Renting a car in New Zealand (Tips you need to know)
Do you have questions about renting a car in New Zealand? In my opinion, there’s no better way to explore New Zealand as a tourist than by renting a car.
For travel in the North Island or the South Island, having a car gives you freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace and go off the beaten path.
Renting a car is a great option for experiencing all that this stunning country has to offer. After traveling to New Zealand myself, I’ve learned a thing or two about renting cars and navigating the country’s roads.
Hiring a car in New Zealand might seem intimidating, but it was one of the best decisions we made. It was absolutely worth it! Having a rental car is a great way to get the most out of your New Zealand vacation!
In this post, I’ll share my tips and insights to help you choose the best rental car for your vacation and make the most of your New Zealand road trip adventure!So buckle up and let’s hit the road!
Here’s everything you need to know about rental cars in New Zealand
Things to know about hiring a car in New Zealand
Drive on the left in New Zealand
If you are coming from the UK, Australia, or another country that drives on the left, you’re all set. If you are coming from the US or a country that drives on the right, this will be an adjustment. Driving in New Zealand is a bit different from driving in America or in many other countries.
It helps to be well rested before you start to drive and to limit the amount of time you drive each day.
Sleep then drive
When we arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, our first order of business was to collect our rental car. We arrived from Australia, so the time change wasn’t significant for us. So we were able to rent a car right away.
Car hire (or car rental) companies will refuse to let you collect your car if you have just arrived in New Zealand from a flight from the United States.
There are some good reasons behind that decision! Exhaustion adds an extra element to driving on the left side of the road on narrow streets.
Fortunately, there’s plenty to see and do without a car in every NZ city, so plan for a few days of walking, public transport, and taxis to get over jetlag before picking up that car.
If you spending a few days in a city adjusting to the time change, you’ll probably be able to take public transportation from the city centre to the airport to pick up a car.
License to drive in New Zealand
To be able to able to drive in New Zealand, you need a valid driver’s license from your home country. You can also drive legally with an International Driving Permit in English, along with your current driver’s license.
Renting a car in New Zealand as an American is easy. You just need a valid US driver’s license to rent a car in NZ, not an International Driving Permit.
If your driver’s license isn’t in English, you’ll need to get an approved notarized translation. A translation of an overseas license can be issued by a translator approved by the NZ Transport Agency or a diplomatic representative at a high commission, embassy, or consulate.
It’s best to take care of this before renting a car in New Zealand, because that could add extra fees or delays. If you are caught driving without an acceptable license or International Driving Permit, you may be fined.
You can drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months with a driver’s license that is originally in English or has been translated into English. You must have your license at all times while driving.
What age to rent a car in New Zealand
You must be at least 21 years old to rent a car in New Zealand. Drivers younger than 25 may have to pay a young driver fee, and drivers older than 65, may have to pay a senior driver fee.
Book your car in advance
When renting a car in NZ, it’s very important to reserve your rental car far in advance, especially in high season.
For trips during the summer months (December through February), demand will be high everywhere. And in the winter (late June through September), rental car reservations will be harder to get on the South Island.
Booking in advance allows you to choose from a better selection of cars and get a better price.
You will find better rates in the off season. Also, if you haven’t yet booked your airfare or hotels, and you can be flexible in your itinerary, play around with the dates and locations to see how the prices change.
If you are just booking a car for a few days to explore around a city, it might not make much difference. But if you are booking for more than two weeks, the increase or decrease in price could be quite significant.
Which is the best rental car in New Zealand for you?
I have to confess, I really agonized over which car to hire for our self-drive tour of New Zealand. These are things I considered:
Price of a New Zealand rental car
Other than the airline tickets, this was our biggest single expenditure in New Zealand, so I needed to find the best price.
Luggage room in the NZ rental car
Secondly, we had a lot of luggage, so we needed plenty of trunk space. I literally measured our luggage to make sure it would all fit in the trunk.
Also, having a big trunk allows you to hide valuables from thieves, discouraging theft!
Backseat of the NZ rental car
Finally, we planned to drive many kilometers around New Zealand in this car, so it needed to have enough room in the backseat for our three girls to be comfortable enough for us to all survive happily.
If you are accommodating any long-legged adults, be sure that they will have enough legroom in the backseat.
Unlimited kilometers
Again, we knew we would cover lots of ground in our rental car. No limit on how many was kilometers we could drive in NZ was essential.
24-hour roadside assistance
Just for peace of mind, this was a nice perk to have as part of the rental agreement. It’s quite comforting to know that you can contact customer service if something goes wrong.
For us, the perfect car was the Toyota Highlander. Bonus that it had third row seats which came in handy when we visited friends in New Plymouth and Auckland and could travel together.
Renting a campervan
Campervans are very popular for traveling around New Zealand and backpackers’ car rental of choice.
Campervans usually include a tiny bathroom and kitchen. They are smaller than traditional motorhomes.
The extra cost of a camper van (compared to a car) is offset by the savings of parking at a campsite each night (Roughly NZ$15 to NZ$25 a night) instead of staying in pricier accommodations.
Things to think about before renting a campervan:
- Are comfortable driving a large campervan on narrow roads?
- Do you want to camp every night?
- How many of you will share the space?
- Do you mind tight quarters?
- Will you have room for your luggage?
- Are you comfortable having to dump waste water from the campervan?
Which New Zealand car hire company to use
I also spent a lot of time deciding which car rental agency to use. If you’re looking for a budget self-drive New Zealand vacation, you should compare prices for different NZ car hire companies.
If you have questions about your rental, or just want to confirm details, send an email or call the car rental company. Sure, the call will cost you a little bit, but it will be worth it to understand the details of your reservation and the insurance policies and ask questions about pickup times, or drop-off instructions before you book.
Some popular New Zealand rental car companies include Budget, Go Rentals, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, Apex, Ezi, and Nomadrentals.
You’ll see colorful camper vans from JUCY all over New Zealand. We used Omega, and they were great. We picked up our car near the Wellington airport and dropped it off near the Auckland airport.
Compare Rental Cars Rates in New Zealand
Wondering how to easily find the best price on rental cars in New Zealand? Use Discover Cars. It’s easy to compare prices and book the right car at the best price.
My Top Pick for New Zealand Car Rental: Discover Cars
Location, location, location
Most car hire companies offer pickups and drop-offs in city center or at the airport. Many have locations that are near the airport but off-site.
Generally speaking, city center rental car company locations are more expensive, followed by airport car rental sites, then near-airport locations.
You can search for rental cars by drop-off and pick-up locations; rates vary considerably, so it’s worth comparing your options.
We picked up our car from a near-airport location, using a free shuttle service from the rental car company.
I was really nervous about the extra time and effort of going to a near-airport location, but the savings won me over.
And in the end, it was super easy. (Although there were some stressful moments as I figured out how to use an NZ payphone in the Wellington Airport to call our rental company for a shuttle pickup—while my tired and hungry family members stared at me and looked wistfully at the in-airport car rental counters.)
If you can drive on the left easily and are coming from Australia, pick up your car at or near the airport.
If you need a day or two to acclimate, consider picking it up in the city, since you will have already taken a bus or taxi from the airport. Or the cost-savings might be worth a trip back to the airport.
When considering rental car locations, check each company’s business hours. New Zealand businesses tend to keep shorter hours than American businesses. If you have a flight delay, the office could be closed, and you’ll have to get your car the next day.
Compare start and end points for your NZ roadtrip
Rental car prices also vary depending where in New Zealand you’re starting and ending your trip.
For example, when I searched for a car, it cost more to hire a car from Auckland and return it in Wellington that it did vice versa.
So we started in Wellington and ended in Auckland.
We just arranged our trip so that we visited the Coromandel peninsula, with the incredible Hot Water Beach and spectacular Cathedral Cove towards the end of our roadtrip through New Zealand, rather than at the start.
Research your car rental options while researching your flights to maximize your cost savings.
Rental Car relocation
For the cheapest way to rent a car in New Zealand, look for rental car relocation deals.
For example, tourists visiting New Zealand start in Auckland and work their way down to Wellington—or even Christchurch. This means too many rental cars in Wellington, and not enough farther north.
Many major car rental companies websites list relocation deals under the “deals” tab. Transfer Cars is an easy way to compare relocation options. Each deal has its own specific terms, timeline, and cost.
Be sure to read all the fine print before signing up. But if the deal works for you and your schedule, you’ll save loads of money on car rental fees.
This isn’t the best way to see New Zealand, because you won’t have much time for sight-seeing. But if the terms work for you, car relocation a can be the cheapest car rental in New Zealand.
Car relocation is a good idea if you have a really tight budget and will be going directly between major cities.
How much does it cost to rent a car in New Zealand?
The cost of a rental car in New Zealand is determined by:
- The size and type of vehicle you choose. Smaller, basic cars are cheaper. You will get the best deal on a small car.
- Which NZ city you drop off and pick up the car. Compare options before you book your airline flights, if possible.
- The specific car rental locations (major airport, near airport, in city) where you drop and pick up the car. Again, compare your options while in the booking stage.
- Travel dates. Peak season is more expensive than low season. If you have flexibility, play around with dates before booking your car.
- Which car hire company you choose. Comparison shopping is your friend!
- Extra fees. Some car rental companies charge late arrival fees, second driver fees, or fees for young or senior drivers. You might have a fee for a one-way rental (if you pick up and drop off your car in different locations).
- Special deals on rates. Check the site for promo codes to get the best possible rate.
- How early you book. The farther in advance, the better! You’ll find the best prices the earlier you make your travel plans. By booking early, you’ll also have more choice in the size and type of car available.
- Length of the rental. Longer term rentals are almost always cheaper. Even renting a car for a week could give you a discount on the daily rate.
Generally speaking, to rent a car in New Zealand expect to spend:
Off-season (March to October) car rental rates in NZ begin at:
- Economy car: NZ$25
- Full-size car: NZ$50
- SUV/minivan: NZ$85
- Campervan: NZ$50
High-season (November to February) car rental rates in NZ begin at:
- Economy car: NZ$50
- Full-size car: NZ$135
- SUV/minivan: NZ$120
- Campervan: NZ$150
As you can see, New Zealand car rental prices are higher during peak travel season. And a small rental car will have the lowest price.
However, the best option for you will depend on your needs. A cheap car rental won’t be a great deal if the car is too small to be comfortable.
Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. Read the contract carefully and look for the catch.
Top tips to find the best price to rent a car on a budget:
- Book far in advance
- Be flexible on dates and locations to find the best rates
- Compare prices at different cities for car drop off and pick up
- Compare one-way versus same location pick-up/drop-off
- Consider non-airport pickup locations
- Decide how large a car you need
- Compare costs for a campervan, SUV, or sedan
- Avoid hidden fees
- And don’t forget—just like in any other country, fill up your rental car’s tank before your return it!
Extra rental car insurance
We chose to get the extra car rental insurance, the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), on our rental car. If you’re thinking of not getting extra insurance, confirm what your liability is on your rental car should something go wrong.
Some rental car customers in New Zealand are surprised to find that they are responsible for paying for chips or other window damage, tyre damage, or headlight damage.
For example, if the rental car’s front windscreen is damaged, you will have to pay to repair or replace it. This is a real risk, given that many of NZ’s roads have loose gravel. Some rental companies offer insurance against this too.
Be sure to do your research and understand what the standard required insurance covers and what the CDW would cover. Then make your decision about accepting or declining the additional insurance on your NZ rental car.
If you are American and typically decline the extra optional insurance on rental cars because your credit card provides insurance coverage on rental cars, be aware that coverage doesn’t always include vehicles rented outside the United States.
Also your personal car insurance may or not apply to car rentals in New Zealand, even if it does to car rentals in the US. Always check with your insurance company to understand your policy.
Car hire and crossing between the North and South Islands
If you are planning an interisland road trip, most car companies will have you leave your vehicle at one ferry terminal and pick up a new one at the other.
So if you are leaving the North Island, you will leave your vehicle in Wellington and retrieve another in Picton—and vice versa if you are leaving the South Island.
Other car rental companies will allow you to take the rental car across Cook Strait on a ferry. You may be able to book your ferry tickets when you book your car, so you know you are complying with the agency’s rules.
There may be an extra cost to take a rental car between islands in New Zealand, in addition to the cost of the ferry. Policies vary between rental companies, so double check the details before you commit to a rental.
Also, don’t take your rental car between islands on a ferry without permission from the rental company!
Gasoline prices in New Zealand
Keep petrol prices in mind when choosing a hire car. Petrol prices in New Zealand average 1.5 to 2 times the cost of gasoline in the United States. On the other hand, if you are coming from a European country, you may find the prices to be slightly less than you are used to paying.
Given the expense of fuel and the distances you’ll cover in a New Zealand roadtrip, you may want to choose a smaller car that’s more fuel efficient. Even though our car was large and fuel was pricey, it was absolutely worth it for the freedom and flexibility we gained.
Also keep in mind that petrol stations may be few and far between, so don’t wait until you’re almost on empty to start looking for a station. In rural areas, we fueled up whenever we found a station—which was a great excuse to try some New Zealand lollies!
Bring your tech
I highly recommend buying a GPS system, downloading the New Zealand roadmaps, and bringing it with you.
GPS rental is usually an additional cost of about NZ$10-20 per day. If you are renting a car for more than just a few days, it will be cost effective to buy a GPS system and download the New Zealand maps.
If you plan to just use data on your phone, know that roaming charges can be very expensive and cell service in rural areas is often nonexistent. Meaning: this is not a good plan!
Also, it is illegal to use a handheld cell phone for talking or texting while driving in New Zealand.
Also, don’t forget to bring a car charger for your cell phone! You don’t want the hassle or expense of having to buy one in New Zealand!
Inspect the car
Before taking the car out of the rental agency’s lot, inspect it carefully. Point out any damage, no matter how slight, so that it’s on record and you’re not charged for it later. Take pictures to prove the damage happened before you had taken possession of the car.
This is good policy for renting cars anywhere, but especially important when you might be flustered and tired from travelling.
Similarly, inspect it carefully before returning it. Make sure you have all your belongings before you leave New Zealand!
Final thoughts on renting a car in New Zealand
I hope this post has provided you with useful tips and information for renting a car in New Zealand.
Remember to plan ahead, compare prices and rental options, and make sure you have all the necessary documentation before hitting the road.
New Zealand is a stunning country with a lot to explore, and renting a car is one of the best ways to see it all at your own pace.
Having a rental car allowed us to visit New Zealand’s hidden gems, set our own schedule, and be comfortable while traveling. Our New Zealand road trip was one that we will never forget!
Just remember to drive on the left side of the road, obey speed limits, and be mindful of the different road rules and conditions. With the right preparation and a sense of adventure, renting a car in New Zealand can be a truly unforgettable experience. Happy travels!
