Car Rental in Palmerston North
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Cheapest car rental rates
Palmerston North Airport
Economy
Suzuki Swift or similar
$28.64 per day
Palmerston North Airport
Compact
Hyundai i30 or similar
$31.10 per day
Palmerston North Airport
Intermediate SUV
Mitsubishi Outlander or similar
$37.22 per day
Palmerston North Airport
Full-size
Toyota Camry or similar
$40.49 per day
Most popular car rental deals
Palmerston North Airport
Standard SUV
Toyota RAV4 or similar
$162.46 per day
Palmerston North Airport
Premium SUV
Mitsubishi Outlander or similar
$166.58 per day
Palmerston North Airport
Compact
Toyota Corolla or similar
$29.23 per day
Palmerston North Airport
Compact SUV
Kia Seltos or similar
$30.11 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 10:14 PM on 5/21/25. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Special offers
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Travel information
Languages
English, Samoan
Currency
NZD
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+64
Average car rental price
$66 per day
Average car rental length
6 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%
Average gas price
$1.66 per liter or $6.29 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.48 per liter or $5.62 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.78 per liter or $6.74 per gallon
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 $95.46 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 sights 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
- Station wagons - from $71 per day
- Large cars - from $40 per day
- Medium cars - from $29 per day
- Vans - from $171 per day
- Premium cars - from $179 per day
- Small cars - from $29 per day
- SUVs - from $30 per day
Top 20 cities near Palmerston North
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64.3 km / 40 miles away
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130.9 km / 81.3 miles away
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143.3 km / 89 miles away
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172.8 km / 107.4 miles away
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180.4 km / 112.1 miles away
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190.8 km / 118.6 miles away
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197.9 km / 123 miles away
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228.8 km / 142.2 miles away
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253.3 km / 157.4 miles away
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265.7 km / 165.1 miles away
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270.1 km / 167.8 miles away
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274.3 km / 170.4 miles away
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299 km / 185.8 miles away
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375.4 km / 233.3 miles away
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397.5 km / 247 miles away
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434.4 km / 269.9 miles away
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582 km / 361.6 miles away
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762.1 km / 473.5 miles away
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767 km / 476.6 miles away
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897.4 km / 557.6 miles away
Top 20 locations near Palmerston North
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125.9 km / 78.2 miles away
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129.4 km / 80.4 miles away
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130.9 km / 81.3 miles away
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143.3 km / 89 miles away
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190.8 km / 118.6 miles away
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228.8 km / 142.2 miles away
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253.3 km / 157.4 miles away
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299 km / 185.8 miles away
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375.4 km / 233.3 miles away
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381.1 km / 236.8 miles away
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384.6 km / 239 miles away
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384.8 km / 239.1 miles away
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385.8 km / 239.7 miles away
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392.9 km / 244.1 miles away
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393.1 km / 244.3 miles away
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397.5 km / 247 miles away
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401.3 km / 249.4 miles away
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433.8 km / 269.6 miles away
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434.4 km / 269.9 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
The cheapest month to rent a car in Palmerston North is October (when prices average $49.03 per day). This is 24% cheaper than the yearly average and 39% cheaper than renting in June (when prices average $80.40).
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.
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 January, the average renter keeps their car for 8 days, and in June, they keep their car for 3 days.
Average number of rental days in Palmerston North
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 June.
Monthly searches in Palmerston North by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Car rental locations | 1 |
| Airport locations | 1 |
| Popular suppliers | Cross Country Rentals, Ezi Car Rental, Europcar, Thrifty, Budget |
| Popular car categories | SUVs, Medium cars |
| Lowest price | $29 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Thrifty |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Country Rentals | Mitsubishi ASX | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Cross Country Rentals | Mitsubishi Outlander | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Cross Country Rentals | Mitsubishi Outlander | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Ezi Car Rental | Mitsubishi Eclipse | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Europcar | Kia Stonic | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Thrifty | Kia Seltos | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Ezi Car Rental | Mitsubishi ASX | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Budget | Hyundai Kona | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Europcar | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Europcar | Suzuki Swift | 5 | 1 | Medium cars |
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.
AR
Australia
Suzuki Swift
10/20/23
Just with family
Car rental statistics
Highest-rated company
Cross Country Rentals
9.4 / 10
Lowest-rated company
Keddy
7.6 / 10
Total number of reviews
1
Total rental companies
10
Average daily price
$65.72
Lowest daily price
$28.64
Total cars available
61
Top 9 suppliers in Palmerston North in 2025
Cross Country Rentals
1 location
$62
Hertz
1 location
$62
Europcar
1 location
$33 - $163
Ezi Car Rental
1 location
$149 - $167
Dollar
1 location
$32 - $199
Thrifty
1 location
$29 - $193
Routes Car Rental
1 location
$35 - $75
Firefly
1 location
$35 - $75
Keddy
1 location
$41 - $71
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2023
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2023
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Trustpilot - Top 10 Car Rental Agencies
SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
Highly recommended by our customers
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