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New Zealand

Cheap Car Hire in New Zealand from £16

This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car hire in New Zealand with a pick-up date of 10/1 and drop-off date of 18/1. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
Driver's age: 26-65
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New Zealand car hires in 2024

Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car hire in New Zealand. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on 19 December 2024.

Most popular company

Autounion Car Rental

Most common car type

Intermediate

Average price per day

£38

Cheapest price per day

£16

What are the car hire prices for popular cities in New Zealand?

Discover the price range for hiring a car in popular cities across New Zealand, helping you budget and make informed decisions for your upcoming travel. There are 312 pickup locations in New Zealand to choose from. Price data has been averaged over the last 12 months and was last updated on 19 December 2024.

Price

£23 - £46

Out of all the popular cities in New Zealand, Christchurch is the cheapest city to rent a car in at just £23/day. Renting a car in Christchurch is 50% cheaper than renting one in Tauranga where the per day rate is around £46. Other fairly inexpensive cities in New Zealand to get a rental car in are: Napier (£24/day), Queenstown (£25/day), and Wellington (£25/day). While these cities typically have cheaper prices than the rest of the country, travelers looking to rent a car in Auckland should expect to spend around £25/day on their transportation. The most popular city to rent a car in New Zealand is Auckland.

What is the cheapest time to rent a car in New Zealand?

Discover the most affordable period to rent a car in New Zealand and save money on your trip. The monthly average price data is based on historical data over the last year and was last updated on 19 December 2024.

January

£37

February

£44

March

£37

April

£22

May

£15

June

£16

July

£18

August

£18

September

£18

October

£24

November

£33

December

£53

Currently, the cheapest month to rent a car in New Zealand is May. The most expensive time to rent a car is December. The cheapest prices for each month are shown above, but prices will vary based on availability, how far out you book your rental car, and of course, car type.

Popular car types in New Zealand

Explore the most popular car models available for hire in New Zealand and choose the one that suits your needs. The price data is sourced from various car hire companies and was last updated on 19 December 2024.

There are 88 hire agencies servicing New Zealand. These agencies, altogether, have 804 hire locations available. Need an affordable hire? small car is the cheapest car type to hire in New Zealand with prices from £16 a day in the previous 7-day period. Here are 4 car types you can hire in New Zealand:

Economy

Economy

Compact

Compact

Intermediate

Intermediate

Standard

Standard

Full-size

Full-size

SUV

SUV

People carrier

People carrier

Full-size SUV

Full-size SUV

Compare available car types for hire in New Zealand

Compare and contrast the various car types offered for hire in New Zealand to find the perfect fit for your trip. Price data is based on averages over the last 12 months and was last updated on 19 December 2024.

Small cars

£18 - £51

All Car Types

£25 - £66

To hire a small car in New Zealand, you would pay an average price of £30/day. June is the cheapest month to hire a small car in New Zealand (~£18/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~£51/day). In fact, June is about 42% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a small car hire for New Zealand. When comparing with other car types available for hire in New Zealand, hiring a small car saves you 25% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best New Zealand small car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a medium car in New Zealand, you would pay an average price of £40/day. June is the cheapest month to hire a medium car in New Zealand (~£24/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~£70/day). In fact, June is about 42% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a medium car hire for New Zealand. When comparing with other car types available for hire in New Zealand, hiring a medium car saves you 0% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best New Zealand medium car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a large car in New Zealand, you would pay an average price of £60/day. June is the cheapest month to hire a large car in New Zealand (~£43/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is February (~£86/day). In fact, June is about 29% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a large car hire for New Zealand. When comparing with other car types available for hire in New Zealand, hiring a large car is 32% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

To hire a SUV in New Zealand, you would pay an average price of £45/day. June is the cheapest month to hire a SUV in New Zealand (~£28/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~£77/day). In fact, June is about 40% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a SUV hire for New Zealand. When comparing with other car types available for hire in New Zealand, hiring a SUV is 11% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best New Zealand SUV hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a van in New Zealand, you would pay an average price of £65/day. June is the cheapest month to hire a van in New Zealand (~£24/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is January (~£105/day). In fact, June is about 64% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a van hire for New Zealand. When comparing with other car types available for hire in New Zealand, hiring a van is 37% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best New Zealand van hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a pickup truck in New Zealand, you would pay an average price of £54/day. April is the cheapest month to hire a pickup truck in New Zealand (~£25/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is September (~£84/day). In fact, April is about 54% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a pickup truck hire for New Zealand. When comparing with other car types available for hire in New Zealand, hiring a pickup truck is 25% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

To hire a luxury car in New Zealand, you would pay an average price of £48/day. June is the cheapest month to hire a luxury car in New Zealand (~£20/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~£160/day). In fact, June is about 59% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a luxury car hire for New Zealand. When comparing with other car types available for hire in New Zealand, hiring a luxury car is 15% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

Opel Corsa£16/day
2
M
A/C
Opel Corsa
Skoda Kamiq£17/day
4
M
A/C
Skoda Kamiq
Skoda Kamiq£17/day
4
M
A/C
Skoda Kamiq

Top hire agencies in New Zealand

Explore the leading car hire agencies in New Zealand known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car hire companies in New Zealand. Reviews were last updated on 19 December 2024.
Choose from the top car hire agencies available in New Zealand, including locations near Auckland, Christchurch and Nelson. Check out reviews from past customers, confirm pickup locations, and other critical details before booking your reservation.

Thrifty

65 locations

Hertz

58 locations

Firefly

48 locations

Sunnycars

43 locations

EZI

29 locations

Budget

24 locations

Moto Car Rental

23 locations

Avis

22 locations

Best New Zealand car hire deals found

Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car hire deals in New Zealand. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect hire option for your needs. There are currently 8 hire car agencies in New Zealand with an average daily rate of £39. Data was last updated on 19 December 2024.
Have a look at some of the deals we've found on car hires in New Zealand including options serving Auckland, Christchurch and Nelson. Deals are constantly refreshed so come back soon for more car hire options.
Opel Corsa£16/day
2
M
A/C
Opel Corsa
Skoda Kamiq£17/day
4
M
A/C
Skoda Kamiq
Skoda Kamiq£17/day
4
M
A/C
Skoda Kamiq

Car hire FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about car hires in New Zealand, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 19 December 2024.
  • What are the requirements to hire a car in New Zealand?

    Get in the driver’s seat for an unforgettable holiday with your own hire car in New Zealand. Travellers who have a valid UK driving licence are permitted to drive in New Zealand for up to one year. You must carry your licence with you at all times when you are driving. The minimum age for car hire in New Zealand is generally 21 years old, but drivers up to 25 years old may need to pay a daily surcharge, depending on the New Zealand car hire company that you select. If you’re looking for cheap car hire in New Zealand, book online before you depart. If you have reserved a vehicle in advance, you can usually pick up your hire car in New Zealand at the airport on arrival or in the major cities.

  • What are the rules for driving in New Zealand?

    In New Zealand, traffic travels on the left-hand side of the road. Speed limits are signposted in kilometres and are strictly enforced. The speed limit is normally 50 kph (31 mph) in built-up areas (less in school zones) and 100 kph (62 mph) on motorways. All modern vehicles are fitted with seat belts, which are compulsory for all occupants. If you’re travelling with children, they must use an appropriate child seat or booster, which can be requested as an extra with your car hire in New Zealand. For drivers over 20 years old, the blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, which is usually no more than two standard drinks. It is illegal for drivers to use a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. Some railroad crossings in rural areas do not have barriers, so you will need to make sure trains are not coming before you cross. Contact the New Zealand Transport Agency to find out more about road rules and recent law changes.

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in New Zealand?

    If you’re planning to stay in the cities, compact cars such as the Toyota Corolla or Suzuki Swift are a top choice, as they are easy to drive and fuel efficient. Ready for a road trip to see the sights of the North and South Island? Modern estates such as the Toyota Camry or Nissan Altima offer plenty of leg and luggage room. For small groups looking for passenger van hire, you can book vehicles for up to 12 people, such as the Toyota HiAce. Sustainable car hire in New Zealand is also possible; zero emission electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf can be reserved from your car hire company. As most roads are in good condition, you won’t need a 4WD to discover this picturesque country, but luxury SUVs such as the Audi Q7 or Kia Sportage are also available from car hire locations in New Zealand.

  • Which car hire company is considered to be the best in New Zealand?

    Taking our users’ ratings and reviews into consideration, Drive NZ (10.0 rating), keddy by Europcar (10.0 rating) and Avis (9.5 rating) seem to be the best car hire companies in New Zealand.

  • What is the most popular car hire provider in New Zealand?

    When hiring a car in New Zealand, the most popular provider of hire cars among Cheapflights users is Yes Rentals, and with prices around £36/day, it’s easy to understand why. The most popular car type from Yes Rentals is COMPACT, which starts as low as £13/day.

  • What is the cheapest city to get a rental car in New Zealand?

    At £24/day, the cheapest car hire price in New Zealand was found in Christchurch. On average, Napier has the cheapest daily rental car price (£36/day), which is 32% below average price for cities in New Zealand.

  • What side of the road do you drive on in New Zealand?

    In New Zealand, drivers are expected to drive on the left side of the road.

Small car hires in New Zealand

Find small car hire deals in New Zealand from well-known providers in the area and save on gas mileage with the options provided below. small car hires in New Zealand cost an average of £35 per day. Price data was last updated on 19 December 2024.
Toyota Aygo£21/day
2
M
A/C
Toyota Aygo
Toyota Aygo£22/day
2
M
A/C
Toyota Aygo
Kia Picanto£24/day
2
M
A/C
Kia Picanto

Luxury car hires in New Zealand

Find luxury car hire deals in New Zealand from well-known providers in the area and save on gas mileage with the options provided below. luxury car hires in New Zealand cost an average of £39 per day. Price data was last updated on 19 December 2024.
These are some of the best deals we've detected on luxury car hires in New Zealand, including options near Auckland, Christchurch and Nelson. If you don't see a deal that suits you, return soon as new offers are always being added.
Audi A6£27/day
5
4
M
A/C
Audi A6
Audi A6£29/day
5
4
M
A/C
Audi A6
Audi A6£40/day
5
4
M
A/C
Audi A6

People carrier hires in New Zealand

Find people carrier hire deals in New Zealand from well-known providers in the area and save on gas mileage with the options provided below. people carrier hires in New Zealand cost an average of £42 per day. Price data was last updated on 19 December 2024.
To help you find the right people carrier hire during your time in New Zealand, we've assembled these deals, with options in the Auckland, Christchurch and Nelson area. To give users even more options, we're frequently updating deals, so check back soon if you don't see one you like.
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso£36/day
5
M
A/C
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso£37/day
5
M
A/C
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer£37/day
5
2
5
M
A/C
Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer

Car hires by fuel type in New Zealand

Browse car hires by fuel type in New Zealand. Currently, Petrol/Diesel cars are the cheapest to rent in New Zealand. Deals were last updated on 19 December 2024.

Browse through car hire deals by fuel type in New Zealand. There are currently 3 fuel types to choose from with Petrol/Diesel being the cheapest (£22+).

Electric

Electric

Hybrid

Hybrid

Petrol/Diesel

Petrol/Diesel

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