Car Rental in Nelson

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Nelson, 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

Nelson Airport Car Rental
Compact
Nissan Wingroad or similar
Nissan Wingroad
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
RightCars
$31.18 per day
Nelson Airport Car Rental
Standard SUV
Kia Sportage or similar
Kia Sportage
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Europcar
$38.04 per day
Nelson Airport Car Rental
Intermediate
Hyundai Elantra or similar
Hyundai Elantra
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Budget
$38.40 per day
Nelson Airport Car Rental
Economy Elite
Toyota Yaris or similar
Toyota Yaris
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Go Rentals
$39.59 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Nelson Airport Car Rental
Full-size
Toyota Camry or similar
Toyota Camry
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Avis
$46.04 / per day
Nelson Airport Car Rental
Economy
Toyota Yaris Cross or similar
Toyota Yaris Cross
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Ezi Car Rental
$54.37 / per day
Nelson Airport Car Rental
Premium SUV
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or similar
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Hertz
$58.50 / per day
Nelson Airport Car Rental
Compact SUV
Mitsubishi ASX or similar
Mitsubishi ASX
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Budget
$34.68 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 18:31 on 2023-05-25. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel Information

Language
English,
Samoan
Currency
NZD
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+64
Average car rental price
$42.60 / per day
Average car rental length
7 days
Speed limit within town
30 - 50 km/h
19 - 31 mph
Speed limit out of town
80 - 100 km/h
50 - 62 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Rating
9.4
Average gasoline price
$1.63 per liter
Highest gasoline price
$1.77 per liter
Lowest gasoline price
$1.51 per liter

Why rent a car in Nelson?

A city of just 51,000 inhabitants, Nelson punches way above its weight when it comes to being a hub for tourism. The oldest settlement on the South Island is home to a lot of historic attractions but also has interesting museums, a special atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and access to some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders.

One-Way Car Rentals in Nelson

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

  • From Nelson to Christchurch - 7 offers from $86.84 per day
  • From Nelson to Picton - 7 offers from $86.84 per day
  • From Nelson to Auckland - 7 offers from $184.77 per day
  • From Nelson to Blenheim - 7 offers from $86.84 per day

Top ways to enter Nelson

  • Nelson Airport: Located just a short ride southeast of the city center, Nelson Airport provides connections with the largest cities on both islands of New Zealand, as well as some smaller regional destinations.
  • Christchurch Airport: By far the busiest on the South Island, Christchurch Airport has flights to many destinations in New Zealand and Australia, as well as all across South and East Asia. For many foreign visitors who travel straight to the South Island, it serves as the first point of entry. Located about 410 km (255 miles) south of Nelson, the trip between them takes about five hours.
  • Wellington Airport: Located right across the Cook Strait, Wellington Airport serves the capital of New Zealand. In addition to domestic flights, there are also a number of connections with Australia and Fiji. It is possible to pick up a car in Wellington and then take a ferry to the South Island, but you should make sure you pick a ship that permits taking a vehicle onboard; also, you should check with your rental car company. The trip between Nelson and Wellington, including the ferry ride, takes about six hours.

Top destinations and activities

  • Architecture. Established 180 years ago, Nelson is one of the most interesting destinations for heritage tourism in New Zealand. The city is home to a variety of different architectural styles and notable buildings and areas. These include the Founders Heritage Park dedicated to the first European settlers and their homes; other notable Victorian and colonial buildings like Cabragh, Fairfield, and Amber Houses; and Christ Church Nelson Cathedral. Another fun place to learn about the history of the city and the region is the Nelson Provincial Museum.
  • World of Wearable Art. Also known as the WOW, the World of Wearable Art was a design competition that used to take place in Nelson. Although the competition has now relocated to Wellington, it has left behind a very fun museum where visitors can appreciate the boundless creativity of artists and designers put into things that can be worn. The museum shares its space with the Classic Cars Museum and its 140 classy exhibits.
  • Tahunanui Beach. Though there are a number of stunning, wild beaches near Nelson, if you’re searching for a more tranquil experience, look no further than Tahunanui. Often named among the nicest urban beaches in all of New Zealand, it is as famous for the shoreline as for its cozy coastal cafe. The beach is situated on a wide peninsula just some 3 km (2 miles) north of the city center.

Toll roads

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

The toll roads of New Zealand 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

  • Abel Tasman National Park. Although the smallest in New Zealand, Abel Tasman National Park is a great place to enjoy the natural beauty of this part of the country. Situated along the Golden and Tasman Bays, the park is made up of long beaches, scenic coves, wooded hills, and plenty of hiking trails. There are multiple accommodation options in the area, but you can also stay in one of the eight conservation huts inside the park. Located about 60 km (37 miles) northwest of Nelson, the nearest corner of the national park can be reached in about one hour by car.
  • Nelson Lakes National Park. Another lovely place to visit, this inland nature preserve is named after the several highland lakes that it contains. The scenery of cragged peaks and forested slopes is inhabited by many local fauna species including the South Island robin and Cupola gecko. The drive from the city of Nelson to the national park takes about an hour and 15 minutes.
  • Golden Bay. If you look at a map of Golden Bay, together with Farewell spit, its main attraction, you'll see that its shape starkly resembles the kiwi — New Zealand’s national bird. Wharariki Beach is another must-see spot in the Golden Bay area. It’s a famous white sand beach with many rock formations and seal pups hanging out in the tidal pools. 

Car Rental Prices in Nelson

  • Station wagons - from $31 per day
  • Large cars - from $38 per day
  • Medium cars - from $37 per day
  • Vans - from $62 per day
  • Small cars - from $40 per day
  • SUVs - from $35 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

Not only does Nelson have plenty going on in the city itself, but the city’s outskirts are also filled with numerous hiking trails, awesome mountain biking routes, and a whole heap of great food and wine. The Tasman Bay is a beautiful place so there is so much to see and do.Very often people use Nelson as a place to base themselves before or after a visit to the Abel Tasman National Park or Nelson Lakes National Park.
ABAJS
Alesha Bradford and Jarryd Salem
We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.
There are so many things to do in Nelson, BC, for any first-timer to the area. Every time we visit the charming town of Nelson, we instantly fall in love all over again. Situated right in the rugged Selkirk Mountains on the shorts of Kootenay Lake is this beautiful Canadian city.
CAN
Cameron and Natasha
We were nomadic for over three years traveling across six continents and visiting 80 countries while running our world travel blog called The World Pursuit.
My highlight of Nelson was a late afternoon walk on the beach. I drove to Bisley Walk where I left my car in the free parking area, right next to the beach. Got my flip flops and started my walk on the white sands. The sea tides were out, hence I could see this endless sea of wet sand, perfect for an evening stroll.
CV
Cory Varga
You Could Travel was founded by Cory and G, two explorers with an inner drive to push themselves outside their conformity of everyday life.

Top 20 Cities near Nelson

  1. Blenheim Car Rentals from $34.59 per day
    58.6 km / 36.4 miles away
  2. Picton Car Rentals from $34.68 per day
    65.2 km / 40.5 miles away
  3. Wellington Car Rentals from $19.13 per day
    132.2 km / 82.1 miles away
  4. Whanganui Car Rentals from $96.42 per day
    212.7 km / 132.2 miles away
  5. Palmerston North Car Rentals from $34.82 per day
    228.8 km / 142.2 miles away
  6. Christchurch Car Rentals from $9.81 per day
    249.6 km / 155.1 miles away
  7. New Plymouth Car Rentals from $34.82 per day
    267.2 km / 166.0 miles away
  8. Napier Car Rentals from $53.76 per day
    370.1 km / 230.0 miles away
  9. Taupo Car Rentals from $43.23 per day
    374.5 km / 232.7 miles away
  10. Rotorua Car Rentals from $38.81 per day
    442.5 km / 275.0 miles away
  11. Tauranga Car Rentals from $38.81 per day
    477.3 km / 296.6 miles away
  12. Whakatane Car Rentals from $66.14 per day
    492.2 km / 305.8 miles away
  13. Auckland Car Rentals from $13.83 per day
    495.8 km / 308.1 miles away
  14. Gisborne Car Rentals from $36.69 per day
    500.2 km / 310.8 miles away
  15. Waiheke Island Car Rentals from $47.93 per day
    525.2 km / 326.3 miles away
  16. Queenstown Car Rentals from $9.62 per day
    550.8 km / 342.3 miles away
  17. Dunedin Car Rentals from $35.12 per day
    568.9 km / 353.5 miles away
  18. Whangarei Car Rentals from $48.84 per day
    623.1 km / 387.2 miles away
  19. Kerikeri Car Rentals from $48.84 per day
    673.9 km / 418.7 miles away
  20. Invercargill Car Rentals from $44.17 per day
    691.2 km / 429.5 miles away

Top 20 Locations near Nelson

  1. Nelson Airport Car Rentals from $31.18 per day
  2. Downtown Car Rentals from $19.13 per day
    130.0 km / 80.8 miles away
  3. Wellington Inter Island Ferry Terminal Car Rentals from $35.40 per day
    130.6 km / 81.2 miles away
  4. Wellington Airport Car Rentals from $23.12 per day
    132.2 km / 82.1 miles away
  5. Palmerston North Airport Car Rentals from $34.82 per day
    228.8 km / 142.2 miles away
  6. Christchurch Airport Car Rentals from $9.81 per day
    249.6 km / 155.1 miles away
  7. Downtown Car Rentals from $19.13 per day
    253.0 km / 157.2 miles away
  8. New Plymouth Airport Car Rentals from $34.82 per day
    267.2 km / 166.0 miles away
  9. Napier Airport Car Rentals from $53.76 per day
    370.1 km / 230.0 miles away
  10. Rotorua Airport Car Rentals from $38.81 per day
    442.5 km / 275.0 miles away
  11. Tauranga Airport Car Rentals from $38.81 per day
    477.3 km / 296.6 miles away
  12. Auckland Airport Car Rentals from $13.83 per day
    495.8 km / 308.1 miles away
  13. Auckland Onehunga Car Rentals from $19.13 per day
    505.0 km / 313.8 miles away
  14. Auckland Penrose Car Rentals from $58.43 per day
    506.1 km / 314.5 miles away
  15. Auckland Henderson Car Rentals from $19.13 per day
    506.8 km / 314.9 miles away
  16. Auckland Mount Wellington Car Rentals from $20.70 per day
    508.0 km / 315.7 miles away
  17. Downtown Car Rentals from $19.13 per day
    512.7 km / 318.6 miles away
  18. Auckland Glenfield Car Rentals from $19.13 per day
    518.8 km / 322.4 miles away
  19. Waiheke Island Port Car Rentals from $47.93 per day
    525.2 km / 326.3 miles away
  20. Queenstown Airport Car Rentals from $9.62 per day
    550.8 km / 342.3 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Nelson?

Car rental prices in Nelson vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Nelson
$65.36
January
$73.99
February
$74.42
March
$93.01
April
$82.23
May
$35.37
June
$45.77
July
$36.01
August
$36.38
September
$42.45
October
$60.20
November
$89.35
December
The cheapest month to rent a car in Nelson is June (when prices average $35.37 per day). This is 42% cheaper than the yearly average and 62% cheaper than renting in April (when prices average $93.01).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the usual rental length in Nelson?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in May, the average renter keeps their car for 10 days, and in April, they keep their car for 5 days.
Average rental length in Nelson
8
January
8
February
7
March
5
April
10
May
8
June
7
July
5
August
7
September
8
October
7
November
10
December

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

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Nelson is January, and the least popular is May.
Monthly searches in Nelson by pick-up date relative to the average
240%
January
198%
February
129%
March
78%
April
16%
May
56%
June
49%
July
64%
August
53%
September
71%
October
122%
November
124%
December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations 1
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers RightCars, Hertz, Go Rentals, Europcar, Ezi Car Rental
Popular car categories Small cars, SUVs, Medium cars, Vans
Lowest price $31 per day
Cheapest supplier RightCars

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
RightCars Mazda Demio 4 1 Small cars
Hertz Hyundai i30 5 2 Medium cars
RightCars Mazda Premacy 5 3 Vans
RightCars Nissan Wingroad 5 3 Station wagons
Go Rentals Toyota Corolla Sedan 4 2 Large cars
RightCars Nissan Tiida 4 3 Medium cars
RightCars Honda Stepwgn 4 1 Vans
RightCars Toyota Passo 4 2 Small cars
Europcar Nissan X-Trail 4 3 SUVs
Hertz Kia Sportage 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 car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.

New Zealand
Toyota Passo
April 13, 2023
Visited my bach for Easter
Israel
Nissan X-Trail
February 16, 2023
It was all great ,nature amazing all the waespecialy for us was amazing Milford sound in the rain.
New Zealand
Mazda Demio
October 13, 2022
Go to takaka - an amazing place not to miss and stay .
New Zealand
Mazda Premacy
October 1, 2022
Had great trip with places easy to find
New Zealand
Mazda Demio
September 14, 2022
Car rental was essential as travel required to Golden Bay for a funeral service. Car met our requirements except phone charger didn't fit mobile phone; otherwise fine.
New Zealand
Nissan Tiida
May 3, 2022
We rented a car just to get to the Abel Tasman track and back after our walk. It just sat in a carpark for days, yet still felt like good value as it gave us flexibility
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
April 16, 2021
Abel Tasman is awesom. Cable Bay 1.6km zipline was a highlight. Visiting Pics peanut butter was great.
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
October 13, 2020
Great place for nature walks, sightseeing, beaches, Able Tasman, Marlborough Sounds and Marlborough vineyards.

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
Hertz
9.6 / 10
Lowest rated company
Keddy
8.5 / 10
Total number of reviews
13
Total rental companies
12
Average daily price
$42.60
Lowest daily price
$31.18
Total cars available
46

Top 12 Suppliers in Nelson in 2023

Hertz
Hertz
Exceptional 9.6 / 18 reviews
1 location
$38 - $58
Europcar
Europcar
Exceptional 9.2 / 12 reviews
1 location
$37 - $44
RightCars
RightCars
Exceptional 9 / 68 reviews
1 location
$31 - $63
Ezi Car Rental
Ezi Car Rental
Excellent 8.9 / 2 reviews
1 location
$46 - $58
Go Rentals
Go Rentals
Excellent 8.9 / 5 reviews
1 location
$40 - $57
Moto
Moto
Excellent 8.9
1 location
Budget
Budget
Excellent 8.8
1 location
$35 - $45
Alamo
Alamo
Excellent 8.8
1 location
$42 - $243
Thrifty
Thrifty
Excellent 8.5 / 2 reviews
1 location
Avis
Avis
Excellent 8.5
1 location
$36 - $46
Firefly
Firefly
Excellent 8.5
1 location
Keddy
Keddy
Excellent 8.5 / 2 reviews
1 location

Highly recommended by our customers

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Nelson

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