New Zealand car hire

Since New Zealand is still largely a natural landscape of forest, mountains and lakes, a vast majority of the nation is inaccessible without a car. No public transit can get you deep into the country the way your rental car can. Car hire affords you the flexibility to explore at your own pace, wherever the wind may take you.

Language: English | Currency: Dollars ($) | Avg. Flight time: 24 hrs

Many of New Zealand’s sizable airports, such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, have plenty of cars for hire on-site at the airports. Simply follow the signs in the terminals for car rental counters.

Major car hire companies like Budget, Avis, Enterprise and Alamo are represented, and many offer deals if you book in advance and pay online, so be sure to compare car hire deals on TravelSupermarket.

If you’re looking to explore beyond one large island, consider hiring a car from a company that provides you with a car on each island (without any additional paperwork).

This means before you board a ferry to cross from island to island, you’ll drop off your rental car in a city like Wellington on the North Island, then pick up another car in a city like Picton on the South Island. Avis and Europcar both provide this multi-island service.

Hiring a car gives you plenty of freedom to roam around New Zealand. A good starting point is with a visit to Cathedral Cove, a famous beach on Coromandel Peninsula, about 190km (118 miles) east of Auckland. Filled with majestic rock arch formations, sandy beaches and pristine waves rolling in off Stingray Bay, this is one of the country’s most famous beachside havens. It’s a great place to swim, take photos, picnic by the pohutukawa trees and hike along the cliff top.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, both in terms of physical location and geographic landscape, an essential stopover is the Franz Josef Glacier on the west coast of South Island in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Positioned in the nation’s famed Southern Alps, this is one of the few glaciers in the world located in a temperate climate, making it possible to hike on one without freezing to death.

If you’re visiting in the winter (which you should, it’s vastly cheaper), hire a car and go skiing at popular destinations like Mount Ruapehu. Even if you’re not an expert on downhill skiing, there are gentler slopes for beginners, and the surrounding town is a dreamy village filled with bars, restaurants, lodges and nightlife.

New Zealand’s warmer summer months (December to March) are the peak tourist seasons, correspondingly, you’d be expected to pay more for rental cars during this period. However, car hire is cheaper during autumn and especially winter (June to September) when the temperatures can drop to -10C on the South Island.

1. If you’re looking to backpack or camp while in New Zealand, consider hiring a campervan instead.

2. Stock up on guidebooks, maps and leaflets at the airport before heading out in your rental car. Rent a GPS navigation system if possible. Some of New Zealand’s more remote areas can have shoddy phone service (or no service at all), so it’s best not to rely entirely on your mobile phone for navigation.

3. The 14 November 2016 earthquake caused serious damage to some roads between Christchurch and Picton. As some roads may be inaccessible, check your route with the New Zealand Transport Agency prior to your travel.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.