New Zealand car rentals

New Zealand car rentals

23 Aug — 26 Aug
Enter an airport or city
Sun 8/23
Noon
Wed 8/26
Noon

Car rental directory

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car rental locations in New Zealand

    49 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car rental locations in New Zealand

    37 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car rental locations in New Zealand

    37 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car rental locations in New Zealand

    35 Locations

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car rental locations in New Zealand

    27 Locations

  • keddy

    keddy by Europcar car rental locations in New Zealand

    22 Locations

  • firefly

    Firefly car rental locations in New Zealand

    20 Locations

  • europcar

    Europcar car rental locations in New Zealand

    19 Locations

  • acerentalcars

    Ace Rental Cars car rental locations in New Zealand

    13 Locations

  • apex

    Apex car rental locations in New Zealand

    13 Locations

  • ezi

    EZI car rental locations in New Zealand

    13 Locations

  • bargaincar

    Bargain Car Rentals car rental locations in New Zealand

    9 Locations

Top tips for renting a car in New Zealand

  • 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.

FAQs about renting a car in New Zealand

  • On average a rental car in New Zealand costs C$ 38 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 Alamo (C$ 16/day), Snap Rentals (C$ 16/day) and Mode Car & Camper Rentals (C$ 20/day).

  • Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in New Zealand are Hertz (8.8, 171 reviews), Avis (8.7, 90 reviews), and Budget (8.6, 104 reviews).

  • Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

  • Based on car searches on KAYAK. The most popular cities to rent a car in New Zealand are Auckland (66% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in New Zealand). Queenstown (19%) and Christchurch (8%).

  • On average a rental car in New Zealand costs C$ 256 per week (C$ 37 per day).

  • On average a rental car in New Zealand costs C$ 1096 per month (C$ 37 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.

Car rental locations in New Zealand

Popular car rental locations

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The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for car rentals for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last hours. Rentals 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.