Car Rental at Nelson Airport

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Nelson Airport, 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
700+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Compact
Toyota Corolla or similar
Toyota Corolla
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Go Rentals
$41.10 per day
Economy
Toyota Yaris or similar
Toyota Yaris
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Alamo
$49.65 per day
Standard Elite
Toyota Corolla or similar
Toyota Corolla
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Snap
$50.19 per day
Premium Extended Cab Pickup
Ford Ranger or similar
Ford Ranger
  • 5
  • 4
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Dollar
$79.88 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Intermediate SUV
Mitsubishi Eclipse or similar
Mitsubishi Eclipse
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Ezi Car Rental
$94.37 per day
Standard SUV
Ford Ranger or similar
Ford Ranger
  • 5
  • 4
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Keddy
$105.91 per day
Full-size SUV
Kia Sorento or similar
Kia Sorento
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
  • Auto.
Routes Car Rental
$119.08 per day
Compact SUV
Mitsubishi ASX or similar
Mitsubishi ASX
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Go Rentals
$44.67 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 4:42 PM on 12/7/24. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel Information

Languages
English, Samoan
Currency
NZD
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+64
Average car rental price
$73 per day
Average car rental length
7 days
Speed limit within town
30 - 50 km/h or 19 - 31 mph
Speed limit out of town
80 - 100 km/h or 50 - 62 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Rating
9.4 / 10
Average gas price
$1.59 per liter or $6.00 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.39 per liter or $5.26 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.77 per liter or $6.70 per gallon
Nelson Airport

Airport travel guide

Small and cozy, the city of Nelson punches way above its weight when it comes to things to see and do. The smallest city in the world to have a symphonic orchestra, it is also home to well-preserved architecture, interesting museums, and high-quality museums and galleries. Better yet, the city is also surrounded by three majestic national parks.

Top international routes

  • Auckland
  • Christchurch
  • Wellington

Main airlines

Air New Zealand, Originair, Golden Bay Air, Sounds Air

Terminals

The airport has a single terminal with 16 gates, seven of which are outside the terminal but connected to it. The airport was significantly modernized and made safer in a restoration that was completed in 2017.

Location

Located just 1.2 km (0.75 miles) west of the city, the airport takes no more than five minutes to reach by car.

Most popular types of rental car

  • Station wagons - from $53 per day
  • Large cars - from $50 per day
  • Medium cars - from $41 per day
  • Vans - from $191 per day
  • Premium cars - from $80 per day
  • Small cars - from $50 per day
  • SUVs - from $45 per day

Services and facilities

Although the airport is very small, there are two cafeterias, several stores, ATMs, an outdoor children’s play area, an observation deck, and even a 6 km (3.7 mile) walking track around the airport complex.

Nearest gas station

Z gas station, called Aviation Nelson Airport, is part of the airport complex. This gas station is open 24/7. With the city being right next door, there are numerous other gas stations nearby.

Popular one-way rentals

  • Christchurch (410 km / 254 miles)
  • Blenheim (124 km / 77 miles)
  • Queenstown (805 km / 500 miles)
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Fact checked by
Yulia Saf
This article was reviewed and updated by Yulia, the spirited explorer behind Misstourist who has spent eight years traveling to over 70 countries, inspiring others with her passion and experiences. She founded Misstourist to empower fellow adventurers with invaluable resources and authentic storytelling. From bustling markets to breathtaking fjords, Yulia's adventures have created a thriving community of travel enthusiasts, making Misstourist an essential resource for uncovering the world's hidden gems.

Airport info

Rating
6.9
  • Getting to the airport 7.6
  • Check-in and departures 7.4
  • Terminal facilities 6.6
  • Wi-Fi 6.6
  • Restaurants and car rental services 6.6
  • Lounge 6.6

Nelson Airport (NSN)

  • IATA: NSN
  • ICAO: NZNS
  • Name: Nelson Airport (NSN)
  • Distance from city: 2.5 miles / 4 km

Top 20 locations near Nelson Airport

  1. Downtown from $41.77 per day
    130 km / 80.8 miles away
  2. Wellington Inter Island Ferry Terminal from $62.24 per day
    130.6 km / 81.2 miles away
  3. Wellington Airport from $25.06 per day
    132.2 km / 82.1 miles away
  4. Palmerston North Airport from $58.33 per day
    228.8 km / 142.2 miles away
  5. Christchurch Airport from $24.12 per day
    249.6 km / 155.1 miles away
  6. Downtown from $30.91 per day
    253 km / 157.2 miles away
  7. New Plymouth Airport from $66.46 per day
    267.2 km / 166 miles away
  8. Napier Airport from $37.76 per day
    370.1 km / 230 miles away
  9. Rotorua Airport from $86.18 per day
    442.5 km / 275 miles away
  10. Tauranga Airport from $62.40 per day
    477.3 km / 296.6 miles away
  11. Auckland Airport from $7.55 per day
    495.8 km / 308.1 miles away
  12. Auckland Onehunga from $87.12 per day
    505 km / 313.8 miles away
  13. Auckland East Tamaki from $87.55 per day
    505.6 km / 314.2 miles away
  14. Auckland Penrose from $22.44 per day
    506.1 km / 314.5 miles away
  15. Auckland Henderson from $87.55 per day
    506.8 km / 314.9 miles away
  16. Auckland Mount Wellington from $87.55 per day
    508 km / 315.7 miles away
  17. Downtown from $36.00 per day
    512.7 km / 318.6 miles away
  18. Auckland Glenfield from $87.55 per day
    518.8 km / 322.4 miles away
  19. Waiheke Island Port from $22.86 per day
    525.2 km / 326.3 miles away
  20. Queenstown Airport from $22.86 per day
    550.8 km / 342.3 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

When are car rental prices the lowest at Nelson Airport?

The cost of renting a car at Nelson Airport varies by season. The table and graph below can help you find the best time of year to save on a rental car.
Average rental costs per day at Nelson Airport
$72.14
January
$69.60
February
$60.01
March
$36.13
April
$34.70
May
$47.31
June
$31.63
July
$30.91
August
$39.47
September
$37.94
October
$52.80
November
$67.02
December
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car at Nelson Airport is August — when rental costs average $30.91 per day. This is 36% cheaper than the yearly average and 57% cheaper than renting a car in January (when prices average $72.14 per day).

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.

For how long do renters keep their vehicles at Nelson Airport?

How long travelers keep their rental cars varies by the time of year: in September the average rental period is 11 days, while in June, the average rental period is only 4 days.
Average number of rental days at Nelson Airport
9
January
7
February
8
March
8
April
5
May
4
June
5
July
8
August
11
September
9
October
7
November
6
December

What is the most popular time of year to rent a car at Nelson Airport?

Based on how many users search for a car in at Nelson Airport, travelers are most likely to rent a car in January, while they are least likely to rent in in June.
Monthly searches at Nelson Airport by pick-up date relative to the average
200%
January
192%
February
181%
March
69%
April
62%
May
35%
June
46%
July
46%
August
38%
September
77%
October
108%
November
146%
December

Car rental information

Popular suppliers Snap, Go Rentals, Ezi Car Rental, Alamo, Europcar
Popular car categories SUVs, Medium cars, Small cars, Large cars
Lowest price $41 per day
Cheapest supplier Go Rentals

Most popular car models of rental suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Snap Toyota Vitz 5 1 Medium cars
Snap Mitsubishi ASX 5 2 SUVs
Go Rentals Toyota RAV4 5 3 SUVs
Ezi Car Rental Ford Puma 5 2 Small cars
Snap Toyota Corolla 5 1 Large cars
Ezi Car Rental Mitsubishi Eclipse 5 2 SUVs
Snap Toyota Corolla 5 2 Large cars
Go Rentals Toyota Corolla 5 1 Medium cars
Go Rentals Toyota Yaris 5 2 Small cars
Go Rentals Toyota RAV4 4 3 SUVs

Our customers' reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the 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.

United States of America (USA)
Toyota Corolla Cross
2/4/24
Wonderful time with family in Nelson, great Airbnb for a few days in Marlborough Sounds was a highlight.
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
11/9/23
easy getting around . lovely beaches .
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Corolla Sedan
4/7/23
We were extremely lucky with the weather on the South Island. The car was very useful
New Zealand
Hyundai i30
2/1/23
Explored Nelson and surrounding area. We also decided to drive to Havelock to taste mussels on top of enjoying Abel Tasman National Park.
Australia
MG HS
1/9/23
Family
France
Mitsubishi ASX
11/25/22
Abel Tasman national park is beautiful.
New Zealand
Mazda Demio
5/31/22
Great pick up service and drop off.
New Zealand
Mazda Demio
5/24/22
spent 3 nights in Picton and would recommend it for a visit
New Zealand
Kia Sorento
2/28/22
Abel Tasman is stunning
New Zealand
Mazda Premacy
1/5/22
Charleston underworld caving
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
5/12/21
Ships Cove north of Haast not to be missed!
New Zealand
Mitsubishi Eclipse
5/12/21
We enjoyed the ride in our Mitsibishi Eclispe. Value for money.
New Zealand
Toyota Passo
3/28/21
Friendly and efficient service with pick up and drop of at the airport, all we needed for our trip
New Zealand
Nissan Tiida
7/30/20
I love Takaka!
Australia
Mazda Demio
11/9/19
You'll probably need a car to get around the top of the South Island.

Car Rental Statistics

Highest-rated company
Ezi Car Rental
9.1 / 10
)
Lowest-rated company
Keddy
7.7 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
17
Total rental companies
10
Average daily price
$73.11
Lowest daily price
$41.10
Total cars available
52

Top 10 suppliers at Nelson Airport in 2024

Ezi Car Rental
Ezi Car Rental
Exceptional 9.1 / 10 reviews
+640800545000 / +6433592721
Nelson Airport Terminal, Nelson Airport, Nelson
$94 - $137
Working hours
Mon:07:30 - 20:00
Tue:07:30 - 20:00
Wed:07:30 - 20:00
Thu:07:30 - 20:00
Fri:07:30 - 20:00
Sat:08:00 - 16:00
Sun:08:00 - 16:00
Hertz
Hertz
Exceptional 9.1 / 18 reviews
+64035472299
Trent Drive, Nelson
$94 - $137
Working hours
Mon:07:30 - 20:30
Tue:07:30 - 20:30
Wed:07:30 - 20:30
Thu:07:30 - 20:30
Fri:07:30 - 20:30
Sat:08:30 - 15:00
Sun:09:30 - 20:30
Thrifty
Thrifty
Exceptional 9 / 12 reviews
+64800737070
Trent Drive, Nelson Airport, Nelson 7011, New Zealand
$191
Working hours
Mon:07:30 - 20:30
Tue:07:30 - 20:30
Wed:07:30 - 20:30
Thu:07:30 - 20:30
Fri:07:30 - 20:30
Sat:08:30 - 15:00
Sun:09:30 - 20:30
Europcar
Europcar
Very good 8.9 / 13 reviews
+64032655201
Nelson Airport, Nelson 7011, New Zealand
$69 - $176
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
Snap
Snap
Very good 8.8 / 9 reviews
+6492752438 / 0800288699
Trent Drive, Nelson Airport, Nelson 7011, New Zealand
$49 - $53
Working hours
Mon:08:00 - 17:30
Tue:08:00 - 17:30
Wed:08:00 - 17:30
Thu:08:00 - 17:30
Fri:08:00 - 17:30
Sat:08:00 - 17:30
Sun:08:00 - 17:30
Go Rentals
Go Rentals
Very good 8.7 / 11 reviews
+6439743700 / +6499741598
Nelson Airport, Terminal Building, Trent Drive, Nelson Airport, Nelson 7011
$41 - $57
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
Alamo
Alamo
Very good 8.3 / 4 reviews
+6498703330
Nelson Airport, Nelson 7011
$50 - $65
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
Routes Car Rental
Routes Car Rental
Very good 8 / 0 reviews
+64032655201
Terminal Building, 7011 Nelson
$69 - $135
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
Dollar
Dollar
Average 7.9 / 0 reviews
+640800243789
Trent Drive, Nelson Airport
$80 - $205
Working hours
Mon:07:30 - 20:30
Tue:07:30 - 20:30
Wed:07:30 - 20:30
Thu:07:30 - 20:30
Fri:07:30 - 20:30
Sat:08:30 - 15:00
Sun:09:30 - 20:30
Keddy
Keddy
Average 7.7 / 2 reviews
+64032655201
TERMINAL BUILDING
$106 - $169
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

Highly recommended by our customers

Trustpilot

Nelson Airport (NSN)

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Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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