Car Rental in Palmerston North

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Palmerston North, 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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Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Palmerston North Airport Car Rental
Compact
Toyota Corolla or similar
Toyota Corolla
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Avis
$79.68 per day
Palmerston North Airport Car Rental
Intermediate
Hyundai Elantra or similar
Hyundai Elantra
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Budget
$81.08 per day
Palmerston North Airport Car Rental
Economy
Toyota Yaris Cross or similar
Toyota Yaris Cross
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Ezi Car Rental
$87.49 per day
Palmerston North Airport Car Rental
Standard SUV
Kia Sportage or similar
Kia Sportage
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Keddy
$120.16 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Palmerston North Airport Car Rental
Full-size
Toyota Camry or similar
Toyota Camry
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Budget
$87.27 / per day
Palmerston North Airport Car Rental
Premium SUV
Mitsubishi Outlander or similar
Mitsubishi Outlander
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Ezi Car Rental
$145.08 / per day
Palmerston North Airport Car Rental
Compact SUV
Mitsubishi ASX or similar
Mitsubishi ASX
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Budget
$87.39 / per day
Palmerston North Airport Car Rental
Economy
Suzuki Swift or similar
Suzuki Swift
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Hertz
$88.56 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 22:27 on 2023-05-29. 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
$97.09 / per day
Average car rental length
6 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
9.8
Average gasoline price
$1.66 per liter
Highest gasoline price
$1.77 per liter
Lowest gasoline price
$1.58 per liter

Why rent a car in Palmerston North?

Located in the Manawatu Region of New Zealand’s North Island, Palmerston North has its fair share of attractions for curious visitors. These include heritage buildings, interesting museums, modern cultural spaces, and the region’s famous wineries. With a rental car, you can also easily visit a number of spectacular nature areas that are a relatively short drive from the city.

One-Way Car Rentals in Palmerston North

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

  • From Palmerston North to Wellington - 8 offers from $90.51 per day

Top ways to enter Palmerston North

  • Palmerston North Airport: Serving about 650,000 travelers each year, Palmerston North Airport offers flights to and from Auckland, Christchurch, and other domestic destinations on both the North and South islands. Located about 6 km (3.7 miles) north of the city center, the airport takes ten minutes to reach.
  • Wellington Airport: Serving the national capital, Wellington Airport handles 6.5 million travelers every year. A hub for the national carrier, Air New Zealand, and served by about ten other airlines, the airport provides many domestic links, as well as flights to and from select international destinations. Located 150 km (93 miles) southwest of Palmerston North, Wellington can be reached in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Auckland Airport: By far the busiest in New Zealand, Auckland Airport handles more than 20 million travelers every year. In addition to domestic routes, the airport also provides flights to such varied destinations as Australia, Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Chile. Located 500 km (300 miles) north of Palmerston North, Auckland can be reached in about six hours.

Top destinations and activities

  • New Zealand Rugby Museum. New Zealand may be home to just five million people, but the country is a global rugby union powerhouse. Their national team, All Blacks, are famous not only for the fearsome haka or tribal dance, but also the numerous world cups they’ve won, and this museum is dedicated to those fabled achievements. The rugby museum is part of Te Manawa, a large museum, gallery, and space center that’s one of the most interesting places in Palmerston North.
  • Manawatu Gorge. Also known as Te Apiti or the narrow passage in Maori, Manawatu Gorge is one of the most impressive natural attractions in this part of the country. Connecting Manawatu with the neighboring Hawke’s Bay region, the gorge offers truly stunning views that are best enjoyed from the hiking trail that runs along the south side of it. The entrance of the gorge is about 16 km (10 miles) northeast of Palmerton North and can be reached in about 20 minutes by car.
  • Te Manawa. A museum of local heritage, an art space, and a science center, this interactive cultural institution is divided into the Life, Art, and Mind sections. Make sure to visit the museum’s website before you go to check out any events that might be taking place during your visit. 

Toll roads

All of the toll roads in New Zealand are in the northern part of the North Island (so there are none that are particularly close to Palmerston North). They 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

  • Pūkaha National Wildlife Center. Dedicated to the protection of the unique local fauna species, Pūkaha is a conservation center and a nature preserve about an hour’s drive south of Palmerston North. If lucky, visitors can see unique animals like the kākā bush parrot, barking gecko, and the legendary kiwi bird, as well as learn about conservation and forest restoration efforts. Pūkaha Wildlife Center borders Tararua mountains and forest park, a beautiful and wild nature area.
  • Tararua National Forest Park. Incorporating the aforementioned wildlife center, as well as plenty of wilderness itself, Tararua is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Palmerston North area. Known for its high (but mostly accessible) peaks and wide valleys, it is one of the pristine areas of the North Island.

Car Rental Prices in Palmerston North

  • Large cars - from $81 per day
  • Medium cars - from $80 per day
  • Small cars - from $87 per day
  • SUVs - from $87 per day
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators. Learn more about our Editorial Policy.

Top 20 Cities near Palmerston North

  1. Whanganui Car Rentals from $90.25 per day
    64.3 km / 40.0 miles away
  2. Wellington Car Rentals from $28.98 per day
    130.9 km / 81.3 miles away
  3. Napier Car Rentals from $66.25 per day
    143.3 km / 89.0 miles away
  4. Picton Car Rentals from $38.71 per day
    172.8 km / 107.4 miles away
  5. Taupo Car Rentals from $43.07 per day
    180.4 km / 112.1 miles away
  6. New Plymouth Car Rentals from $35.97 per day
    190.8 km / 118.6 miles away
  7. Blenheim Car Rentals from $35.97 per day
    197.9 km / 123.0 miles away
  8. Nelson Car Rentals from $31.06 per day
    228.8 km / 142.2 miles away
  9. Rotorua Car Rentals from $53.55 per day
    253.3 km / 157.4 miles away
  10. Gisborne Car Rentals from $40.01 per day
    274.3 km / 170.4 miles away
  11. Whakatane Car Rentals from $65.88 per day
    288.6 km / 179.3 miles away
  12. Tauranga Car Rentals from $46.67 per day
    299.0 km / 185.8 miles away
  13. Auckland Car Rentals from $12.58 per day
    375.4 km / 233.3 miles away
  14. Waiheke Island Car Rentals from $58.22 per day
    397.5 km / 247.0 miles away
  15. Christchurch Car Rentals from $11.61 per day
    434.4 km / 269.9 miles away
  16. Whangarei Car Rentals from $48.65 per day
    518.1 km / 321.9 miles away
  17. Kerikeri Car Rentals from $48.65 per day
    582.0 km / 361.6 miles away
  18. Dunedin Car Rentals from $33.03 per day
    762.1 km / 473.5 miles away
  19. Queenstown Car Rentals from $11.36 per day
    767.0 km / 476.6 miles away
  20. Invercargill Car Rentals from $35.96 per day
    897.4 km / 557.6 miles away

Top 20 Locations near Palmerston North

  1. Palmerston North Airport Car Rentals from $79.68 per day
  2. Wellington Inter Island Ferry Terminal Car Rentals from $28.98 per day
    125.9 km / 78.2 miles away
  3. Downtown Car Rentals from $29.34 per day
    129.4 km / 80.4 miles away
  4. Wellington Airport Car Rentals from $31.07 per day
    130.9 km / 81.3 miles away
  5. Napier Airport Car Rentals from $66.25 per day
    143.3 km / 89.0 miles away
  6. New Plymouth Airport Car Rentals from $35.97 per day
    190.8 km / 118.6 miles away
  7. Nelson Airport Car Rentals from $31.06 per day
    228.8 km / 142.2 miles away
  8. Rotorua Airport Car Rentals from $53.55 per day
    253.3 km / 157.4 miles away
  9. Tauranga Airport Car Rentals from $52.95 per day
    299.0 km / 185.8 miles away
  10. Auckland Airport Car Rentals from $12.58 per day
    375.4 km / 233.3 miles away
  11. Auckland Penrose Car Rentals from $51.86 per day
    384.6 km / 239.0 miles away
  12. Auckland Onehunga Car Rentals from $25.78 per day
    384.8 km / 239.1 miles away
  13. Auckland Mount Wellington Car Rentals from $27.44 per day
    385.8 km / 239.7 miles away
  14. Auckland Henderson Car Rentals from $25.78 per day
    392.9 km / 244.1 miles away
  15. Downtown Car Rentals from $25.78 per day
    393.1 km / 244.3 miles away
  16. Waiheke Island Port Car Rentals from $58.22 per day
    397.5 km / 247.0 miles away
  17. Auckland Glenfield Car Rentals from $25.78 per day
    401.3 km / 249.4 miles away
  18. Downtown Car Rentals from $28.46 per day
    433.8 km / 269.6 miles away
  19. Christchurch Airport Car Rentals from $11.61 per day
    434.4 km / 269.9 miles away
  20. Whangarei Airport Car Rentals from $48.65 per day
    518.1 km / 321.9 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Palmerston North?

Car rental prices in Palmerston North 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 Palmerston North
$68.96
January
$67.05
February
$104.03
March
$118.47
April
$81.41
May
$78.33
June
$70.71
July
$73.45
August
$87.09
September
$91.18
October
$69.86
November
$74.52
December
The cheapest month to rent a car in Palmerston North is February (when prices average $67.05 per day). This is 18% cheaper than the yearly average and 43% cheaper than renting in April (when prices average $118.47).

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 Palmerston North?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in December, the average renter keeps their car for 12 days, and in June, they keep their car for 4 days.
Average rental length in Palmerston North
7
January
7
February
7
March
5
April
7
May
4
June
4
July
4
August
5
September
5
October
5
November
12
December

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

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Palmerston North is December, and the least popular is April.
Monthly searches in Palmerston North by pick-up date relative to the average
86%
January
93%
February
64%
March
43%
April
50%
May
136%
June
136%
July
57%
August
79%
September
164%
October
86%
November
207%
December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations 1
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers Hertz, Europcar, Keddy, Ezi Car Rental, Budget
Popular car categories SUVs, Large cars, Medium cars, Small cars
Lowest price $80 per day
Cheapest supplier Avis

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Hertz Hyundai i30 5 2 Medium cars
Hertz Mazda 6 4 2 Large cars
Hertz Mitsubishi ASX 4 2 SUVs
Keddy Kia Stonic 4 2 SUVs
Europcar MG HS 4 2 SUVs
Hertz Suzuki Swift 4 2 Small cars
Europcar Suzuki Swift 4 1 Medium cars
Europcar Kia Cerato 4 2 Large cars
Europcar Nissan X-Trail 4 3 SUVs
Hertz Kia Sportage 5 2 SUVs

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
Hertz
9.5 / 10
Lowest rated company
Keddy
8.4 / 10
Total number of reviews
4
Total rental companies
9
Average daily price
$97.09
Lowest daily price
$20.98
Total cars available
21

Top 9 Suppliers in Palmerston North in 2023

Hertz
Hertz
Exceptional 9.5 / 20 reviews
1 location
$89 - $103
Europcar
Europcar
Exceptional 9.2 / 13 reviews
1 location
$330 - $330
Ezi Car Rental
Ezi Car Rental
Excellent 8.9 / 1 reviews
1 location
$87 - $145
Moto
Moto
Excellent 8.9
1 location
Budget
Budget
Excellent 8.8
1 location
$81 - $87
Thrifty
Thrifty
Excellent 8.5 / 1 reviews
1 location
Avis
Avis
Excellent 8.5
1 location
$80 - $96
Firefly
Firefly
Excellent 8.4
1 location
Keddy
Keddy
Excellent 8.4 / 4 reviews
1 location
$98 - $120

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Palmerston North

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