Car Rental in Nelson

Cheapest car rental rates




































































































Why book with us?




- Cheapest car rental rates
- Why book with us?
- Travel information
- Why rent a car in Nelson?
- One-way car rentals in Nelson
- Top ways to enter Nelson
- Top sights and activities
- Toll roads
- Ideas for day trips
- Car rental prices in Nelson
- Top 20 cities near Nelson
- Top 20 locations near Nelson
- Map of top car rental locations
- When to book in Nelson and for how long?
- Car rental information
- Most popular car models of rental suppliers
- Here's what travelers say about renting a car in Nelson
- Car rental statistics
- Top 14 suppliers in Nelson in 2025
- Award-winning service
Travel information
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 £70.23 per day
- From Nelson to Picton - 7 offers from £70.23 per day
- From Nelson to Auckland - 7 offers from £149.43 per day
- From Nelson to Blenheim - 7 offers from £70.23 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 sights 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
- SUVs - from £22 per day
- Large cars - from £20 per day
- Medium cars - from £20 per day
- Vans - from £140 per day
- Small cars - from £18 per day
Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Top 20 cities near Nelson
- Blenheimfrom £24.14 per day58.6 km / 36.41 miles away
- Pictonfrom £22.00 per day65.2 km / 40.51 miles away
- Wellingtonfrom £11.17 per day132.2 km / 82.15 miles away
- Westport144.4 km / 89.73 miles away
- Whanganuifrom £23.18 per day212.7 km / 132.17 miles away
- Palmerston Northfrom £20.88 per day228.8 km / 142.17 miles away
- Christchurchfrom £6.51 per day249.6 km / 155.09 miles away
- New Plymouthfrom £22.04 per day267.2 km / 166.03 miles away
- Napierfrom £21.00 per day370.1 km / 229.97 miles away
- Taupofrom £24.71 per day374.5 km / 232.7 miles away
- Timarufrom £31.72 per day380.1 km / 236.18 miles away
- Rotoruafrom £24.71 per day442.5 km / 274.96 miles away
- Taurangafrom £19.17 per day477.3 km / 296.58 miles away
- Aucklandfrom £5.56 per day495.8 km / 308.08 miles away
- Gisbornefrom £34.10 per day500.2 km / 310.81 miles away
- Waiheke Islandfrom £28.24 per day525.2 km / 326.34 miles away
- Queenstownfrom £8.81 per day550.8 km / 342.25 miles away
- Dunedinfrom £17.28 per day568.9 km / 353.5 miles away
- Kerikerifrom £35.20 per day673.9 km / 418.74 miles away
- Invercargillfrom £21.34 per day691.2 km / 429.49 miles away
Top 20 locations near Nelson
- Wellington (Downtown)from £11.17 per day130 km / 80.78 miles away
- Wellington Inter Island Ferry Terminalfrom £23.54 per day130.6 km / 81.15 miles away
- Wellington Airportfrom £13.20 per day132.2 km / 82.15 miles away
- Palmerston North Airportfrom £20.88 per day228.8 km / 142.17 miles away
- Christchurch Airportfrom £6.51 per day249.6 km / 155.09 miles away
- Christchurch (Downtown)from £9.01 per day253 km / 157.21 miles away
- New Plymouth Airportfrom £22.04 per day267.2 km / 166.03 miles away
- Napier Airportfrom £21.00 per day370.1 km / 229.97 miles away
- Rotorua Airportfrom £24.71 per day442.5 km / 274.96 miles away
- Tauranga Airportfrom £19.17 per day477.3 km / 296.58 miles away
- Auckland Airportfrom £5.56 per day495.8 km / 308.08 miles away
- Auckland Onehungafrom £9.51 per day505 km / 313.79 miles away
- Auckland East Tamakifrom £9.71 per day505.6 km / 314.17 miles away
- Auckland Penrosefrom £27.03 per day506.1 km / 314.48 miles away
- Auckland Hendersonfrom £9.68 per day506.8 km / 314.91 miles away
- Auckland Mount Wellingtonfrom £9.71 per day508 km / 315.66 miles away
- Auckland (Downtown)from £10.01 per day512.7 km / 318.58 miles away
- Auckland Glenfieldfrom £9.68 per day518.8 km / 322.37 miles away
- Waiheke Island Portfrom £28.24 per day525.2 km / 326.34 miles away
Map of top car rental locations
When to book in Nelson and for how long?
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.
Saver's insights
Cheapest monthJune | Most expensive month December | ||
Average price £23 | A good deal £21 | Cheapest supplier Go Rentals | Cheapest car type Small cars |
£48
in January
£49
in February
£41
in March
£32
in April
£24
in May
£23
in June
£29
in July
£25
in August
£32
in September
£31
in October
£43
in November
£59
in December
The cheapest month to rent a car in Nelson is June (when prices average £23.23 per day). This is < 1% cheaper than the yearly average and 61% cheaper than renting in December (when prices average £59.24).
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 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 June.
2.2 times in January
2.2 times in February
1.1 times in March
0.8 times in April
0.6 times in May
0.4 times in June
0.4 times in July
0.5 times in August
0.4 times in September
0.9 times in October
1.2 times in November
1.4 times in December
What’s the usual rental length in Nelson?
How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in February, the average renter keeps their car for 11 days, and in March, they keep their car for 5 days.
7 days in January
11 days in February
5 days in March
5 days in April
6 days in May
7 days in June
5 days in July
8 days in August
11 days in September
9 days in October
7 days in November
6 days in December
Car rental information
📍 Car rental locations | 1 |
✈️ Airport locations | 1 |
🔥 Popular suppliers | Go Rentals, Snap, Ezi Car Rental, Europcar, Thrifty |
🚗 Popular car types | SUVs, Medium cars, Small cars, Large cars |
🤑 Lowest price | £18 per day |
👛 Cheapest supplier | Go Rentals |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Go Rentals | Toyota Corolla | 5 | 1 | Medium car |
Go Rentals | Mitsubishi ASX | 5 | 2 | SUV |
Ezi Car Rental | Ford Puma | 5 | 2 | Small car |
Snap | Toyota Vitz | 5 | 1 | Medium car |
Go Rentals | Toyota Yaris | 5 | 2 | Small car |
Snap | Toyota Corolla | 5 | 1 | Large car |
Snap | Suzuki Swift | 5 | 1 | Medium car |
Ezi Car Rental | Mitsubishi Eclipse | 5 | 2 | SUV |
Snap | Toyota Highlander | 5 | 3 | SUV |
Snap | Toyota Corolla | 5 | 2 | Large car |
Here's what travelers say about renting a car in Nelson
Car rental statistics
Top 14 suppliers in Nelson in 2025














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