator

96% Positive

sentiment-negative-indicator

3% Unfavourable

Kitchen

Mentioned in 56 reviews

sentiment-positive-indicator

44% Positive

sentiment-negative-indicator

55% Unfavourable

Room comfort

Mentioned in 51 reviews

sentiment-positive-indicator

88% Positive

sentiment-negative-indicator

11% Unfavourable

Room size

Mentioned in 50 reviews

sentiment-positive-indicator

82% Positive

sentiment-negative-indicator

18% Unfavourable

In room amenities

Mentioned in 42 reviews

sentiment-positive-indicator

71% Positive

sentiment-negative-indicator

28% Unfavourable

Bathroom

Mentioned in 37 reviews

sentiment-positive-indicator

54% Positive

sentiment-negative-indicator

45% Unfavourable

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Changed to review page 1

10.0Exceptional
grace from South Korea
Group
Room Assigned on Arrival
Stayed 1 night in September 2026
“Exceptional”
Four women stayed together, and the staff were kind and helped us with additional bedding requests, so we had a very comfortable stay without any discomfort. The room for four had two bunk beds, with separate rooms for the suite and a spacious living area and balcony that were both comfortable and pleasant. 😊 The location, facilities, and service at this price until checkout are truly recommendable.
Reviewed September 12, 2026
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Kia Ora Grace, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great review! We are so glad you enjoyed your stay with us. We hope to see you when your next in Christchurch.
Responded September 13, 2026
Drifter Christchurch
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10.0Exceptional
뿡뿡 from South Korea
Solo traveler
Bed in Deluxe 8 Bed Female Ensuite Dorm
Stayed 2 nights in July 2026
“It's really clean and nice.”
I stayed in an 8-person female-only room, and it was spacious with two bathrooms, making it comfortable. Overall, the accommodation was spacious and pleasant, but the kitchen was a bit small. Also, the room was a bit cold in the winter, but aside from that, I was very satisfied.
Reviewed July 26, 2026
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Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad you enjoyed the spacious room and found your stay comfortable. Thanks as well for your feedback about the kitchen and the winter temperature, we'll keep it in mind. We'd love to welcome you back again soon!
Responded July 29, 2026
Drifter Christchurch
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10.0Exceptional
MINLI from China
Solo traveler
Bed in Superior 4 Bed Ensuite Dorm
Stayed 1 night in April 2026
“Lived in the best hostel in New Zealand.”
First of all, its location is excellent; it's just a 30-meter walk from the intercity bus stop and is right next to the Christchurch bus interchange, making it very convenient to get to the airport, Akaroa, and other places. Secondly, the facilities inside are not only complete, with a kitchen (although slightly smaller than Haka), a yoga room, a library, a screening room, and an outdoor courtyard, but they are also very clean and fresh. Additionally, everything is smart; all the doors are surprisingly operated via Bluetooth. Finally, I really like the shower toiletries provided for free in the hostel bathrooms, they smell amazing!
Reviewed April 30, 2026
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10.0Exceptional
Xueling from China
Solo traveler
Bed in Superior 4 Bed Female Ensuite Dorm
Stayed 1 night in August 2026
“The most comfortable hostel I have stayed in.”
The best-value youth hostel I've ever stayed in! Super clean, the rooms are very spacious and bright, and the bedding is so comfortable! I really slept well! The common areas are also very large, the location is good, and the no-key-card accommodation, online check-in, and opening the door and elevator is also my first experience! It's amazing how lively it is at night but becomes super quiet around 10:00 PM! The location is great! I can say it's perfect. This is my first review, dedicated to drifter!
Reviewed August 31, 2026
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10.0Exceptional
RUI from China
Solo traveler
Bed in Deluxe 8 Bed Female Ensuite Dorm
Stayed 2 nights in February 2026
“Exceptional”
This is the best hostel I stayed in during this trip. The room is very spacious, and each bed has curtains, charging ports, and a bedside lamp. The sheets and duvet covers are very clean. There are two washrooms in the room. The other common areas are also quite nice. This hostel is right next to the bus station and very close to shopping areas. Highly recommended, great value for money.
Reviewed March 03, 2026
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