Car Rental in New Zealand

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700+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Auckland Airport
Mini
Nissan March or similar
Nissan March
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Autounion
$11.18 per day
Christchurch Airport
Economy
Toyota Yaris or similar
Toyota Yaris
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Discount Car Rentals New Zealand
$11.95 per day
Auckland Airport
Economy Elite
Toyota Aqua or similar
Toyota Aqua
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Yes Rentals
$14.08 per day
Auckland Airport
Compact
Toyota Aqua Hybrid or similar
Toyota Aqua Hybrid
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
EV Hire
$15.58 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Auckland Airport
Compact Elite
Toyota Auris or similar
Toyota Auris
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
North Car Rental
$15.95 per day
Christchurch Airport
Intermediate
Toyota Mark X or similar
Toyota Mark X
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Ezu Car Rental
$19.01 per day
Downtown
Standard
Nissan Bluebird Sedan or similar
Nissan Bluebird Sedan
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Bargain Rental Cars
$22.10 per day
Nelson Airport
Standard Elite
Toyota Corolla or similar
Toyota Corolla
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Snap
$32.57 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 3:11 AM on 10/2/24. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.

Travel Information

Languages
English, Samoan
Currency
NZD
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+64
Average car rental price
$18 per day
Average car rental length
9 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
$1.72 per liter or $6.51 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.60 per liter or $6.04 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.85 per liter or $7.00 per gallon

Why rent a car in New Zealand?

New Zealand is a great place to explore by car. Not only both North Island and South Island are full of cozy cities and stunning natural landmarks, but the highways themselves are an adventure as they offer some of the most picturesque driving routes in the whole world. Find out more about some of these scenic routes on the South Island.

If you want to know more about renting a car in New Zealand, don't miss our complete guide.

New Zealand

Top ways to enter New Zealand

  • Auckland Airport: The busiest in New Zealand, Auckland Airport serves its largest city. A port of entry for a very large number of foreign visitors, the airport has flights to and from such faraway destinations as China, Qatar, Chile, and the United States.
  • Christchurch Airport: Serving the city of the same name, this is the main airport on the South Island. In addition to domestic connections, the airport also has flights to and from Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Dubai, Los Angeles, and other destinations.
  • Queenstown Airport: Serving the popular adventure sports destination, Queenstown Airport handles close to five million passengers annually and provides connections with domestic destinations, as well as the largest cities in Australia.
  • Wellington Airport: Serving the national capital near the southern tip of the North Island, Wellington Airport has flights by more than 10 airlines, connecting the city with Australia, Fiji, and many local destinations.

Top cities and places to visit

  • Auckland. By far the largest city in the country, Auckland is also New Zealand’s main arts and entertainment hub. In addition to a lively cultural and nightlife scene, the city’s landmarks include the Auckland Art Gallery, Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium, and the Stardome Observatory which shares its location with archaeological Māori sites.
  • Queenstown. Sometimes called the adrenaline capital of the world, Queenstown is the best place from which to dive right into the great Kiwi outdoors. Situated between the eastern coast of Lake Wakatipu and some truly spectacular mountains, it offers some of the best snowboarding, bungy jumping, and paragliding in the world.
  • Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Situated around New Zealand’s highest peak and the rest of the Southern Alps, this spectacular national park has some of the most scenic drives in the country, as well as a vast network of hiking trails for everyone from beginners to seasoned hikers and climbers. Both Queenstown and Christchurch are about a four-hour drive away.
  • Fiordland National Park. With glacier-carved fjords, enchanted forests, and snowcapped mountains, Fiordland National Park is one of the most beautiful and most visited areas in New Zealand, with Milford Sound leading as the most popular destination.
  • Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Situated on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, the wetland Tai Poutini National Park is most renowned for its two glaciers: Franz Josef and Fox.

Most popular rental car

The most popular rental car in New Zealand is the Nissan Tiida 2009, followed by the Toyota RAV4 and the Fiat Punto.

Driver's license requirements

  • New Zealand recognizes valid foreign driver’s licenses from around the world if they are printed in a Latin alphabet and if you’re visiting on a trip that’s shorter than 12 months. If you’re residing in New Zealand permanently, you need to obtain a local driver’s license.
  • If your driver’s license is printed in another alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
  • Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP.
  • Even if you have an IDP, you need to also carry your original driver’s license as you might be asked to show both.
  • You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
  • You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
  • Some rental car providers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
  • There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.

Most popular types of rental car

Many visitors of New Zealand choose compact and economy rental cars, but fullsize is also very popular, especially among travelers who like to go higher in the mountains and away from the main road network.

Top driving routes

Here are just some of the top driving routes. Find more routes and full itineraries in this guide to New Zealand road trips.

  • The Coromandel Peninsula. A large and distinct region of the North Island, the Coromandel Peninsula is a fun place to explore, especially with your own ride. In addition to a beautiful coastline and many cozy beach towns, the area is also known for its thermal springs, the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, and Coromandel Forest Park. The drive from Auckland takes only about two hours.
  • Christchurch. Continuing to recover from the 2011 earthquake, Christchurch (or Ōtautahi) is one of the nicest and most atmospheric places in New Zealand. The city is known for its well-preserved architecture and many notable buildings, cultural institutions like the Air Force Museum, and many gardens and public green spaces. A gateway to the South Pole, Christchurch is also home to the impressive International Arctic Center where visitors are made to feel like they are a part of a polar expedition.
  • Southland. Vast, very sparsely populated, and dramatically beautiful, the southern part of New Zealand is the right place for an off-the-beaten-path road trip. The region is notable for its glaciers, fjords, and highland lakes; the southernmost city in Oceania, Invercargill; and distinct culture and cuisine that’s centered around oysters. Southland is also great for seeing Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights (the best season is the coldest time of the year, roughly from April to September). Invercargill is only a two-hour trip south of Queenstown and a tad farther from Dunedin.

Car rental prices

  • Station wagons - from $23 per day
  • Large cars - from $15 per day
  • Medium cars - from $12 per day
  • Vans - from $29 per day
  • Premium cars - from $41 per day
  • Small cars - from $11 per day
  • SUVs - from $23 per day

Money-saving and other tips

You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in New Zealand:

  • Compare rates of different rental car providers
  • Book your rental car well in advance
  • Plan your route before you go
  • Know your fuel and mileage requirements
  • Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting New Zealand is the cheapest in July when renting a car is about 31% cheaper than the yearly average and about 44% cheaper than visiting in February when it’s the height of summer in the southern hemisphere.
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.

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in New Zealand?

The cost of renting a car in New Zealand 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 in New Zealand
$55.74
January
$62.69
February
$49.19
March
$33.27
April
$24.66
May
$24.68
June
$28.48
July
$28.34
August
$23.94
September
$36.57
October
$47.06
November
$72.20
December
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in New Zealand is September — when rental costs average $23.94 per day. This is 41% cheaper than the yearly average and 67% cheaper than renting a car in December (when prices average $72.20 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.

What’s the average rental length in New Zealand?

How long renters typically keep their vehicle sometimes varies depending on the time of year. Travelers tend to keep their rental cars longer in January — an average of 10 days. They tend to keep them for a shorter time in May — an average of 8 days.
Average number of rental days in New Zealand
10
January
10
February
9
March
9
April
8
May
8
June
8
July
8
August
8
September
8
October
9
November
9
December

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

Based on how many customers search for a car in New Zealand, the most popular month is December, while the least popular is June.
Monthly searches in New Zealand by pick-up date relative to the average
168%
January
143%
February
125%
March
63%
April
50%
May
45%
June
58%
July
56%
August
62%
September
93%
October
145%
November
192%
December

Car rental information

Car rental locations 58
Airport locations 21
Popular suppliers Discount Car Rentals New Zealand, Ezu Car Rental, Snap, Yes Rentals, Mode Car Rentals
Popular car categories SUVs, Small cars, Medium cars, Large cars
Lowest price $11 per day
Cheapest supplier Autounion

Most popular car models of rental suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Discount Car Rentals New Zealand Toyota RAV4 5 2 SUVs
Discount Car Rentals New Zealand Toyota Yaris 5 2 Small cars
Discount Car Rentals New Zealand Toyota Corolla 4 2 Large cars
Bargain Rental Cars Mazda Demio 4 2 Medium cars
EV Hire Toyota Aqua Hybrid 5 1 Medium cars
Yes Rentals Toyota Aqua 5 1 Small cars
Ezi Car Rental Ford Puma 5 2 Small cars
Rentalcars247 Mitsubishi ASX 5 2 SUVs
Autounion Mazda Demio 5 2 Small cars
Ezu Car Rental Nissan Tiida 4 1 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.

New Zealand
Mitsubishi Eclipse
9/27/24
Quiet holiday in quiet sunny town, catch up friends and relations
Cook Islands
Ford Puma
9/26/24
Having rented the car made my travels easy
Australia
Toyota RAV4
9/25/24
Millford Sound definitely a must do. Was great seeing the different countryside throughout the south.
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
9/24/24
south island is great and soo beautiful, gutted we misses milford sounds cancelled due to avalanche risk.
New Zealand
Toyota RAV4
9/24/24
Surreal experience
Australia
Toyota RAV4
9/23/24
Skiing
Malaysia
Toyota Yaris
9/18/24
Boat Cruise in Milford Sound
Photo by Zulkarnain Abd W. about renting a Toyota Yaris in New Zealand (9/18/24)
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
9/16/24
Thank you for the amazing deal!
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
9/10/24
Visiting new places that we hadn't been to before was great.
New Zealand
Suzuki Swift
9/4/24
Visited Catlins area, Roy's peak, such a beautiful places
Photo 1 by sarath D. about renting a Suzuki Swift in New Zealand (9/4/24) Photo 2 by sarath D. about renting a Suzuki Swift in New Zealand (9/4/24)
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Highlander
8/19/24
Photo by Lai Fu L. about renting a Toyota Highlander in New Zealand (8/19/24)
New Zealand
Nissan X-Trail
8/17/24
Queenstown never fails to be a great destination.
New Zealand
Mitsubishi Outlander
8/10/24
Glenorchy,mount cook, skydiving , helicopter flight , snow skiing all amazing, love Queenstown
New Zealand
Toyota RAV4
8/10/24
Checked out all the tourist attractions in Auckland (fantastic city to visit but wouldn’t want to live there). Highlight of the trip the Disney on Ice show - fantastic bar the traffic jams and parking issues!!
Australia
Toyota Aqua
8/8/24
We had an amazing trip.
New Zealand
Mazda Demio
8/5/24
Enjoyed the south island scenery.
New Zealand
Toyota RAV4
8/1/24
it was a wonderful experience, Enjoyed the trip.
New Zealand
Mitsubishi ASX
7/31/24
Too much rain
New Zealand
Nissan Note
7/30/24
Good customer service 👍
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
7/29/24
Photo by Joey C. about renting a Toyota Yaris in New Zealand (7/29/24)
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
7/29/24
Went on a few walks and absolutely loved the ernslaw boat and lunch just fantastic. We drove around and we also went skiing for the very first time. We had an incredible experience, just love Queenstown
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
7/27/24
Family
New Zealand
Toyota Aqua
7/26/24
Hot pools, jet boat ride, time with my girl.
New Zealand
BMW X1
7/25/24
Photo by Shaun G. about renting a BMW X1 in New Zealand (7/25/24)
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris
7/22/24
I got to spend my grand daughters 2nd birthday in Hamner springs, was amazing experience there. Got to view some snow on the mountains, the Pierre in new Brighton and looking forward to coming back in December
Photo 1 by Kirstin M. about renting a Toyota Yaris in New Zealand (7/22/24) Photo 2 by Kirstin M. about renting a Toyota Yaris in New Zealand (7/22/24) Photo 3 by Kirstin M. about renting a Toyota Yaris in New Zealand (7/22/24)
Australia
Toyota Yaris (2016-2018)
7/21/24
Milford sound, Gertrude saddle. All of Queenstown was awesome. The roads were amazing and the scenery was beautiful.
Photo 1 by Nicholas F. about renting a Toyota Yaris (2016-2018) in New Zealand (7/21/24) Photo 2 by Nicholas F. about renting a Toyota Yaris (2016-2018) in New Zealand (7/21/24) Photo 3 by Nicholas F. about renting a Toyota Yaris (2016-2018) in New Zealand (7/21/24) Photo 4 by Nicholas F. about renting a Toyota Yaris (2016-2018) in New Zealand (7/21/24) Photo 5 by Nicholas F. about renting a Toyota Yaris (2016-2018) in New Zealand (7/21/24)
Australia
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
7/18/24
Awesome trip home still great to come home to see that it is as usual, so beautiful.
New Zealand
Suzuki Swift
7/17/24
Definitely worth hiring acar to travel around Christchurch and surrounding area. Trip to Lyttleton was a highlight nd also Orana Wildlife Park
New Zealand
Toyota Yaris 2013
7/12/24
Activities
Singapore
Toyota RAV4
7/8/24
I enjoyed the scenery in Mt. Cook, Fox Glacier the cruise in Milton Sound and many more place.Great experience for me and family.
New Zealand
Mitsubishi Outlander
7/1/24
A very luxurious & comfortable drive from Napier to Porirua.
Australia
Mitsubishi Outlander
6/22/24
New Zealand is very much like Australia in driving.
Singapore
Toyota Camry
6/14/24
Photo by Khoon Lim Donald G. about renting a Toyota Camry in New Zealand (6/14/24)
Canada
Toyota Corolla
6/11/24
Mostly spending time with friends and relatives.
New Zealand
Toyota RAV4 (2019-2021)
6/5/24
A family reunion in Waverley which was great catching up with family from NZ & Auzzie
Australia
Suzuki Swift
6/3/24
Wanaka is a must
New Zealand
Toyota Camry
6/3/24
Loved QT and everything it had to offer
Australia
Toyota RAV4
5/31/24
A lap of the South Island of NZ starting and finishing in Queenstown
Australia
Toyota Yaris (2019-2021)
5/28/24
North Island of NZ is very scenic (especially Northland), easy to drive around, accommodation was good, locals are friendly..........
New Zealand
Suzuki Swift
5/26/24
Went to Wanaka to visit family n ideal car for that purpose
Australia
Suzuki Swift
5/26/24
The car afforded me trips to Dunedin, Mouth Cook, Queenstown, Wanaka and the West Coast. Lakes and national parks were the highlight but everywhere in NZ is spectacular.
Australia
Toyota Yaris
5/24/24
Great trip visiting family and friends
Netherlands
Toyota Yaris (2013 -2015)
5/23/24
Went to see family
Brazil
Mitsubishi ASX
5/21/24
Travelled in several narrow roads in NZ and didn't had any issue.
New Zealand
Toyota Highlander
5/20/24
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip, weather was great, scenery during all our travels & places visited amazing. The Queenstown Lakes District is an absolute gem in our Countries tourist attractions. We really enjoyed our meals & snacks in the many cafes & restaurants patronised. Plenty of choice, lovely food & service.
New Zealand
Toyota Aqua
5/18/24
cp higher
New Zealand
Toyota Aqua
5/18/24
cp higher
New Zealand
Toyota Aqua
5/17/24
This was a fantastic trip. We also chose Yes Rentals at South Island, and we got a very economical hybrid vehicle that was fuel-efficient and extremely comfortable, perfect for our travels around the North Island. The staff were very friendly, and it was a pleasure talking with them. We will definitely choose Yes Rentals again! Highly recommended!
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
5/16/24
Keep going
New Zealand
Toyota Aqua
5/15/24
Ski very good Beautiful mountain and snow

Car Rental Statistics

Highest-rated company
EasyGoRentals
9.5 / 10
)
Lowest-rated company
NUCarrentals
6.6 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
887
Total rental companies
40
Average daily price
$17.80
Lowest daily price
$11.18
Total cars available
2020

Top 40 suppliers in New Zealand in 2024

EasyGoRentals
EasyGoRentals
Exceptional 9.5 / 29 reviews
1 location
$21 - $100
Cross Country Rentals
Cross Country Rentals
Exceptional 9.3 / 86 reviews
4 locations
$46 - $95
Ezi Car Rental
Ezi Car Rental
Exceptional 9.2 / 462 reviews
23 locations
$30 - $176
Yes Rentals
Yes Rentals
Exceptional 9.1 / 2,295 reviews
3 locations
$13 - $165
Hao Rentals
Hao Rentals
Exceptional 9.1 / 82 reviews
1 location
$29 - $33
SIXT
SIXT
Exceptional 9 / 399 reviews
6 locations
$41 - $171
Ezu Car Rental
Ezu Car Rental
Very good 8.9 / 2,667 reviews
5 locations
$12 - $228
Snap
Snap
Very good 8.9 / 1,551 reviews
6 locations
$31 - $160
Rentalcars247
Rentalcars247
Very good 8.9 / 720 reviews
3 locations
$22 - $102
Mint Rentals
Mint Rentals
Very good 8.9 / 210 reviews
2 locations
$19 - $80
Hertz
Hertz
Very good 8.8 / 509 reviews
41 locations
$40 - $259
Go Rentals
Go Rentals
Very good 8.8 / 449 reviews
12 locations
$30 - $98
Thrifty
Thrifty
Very good 8.8 / 152 reviews
38 locations
$33 - $250
Alamo
Alamo
Very good 8.7 / 319 reviews
7 locations
$40 - $220
Ace Rental Cars
Ace Rental Cars
Very good 8.7 / 40 reviews
10 locations
$38 - $157
Mode Car Rentals
Mode Car Rentals
Very good 8.6 / 2,008 reviews
5 locations
$28 - $80
yesaway
yesaway
Very good 8.6 / 1,471 reviews
5 locations
$16 - $152
EV Hire
EV Hire
Very good 8.5 / 276 reviews
3 locations
$16 - $19
Discount Car Rentals New Zealand
Discount Car Rentals New Zealand
Very good 8.4 / 2,459 reviews
3 locations
$12 - $194
Europcar
Europcar
Very good 8.4 / 526 reviews
15 locations
$30 - $259
Budget
Budget
Very good 8.4 / 55 reviews
31 locations
$29 - $192
Enterprise
Enterprise
Very good 8.4 / 24 reviews
8 locations
$40 - $235
Joy Car Rental
Joy Car Rental
Very good 8.3 / 11 reviews
1 location
$28 - $209
Jucy
Jucy
Very good 8.2 / 281 reviews
3 locations
$15 - $56
Routes Car Rental
Routes Car Rental
Very good 8.2 / 94 reviews
15 locations
$28 - $156
Bargain Rental Cars
Bargain Rental Cars
Very good 8.1 / 1,225 reviews
13 locations
$17 - $128
Dollar
Dollar
Good 7.8 / 7 reviews
12 locations
$39 - $185
Speedy Rentals
Speedy Rentals
Good 7.7 / 5 reviews
3 locations
$18 - $134
YITU Car Rental
YITU Car Rental
Good 7.7 / 3 reviews
1 location
Firefly
Firefly
Good 7.7
44 locations
Keddy
Keddy
Good 7.6 / 146 reviews
14 locations
$36 - $209
NZ Rent a Car
NZ Rent a Car
Good 7.6 / 1 review
2 locations
James Blond
James Blond
Good 7.6
2 locations
$34 - $161
National
National
Good 7.6
6 locations
Flexways
Flexways
Good 7.5 / 12 reviews
4 locations
Surprice
Surprice
Good 7.5
4 locations
North Car Rental
North Car Rental
Good 7.4 / 62 reviews
2 locations
$11 - $156
U-Save
U-Save
Good 7.3 / 335 reviews
4 locations
$49 - $50
Autounion
Autounion
Satisfactory 6.9 / 573 reviews
3 locations
$11 - $66
NUCarrentals
NUCarrentals
Satisfactory 6.6 / 100 reviews
5 locations
$17 - $89
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