Car Rental in New Zealand
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 11:47 on 2021-10-17. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
English
Currency
NZD
Country code
64
Traffic direction
Left-hand
Speed limit out of town
80 - 100 km/h
50 - 62 mi/h
Speed limit within town
30 - 60 km/h
19 - 37 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Why rent a car in New Zealand?
New Zealand is a great place to explore by car. Not only both North Island and South Island are full of cozy cities and stunning natural landmarks, but the highways themselves are an adventure as they offer some of the most picturesque driving routes in the whole world.
If you want to know more about renting a car in New Zealand, don't miss our complete guide.
Top ways to enter New Zealand
- Auckland Airport: The busiest in New Zealand, Auckland Airport serves its largest city. A port of entry for a very large number of foreign visitors, the airport has flights to and from such faraway destinations as China, Qatar, Chile, and the United States.
- Christchurch Airport: Serving the city of the same name, this is the main airport on the South Island. In addition to domestic connections, the airport also has flights to and from Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Dubai, Los Angeles, and other destinations.
- Queenstown Airport: Serving the popular adventure sports destination, Queenstown Airport handles close to five million passengers annually and provides connections with domestic destinations, as well as the largest cities in Australia.
- Wellington Airport: Serving the national capital near the southern tip of the North Island, Wellington Airport has flights by more than 10 airlines, connecting the city with Australia, Fiji, and many local destinations.
Top cities and places to visit
- Auckland. By far the largest city in the country, Auckland is also New Zealand’s main arts and entertainment hub. In addition to a lively cultural and nightlife scene, the city’s landmarks include the Auckland Art Gallery, Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium, and the Stardome Observatory which shares its location with archaeological Māori sites.
- Queenstown. Sometimes called the adrenaline capital of the world, Queenstown is the best place from which to dive right into the great Kiwi outdoors. Situated between the eastern coast of Lake Wakatipu and some truly spectacular mountains, it offers some of the best snowboarding, bungy jumping, and paragliding in the world.
- Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Situated around New Zealand’s highest peak and the rest of the Southern Alps, this spectacular national park has some of the most scenic drives in the country, as well as a vast network of hiking trails for everyone from beginners to seasoned hikers and climbers. Both Queenstown and Christchurch are about a four-hour drive away.
Most popular rental car
The most popular rental car in New Zealand is the Nissan Tiida 2009, followed by the Toyota RAV4 and the Fiat Punto.
Driver license requirements
- New Zealand recognizes valid foreign driver’s licenses from around the world if they are printed in a Latin alphabet and if you’re visiting on a trip that’s shorter than 12 months. If you’re residing in New Zealand permanently, you need to obtain a local driver’s license.
- If your driver’s license is printed in another alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
- Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP.
- Even if you have an IDP, you need to also carry your original driver’s license as you might be asked to show both.
- You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times.
- You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
- Some rental car providers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
- There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.
Most popular types of rental car
Many visitors of New Zealand choose compact and economy rental cars, but fullsize is also very popular, especially among travelers who like to go higher in the mountains and away from the main road network.
Top driving routes
- The Coromandel Peninsula. A large and distinct region of the North Island, the Coromandel Peninsula is a fun place to explore, especially with your own ride. In addition to a beautiful coastline and many cozy beach towns, the area is also known for its thermal springs, the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, and Coromandel Forest Park. The drive from Auckland takes only about two hours.
- Christchurch. Continuing to recover from the 2011 earthquake, Christchurch (or Ōtautahi) is one of the nicest and most atmospheric places in New Zealand. The city is known for its well-preserved architecture and many notable buildings, cultural institutions like the Air Force Museum, and many gardens and public green spaces. A gateway to the South Pole, Christchurch is also home to the impressive International Arctic Center where visitors are made to feel like they are a part of a polar expedition.
- Southland. Vast, very sparsely populated, and dramatically beautiful, the southern part of New Zealand is the right place for an off-the-beaten-path road trip. The region is notable for its glaciers, fjords, and highland lakes; the southernmost city in Oceania, Invercargill; and distinct culture and cuisine that’s centered around oysters. Southland is also great for seeing Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights (the best season is the coldest time of the year, roughly from April to September). Invercargill is only a two-hour trip south of Queenstown and a tad farther from Dunedin.
Car Rental Prices
- Station wagons - from $17 per day
- Large cars - from $59 per day
- Medium cars - from $48 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $48 per day
- Small cars - from $20 per day
- SUVs - from $61 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in New Zealand:
- Compare rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting New Zealand is the cheapest in July when renting a car is about 31% cheaper than the yearly average and about 44% cheaper than visiting in February when it’s the height of summer in the southern hemisphere.
Top 15 Most Popular Cities in New Zealand
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Car Rental in Auckland from $13.86 per day
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Car Rental in Christchurch from $10.70 per day
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Car Rental in Wellington from $34.57 per day
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Car Rental in Dunedin from $31.75 per day
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Car Rental in Nelson from $21.48 per day
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Car Rental in Rotorua from $49.42 per day
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Car Rental in Blenheim from $35.53 per day
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Car Rental in Invercargill from $37.63 per day
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Car Rental in Palmerston North from $45.83 per day
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Car Rental in Napier from $47.77 per day
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Car Rental in Whangarei from $39.06 per day
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Car Rental in New Plymouth from $45.83 per day
Top 20 Most Popular Locations in New Zealand
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Car Rental at Christchurch Airport from $10.70 per day
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Car Rental at Auckland Airport from $10.80 per day
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Car Rental at Queenstown Airport from $14.72 per day
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Car Rental at Wellington Airport from $10.95 per day
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Car Rental at Wellington Inter Island Ferry Terminal from $34.57 per day
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Car Rental at Dunedin Airport from $31.75 per day
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Car Rental at Nelson Airport from $21.48 per day
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Car Rental in Auckland Ponsonby from $14.73 per day
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Car Rental at Rotorua Airport from $49.42 per day
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Car Rental at Tauranga Airport from $49.42 per day
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Car Rental at Blenheim Airport from $35.53 per day
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Car Rental at Invercargill Airport from $37.63 per day
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Car Rental at Palmerston North Airport from $45.83 per day
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Car Rental at Napier Airport from $47.77 per day
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in New Zealand?
The cost of renting a car in New Zealand depends on the time of year. This graph compares price changes from month to month in order to find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in New Zealand
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in New Zealand is July — prices start from $27.51 for an Economy class vehicle. This is 42% cheaper than the yearly average and 59% cheaper than renting a car in the month of December (when prices start at $67.72 for a Compact class). This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. The exact price for your trip will depend on the length of your rental and the number of days until your rental period begins. Just enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers.
What’s the average rental length in New Zealand?
The average length differs from month to month. The longest rental periods are in October — an average of 9 days. The shortest are in April — an average of 6 days.
Average Rental Length in New Zealand
What’s the most popular time for renting a car in New Zealand?
Discover Cars users search for cars in a lot of locations daily. We gathered this information in order to analyze car rental popularity in New Zealand. The most popular month is February, while the least popular is June.
Popularity of Car Rental in New Zealand by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snap Rentals | Toyota Vitz | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Snap Rentals | Toyota Aqua | 5 | 1 | Medium cars |
| Ezu Car Rental | Suzuki Swift | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Ezu Car Rental | Kia Rio | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Bargain Rental Cars | Mazda Demio | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| yesaway | Toyota RAV4 | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Discount Car Rentals New Zealand | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Ezu Car Rental | Toyota Alphard | 5 | 4 | People Carriers/Vans |
| Discount Car Rentals New Zealand | Toyota RAV4 | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Ezu Car Rental | Toyota RAV4 | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
Our Customers Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
LK
New Zealand
Mazda Demio
September 25, 2021
Drove around Queenstown, parking can be confusing but the scenery in and around Queenstown definitely validates having a rental to allow free roaming. Make the effort to visit Arrowtown, Cardrona and Wanaka.
JM
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris Hatch
August 30, 2021
Good value for money and check the small print.
JM
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
August 25, 2021
DW
New Zealand
Toyota Highlander
August 16, 2021
Queenstown and Wanaka are our main attractions as we specifically travel to Wanaka to go skiing up on Treble Cone
DL
New Zealand
Nissan Tiida
August 15, 2021
so much to do in a small place and many places you can go without having to travel to far
LM
New Zealand
Nissan Bluebird Sedan
August 13, 2021
We had a great time.highlight was the tranzalpine.
LS
New Zealand
Nissan Tiida
August 10, 2021
We asked the car rental driver who gave us excellent advice as they where local 😉✨✨✨✨✨
GC
New Zealand
Nissan X-Trail 4x4
August 8, 2021
Great cars great service
JS
Australia
Mazda Demio
August 5, 2021
Visited Christchurch, Hanmer Springs, Akaroa - all were beautifully picturesque
DL
New Zealand
Toyota Alphard 2004-2007
July 28, 2021
Try to book accomodation closer to the central city, parking can be a challenge. Taxis are plentiful and allow you to try some of the great cocktails or mulled wines in town. Don’t bother taking rentals up to sky fields use the bus from town, its cheap and drops you right at the door (and again allows one to dable in the abundant supply of mulled wine!)
AK
New Zealand
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
July 26, 2021
DJ
New Zealand
Nissan Bluebird Sedan
July 22, 2021
I visited family and there is nothing better
TR
New Zealand
Nissan Qashqai
July 18, 2021
Whangarei - Anna Vu - great service, friendly, welcoming staff.
Whangarei - Jimmy Jacks Restaurant - delicious filling kai. Value for money!
Hokianga - Omapere - The Heads Hotel - wonderful customer service. Nice room. Bit pricey but no other space to stay!
GP
New Zealand
Nissan Tiida
July 18, 2021
Nelsons surrounding areas are some of the most beautiful in NZ. Great beaches and we visited in Winter so it wasn't busy
RE
New Zealand
Kia Cerato
July 14, 2021
Highly suggest to try fit vehicle hired to the destination which the customer are trying to go to :)
KC
New Zealand
Nissan Wingroad 2009
July 11, 2021
Had a wonderful roadie and met slot of lovely people
HL
Australia
Toyota Rav4
July 7, 2021
Looking forward to rent a car on the 28 Oct to 13 of Nov please
DR
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
July 6, 2021
Really loved the top of the South Island and will be back to spend more time as soon as we can
KW
Norfolk Island
Mazda Demio
June 30, 2021
Highly recommend visiting Maeraitai beach in Auckland and Te Papa and Botanical Gardens in Wellington
IJ
Australia
Toyota Vitz
June 29, 2021
Hamilton sky city casino
Mount Mauganui beach
Top 19 Suppliers in New Zealand in 2021
Interrent
+6402102787307
73 Orchard Rd., Harewood Christchurch 8053 New Zealand
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:00
Tue:07:00-23:00
Wed:07:00-23:00
Thu:07:00-23:00
Fri:07:00-23:00
Sat:07:00-23:00
Sun:07:00-23:00
USAVE
+64033582299 / +640508112233
170 Orchard Road, Harewood, Christchurch 8053
Working hours
Mon:08:00-17:15
Tue:08:00-17:15
Wed:08:00-17:15
Thu:08:00-17:15
Fri:08:00-17:15
Sat:08:00-17:15
Sun:08:00-17:15
Go Rentals
+6433584051 / 0508246784
155 Orchard Rd, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 8051
Working hours
Mon:08:00-17:00
Tue:08:00-17:00
Wed:08:00-17:00
Thu:08:00-17:00
Fri:08:00-17:00
Sat:08:00-17:00
Sun:08:00-17:00
National
+6433586554
20 RON GUTHREY RD,
Europcar
+64033579202
Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 8053, New Zealand
Working hours
Mon:07:00-22:00
Tue:07:00-22:00
Wed:07:00-22:00
Thu:07:00-22:00
Fri:07:00-22:00
Sat:07:00-22:00
Sun:07:00-22:00
Enterprise
+6433586554
20 RON GUTHREY RD,
SIXT
+6436660026
Ground Floor, Airport Terminal, Rental Car Kiosk, 30 Durey Road, Christchurch 8053
Keddy
+64033579202
CHRISTCHURCH INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
Working hours
Mon:07:00-22:00
Tue:07:00-22:00
Wed:07:00-22:00
Thu:07:00-22:00
Fri:07:00-22:00
Sat:07:00-22:00
Sun:07:00-22:00
Avis
033589661
Terminal Building
Working hours
Mon:00:00-00:30; 07:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-00:30; 07:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-00:30; 07:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-00:30; 07:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-00:30; 07:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-00:30; 07:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-00:30; 07:00-23:59
Budget
033570231
Terminal Building Christchurch Airport
Working hours
Mon:07:00-21:30
Tue:07:00-21:30
Wed:07:00-21:30
Thu:07:00-21:30
Fri:07:00-21:30
Sat:07:00-21:30
Sun:07:00-21:30
Routes Car & Truck Rentals
+6435951828
11-15 Logistics Drive Harewood Christchurch 8051
Working hours
Mon:09:00-17:00
Tue:09:00-17:00
Wed:09:00-17:00
Thu:09:00-17:00
Fri:09:00-17:00
Sat:09:00-17:00
Sun:09:00-17:00
Alamo
+6433586554
Christchurch Airport
Working hours
Mon:08:00-16:30
Tue:08:00-16:30
Wed:08:00-16:30
Thu:08:00-16:30
Fri:08:00-16:30
Sat:08:00-16:30
Sun:08:00-16:30
RightCars
+6468880032
28 Sheffield Cres Burnside, Burnside Christchurch 8053
Alamo
+6433586554
20 RON GUTHREY RD,
GreenMotion
+640800871563
159 Wairau Road, Takapuna, Auckland 2104
Working hours
Mon:08:00-17:00
Tue:08:00-17:00
Wed:08:00-17:00
Thu:08:00-17:00
Fri:08:00-17:00
Sat:08:00-12:00
NUCarrentals
+640800800317 / +640800800312
521 Avonhead Rd,Avonhead,Christchurch, NA 8042
Working hours
Mon:08:00-17:00
Tue:08:00-17:00
Wed:08:00-17:00
Thu:08:00-17:00
Fri:08:00-17:00
Sat:08:00-17:00
Sun:09:00-16:00
Ace Rent a car
6433603270 / 033603271
20 Abros Place
Goldcar
+34965233425 / +6402102787307
Wairakei Rd, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 8053
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:00
Tue:07:00-23:00
Wed:07:00-23:00
Thu:07:00-23:00
Fri:07:00-23:00
Sat:07:00-23:00
Sun:07:00-23:00
Surprice
+6436660026
30 Durey Rd, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 8053