New Zealand car rentals

Driver's age: 26-65

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Car Rental Deals
Useful Info
Car Rental Deals

Cheap car hire in New Zealand

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Nissan March car
Nissan March
or similar Small
2
2
4-5
M
$10/day
View Deal
Toyota Prius c car
Toyota Prius c
or similar Small
4
2
4-5
M
$10/day
View Deal
Class Intermediate Car car
Class Intermediate Car
or similar Medium
5
3
4-5
M
$17/day
View Deal
Toyota Prius car
Toyota Prius
or similar Medium
5
3
2/4
M
$19/day
View Deal
Ford Ranger car
Ford Ranger
or similar Large
5
2
2/4
M
$85/day
View Deal
Toyota RAV4 car
Toyota RAV4
or similar 4WD
2
2
4-5
M
$27/day
View Deal
Toyota Estima car
Toyota Estima
or similar Van
5
5
4-5
M
$33/day
View Deal
Mitsubishi Montero car
Mitsubishi Montero
or similar 4WD
5
2
4-5
M
$56/day
View Deal
Nissan Serena car
Nissan Serena
or similar Van
5
2
4-5
M
$128/day
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Class Full-size Truck car
Class Full-size Truck
or similar Pickup truck
5
2
2/4
M
$65/day
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Class Premium SUV car
Class Premium SUV
or similar 4WD
5
5
4-5
M
$127/day
View Deal
Class Special Car car
Class Special Car
or similar Category
5
5
2/4
M
$10/day
View Deal
Mazda CX-5 car
Mazda CX-5
or similar 4WD
5
3
4-5
M
$27/day
View Deal
Toyota Corolla Wagon car
Toyota Corolla Wagon
or similar Medium
5
3
4-5
M
$27/day
View Deal
Mitsubishi Outlander car
Mitsubishi Outlander
or similar 4WD
5
3
4-5
M
$28/day
View Deal
Toyota Yaris Cross car
Toyota Yaris Cross
or similar 4WD
4
2
4-5
M
$29/day
View Deal
Subaru Outback car
Subaru Outback
or similar Medium
5
3
4-5
M
$66/day
View Deal
Class Commercial Truck car
Class Commercial Truck
or similar Commercial
5
3
2/4
M
$93/day
View Deal
Class Special Van car
Class Special Van
or similar Van
5
5
4-5
M
$123/day
View Deal
Best prices found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular agency

Most popular car type

Average price

Good deal

North Car Rental
Compact
$51/day
$39/day

KAYAK’s insights & trends for New Zealand car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in New Zealand with confidence.

How far in advance should you book a rental car in New Zealand?

You should book your rental car in New Zealand around 9 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the cheapest car rental company in New Zealand?

In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at North Car Rental ($6.73/day), EZU Car Rental ($8.11/day), and New Zealand Discount Car Rentals ($9.16/day).

What is the most popular rental car in New Zealand?

SUV rentals (Kia Sportage or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to rent in New Zealande. SUV cars in New Zealand cost $66/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as $28/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in New Zealand?

The cheapest month to hire a car in New Zealand is May at an average cost of $65/day. December is the most expensive month to hire a car in New Zealand when prices are $124/day on average, which tends to be 136% above the yearly average hire price for New Zealand.

What rental car company in New Zealand has the most locations?

Thrifty operates 65 locations in New Zealand, more than any other rental company.
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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 rental cars in New Zealand for $39 or less
  • Standard rental cars in New Zealand are around 47% 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 $51 per day.

  • 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 Christchurch (26% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in New Zealand), Auckland (26%) and Queenstown (23%).

  • How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in New Zealand?

    On average a car hire in New Zealand costs $356 per week ($51 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 $1,528 per month ($51 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 rental directory

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car hire locations in New Zealand

    65 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car hire locations in New Zealand

    59 Locations

  • firefly

    Firefly car hire locations in New Zealand

    49 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in New Zealand

    43 Locations

  • ezi

    EZI car hire locations in New Zealand

    29 Locations

  • motocarrental

    Moto Car Rental car hire locations in New Zealand

    23 Locations

  • keddy

    keddy by Europcar car hire locations in New Zealand

    22 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in New Zealand

    21 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car hire locations in New Zealand

    21 Locations

  • acerentalcars

    Ace Rental Cars car hire locations in New Zealand

    19 Locations

  • apollo

    Apollo Car Rentals car hire locations in New Zealand

    16 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car hire locations in New Zealand

    16 Locations

Car hire locations in New Zealand

Everything you need to know for your car rental in New Zealand

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The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for hire cars for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car hires listed or dates of travel. Some hire car providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the website of the respective hire car provider.

Search for cheap car hire in New Zealand with KAYAK and hire a car that suits you best. KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find and book the best car hire deal at car hire locations across New Zealand.

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