Car Rental in Wellington

✓ No Hidden Costs ✓ 24/7 Support ✓ Free Cancellation
Wellington, New Zealand
Unable to find any location
Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30 - 65
  • 66
  • 67
  • 68
  • 69
  • 70
  • 71
  • 72
  • 73
  • 74
  • 75
  • 76
  • 77
  • 78
  • 79
  • 80+
Trustpilot
500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Wellington Inter Island Ferry Terminal Car Rental
Intermediate
Kia Cerato or similar
Kia Cerato
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Europcar
$28.91 per day
Downtown Car Rental
Compact
Toyota Vitz or similar
Toyota Vitz
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Bargain Rental Cars
$29.27 per day
Wellington Airport Car Rental
Economy
Suzuki Jimny or similar
Suzuki Jimny
  • 4
  • 2
  • 2
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Keddy
$35.04 per day
Wellington Airport Car Rental
Standard
Toyota Corolla or similar
Toyota Corolla
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Alamo
$41.40 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Wellington Airport Car Rental
Full-size Regular Cab Pickup
Toyota Hilux or similar
Toyota Hilux
  • 5
  • 4
  • 2
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Enterprise
$43.88 / per day
Wellington Airport Car Rental
Premium
Polestar 2 *Model Guaranteed* or similar
Polestar 2 *Model Guaranteed*
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
$54.50 / per day
Downtown Car Rental
Economy Elite
Toyota Corolla or similar
Toyota Corolla
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Ace Rental Cars
$61.31 / per day
Downtown Car Rental
Intermediate Elite
Nissan Teana or similar
Nissan Teana
  • 5
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Bargain Rental Cars
$41.48 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 22:28 on 2023-05-29. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader (see SimilarWeb), we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (3 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 90k total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.

Travel Information

Language
English,
Samoan
Currency
NZD
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+64
Average car rental price
$41.97 / per day
Average car rental length
8 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
$1.78 per liter
Highest gasoline price
$1.93 per liter
Lowest gasoline price
$1.57 per liter

Why rent a car in Wellington?

The capital city of New Zealand, Wellington is an increasingly popular tourist destination. The city is home to the country’s government and boasts interesting museums and galleries, historic landmarks, and some of the most scenic urban views in the country. Located at the southern edge of the North Island, Wellington offers ferry connections with the South Island on the other side of the Cook Strait.

One-Way Car Rentals in Wellington

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

  • From Wellington to Auckland - 20 offers from $92.68 per day
  • From Wellington to Palmerston North - 9 offers from $92.68 per day
  • From Wellington to Tauranga - 9 offers from $92.68 per day
  • From Wellington to Christchurch - 11 offers from $116.79 per day
  • From Wellington to Queenstown - 11 offers from $92.68 per day

Top ways to enter Wellington

  • Wellington Airport: The main airport serving the capital city region, it handles about 6.4 million passengers every year. In addition to domestic flights, there are also connections with multiple cities in Australia, as well as Nadi in Fiji. Located in the southern suburb of Rongotai, the airport is 9 km (5.4 miles) from the city center and can be reached in about ten minutes.
  • By ferry: Rental cars can also be picked up and dropped off at the Wellington Inter-Island Ferry Terminal. The terminal is just north of the Central Business District (CBD). 

Top destinations and activities

  • Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Known by both its English and Maori names, the museum has an impressive collection of New Zealand’s natural history and indigenous culture, along with many other interactive exhibitions both indoors and outdoors. The two main attractions of the museum are the Maori marae or communal sacred space and the world’s only publicly displayed colossal squid.
  • Carter Observatory. Long before the Europeans arrived, the Maori and other Polynesian peoples explored and colonized the unimaginably vast South Pacific Ocean. Having done that without any modern technology, their supreme navigational skills have long fascinated and puzzled Western scientists. The Carter Observatory of Wellington is dedicated to this unique maritime heritage with many interesting exhibitions about the subject. Fitting to its name, it also has a high-quality planetarium which is also open to the public.
  • Lookout Points. Although the peaks and hills that surround Wellington are not as high as those of the South Island, they nonetheless offer splendid views of the city and the harbor below. Popular spots include Mount Kaukau and Mount Victoria, as well as views from Massey Memorial and the Brooklyn Wind Turbine. Most of these spots can be accessed by car, offering some scenic drives along the way.
  • Wellington Cable Car. From the heart of the city center, the cable car travels to the lookout point high above. The historical ride is one of the best ways to explore Wellington. Built in 1902, the Wellington Cable car recently celebrated its 120th birthday. 
  • Zealandia Ecosanctuary. The Zealandia sanctuary is the first urban completely fenced ecosanctuary, with many endemic species of flora and fauna from New Zealand restored and thriving.

Toll roads

All of the toll roads in New Zealand are in the northern part of the North Island. 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

  • Belmont Regional Park. The largest nature preserve in the capital region, Belmont is known for its scenic hiking (and biking) trails that take you through its forests, waterways, and valleys. Although encompassing a large portion of farmland, the region is also a good place to spot some of New Zealand’s unique birds and reptiles. The drive from Wellington to Belmont only takes about 25 minutes.
  • Wairarapa. If Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc awakens excitement in you, then you should visit the Wairarapa wine region just 80 kilometers and an hour-and-a-half drive away from Wellington. The temperate climate of New Zealand is perfect for growing grapes, and the Wairarapa wine region belongs to one of the most popular wine regions in the country. 

Car Rental Prices in Wellington

  • Large cars - from $29 per day
  • Medium cars - from $29 per day
  • Vans - from $43 per day
  • Premium cars - from $54 per day
  • Small cars - from $35 per day
  • SUVs - from $31 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

Wellington is a great place for movie lovers, not only will you find some amazingly unique cinemas but it is also the home of Weta Workshop. Weta Workshop is an Oscar winning special effects and props company. The company are best known for their contribution to The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, helping Peter Jackson bring his vision to life. They have worked on other notable films such as Avatar, King Kong, Indiana Jones, The Chronicles of Narnia, plus many more. What makes Weta Workshop really special is the fact that you can go behind the scenes and see for yourself exactly what they do. They offer a number of tours of the workshop so you can learn exactly how they are able to bring imaginary worlds to life. They also run some hands on workshops where you can learn about sculpting, special effects make up and many other interesting techniques. Visiting Weta Workshop is an experience you will remember for a long time.
DBADC
Dave Bouskill and Deb Corbiel
Hi, we’re Dave and Deb, the founders of this award-winning travel blog. Since we started The Planet D back in 2007 we have become experts in the travel space and were even named Top Travel Influencers by Forbes Magazine.
Wellington is a very pretty city to wander around, and is easily compact enough to do so. As well as every house getting a superb view, the city architects also seem to have decided that no two houses should look alike. Which makes for fun viewing. From the wacky boat sheds, to the Oriental Parade, to the odd artwork, Wellington is a city that cries out to be explored on foot. Go for it I say, perhaps whilst clutching an expertly roasted local coffee. Yes, Wellington is as coffee mad as the rest of the country. Embrace it.
LAJN
Laurence and Jessica Norah
Hi there! We're Laurence and Jessica Norah. We've been running this site since 2010 as full time professional travel bloggers.
In the very centre of the city, Wellington Waterfront is a gorgeous area to take a break. It has numerous cafes and restaurants to unwind in, as well as the options of skating, cycling, or taking a boat out onto the water for an impressive view back towards the city.
YO&LG
Yaya Onalaja-Aliu & Lloyd Griffiths
Hand Luggage Only was born back in April 2014 on a surprisingly warm afternoon in Yaya’s college room at University of Cambridge. In what seemed like an oasis of calm between assignments, Yaya and Lloyd (that’s us!) were talking about sharing our travel stories and photos with others like-minded travellers on the internet.

Top 20 Cities near Wellington

  1. Picton Car Rentals from $38.62 per day
    67.2 km / 41.8 miles away
  2. Blenheim Car Rentals from $35.89 per day
    81.0 km / 50.3 miles away
  3. Palmerston North Car Rentals from $79.50 per day
    130.9 km / 81.3 miles away
  4. Nelson Car Rentals from $30.99 per day
    132.2 km / 82.1 miles away
  5. Whanganui Car Rentals from $90.04 per day
    153.1 km / 95.1 miles away
  6. New Plymouth Car Rentals from $35.89 per day
    263.2 km / 163.5 miles away
  7. Napier Car Rentals from $66.09 per day
    271.0 km / 168.4 miles away
  8. Christchurch Car Rentals from $11.58 per day
    303.9 km / 188.8 miles away
  9. Taupo Car Rentals from $42.97 per day
    307.6 km / 191.1 miles away
  10. Rotorua Car Rentals from $53.43 per day
    380.4 km / 236.4 miles away
  11. Gisborne Car Rentals from $39.91 per day
    401.2 km / 249.3 miles away
  12. Whakatane Car Rentals from $65.73 per day
    419.0 km / 260.4 miles away
  13. Tauranga Car Rentals from $46.56 per day
    423.7 km / 263.3 miles away
  14. Auckland Car Rentals from $12.55 per day
    480.3 km / 298.4 miles away
  15. Waiheke Island Car Rentals from $58.08 per day
    505.9 km / 314.4 miles away
  16. Whangarei Car Rentals from $48.53 per day
    619.5 km / 384.9 miles away
  17. Dunedin Car Rentals from $32.96 per day
    631.3 km / 392.3 miles away
  18. Queenstown Car Rentals from $11.34 per day
    640.6 km / 398.1 miles away
  19. Kerikeri Car Rentals from $48.53 per day
    678.8 km / 421.8 miles away
  20. Invercargill Car Rentals from $35.88 per day
    767.8 km / 477.1 miles away

Top 20 Locations near Wellington

  1. Wellington Airport Car Rentals from $31.00 per day
  2. Downtown Car Rentals from $29.27 per day
    3.8 km / 2.4 miles away
  3. Wellington Inter Island Ferry Terminal Car Rentals from $28.91 per day
    7.2 km / 4.5 miles away
  4. Palmerston North Airport Car Rentals from $79.50 per day
    130.9 km / 81.3 miles away
  5. Nelson Airport Car Rentals from $30.99 per day
    132.2 km / 82.1 miles away
  6. New Plymouth Airport Car Rentals from $35.89 per day
    263.2 km / 163.5 miles away
  7. Napier Airport Car Rentals from $66.09 per day
    271.0 km / 168.4 miles away
  8. Downtown Car Rentals from $28.39 per day
    303.0 km / 188.3 miles away
  9. Christchurch Airport Car Rentals from $11.58 per day
    303.9 km / 188.8 miles away
  10. Rotorua Airport Car Rentals from $53.43 per day
    380.4 km / 236.4 miles away
  11. Tauranga Airport Car Rentals from $52.83 per day
    423.7 km / 263.3 miles away
  12. Auckland Airport Car Rentals from $12.55 per day
    480.3 km / 298.4 miles away
  13. Auckland Onehunga Car Rentals from $25.72 per day
    489.8 km / 304.3 miles away
  14. Auckland Penrose Car Rentals from $51.73 per day
    490.2 km / 304.6 miles away
  15. Auckland Mount Wellington Car Rentals from $27.38 per day
    491.7 km / 305.5 miles away
  16. Auckland Henderson Car Rentals from $25.72 per day
    495.5 km / 307.9 miles away
  17. Downtown Car Rentals from $25.72 per day
    498.1 km / 309.5 miles away
  18. Auckland Glenfield Car Rentals from $25.72 per day
    505.6 km / 314.2 miles away
  19. Waiheke Island Port Car Rentals from $58.08 per day
    505.9 km / 314.4 miles away
  20. Downtown Car Rentals
    613.9 km / 381.5 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

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

Car rental prices in Wellington 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 Wellington
$59.26
January
$65.70
February
$68.58
March
$65.77
April
$37.55
May
$35.32
June
$42.03
July
$36.92
August
$50.58
September
$47.46
October
$45.27
November
$78.31
December
The cheapest month to rent a car in Wellington is June (when prices average $35.32 per day). This is 33% cheaper than the yearly average and 55% cheaper than renting in December (when prices average $78.31).

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 Wellington?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in December, the average renter keeps their car for 10 days, and in May, they keep their car for 7 days.
Average rental length in Wellington
9
January
8
February
8
March
8
April
7
May
7
June
8
July
8
August
8
September
8
October
8
November
10
December

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

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Wellington is February, and the least popular is May.
Monthly searches in Wellington by pick-up date relative to the average
158%
January
173%
February
103%
March
88%
April
46%
May
63%
June
104%
July
63%
August
70%
September
89%
October
96%
November
146%
December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations 3
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers Mode Car Rentals, Hertz, Bargain Rental Cars, Europcar, Go Rentals
Popular car categories SUVs, Medium cars, Large cars, Small cars
Lowest price $29 per day
Cheapest supplier Europcar

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Mode Car Rentals Toyota Yaris (2015 - 2017) 5 1 Small cars
Hertz Hyundai i30 5 2 Medium cars
Hertz Mitsubishi ASX 4 2 SUVs
Mode Car Rentals Toyota Yaris (2018 - 2020) 5 1 Medium cars
Bargain Rental Cars Toyota Vitz 5 1 Medium cars
Mode Car Rentals Mazda Demio 4 1 Small cars
Mode Car Rentals Toyota Corolla (2013-2016) 5 2 Large cars
Mode Car Rentals Toyota RAV4 (2014 - 2016) 5 2 SUVs
Mode Car Rentals Toyota RAV4 (2017 - 2020) 5 2 SUVs
Mode Car Rentals Toyota Previa 5 3 Vans

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.

Ireland
Toyota Camry
March 27, 2023
We had an enjoyable week exploring the North Island
New Zealand
Nissan X-Trail
February 16, 2023
House hunting, didn't find what we were looking for.
United States of America (USA)
Mitsubishi ASX
January 19, 2023
Visited family
Australia
Mazda Demio
January 19, 2023
We loved Thames, Hobbiton, Rotorua, Taupo, Napier, Wellington and the Northern Explorer train ride.
Australia
Mitsubishi ASX
January 16, 2023
Couldn't access my phone, no internet, no map !!!! Got there in the end
Australia
Toyota Yaris (2013 - 2016)
January 12, 2023
Spending time with family.
Australia
Suzuki Swift
November 25, 2022
Visiting family.
Australia
Toyota RAV4 (2017 - 2020)
November 20, 2022
Recommend walk around Wellington CBD (Cuba St / quays), Te Papa, Zealania also well worth a visit - and for a trip out of town try driving around the Miramar peninsular and visiting the very funky Maranui cafe - or if you want to go futher visit the Wairarapa/Remutaka Range to visit beautiful smalls towns of Greytown are Martinsville
Australia
Mitsubishi Outlander
October 22, 2022
New Zealand is an amazingly scenic place.
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla Hatch
October 19, 2022
Vehicle was super comfy for long car trips.
New Zealand
Mitsubishi ASX
September 17, 2022
Car was suitable for a family of five. Modern and tidy.
Australia
Toyota RAV4 (2014 - 2016)
August 15, 2022
Yes because it gave us the independence we like
Australia
Toyota Yaris (2017 - 2020)
August 11, 2022
Goid value for money,.
Australia
Toyota Corolla
August 7, 2022
New Zealand is like a poor Australia
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris (2017 - 2020)
July 27, 2022
A visit to the Wairarapa. Good !
Australia
Toyota Vitz
July 23, 2022
Family visits
Australia
Toyota Yaris (2013 - 2016)
June 11, 2022
Mode Car Rentals, Wellington, NZ. Great Service and a Great Car.. I was Very Satisfied..!!
New Zealand
Toyota Prius Hybrid
June 8, 2022
We traveled from Wellington to Cape Reinga over 2 weeks and had a hassle free Hybrid Toyota and loved our trip after 3 attempts to go on a holiday during Covid...thanks so much BRC and would gladly recommend them to family and friends All the best from Dennis and Sue Christchurch
Australia
Mazda Demio
April 28, 2022
Travelled to tongariro national Park and across to napier in beautiful weather than down to Wellington to visit family, great walking in all areas and beautiful scenery
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
April 17, 2022
Wellington city good exhibition at Te Papa Cafes great in the city
New Zealand
Mazda Demio
August 31, 2021
I think a description of where the yards are is needed and what it's near, it, I had to go to and ask someone to find the place, but once I found the place the staff was very nice.
New Zealand
Mazda Demio
August 8, 2021
I will rent from Mode Rental Cars again.
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
February 24, 2021
Wairarapa was nice to visit. Good wine in some places.
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
December 24, 2020
Travelled around the Kapiti coast and upto Palmerston North back through masterton Easy roads to follow can be really busy on the Kapiti coast at times
Australia
Toyota Camry 2007
October 8, 2019
Love Wellington easy to navigate
Australia
Mitsubishi ASX
December 21, 2018
i visisted Taihape , beautiful little town
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Corolla 5d
November 21, 2018
One happy customer
Australia
Hyundai i20
November 17, 2018
Very pretty. Both sea and hills. Lots to see and do
Show more

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
Hertz
9.4 / 10
Lowest rated company
NUCarrentals
7.9 / 10
Total number of reviews
24
Total rental companies
20
Average daily price
$41.97
Lowest daily price
$19.10
Total cars available
153

Top 20 Suppliers in Wellington in 2023

Hertz
Hertz
Exceptional 9.4 / 42 reviews
3 locations
$62 - $70
yesaway
yesaway
Exceptional 9.2 / 18 reviews
1 location
$39 - $55
Alamo
Alamo
Exceptional 9.1 / 34 reviews
1 location
$36 - $241
Ezi Car Rental
Ezi Car Rental
Exceptional 9.1 / 6 reviews
1 location
$47 - $62
Go Rentals
Go Rentals
Exceptional 9 / 26 reviews
2 locations
$46 - $60
SIXT
SIXT
Exceptional 9 / 27 reviews
1 location
$45 - $54
Europcar
Europcar
Excellent 8.9 / 26 reviews
2 locations
$29 - $131
Moto
Moto
Excellent 8.9 / 1 reviews
1 location
Ace Rental Cars
Ace Rental Cars
Excellent 8.8 / 1 reviews
2 locations
$61 - $159
Budget
Budget
Excellent 8.8 / 2 reviews
2 locations
$39 - $191
Mode Car Rentals
Mode Car Rentals
Excellent 8.7 / 175 reviews
1 location
$34 - $40
Bargain Rental Cars
Bargain Rental Cars
Excellent 8.6 / 81 reviews
2 locations
$29 - $119
Keddy
Keddy
Excellent 8.6 / 6 reviews
1 location
$35 - $65
Enterprise
Enterprise
Excellent 8.6
1 location
$36 - $241
Thrifty
Thrifty
Excellent 8.5 / 2 reviews
2 locations
National
National
Excellent 8.5
1 location
Avis
Avis
Excellent 8.5 / 1 reviews
2 locations
$38 - $195
Firefly
Firefly
Excellent 8.5
1 location
Ezu Car Rental
Ezu Car Rental
Excellent 8.4 / 2 reviews
1 location
$44 - $214
NUCarrentals
NUCarrentals
Very good 7.9
1 location

Highly recommended by our customers

Trustpilot

Wellington

Change location?
Pick-up date
Drop-off date
Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
Download App
Book and manage your booking on the go
  1. Car Rental
  2. New Zealand Car Rental
  3. Wellington Car Rental
 
Please wait...
Log in or create an account
Get access to all your bookings in one place
By selecting "Agree and continue", you agree to Discover Cars'
and
Please select a pick-up location and dates