Car Rental in Wellington
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Cheapest car rental rates
Wellington Airport
Compact
Toyota Aqua Hybrid or similar
$14.45 per day
Wellington Airport
Economy
Toyota Yaris (2014 -2016) or similar
$15.52 per day
Downtown
Intermediate SUV
Hyundai Kona or similar
$28.72 per day
Wellington Airport
Standard Elite
Polestar 2 or similar
$35.46 per day
Most popular car rental deals
Downtown
Intermediate Elite
Toyota Camry or similar
$40.37 per day
Wellington Airport
Standard SUV
MG HS or similar
$45.81 per day
Wellington Airport
Full-size Crossover
Mitsubishi Outlander or similar
$56.34 per day
Downtown
Premium Extended Cab Pickup
Toyota Hilux or similar
$69.73 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 8:32 PM on 4/24/25. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Special offers
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Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.
Travel information
Languages
English, Samoan
Currency
NZD
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+64
Average car rental price
$38 per day
Average car rental length
8 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
$1.69 per liter or $6.38 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.52 per liter or $5.75 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.79 per liter or $6.79 per gallon
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 $98.87 per day
- From Wellington to Palmerston North - 9 offers from $98.87 per day
- From Wellington to Tauranga - 9 offers from $98.87 per day
- From Wellington to Christchurch - 11 offers from $124.59 per day
- From Wellington to Queenstown - 11 offers from $98.87 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 sights 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 $16 per day
- Medium cars - from $14 per day
- Vans - from $48 per day
- Premium cars - from $70 per day
- Small cars - from $16 per day
- SUVs - from $21 per day
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.
Top 20 cities near Wellington
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67.2 km / 41.8 miles away
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81 km / 50.3 miles away
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130.9 km / 81.3 miles away
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132.2 km / 82.1 miles away
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153.1 km / 95.1 miles away
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263.2 km / 163.5 miles away
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271 km / 168.4 miles away
-
271.1 km / 168.5 miles away
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303.9 km / 188.8 miles away
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307.6 km / 191.1 miles away
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380.4 km / 236.4 miles away
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385.8 km / 239.7 miles away
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401.2 km / 249.3 miles away
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423.7 km / 263.3 miles away
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480.3 km / 298.4 miles away
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505.9 km / 314.4 miles away
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631.3 km / 392.3 miles away
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640.6 km / 398.1 miles away
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678.8 km / 421.8 miles away
-
767.8 km / 477.1 miles away
Top 20 locations near Wellington
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3.8 km / 2.4 miles away
-
7.2 km / 4.5 miles away
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130.9 km / 81.3 miles away
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132.2 km / 82.1 miles away
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263.2 km / 163.5 miles away
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271 km / 168.4 miles away
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303 km / 188.3 miles away
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303.9 km / 188.8 miles away
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380.4 km / 236.4 miles away
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423.7 km / 263.3 miles away
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480.3 km / 298.4 miles away
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487.8 km / 303.1 miles away
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489.8 km / 304.3 miles away
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490.2 km / 304.6 miles away
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491.7 km / 305.5 miles away
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495.5 km / 307.9 miles away
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498.1 km / 309.5 miles away
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505.6 km / 314.2 miles away
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505.9 km / 314.4 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
The cheapest month to rent a car in Wellington is September (when prices average $27.04 per day). This is 31% cheaper than the yearly average and 59% cheaper than renting in December (when prices average $66.56).
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 Wellington?
How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in June, the average renter keeps their car for 10 days, and in July, they keep their car for 6 days.
Average number of rental days in Wellington
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 December, and the least popular is June.
Monthly searches in Wellington by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Car rental locations | 4 |
| Airport locations | 1 |
| Popular suppliers | Mode Car Rentals, yesaway, Thrifty, Dollar, Ezi Car Rental |
| Popular car categories | SUVs, Medium cars, Small cars, Large cars |
| Lowest price | $14 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | yesaway |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode Car Rentals | Toyota Yaris (2016-2018) | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Mode Car Rentals | Toyota Yaris (2014 -2016) | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| yesaway | Toyota Aqua Hybrid | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Mode Car Rentals | Toyota Corolla (2016-2018) | 5 | 2 | Large cars |
| Bargain Rental Cars | Mazda Demio | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Dollar | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Mode Car Rentals | Toyota Corolla STW | 5 | 3 | Station wagons |
| Mode Car Rentals | Toyota Yaris | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Dollar | Kia Seltos | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Ezi Car Rental | Ford Puma | 5 | 2 | Small 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.
PE
Canada
Kia Niro
3/25/25
Don't have time to write my novel
CF
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla (2019-2021)
12/14/24
Went to Martinborough, Greytown
AT
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla STW
6/10/24
Spent time with family. Wahine memorial Eastbourne, Wanganui.
KK
Australia
Toyota Corolla
4/19/24 
CM
Australia
Mitsubishi ASX
3/6/24
Travelling in my own country is much better now that I’m earning a good wage in Australia ha ha.
VM
Australia
Mazda Demio
2/26/24
Drove to Napier and stayed for a week, it was art deco weekend, brilliant time had. 
RP
New Zealand
Toyota Aqua Hybrid
2/5/24
Amazing lol had a nice trip to the airport, flight got cancelled. Spent another hour trying to rebook new flights nfg, back home all inside 5 hours.
Thank you for asking
KR
Norway
Toyota Camry
1/16/24
We went to te papa museum
NM
Australia
Mazda Demio
1/14/24
Waiotapu Thermal village was amazing. Loved visiting Rotorua skyline and Luge and doing a duck tour. And had a great winery tour with Kosher Wine tours.
HR
New Zealand
Mazda Premacy
1/9/24
Catching up with family
PW
Netherlands
Kia Stonic
1/2/24
dont know were to begin. geysers, hotpools, waterfalls, beautiful scenery 
TP
Australia
Suzuki Swift
1/1/24
Visiting family
DG
Australia
Mitsubishi Eclipse
11/10/23 
LD
New Zealand
Nissan Leaf
9/16/23 
JS
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Yaris (2014 -2016)
4/25/23
We met some wonderful people, had some amazing hikes and were really quite lucky with the weather.
SC
United Kingdom
Toyota Yaris (2016-2018)
4/23/23
Maori experience, polynesian spa, hobbiton, waitomo glow worm caves.
CM
Ireland
Toyota Camry
3/27/23
We had an enjoyable week exploring the North Island
EV
New Zealand
Mitsubishi Outlander
2/16/23
House hunting, didn't find what we were looking for.
SM
United States of America (USA)
Mitsubishi ASX
1/19/23
Visited family
PS
Australia
Mazda Demio
1/19/23
We loved Thames, Hobbiton, Rotorua, Taupo, Napier, Wellington and the Northern Explorer train ride. 
BO
Australia
Mitsubishi ASX
1/16/23
Couldn't access my phone, no internet, no map !!!!
Got there in the end
MS
Australia
Toyota Yaris (2016-2018)
1/12/23
Spending time with family.
AH
Australia
Suzuki Swift
11/25/22
Visiting family.
JD
Australia
Toyota RAV4 (2020-2021)
11/20/22
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
GB
Australia
Mitsubishi Outlander
10/22/22
New Zealand is an amazingly scenic place.
MC
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla Hatch
10/19/22
Vehicle was super comfy for long car trips.
PA
New Zealand
Mitsubishi ASX
9/17/22
Car was suitable for a family of five. Modern and tidy.
VF
Australia
Toyota RAV4 (2016-2018)
8/15/22
Yes because it gave us the independence we like
PD
Australia
Toyota Yaris
8/11/22
Goid value for money,.
WV
Australia
Toyota Corolla
8/7/22
New Zealand is like a poor Australia
GB
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
7/27/22
A visit to the Wairarapa. Good !
CR
Australia
Mazda Demio
7/23/22
Family visits
CP
Australia
Toyota Yaris (2016-2018)
6/11/22
Mode Car Rentals, Wellington, NZ. Great Service and a Great Car.. I was Very Satisfied..!!
DR
New Zealand
Toyota Prius Hybrid
6/8/22
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
SD
Australia
Mazda Demio
4/28/22
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
RC
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
4/17/22
Wellington city good exhibition at Te Papa
Cafes great in the city
YG
New Zealand
Mazda Demio
8/31/21
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.
BP
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris (2016-2018)
8/8/21
I will rent from Mode Rental Cars again.
WD
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
2/24/21
Wairarapa was nice to visit. Good wine in some places.
DG
New Zealand
MG 3
12/24/20
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
JH
Australia
Toyota Camry 2007
10/8/19
Love Wellington easy to navigate
DK
Australia
Mitsubishi ASX
12/21/18
i visisted Taihape , beautiful little town
KH
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Corolla 5d
11/21/18
One happy customer
MA
Australia
Hyundai i20
11/17/18
Very pretty. Both sea and hills. Lots to see and do
Car rental statistics
Highest-rated company
Ezi Car Rental
9.3 / 10
Lowest-rated company
NUCarrentals
7 / 10
Total number of reviews
48
Total rental companies
24
Average daily price
$38.31
Lowest daily price
$14.45
Total cars available
220
Top 24 suppliers in Wellington in 2025
Ezi Car Rental
1 location
$44 - $94
Ezu Car Rental
1 location
$44 - $94
Hertz
3 locations
$35 - $120
Dollar
3 locations
$33 - $169
Go Rentals
2 locations
$30 - $68
SIXT
1 location
$55
yesaway
1 location
$14 - $81
Mode Car Rentals
1 location
$16 - $31
Thrifty
3 locations
$28 - $117
Alamo
1 location
$44 - $47
Europcar
2 locations
$27 - $100
Ace Rental Cars
2 locations
$29 - $126
Snap
1 location
$33 - $39
Budget
2 locations
$25 - $81
Bargain Rental Cars
2 locations
$40 - $182
Keddy
2 locations
$48 - $61
Avis
2 locations
$48 - $61
Enterprise
1 location
$44 - $47
Routes Car Rental
2 locations
$32 - $59
James Blond
2 locations
$142 - $161
Firefly
3 locations
$142 - $161
National
1 location
$142 - $161
GreenMotion
2 locations
$142 - $161
NUCarrentals
1 location
$142 - $161
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: Europes 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
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Trustpilot - Top 10 Car Rental Agencies
SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
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