Car Rental in Dunedin

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Dunedin, New Zealand
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Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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Trustpilot
500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Dunedin Airport Car Rental
Intermediate
Toyota Corolla Sedan or similar
Toyota Corolla Sedan
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Go Rentals
$74.17 per day
Dunedin Airport Car Rental
Compact
Toyota Corolla or similar
Toyota Corolla
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Ezi Car Rental
$92.01 per day
Dunedin Airport Car Rental
Economy
Toyota Vitz or similar
Toyota Vitz
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
yesaway
$111.86 per day
Dunedin Airport Car Rental
Standard
Mitsubishi Outlander or similar
Mitsubishi Outlander
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Keddy
$157.37 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Dunedin Airport Car Rental
Full-size
Toyota Camry or similar
Toyota Camry
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Avis
$186.75 / per day
Dunedin Airport Car Rental
Intermediate Elite
Toyota RAV4 or similar
Toyota RAV4
  • 5
  • 3
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Ace Rental Cars
$216.80 / per day
Dunedin Airport Car Rental
Premium
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or similar
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Hertz
$286.77 / per day
Dunedin Airport Car Rental
Premium
Ford Everest 5+2 or similar
Ford Everest 5+2
  • 7
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Go Rentals
$115.68 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 21:40 on 2023-03-19. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel Information

Language
English
Currency
NZD
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
64
Average car rental price
$155.18 / per day
Average car rental length
6 days
Speed limit within town
30 - 60 km/h
19 - 37 mph
Speed limit out of town
80 - 100 km/h
50 - 62 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Rating
9.5
Average gasoline price
$1.72 / 1 liter
Highest gasoline price
$1.81 / 1 liter
Lowest gasoline price
$1.63 / 1 liter

Why rent a car in Dunedin?

Considered remote even by New Zealand’s standards, the capital of the Otago region is often called the southernmost city in the world. Located on the eastern coast of South Island, the city is quite small and accessible but offers a wealth of interesting things to see and do at the same time. Even better, New Zealand’s majestic nature is also only a short drive away with a rental car.

One-Way Car Rentals in Dunedin

The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Dunedin and drop off in another city include:

  • From Dunedin to Christchurch - 9 offers from $87.34 per day
  • From Dunedin to Queenstown - 9 offers from $87.34 per day
  • From Dunedin to Auckland - 9 offers from $186.04 per day

Top ways to enter Dunedin

  • Dunedin Airport. With about one million travelers served every year, this relatively small airport offers connections with other large cities in New Zealand, as well as Brisbane in Australia. Located about 25 km (16 miles) west of the city center, the airport can be reached in 25 minutes by car.
  • Queenstown Airport. Serving the adventure tourism capital of New Zealand, Queenstown Airport has flights to many domestic destinations, as well as Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney in Australia. Located 270 km (168 miles) northwest of Dunedin, the trip to or from Queenstown takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Christchurch Airport. By far the busiest airport on the South Island, it handles about seven million passengers every year. In addition to flights to domestic and Australian destinations, this airport also offers connections with Fiji, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and the United Arab Emirates. Located some 360 km (224 miles) north of Dunedin, Christchurch Airport can be reached in about 4 hours and 30 minutes, with most of the road taking you right along the coast.

Top destinations and activities

  • Baldwin Street. Recognized as the steepest street in the world by the Guinness World Records, Baldwin Street is also one of Dunedin’s main attractions. Whether you choose to comfortably ascend this anomaly in a rental car or go for a seriously taxing climb, this is the quintessential travel experience of Dunedin. You’ll feel like you’ve joined a club once you’re up there.
  • Dunedin Public Art Gallery: Boasting a truly impressive collection, Dunedin’s main art museum displays the works of many important New Zealandic artists and internationally renowned masters like Turner and Monet. Celebrating its 140th birthday in 2024, it is the oldest art gallery in all of the country.
  • Otago Museum. Named after the wider region in which Dunedin is located, this museum is dedicated to the topics of biology, natural history, and ethnography. In addition to countless artifacts relating to the local nature and culture, there is also a wide and fascinating collection of butterfly species from around the world.
  • Tunnel Beach. Tunnel Beach Walk provides spectacular coastal views, including a natural archway bridge. Check out the historic 1870s tunnel to a small but beautiful beach surrounded by towering cliffs. The walk takes about two hours, and the beach is located around a ten-minute drive away from the center of Dunedin.

Toll roads

All of the toll roads in New Zealand are in the northern part of the North Island, so there are none in or around Dunedin.

The toll roads on the North Island all serve as short bypasses of congested areas. The tolls are therefore quite low. The toll roads use a license plate capturing system with no physical booths. Payment can be made either by having a setup account, by paying online before or within five days of using a toll road, or with cash in some BP and Caltex petrol stations (though a small fee will be added). 

Many rental companies offer some system, with a fee, to pass on toll payments to you without you having to do anything. Of course, it may be better just to pay the toll yourself and save on paying that fee. The toll roads can all be avoided quite easily by avoiding the bypass roads and transiting through the towns (in addition to being able to see more). 

Ideas for day trips

  • Orokonui Eco Sanctuary. Located just half an hour’s drive north of Dunedin center, Orokonui is one of the nicest nature areas in Otago. With a network of paths winding through the region’s famous cloud forest, the center is home to unique native species such as takahē or notornis birds, lizard-like tuataras, and the flightless-but-famous kiwis. You can learn about the Orokonui’s preservation and education projects at the visitor’s center or by joining a tour. 
  • The Catlins. Collectively known as the Catlins, this is the remote, scenic southern part of Otago. Made up of wild beaches and forested hills, it has a large number of walking trails and is also known as the location of a fossilized Jurassic-era forest that’s over 180 million years old. The drive from Dunedin takes slightly over two hours.

Car Rental Prices in Dunedin

  • Large cars - from $136 per day
  • Medium cars - from $117 per day
  • SUVs - from $188 per day
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators. Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Fact checked by:
Marta Kulesza
This article was reviewed and updated by Marta, who spent the last 17 years living as a digital nomad and traveling the World before settling in a small alpine village in Austria. When it comes down to designing road trips for hiking enthusiasts around the Southern Alps of New Zealand, the Canadian Rockies, the Italian Dolomites, or Norway, she considers herself an expert. When she's not sitting at her computer and editing photos from her last trip, you can find her skiing or hiking with her dog in the mountains.

What travel writers say

Nowadays Dunedin has quickly become the one of the quirkiest, fun and up-and-coming spots in New Zealand, and it’s definitely worth checking out on any adventure on the South Island. There’s so much to see and do here, and it really has a local kiwi vibe that is often lost in the more touristic locals these days. Amazing food, cool culture, great nature, and so much, Dunedin ticks all the boxes.
LC
Liz Carlson
So I’m Liz Carlson and welcome to my blog, Young Adventuress; a no-filter, vaguely chronological space filled with stories and misadventures about my travels over the years with some musings about life thrown in for good measure.
Beautiful and seemingly endless, the Dunedin Botanic Garden is free to explore. Covering 30 hectares, it offers a variety of flora and fauna in a tranquil and relaxed setting. It is a garden of international significance. Established in 1863, it has been in its current location since 1867.
RAJA
Rhonda and Jeff Albom
We are Rhonda and Jeff Albom. American born, we have lived and travelled in New Zealand (and the world) for the past 18 years, visiting 63 countries on six continents
About an hour’s drive north of Dunedin is Katiki Point, a spectacular headland known for its wildlife viewing. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the parking lot along the rugged coastline.
KAR
Kathi and Romeo
Hi, we are Kathi and Romeo. Free spirited Wanderers and Freelancers from Vienna

Top 16 Cities near Dunedin

  1. Christchurch Car Rentals from $41.31 per day
    328.0 km / 203.8 miles away
  2. Queenstown Car Rentals from $48.74 per day
    152.1 km / 94.5 miles away
  3. Wellington Car Rentals from $44.33 per day
    631.3 km / 392.3 miles away
  4. Picton Car Rentals from $159.26 per day
    599.9 km / 372.7 miles away
  5. Nelson Car Rentals from $81.35 per day
    568.9 km / 353.5 miles away
  6. Blenheim Car Rentals from $62.53 per day
    572.1 km / 355.5 miles away
  7. Napier Car Rentals from $54.35 per day
    901.1 km / 559.9 miles away
  8. Palmerston North Car Rentals from $140.86 per day
    762.1 km / 473.6 miles away
  9. Invercargill Car Rentals from $67.47 per day
    154.7 km / 96.1 miles away
  10. New Plymouth Car Rentals from $49.98 per day
    835.1 km / 518.9 miles away
  11. Taupo Car Rentals from $44.25 per day
    938.1 km / 582.9 miles away
  12. Rotorua Car Rentals
    999.1 km / 620.8 miles away
  13. Whanganui Car Rentals from $95.24 per day
    770.4 km / 478.7 miles away
  14. Timaru Car Rentals from $45.22 per day
    188.8 km / 117.3 miles away
  15. Westport Car Rentals
    477.1 km / 296.4 miles away
  16. Cambridge Car Rentals
    993.1 km / 617.1 miles away

Top 20 Locations near Dunedin

  1. Dunedin Airport Car Rentals from $74.59 per day
    21.9 km / 13.6 miles away
  2. Queenstown Airport Car Rentals from $48.74 per day
    165.2 km / 102.6 miles away
  3. Invercargill Airport Car Rentals from $67.47 per day
    176.5 km / 109.7 miles away
  4. Christchurch Airport Car Rentals from $41.31 per day
    311.3 km / 193.5 miles away
  5. Nelson Airport Car Rentals from $81.35 per day
    554.5 km / 344.5 miles away
  6. Wellington Airport Car Rentals from $44.33 per day
    613.9 km / 381.4 miles away
  7. Wellington Inter Island Ferry Terminal Car Rentals from $57.24 per day
    618.9 km / 384.5 miles away
  8. Palmerston North Airport Car Rentals from $140.86 per day
    744.8 km / 462.8 miles away
  9. New Plymouth Airport Car Rentals from $49.98 per day
    821.1 km / 510.2 miles away
  10. Napier Airport Car Rentals from $54.35 per day
    883.1 km / 548.8 miles away
  11. Rotorua Airport Car Rentals from $88.03 per day
    988.4 km / 614.2 miles away
  12. Tauranga Airport Car Rentals from $68.41 per day
    1027.4 km / 638.4 miles away
  13. Auckland Airport Car Rentals from $33.34 per day
    1048.6 km / 651.6 miles away
  14. Auckland Onehunga Car Rentals from $43.07 per day
    1057.7 km / 657.2 miles away
  15. Auckland Henderson Car Rentals from $43.07 per day
    1058.5 km / 657.7 miles away
  16. Auckland Penrose Car Rentals from $109.90 per day
    1059.0 km / 658.0 miles away
  17. Auckland Mount Wellington Car Rentals from $29.64 per day
    1060.9 km / 659.2 miles away
  18. Auckland Glenfield Car Rentals from $43.07 per day
    1070.9 km / 665.4 miles away
  19. Waiheke Island Port Car Rentals from $66.99 per day
    1078.6 km / 670.2 miles away
  20. Whangarei Airport Car Rentals from $51.41 per day
    1169.9 km / 726.9 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Dunedin?

Car rental prices in Dunedin vary a lot according to the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Dunedin
$72.41
January
$93.80
February
$92.07
March
$60.95
April
$52.73
May
$62.56
June
$59.61
July
$58.14
August
$55.36
September
$50.97
October
$58.01
November
$89.42
December
The best month to rent a car in Dunedin is October (when prices for an Economy class start from $50.97). This is 24% cheaper than the yearly average and 46% cheaper than renting in February (when rental prices start at $93.80 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price.

What’s the usual rental length in Dunedin?

Travel lengths vary from month to month: in February, travelers rent a car for an average of 9 days in June, the average rental period is 4 days.
Average Rental Length in Dunedin
7
January
9
February
6
March
6
April
5
May
4
June
5
July
6
August
5
September
7
October
8
November
7
December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Dunedin?

The most popular month for renting a car in Dunedin is December, and the least popular is April.
Popularity of Car Rental in Dunedin by Monthly Searches
119%
January
95%
February
62%
March
56%
April
56%
May
62%
June
172%
July
107%
August
101%
September
92%
October
101%
November
175%
December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations 2
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers Hertz, yesaway, Go Rentals, Europcar, Ezi Car Rental
Popular car categories SUVs, Small cars, Medium cars, Large cars
Lowest price $74 per day
Cheapest supplier Go Rentals

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Hertz Hyundai i30 5 2 Medium cars
Go Rentals Toyota Corolla Sedan 4 2 Large cars
yesaway Toyota RAV4 5 3 SUVs
Hertz Kia Sportage 5 2 SUVs
yesaway Toyota Vitz 5 2 Small cars
Go Rentals Toyota Corolla 5 1 Medium cars
Hertz Suzuki Swift 4 2 Small cars
Go Rentals Toyota Yaris 4 2 Small cars
Hertz Mitsubishi ASX 4 2 SUVs
Hertz Mazda 6 4 2 Large cars

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 car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.

New Zealand
Toyota Corolla Sedan
March 2, 2023
Visited sons new flat on Castle street. Bloody awesome experience!
Canada
Hyundai i30
December 4, 2022
The southeast corner of the South Island of NZ is truly amazing (scenery, birds, sea life, museums, history). We also had incredible weather.
New Zealand
Mitsubishi ASX
January 16, 2022
Picked car up from Dunedin and drove to Oamaru for a night to visit family. Perfect for long drives and sight seeing.
New Zealand
Suzuki S-Cross
June 24, 2021
The South Island of New Zealand is spectacular, with great scenery, walks and drives.
New Zealand
Toyota RAV4
June 14, 2021
Excellent places, beautiful sceneries during daytime good weather. Many safe lookout places on the side of the road for stationary viewing and photo opportunities. But be careful driving at night especially on the zigzag areas because you should be on the low beam most of the time as you don't want to irritate the eyes of the drivers passing through the opposite side and if much of your upper front window in your vehicle is tinted, the more you are restricted in your visibility.
New Zealand
Holden Barina
April 28, 2019
We had two nights in Dunedin and four in Waikawa in the Catlins. We bloody loved it and having a car is really the only way to see what we did.

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
Hertz
9.41 / 10
Lowest rated company
yesaway
8.45 / 10
Total rental companies
11
Average daily price
$155.18
Lowest daily price
$15.05
Total cars available
37

Top 11 Suppliers in Dunedin in 2023

Hertz
Hertz
Exceptional 9.4 / 26 reviews
2 locations
$238 - $295
Ace Rental Cars
Ace Rental Cars
Exceptional 9.3 / 12 reviews
1 location
$217 - $257
Go Rentals
Go Rentals
Exceptional 9.1 / 17 reviews
1 location
$74 - $121
Europcar
Europcar
Exceptional 9 / 16 reviews
1 location
$158 - $295
Ezi Car Rental
Ezi Car Rental
Excellent 8.9 / 2 reviews
1 location
$92 - $164
Alamo
Alamo
Excellent 8.8
1 location
Budget
Budget
Excellent 8.7 / 1 reviews
2 locations
Keddy
Keddy
Excellent 8.5
1 location
$141 - $266
Thrifty
Thrifty
Excellent 8.5 / 1 reviews
2 locations
Avis
Avis
Excellent 8.4
2 locations
$177 - $247
yesaway
yesaway
Excellent 8.4 / 30 reviews
1 location
$112 - $138

Highly recommended by our customers

Trustpilot

Dunedin, New Zealand

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