Car Hire at Auckland Airport

Airport travel guide

The capital of New Zealand, Auckland is the best proof that however magnificent its nature, the country’s urban areas also have plenty to get excited about. A bustling hub of energy and innovation, Auckland is home to great museums, historic landmarks, and other attractions. Here are three of them:

• Museum of Transport and Technology. Also known simply as the MOTAT, this is one of the most interesting museums in New Zealand. Largely interactive, it houses more than 300,000 items and offers a special focus on the history of the country’s railways, aviation, and other types of transportation with many fascinating vehicles on display. The museum is located in the Western Springs neighbourhood and can be easily accessed from anywhere in the city.
• Auckland Zoo. Located practically next door to the MOTAT, Auckland Zoo is another place that’s beloved by locals and visitors alike. Celebrating its 100th birthday in 2022, the zoo is separated into sections corresponding to different biotopes such as the Tropics and the Pridelands of the African savannah. The zoo is home to both fascinating species from around the world and unique local animals. 
• Auckland Art Gallery. Known as Toi o Tāmaki in Maori, the Auckland Art Gallery is not only the largest of its type in New Zealand, it is also the best and would more than hold its own against its counterparts in Europe and North America. In addition to indigenous art and exhibits of famous Kiwi artists like Gottfried Lindauer and Marti Friedlander, the museum also has works by such world-famous masters as Picasso, Gauguin, and Dali.

Top international routes

• Christchurch
• Wellington
• Sydney
• Queenstown
• Napier
• Palmerston North
• Nelson
• Melbourne
• Tauranga
• New Plymouth

Main airlines

Air New Zealand, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, AirAsia X, China Airlines, and Emirates

Terminals

There are two terminals, an international terminal, and a domestic terminal. There’s a free shuttle bus between them, but there is also a walkway that connects them (it is a 10-15 minute walk).

Most popular types of hire car

• Small cars - starting at £7 per day
• Medium cars - starting at £10 per day
• Large cars - starting at £11 per day
• Station wagons - starting at £43 per day
• People Carriers - starting at £26 per day
• SUVs - starting at £21 per day
• Premium cars - starting at £32 per day

Services and facilities

You’ll find many shops and duty-free stores, restaurants, cafeterias, and snack bars, ATMs, family facilities, showers, a first aid room, and a prayer room. There’s a lost property office where you can also store your luggage. It’s located at the eastern end of the international terminal and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest petrol station

A Z gas station is located right before to the airport on George Bolt Memorial Drive and is open 24/7. It is convenient for those renting from Europcar and perhaps Enterprise ( servicing Almo rentals), though. If coming from the south, making a detour and passing by this station is probably the best strategy for returning your rental car with a full tank of fuel even though your GPS may tell you to take a different route.

When dropping off your rental from discount and low-cost rental companies located off-airport, the Z station would require a circle if coming from the north. A better option would be to exit the South Western Motorway (Highway 20) before the airport at Coronation Road (Highway 14) where there is a BP station. From the station, it is just a 5-10 minute drive to all of the rental car locations.

Popular one-way hires

• Hamilton (112 km / 70 miles)
• Tauranga (217 km / 135 miles)
• Palmerston North (503 km / 313 miles)
• Rotorua (217 km / 135 miles)
• Napier (402 km / 250 miles)
• Whangarei (179 km / 111 miles)