KAYAK’s insights & trends for South Island car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in South Island with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in South Island?
You should book your rental car in South Island around 41 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in South Island?
Hires in the Medium category (Toyota Corolla or similar) are the most popular option in South Island, costing $51/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as $25/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in South Island?
The cheapest month to hire a car in South Island is June at an average cost of $68/day. February is the most expensive month to hire a car in South Island when prices are $178/day on average, which tends to be 206% above the yearly average hire price for South Island.
South Island car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in South Island by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
4WD
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
$17 - $96
All Car Types
$63 - $157
How much does it cost to hire a small car in South Island?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in South Island?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in South Island?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in South Island?
How much does it cost to hire a van in South Island?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in South Island?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in South Island?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in South Island?
Small car hire in South Island typically costs around $43 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average $17 per day, which is about 61% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 58% cheaper than the average car hire in South Island, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in South Island typically costs around $95 per day. The best time to book is July, when prices average $54 per day, which is about 44% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 6% cheaper than the average car hire in South Island, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in South Island typically costs around $129 per day. The best time to book is July, when prices average $70 per day, which is about 46% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 22% more expensive than the average car hire in South Island but offer more comfort for longer trips.
SUV hire in South Island typically costs around $99 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average $65 per day, which is about 35% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 2% cheaper than the average car hire in South Island, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van hire in South Island typically costs around $174 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average $103 per day, which is about 41% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 42% more expensive than the average car hire in South Island but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in South Island typically costs around $127 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average $83 per day, which is about 35% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are typically 21% more expensive than the average car hire in South Island but are ideal for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in South Island typically costs around $150 per day. The best time to book is July, when prices average $85 per day, which is about 44% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 33% more expensive than the average car hire in South Island but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in South Island typically costs around $136 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average $59 per day, which is about 57% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 26% more expensive than the average car hire in South Island but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
EZU Car Rental
Medium
$61/day
$39/day
Top tips for hiring a car in South Island
When driving in South Island, ensure you keep within the speed limit set by the law. Like other towns in New Zealand, maintain 20 km/h (12 mph) when approaching and passing a school bus, 40 km/h (25 mph) in residential areas, and maintain 80 km/h (50 mph) when driving on limited-access urban arterial roads, winding rural roads, and rural access roads. However, as you hit the motorways and expressways, you can drive as high as 110 km/h (68 mph).
As you drive on rural roads in South Island, keep in mind that some of them can be narrow and winding. It is thus not surprising to find bridges or single-track roads only wide enough to allow passage for one car. Therefore, keep an eye on signs indicating winding roads and narrow streets, particularly when overtaking. Also, bear in mind that vehicles closest to the bridge, or those going uphill, have the right of way.
The New Zealand seatbelt law requires that every car be equipped with front and back seatbelts. To this end, every car occupant must wear a seatbelt, whether sitting at the front or back. Furthermore, kids aged seven or younger must be strapped in an approved child-restraint device when traveling in vans or cars. Usually, car rental companies provide this child restraint equipment at a small fee.
It is critical to consider your needs before setting out to hire Southland Island car rentals. Typically, your budget and the destinations you want to visit are the most likely determinants of the type of car you will rent. A compact car is recommended if you will be confined within the town center where roads are smooth. However, if you plan to venture outdoors in rural areas, consider a pickup truck or a 4X4 SUV.
25% of our users found rental cars in South Island for $39 or less
Small rental cars in South Island are around 53% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in South Island
How much does it cost to hire a car in South Island?
On average a car hire in South Island costs $61 per day.
How can I find car hires near me in South Island?
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 South Island?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in South Island are Christchurch (48% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in South Island), Queenstown (36%) and Dunedin (8%).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in South Island?
On average a car hire in South Island costs $424 per week ($61 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in South Island?
On average a car hire in South Island costs $1,816 per month ($61 per day).
Should I rent a car in South Island?
You won’t regret renting a car when visiting South Island. Besides the flexibility it offers when exploring the hidden gems on your bucket list, South Island car rentals offer comfort and privacy when touring the area. With fixed routes and specific departure schedules, public transportation in this area is restrictive, as you cannot conveniently move around to experience the beautiful parts of the town. In addition, car rentals have different types of cars in their fleet, and you will have several options based on your needs. If you are here for a few days, you will find South Island car rentals cheaper than taxis. Lastly, car rentals are also cheaper if you are traveling with your friends or family.
What is driving like in South Island?
Traffic laws in South Island are the same as those in other parts of New Zealand. The steering wheel is on the right, and people drive on the left. The roads are narrower, steeper, and more winding than expected. There are few motorways; the roads are mostly two-way, with one lane in each direction. South Island implements strict Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) laws where drivers aged 20 or younger should have 0% BAC. For those aged 21 or older, you must not drive if your BAC is greater than 0.05%, lest you incur heavy fines. Remember, there’s a special category of vehicles that have the right of way, particularly emergency vehicles with flashing lights, and school buses.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in South Island?
You need to be 18 years old to rent a car in South Island. However, the age may vary depending on the company and vehicle category, with some South Island car rentals applying a surcharge policy to renters below 25, and the fees are paid at the counter. You also need a valid driving license from your home country, which you must have held for at least a year. It is important to remember that an International Driving Permit is only permissible when presented with a valid driver’s license. You can pay for your rental via debit, credit cards, or cash (New Zealand Dollars only).
Car rental directory
Thrifty car hire locations in South Island
23 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in South Island
20 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in South Island
20 Locations
Firefly car hire locations in South Island
16 Locations
Avis car hire locations in South Island
14 Locations
Budget car hire locations in South Island
12 Locations
Ace Rental Cars car hire locations in South Island
11 Locations
EZI car hire locations in South Island
11 Locations
Apex car hire locations in South Island
10 Locations
Europcar car hire locations in South Island
9 Locations
Moto Car Rental car hire locations in South Island
9 Locations
Routes Car & Truck Rentals car hire locations in South Island
9 Locations
Car rental locations in South Island
Everything you need to know for your car rental in South Island
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