Renting a car in New Zealand gives you several advantages over relying on public transportation. While buses go throughout much of the country, and the major cities are connected by trains and airports, going off the beaten track to experience New Zealand’s famous natural attractions—like the areas around Waipoua Forest and Milford Sound—requires your own vehicle.
Most of New Zealand is connected by roads that are paved and well-maintained; however, there are several gravel roads and off-road paths that travelers tend to take when exploring the outdoors. A car will be an acceptable rental option if you’re sticking to the cities, but for vast, rural areas and mountain passes, a four-by-four will be required, preferably with tire chains, which you can often add on to your reservation through companies like GO Rentals and JUCY.
According to the child restraint laws in New Zealand, your child must be secured in a car seat up until the age of seven. From seven to eight years old, they must be secured in a car seat if the vehicle has one already. From ages eight to 14, children must wear a seat belt if the vehicle is equipped with one; if not, the children must sit in the back of the vehicle.
A popular way to get around New Zealand is to rent a campervan, which are offered by most major rental companies in New Zealand, including Jucy and GO Rentals. A campervan not only often has four-by-four capabilities for off-roading, but they also allow visitors to camp out in nature and save money on accommodations during their time in New Zealand.
For travelers planning on renting a car during their time in Tampa, it is as simple as hopping onto the SkyConnect train after your flight to Tampa International Airport lands. The SkyConnect train can be found in the main terminal building and connects the airport to the Rental Car Center and the Economy Parking Lot.
Travelers new to Florida should be extra careful when driving in the rain, especially during the later summer months. Storms can appear out of nowhere and can quickly flood the streets with water, making them dangerous for inexperienced drivers. The flooding will pass quickly, so just be sure to keep an eye on the weather.
Rush hour in Tampa lasts from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and picks back up again from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. During rush hour, Hillsborough Ave and many of the I-275 exits can become very backed up so it pays to time your trip accordingly. Much of the historic downtown is made up of smaller streets that can grind to a halt during rush hour as well.
One of the major advantages to renting a car in Tampa is the easy access to all of its wonderful nearby beaches and state parks. For instance, Clearwater Beach, Fort De Soto Park, and Caladesi Island State Park are all readily accessed by car, but are extremely laborious to reach via public transportation. Chances are, you will want to take advantage of the wonderful shopping opportunities in the greater Tampa area and a car is necessary for that as well.
25% of our users found rental cars in New Zealand for C$ 33 or less
Book your rental car in New Zealand at least 5 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Off-airport rental car locations in New Zealand are around 1% cheaper than airport locations on average
Compact rental cars in New Zealand are around -15% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in New Zealand
On average a rental car in New Zealand costs C$ 49 per day.
Compact (Hyundai Accent or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in New Zealand.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Scotties (C$ 23/day), Autounion Car Rental (C$ 29/day) and EZU Car Rental (C$ 35/day).
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in New Zealand are Hertz (8.7, 170 reviews), Avis (8.7, 91 reviews), and Budget (8.6, 103 reviews).
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in New Zealand are Auckland (71% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in New Zealand), Christchurch (13%) and Wellington (5%).
On average a rental car in New Zealand costs C$ 278 per week (C$ 40 per day).
On average a rental car in New Zealand costs C$ 1,193 per month (C$ 40 per day).
In New Zealand, you’ll drive on the left side of the road. Roundabouts go clockwise, and there is an abundance of sheep in the countryside to watch out for. Other than that, driving in New Zealand is much like driving anywhere in Europe or in the United States. Also, there are many winding roads in New Zealand, so be sure to give yourself enough travel time if you’re in a rush.
To legally rent a car in New Zealand, you must be over the age of 21. However, if you’re under the age of 25, many rental car companies will add a surcharge to your reservation. New drivers should also take note that you must have had your license for at least one year when renting in New Zealand. You can rent a car in this country with a valid driver’s license, so there’s no need to get an international driving permit if you don’t already have one.
Getting gas in New Zealand will cost you over twice what it costs in the United States. The price of a gallon of gasoline in New Zealand is around 8.78 NZD (5.70 USD), while the price of gas in the US is around 2.50 USD per gallon. Credit cards are commonly accepted at gas stations in New Zealand, so you’ll likely not have to worry about carrying cash to the pump.
The speed limits in New Zealand range from 10 km/h to 110 km/h (6-68 mph), depending on the area you’re in. If you’re in a pedestrian zone, the limit will be 10 km/h (6 mph), with limits increasing the farther you get from pedestrian areas. In some rural areas, you’ll see a circular white sign with a diagonal black line through it. This sign means that the speed in the area is derestricted, and a general 100 km/h (62 mph) limit applies.
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for car rentals for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 24 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car rentals listed or dates of travel. Some car rental providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the car rental providers' sites.