1 September 2020 - ALEKSANDRS BURAKS
Best Car Rental Companies in Queenstown
Best Car Rental Companies in Queenstown
By Aleksandrs Buraks | September 1, 2020
Queenstown is an extremely popular destination on the South Island of New Zealand. Travelers flock to the city in the summer for hiking and in the winter for winter sports. The outdoors surrounding the city is some of the best in the world.
Whether to get to the trailheads, ski slopes, or just to travel through the stunning nature, most travelers chose to rent a car. It's, therefore, not a surprise that there are many companies in Queenstown offering rental cars.
The question becomes, how do you, as a traveler, choose which company to go with? If you solely based on price, you may find yourself with a rather poor experience. But you may not have heard of many of the companies, especially if you are not from New Zealand.
That's where this article can help. We've compiled a list of the best rental companies in Queenstown based on reviews and ratings from our customers. Not only will you learn which are the best companies, but why they are the best, so you can make the right choice for your Queestown adventure.
Whether to get to the trailheads, ski slopes, or just to travel through the stunning nature, most travelers chose to rent a car. It's, therefore, not a surprise that there are many companies in Queenstown offering rental cars.
The question becomes, how do you, as a traveler, choose which company to go with? If you solely based on price, you may find yourself with a rather poor experience. But you may not have heard of many of the companies, especially if you are not from New Zealand.
That's where this article can help. We've compiled a list of the best rental companies in Queenstown based on reviews and ratings from our customers. Not only will you learn which are the best companies, but why they are the best, so you can make the right choice for your Queestown adventure.
Best Value
GO Rentals(Cat. Score - 9.2☆)
"Go rentals was very affordable given the time of year and being peak season"
"Go rentals was very affordable given the time of year and being peak season"
Cleanest Cars
GO Rentals (Cat. Score - 9.7☆)
"Quick pickup. Clean and new car"
"Quick pickup. Clean and new car"
Easiest to Find
Europcar (Cat. Score - 9.1☆)
"I appreciated the airport pick up and the forthright friendly manner of the agent."
"I appreciated the airport pick up and the forthright friendly manner of the agent."
Best Upkept Cars
GO Rentals (Cat. Score - 9.6☆)
"Great service, great car!"
"Great service, great car!"
Quickest Pickup
Snap Rentals (Cat. Score - 9.0☆)
"Easy to get in touch with the representatives."
"Easy to get in touch with the representatives."
Quickest Dropoff
Europcar (Cat. Score - 9.2☆)
"I really liked Movyng because they were fast"
"I really liked Movyng because they were fast"
Queenstown is an extremely popular destination on the South Island of New Zealand. Travelers flock to the city in the summer for hiking and in the winter for winter sports. The outdoors surrounding the city is some of the best in the world.
Whether to get to the trailheads, ski slopes, or just to travel through the stunning nature, most travelers chose to rent a car. It's, therefore, not a surprise that there are many companies in Queenstown offering rental cars.
The question becomes, how do you, as a traveler, choose which company to go with? If you solely based on price, you may find yourself with a rather poor experience. But you may not have heard of many of the companies, especially if you are not from New Zealand.
That's where this article can help. We've compiled a list of the best rental companies in Queenstown based on reviews and ratings from our customers. Not only will you learn which are the best companies, but why they are the best, so you can make the right choice for your Queestown adventure.
Whether to get to the trailheads, ski slopes, or just to travel through the stunning nature, most travelers chose to rent a car. It's, therefore, not a surprise that there are many companies in Queenstown offering rental cars.
The question becomes, how do you, as a traveler, choose which company to go with? If you solely based on price, you may find yourself with a rather poor experience. But you may not have heard of many of the companies, especially if you are not from New Zealand.
That's where this article can help. We've compiled a list of the best rental companies in Queenstown based on reviews and ratings from our customers. Not only will you learn which are the best companies, but why they are the best, so you can make the right choice for your Queestown adventure.
Best Overall Car Rental Company in Queenstown
As rated by DiscoverCars.com's customers
Go Rentals
With an average customer rating of 9.3☆, GO Rentals is the best overall car rental company in Queenstown. It's also no surprise that the company has been awarded our Excellent Service Award.
Best Overall Car Rental Company in Queenstown
As rated by DiscoverCars.com's customers
Go Rentals
With an average customer rating of 9.3☆, GO Rentals is the best overall car rental company in Queenstown. It's also no surprise that the company has been awarded our Excellent Service Award.
#1 GO Rentals - 9.3☆
GO Rentals, with an amazing 9.3☆ out of 10, is the best rental company in Queenstown, and it's not particularly close.
GO rentals is not only the overall winner, but also has the lead in most of the categories about which we ask our customers. Those include:
Customers often rave about the company's pickup process. It has an app with which customers can check in and kiosks at their rental locations to speed up the process.
In addition, customers rate GO as the best value for their money in Queenstown. This means while GO's rates are not usually the lowest, the quality of its cars and its service more than makes up for it. This is shown by customers also rating the company as having the cleanest cars and the cars in the best condition. This is important, as having your car break down in the mountains would certainly not add to your vacation.
In conclusion, it's clear that if you want quality service at a reasonable price, GO Rentals is probably your best choice in Queenstown. So be sure to search for the company first when planning your Queenstown vacation!
GO rentals is not only the overall winner, but also has the lead in most of the categories about which we ask our customers. Those include:
- Best Overall Value
- Cleanest Cars
- Best Upkept Cars
Customers often rave about the company's pickup process. It has an app with which customers can check in and kiosks at their rental locations to speed up the process.
In addition, customers rate GO as the best value for their money in Queenstown. This means while GO's rates are not usually the lowest, the quality of its cars and its service more than makes up for it. This is shown by customers also rating the company as having the cleanest cars and the cars in the best condition. This is important, as having your car break down in the mountains would certainly not add to your vacation.
In conclusion, it's clear that if you want quality service at a reasonable price, GO Rentals is probably your best choice in Queenstown. So be sure to search for the company first when planning your Queenstown vacation!
Excellent Value
Blazing fast pickup
Blazing fast drop-off
Excellent customer service
Spotless car
Car in excellent condition
#2 Alamo - 8.9☆
Second on our list behind GO Rentals is the world-wide brand Alamo. As Alamo is known for its service and quality, this isn't surprising at all.
Alamo is also located in Queenstown Airport's terminal, making finding it incredibly easy. This also means that its customers don't have to arrive back at the rental desk to return the car as early as those that rent from companies that are not located at the airport.
Where Alamo differs from other companies on this list, and why you might want to consider the company, is the types of vehicles it offers. Alamo offers specialty vehicles ,such as four-wheel drive SUVs. If you plan to go deep into the mountains, the company may be where you should look.
As expected, Alamo provides very clean cars in great condition in Queenstown. Alamo as a global brand is known for providing quality vehicles to its customers. Expect to be provided with a vehicle that is relatively new and with few kilometres on it.
Of course, quality often comes at a price. Alamo is not only known for having higher prices than other rental companies across the world which is also the case in Queenstown. However, our customers still indicate that they find the company worth the money. So you can't go wrong by choosing Alamo for your rental car in Queenstown.
Alamo is also located in Queenstown Airport's terminal, making finding it incredibly easy. This also means that its customers don't have to arrive back at the rental desk to return the car as early as those that rent from companies that are not located at the airport.
Where Alamo differs from other companies on this list, and why you might want to consider the company, is the types of vehicles it offers. Alamo offers specialty vehicles ,such as four-wheel drive SUVs. If you plan to go deep into the mountains, the company may be where you should look.
As expected, Alamo provides very clean cars in great condition in Queenstown. Alamo as a global brand is known for providing quality vehicles to its customers. Expect to be provided with a vehicle that is relatively new and with few kilometres on it.
Of course, quality often comes at a price. Alamo is not only known for having higher prices than other rental companies across the world which is also the case in Queenstown. However, our customers still indicate that they find the company worth the money. So you can't go wrong by choosing Alamo for your rental car in Queenstown.
Great value
Fast pickup
Fast drop-off
Great customer service
Spotless car
Car in great condition
#3 Snap Rentals- 8.8☆
Coming in third on our list, with a still respectable 8.8☆, is Snap Rentals. Snap is another local New Zealand company. Snap has location in Auckland and Christchurch, in addition to Queenstown.
Snap's goal is to provide the best value possible. Thus, it's prices are significantly lower than most of the other companies on this list. Usually, lower prices means lower quality, but with Snap, that's not the case.
Snap is the category winner for Quickest Pickup; and this is despite the fact that its location isn't even in the airport's terminal. The company provides a transfer service to its off-airport loacation. Once customers are there, they find the process to go incredibly fast.
The company also provides great customers service; its agents are friendly and helpful. In addition, our customers report that its cars are very clean and in great condition, though it should be noted that its cars aren't as new as some of the more expensive companies, a fact that shouldn't be surprising.
So if value is what you seek as a traveler, then Snap Rentals is a great choice for you. Renting from them, even though they aren't at the airport, will provide you with incredible value for your money.
Snap's goal is to provide the best value possible. Thus, it's prices are significantly lower than most of the other companies on this list. Usually, lower prices means lower quality, but with Snap, that's not the case.
Snap is the category winner for Quickest Pickup; and this is despite the fact that its location isn't even in the airport's terminal. The company provides a transfer service to its off-airport loacation. Once customers are there, they find the process to go incredibly fast.
The company also provides great customers service; its agents are friendly and helpful. In addition, our customers report that its cars are very clean and in great condition, though it should be noted that its cars aren't as new as some of the more expensive companies, a fact that shouldn't be surprising.
So if value is what you seek as a traveler, then Snap Rentals is a great choice for you. Renting from them, even though they aren't at the airport, will provide you with incredible value for your money.
Great value
Blazing fast pickup
Fast drop-off
Great customer service
Very clean car
Car in great condition
#4 Europcar- 8.8☆
Number four on our list is Europcar, the well-known international brand.
Europcar is another company that is located in the airport. This is why our customers rate it as being the Easiest to Find and have the Quickest Drop-off process. This means you can spend more of your vacation enjoying the scenery and not worrying about returning to the airport hours before your flight.
Our customers also report receiving good customers service from Europcar in Queenstown. As a large, international brand, Europcar also has a wide selection of vehicles in its fleet. It also is very good at maintaining that fleet, which is why our customers say its cars are in excellent condition and spotless.
So those that may have used Europcar elsewhere won't be disappointed in Queenstown. And for others, it is certainly worth using them for the first time in the adventure sport capital of New Zealand.
Europcar is another company that is located in the airport. This is why our customers rate it as being the Easiest to Find and have the Quickest Drop-off process. This means you can spend more of your vacation enjoying the scenery and not worrying about returning to the airport hours before your flight.
Our customers also report receiving good customers service from Europcar in Queenstown. As a large, international brand, Europcar also has a wide selection of vehicles in its fleet. It also is very good at maintaining that fleet, which is why our customers say its cars are in excellent condition and spotless.
So those that may have used Europcar elsewhere won't be disappointed in Queenstown. And for others, it is certainly worth using them for the first time in the adventure sport capital of New Zealand.
Good value
Quick pickup
Blazing fast drop-off
Good customer service
Spotless car
Car in excellent condition
#5 Enterprise - 8.6☆
Fifth on our list is Enterprise, the largest rental company in the world. Really, who can be surprised that Enterprise would be on a list of best rental companies anywhere?
Enterprise is located in the airport's terminal, making it incredibly easy for deplaning passengers to find. It also means that renters spend very little time picking up and dropping off the car. Not having to return to the airport as early as if you had renting from a company requiring you to take a shuttle is a big advantage to many, meaning they can spend more time in the mountains and less in a shuttle.
Enterprise is known across the world for its excellent customer service, and that's no different in Queenstown. Our customers report that the representatives are friendly and helpful. They also don't push you to purchase insurance.
Finally, being a huge global brand, it, like Europcar, maintains an excellent fleet of cars, both in terms of choice and in how they are taken care of. This means you won't be stuck on a mountain road due to a breakdown (only to soak in the scenery).
Finally, even though Enterprise may have slightly higher prices than those companies located away from the airport like Snap, our customers report receiving good value for their money with the company. So if you want to save time, have convenience, and be sure you get excellent service, you can't go wrong renting from Enterprise at Queenstown Airport.
Enterprise is located in the airport's terminal, making it incredibly easy for deplaning passengers to find. It also means that renters spend very little time picking up and dropping off the car. Not having to return to the airport as early as if you had renting from a company requiring you to take a shuttle is a big advantage to many, meaning they can spend more time in the mountains and less in a shuttle.
Enterprise is known across the world for its excellent customer service, and that's no different in Queenstown. Our customers report that the representatives are friendly and helpful. They also don't push you to purchase insurance.
Finally, being a huge global brand, it, like Europcar, maintains an excellent fleet of cars, both in terms of choice and in how they are taken care of. This means you won't be stuck on a mountain road due to a breakdown (only to soak in the scenery).
Finally, even though Enterprise may have slightly higher prices than those companies located away from the airport like Snap, our customers report receiving good value for their money with the company. So if you want to save time, have convenience, and be sure you get excellent service, you can't go wrong renting from Enterprise at Queenstown Airport.
Good value
Quick pickup
Fast drop-off
Great customer service
Spotless car
Car in excellent condition
#6 - Discount Car Rentals 8.5☆
Coming it at number six on this list of best rental companies in Queentstown is Discount Car Rentals.This company is affiliated with one of New Zealand's largest used car importers and has been operating for at least 13 years.
As its name suggest, Discount Car Rentals aims to provide the lowest price while still providing quality service. And it succeeds, which is why our customers say it provides a great value for their money.
Though the company is not located at the airport and instead provides a shuttle to its location, our customers still report that the pick-up and drop-off process is quite fast. The customer service agents are obviously very efficient.
Discount offers specialty vehicles in addition to standard cars. These include four-wheel drive vehicles, useful for the terrain in the area, and minivans and vans which are good for taking groups to activities like whitewater rafting.
Finally and unsurprisingly, the company manages to keep its fleet in great condition and incredibly clean so you won't have to worry about the vehicle while enjoying your vacation.
It's clear, if you see value, particularly if you need a specialty vehicle, then Discount Car Rentals is the perfect choice for you in Queenstown!
As its name suggest, Discount Car Rentals aims to provide the lowest price while still providing quality service. And it succeeds, which is why our customers say it provides a great value for their money.
Though the company is not located at the airport and instead provides a shuttle to its location, our customers still report that the pick-up and drop-off process is quite fast. The customer service agents are obviously very efficient.
Discount offers specialty vehicles in addition to standard cars. These include four-wheel drive vehicles, useful for the terrain in the area, and minivans and vans which are good for taking groups to activities like whitewater rafting.
Finally and unsurprisingly, the company manages to keep its fleet in great condition and incredibly clean so you won't have to worry about the vehicle while enjoying your vacation.
It's clear, if you see value, particularly if you need a specialty vehicle, then Discount Car Rentals is the perfect choice for you in Queenstown!
Great value
Fast pickup
Fast drop-off
Great customer service
Very clean car
Car in great condition
#7 Thrifty - 8.4☆
Thrifty is seventh on our list with a score of 8.4/10, so not far behind the previous companies. Thrifty is a large international brand owned by Hertz that focuses on vacation travel rather than business travel.
Thrifty's prices are higher than some other companies, but our customers report receiving good value with the company. It's location in the airport makes it easy to find and makes picking up and dropping off a car from them quite fast.
In Queenstown, Thrifty provides good customer service as it does all over the world. As a large international brand, it has an incredibly modern fleet that it maintains to the highest standards.
Thrifty offers great cars, good service, and at a good value. There's not much more you could want in a rental car for you vacation, so you wouldn't be steering in the wrong direction if you were to be considering renting from Thrifty in Queenstown.
Thrifty's prices are higher than some other companies, but our customers report receiving good value with the company. It's location in the airport makes it easy to find and makes picking up and dropping off a car from them quite fast.
In Queenstown, Thrifty provides good customer service as it does all over the world. As a large international brand, it has an incredibly modern fleet that it maintains to the highest standards.
Thrifty offers great cars, good service, and at a good value. There's not much more you could want in a rental car for you vacation, so you wouldn't be steering in the wrong direction if you were to be considering renting from Thrifty in Queenstown.
Good value
Quick pickup
Fast drop-off
Good customer service
Very clean car
Car in great condition
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.