New Zealand car hire
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Cheap car hire in New Zealand
Top tips for hiring 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.
- 25% of our users found a car hire in New Zealand for $39 or less
- Book your car hire in New Zealand at least 2 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport car hire locations in New Zealand are around 1% more expensive than airport locations on average
- Standard hire cars in New Zealand are around 35% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in New Zealand
How much does it cost to hire a car in New Zealand?
On average a car hire in New Zealand costs $63 per day.
What is the most popular car hire in New Zealand?
Standard (Class Standard SUV or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in New Zealand.
What is the cheapest car hire company in New Zealand?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Discount Car & Truck Rentals ($9/day), North Car Rental ($9/day) and EZU Car Rental ($10/day).
What is the best car hire company in New Zealand?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in New Zealand are Hertz (8.3, 91 reviews), and Budget (8.2, 56 reviews).
How can I find car hires near me in New Zealand?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Where should I hire a car in New Zealand?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in New Zealand are Auckland (42% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in New Zealand), Queenstown (29%) and Christchurch (20%).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in New Zealand?
On average a car hire in New Zealand costs $371 per week ($53 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in New Zealand?
On average a car hire in New Zealand costs $1,589 per month ($53 per day).
What is driving like in New Zealand?
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.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in New Zealand?
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.
How much does petrol cost in New Zealand?
Getting petrol in New Zealand will cost you over twice what it costs in the United States. The price of a gallon of petrol in New Zealand is around 8.78 NZD (5.70 USD), while the price of petrol in the US is around 2.50 USD per gallon. Credit cards are commonly accepted at petrol stations in New Zealand, so you’ll likely not have to worry about carrying cash to the pump.
What are the speed limits in New Zealand?
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 hire directory
Thrifty car hire locations in New Zealand
66 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in New Zealand
58 Locations
Firefly car hire locations in New Zealand
48 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in New Zealand
42 Locations
EZI car hire locations in New Zealand
29 Locations
Budget car hire locations in New Zealand
24 Locations
Moto Car Rental car hire locations in New Zealand
23 Locations
Avis car hire locations in New Zealand
22 Locations
keddy by Europcar car hire locations in New Zealand
22 Locations
Ace Rental Cars car hire locations in New Zealand
19 Locations
Dollar car hire locations in New Zealand
19 Locations
Apollo Car Rentals car hire locations in New Zealand
16 Locations
Good to know
Most popular agency | EZU Car Rental |
|---|---|
Most popular car type | Standard |
Average price | $53/day |
Good deal | $39/day |