Car Rental at Christchurch Airport
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 03:05 on 2020-10-19. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
English
Currency
NZD
Country code
64
Average car rental length
8 days
Economy car rental price
$18.71 / per day
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%
Airport Car Rental
Get your rental car at Christchurch International Airport! Then head to the city, park outside the center, and go on a leisurely walk to appreciate the local atmosphere and architecture. Check out the art galleries, the Christchurch Arts Center, and the Canterbury Museum. Visit the International Antarctica Center to learn more about the fascinating continent that’s so close to New Zealand.
Drive to the nearby Orana Wildlife Park, New Zealand’s only open-range zoo, and the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve where you’ll encounter lemurs, kiwis, iguanas, kakas, and other wildlife. Drive the beautiful Summit Road through Port Hills, and, if you’re up for a more thrilling adventure, go on a volcanic and geothermal tour.
Christchurch is a great place to visit, but the surrounding area has even more to offer, so why not get a longer-term car rental? You can head to the southernmost part of the South Island, which is the closest land to Antarctica, explore the Southern Alps, drive all the way to Picton to take the Interislander ferry to Wellington on the North Island, or visit the unbelievable sights around Lake Tekapo. You can even pick up your rental car at Christchurch Airport and drop it off in a different city. Start planning your vacation now!
Find out more about renting a car in New Zealand in our complete guide.
Top international routes
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Singapore
- Gold Coast
- Guangzhou
Main airlines
Air New Zealand, the countries flag carrier, provides service from the major cities of New Zealand and Australia in addition to Singapore. Jetstar Airways, Air New Zealand’s low-cost subsidiary, provides service from Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand and Melbourne and the Gold Coast in Australia.
Qantas, Australia’s flag carrier, provides service between Christchurch and the three largest cities in Australian, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Virgin Australia provides year-round service between the airport and Brisbane and Melbourne and seasonal service to Rarotonga and Sydney.
China South Airlines and Emirates serve international routes to Guangzhou in southern China and Dubai, respectively.
Qantas, Australia’s flag carrier, provides service between Christchurch and the three largest cities in Australian, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Virgin Australia provides year-round service between the airport and Brisbane and Melbourne and seasonal service to Rarotonga and Sydney.
China South Airlines and Emirates serve international routes to Guangzhou in southern China and Dubai, respectively.
Terminals
There is a single passenger terminal located at the intersection of two runways, which serves both local and international flights.
Location
Christchurch Airport is about 12 km (7.4 miles) from the city center. Memorial Avenue and Fendalton Road are the main streets connecting the airport to Christchurch.
Most popular types of rental car
- Large cars - from $36 per day
- Medium cars - from $20 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $62 per day
- Small cars - from $19 per day
- SUVs - from $64 per day
Top car rental companies
- Interrent (Tel: +6402102787307)
- Hitch Car Rentals (Tel: +64033582299)
- Go Rentals (Tel: +6433584051)
- Europcar (Tel: +64033579202)
- Enterprise (Tel: +6433586554)
- Keddy (Tel: +64033579202)
- Avis (Tel: 033589661)
- Budget (Tel: 033570231)
- EZU Car Rental (Tel: +64210438288)
- RightCars (Tel: +6468880032)
- Alamo (Tel: +6433586554)
- Routes Car & Truck Rentals (Tel: +6435951828)
- Bargain Rental Cars (Tel: +640800566701)
- NUCarrentals (Tel: +640800800317 / +640800800312)
- Ace Rent a car (Tel: 6433603270 / 033603271)
- Rhodium (Tel: +34965233425 / +6402102787307)
- Goldcar (Tel: +34965233425 / +6402102787307)
- Surprice (Tel: +6436660026)
- Lucky Rentals (Tel: +64800808881 / +64092755110)
Car rental desks
The rental desks for those companies that are located at the airport are in the International arrivals hall across from the customs and biosecurity screening exit. The domestic Baggage Claim area is next to the desks.
The rental companies that are located outside of the airport all provide shuttles to their locations. These shuttles can be found outside of the Regional Lounge at the opposite side of the terminal (exit through Doors 1 or 2).
The rental companies that are located outside of the airport all provide shuttles to their locations. These shuttles can be found outside of the Regional Lounge at the opposite side of the terminal (exit through Doors 1 or 2).
Services and facilities
There are many restaurants, cafeterias, and bars, stores, ATMs, a stretch and relaxation area, a beauty salon, a fitness center, a lost and found office, and a prayer room. The airport is disabled friendly. The Luggage Solutions office, which provides luggage storage services, is located in the check-in hall. You can find more information on the airport's official website.
Nearest gas station
An Allied Fuel gas station is located right next to the airport, at 75 Orchard Rd., from which the rental car returns of the companies located at the airport is just one kilometer away. Lucky Rentals is even closer to the station. It is open 24/7.
For renters returning cars to companies that are not located at the airport, other gas stations may be more convenient. Those returning cars to GO Rentals or Discount Car Rentals are best served by a BP station located on the roundabout of Highway 1 and Harewood Rd, which is directly on the way to those companies’ locations.
If coming from the city center of Christchurch and returning a rental car to Hitch or Right Cars, A Z service station on Wairakei Rd. is the best station to use. If coming from the north along Highway 1, the previously mentioned BP station would be best. And if coming from the south along Highway 1 a Caltex station located at the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 73, though a little further away, may be the best choice.
For renters returning cars to companies that are not located at the airport, other gas stations may be more convenient. Those returning cars to GO Rentals or Discount Car Rentals are best served by a BP station located on the roundabout of Highway 1 and Harewood Rd, which is directly on the way to those companies’ locations.
If coming from the city center of Christchurch and returning a rental car to Hitch or Right Cars, A Z service station on Wairakei Rd. is the best station to use. If coming from the north along Highway 1, the previously mentioned BP station would be best. And if coming from the south along Highway 1 a Caltex station located at the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 73, though a little further away, may be the best choice.
Popular one-way rentals
- Auckland (1,075 km / 668 miles)
- Wellington (439 km / 273 miles)
- Queenstown (479 km / 297 miles)
Airport info
Christchurch Airport (CHC)
- IATA: CHC
- ICAO: NZCH
- Name: Christchurch Airport (CHC)
- Size: Large Airport
- Aircraft movements (per year): 94,955
- Passengers (per year): 6,439,703
- Distance from City: 5.6 miles / 9 km WNW of town
- Working hours: 24 hours a day
- Phone: +64 3 358 5029
- Email: info@cial.co.nz
Top 14 Locations near Christchurch Airport
-
Car Rental at Blenheim Airport from $33.51 per day246.1 km / 152.9 miles away
-
Car Rental at Nelson Airport from $48.92 per day253.0 km / 157.2 miles away
-
Car Rental at Wellington Airport from $26.10 per day303.0 km / 188.3 miles away
-
Car Rental at Wellington Inter Island Ferry Terminal from $30.85 per day307.8 km / 191.3 miles away
-
Car Rental at Dunedin Airport from $21.48 per day328.3 km / 204.0 miles away
-
Car Rental at Queenstown Airport from $14.14 per day351.7 km / 218.5 miles away
-
Car Rental at Palmerston North Airport from $39.74 per day433.8 km / 269.5 miles away
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Car Rental at Invercargill Airport from $51.04 per day466.8 km / 290.1 miles away
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Car Rental at New Plymouth Airport from $33.51 per day519.2 km / 322.6 miles away
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Car Rental at Napier Airport from $33.51 per day573.3 km / 356.2 miles away
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Car Rental at Rotorua Airport from $24.92 per day677.7 km / 421.1 miles away
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Car Rental at Tauranga Airport from $33.51 per day717.6 km / 445.9 miles away
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Car Rental at Auckland Airport from $9.31 per day748.0 km / 464.8 miles away
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Car Rental at Whangarei Airport from $39.95 per day876.0 km / 544.3 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
When are car rental prices cheapest at Christchurch Airport?
The cost of renting a car at Christchurch Airport depends on the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best deal.
Average Rental Price at Christchurch Airport
The cheapest time of the year to rent a vehicle at Christchurch Airport is August when prices for an Economy class start from $28.19. You can see that this is 37% cheaper than the yearly average and 66% cheaper than renting a car in November (when rental prices start at $82.72 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price. But remember that these are average numbers. The exact cost of your rental will depend on your rental length and on how far in advance you book the car. Enter your travel dates at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers!
What’s the most popular rental length at Christchurch Airport?
Travel length differs from one month to another: in June the average rental period is 13 days, while in October, the average rental period is only 3 days.
Average Rental Length
Which is the busiest car rental month at Christchurch Airport?
Travelers are most likely to rent a car at Christchurch Airport in January, while the fewest number of travelers rent in October.
Popularity by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitch Car Rentals | Mazda Demio | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Snap Rentals | Toyota Vitz | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Snap Rentals | Toyota Aqua | 5 | 1 | Medium cars |
| Hitch Car Rentals | Mitsubishi Outlander | 5 | 4 | SUVs |
| Discount Car Rentals New Zealand | Toyota Yaris | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| yesaway | Suzuki Swift | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Discount Car Rentals New Zealand | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| yesaway | Toyota Vitz | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| yesaway | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| yesaway | Toyota Highlander | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
FAQ
Is a Malaysian driver’s license valid for renting and driving in New Zealand?
As Malaysian driver’s licenses are in English, they are valid for renting and driving in New Zealand. Any customer with a driving license that is not in English, will have to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with their original driving license.
Where do I select glass and tire cover? Or is it covered under Full Coverage?
Yes, glass and tires are covered under Full Coverage. Customers can add Full coverage to their reservation on the booking page when making a reservation. If customers already have a booking with us, they can visit the My Booking page to add Full Coverage or they can get in touch with customer support for assistance.
Does the rental company only take credit/debit card details or do then actually charge the deposit when the customers pick up the car?
"If using a credit card to leave the deposit, the rental company will place a hold on it. This is not a charge and will not cause you to accrue interest. When using a debit card (when allowed) the deposit may be charged instead of just pre-authorized. If renting a car in a different currency than your bank account, this may mean that you may receive a slightly different amount at the end of the rental due to the currency conversion.
Can I take my rental car to the North Island?
Most rental companies in Christchurch allow you to visit the North Island, but there are different methods for this depending on the company. Some companies have locations on both sides of the Cook Straight and, therefore, require you to drop off your car in Picton and pick up a different one in Wellington. Other companies that don't have locations in these cities allow their cars to be taken on the ferries.
Can I rent a car at Christchurch Airport and return it in Queenstown or Auckland?
Yes, one-way rentals are possible, even to Auckland on the North Island (though you may have to switch vehicle when crossing the Cook Straight). There is an additional fee for this, but if you search using the location you'd like to drop the car off at, this fee will be included in the total cost.
Am I allowed to drive on beaches in New Zealand?
While there are some beaches that it is permissible to drive on, no rental company allows their cars to drive on a beach. Doing such will void your rental contract and any coverage you have which could lead to a hefty bill at the end.
Our Customers Reviews
FO
New Zealand
Mitsubishi Mirage
October 12, 2020
Love Christchurch, I go there several times a year.
SM
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
October 7, 2020
Cool city has a great vibe about it
AD
New Zealand
Toyota Vitz
October 1, 2020
South Island is a great place to visit. When you rent a car try to rent a car with a real full cover insurance.
New Zealand roads have lots of stones coming to your car especially the car windscreen. Many of the drivers know little about driving and crash your car in car parking. You need to have a full insurance for your peace of mind.
SS
New Zealand
Toyota Vitz
August 30, 2020
Love Christchurch. Awesome NZ History and culture. We also visited Oamaru and can say the same things.
LM
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
July 13, 2020
Driving down the west coast of the south island is awesome sightseeing. Our country is so beautiful.
AS
United Kingdom
Mazda Demio
February 1, 2020
The bus service is good in Christchurch, if travelling further then a car is necessary
FM
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
November 28, 2019
Christchurch is a city worth exploring and we had fun driving to Lyttleton and Diamond Harbour for some great hiking with spectacular views
AK
Cook Islands
Toyota Estima 2001
October 17, 2019
Christchurch is such a beautiful place it’s be a waste not to rent a car to get around and see it. Also the roads are pretty straight forward, nothing good ole google maps can’t gelp with
CT
Australia
Toyota Corolla Sedan
July 27, 2019
Go to the banks peninsula. Its beautiful.
VM
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla Sedan
July 24, 2019
This was my first time using a rental car. Alena in The Christchurch airport office made it such an amazing experience for me as I was stressing so much. Excellent service:)
DS
New Zealand
Nissan Tiida
July 22, 2019
No issues.
Peace of mind.
CI
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla Sedan
July 14, 2019
If you're staying in the centre of Christchurch I wouldn't bother hiring a car! Definitely hire from Christchurch if that's where your tour begins!
KK
South Korea
Toyota RAV4
May 6, 2019
It was the best car to travel to New Zealand. And the staff was very kind. The drab and pickup service was also very good. Best of all, the price was low. My trip could have been satisfactory. Thank you.
KH
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Estima 2007
March 31, 2019
I e loved our time in Christchurch and traveling around Canterbury. So many beautiful places to visit and see.
Top 20 Suppliers at Christchurch Airport in 2020
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
Hitch Car Rentals
+64033582299
232 Roydvale Ave, Burnside, Christchurch 8053
$20 - $69
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
+6433584051
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
+64033579202
CHRISTCHURCH INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
$37 - $132
Working hours
Mon:07:00-20:00
Tue:07:00-20:00
Wed:07:00-20:00
Thu:07:00-20:00
Fri:07:00-20:00
Sat:07:00-20:00
Sun:07:00-20:00
Enterprise
+6433586554
20 RON GUTHREY RD,
Keddy
+64033579202
CHRISTCHURCH INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
Working hours
Mon:00:00-02:00; 05:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-02:00; 05:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-02:00; 05:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-02:00; 05:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-02:00; 05:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-02:00; 05:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-02:00; 05:00-23:59
Economy rent a car
Avis
033589661
Terminal Building
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
Budget
033570231
Terminal Building Christchurch Airport
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
+64210438288
168 Orchard Road, Harewood, Christchurch
+6468880032
28 Sheffield Cres Burnside, Burnside
Christchurch 8053
$14 - $29
Alamo
+6433586554
20 RON GUTHREY RD,
Routes Car & Truck Rentals
+6435951828
11-15 Logistics Drive
Harewood
Christchurch 8051
$15 - $29
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
+640800566701
Airpark Canterbury 17/25 Logistics Dr, Harewood, 8544, Christchurch
$9 - $94
NUCarrentals
+640800800317 / +640800800312
189 Blenheim Rd, Riccarton, Christchurch 8041
$17 - $152
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
Rhodium
+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
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
+64800808881 / +64092755110
8053, 791 Wairakei Road, Christchurch
