Independent comparison of NZ rental car companies
New Zealand is full of contrasts - but one thing lacking is public transport - you need a rental car to get around.
In New Zealand, you’re going to want to get around easily to see all the landscapes, walking trails and awesome activities spread around the country. It’s the ultimate road trip destination! With that in mind, picking a good rental car is essential, as driving around is going to be a huge aspect of your trip. To make the overwhelming choice of car rentals in New Zealand a little easier to digest, our friends at PocketGuide put together this quick list of the best car rental companies in New Zealand!
Take a look at the list below to see some of the leaders in the car rental industry in New Zealand that you may not have heard of but are well worth adding to your comparison. Travelling to New Zealand is often a once in a lifetime trip so get it right and consider all your options!
Things to Look at When Comparing Car Rental Companies in New Zealand
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Prices and inclusions: The base price of car rental fluctuates with the seasons. In summer, daily rates are at their most expensive, while they are at their cheapest in winter. Look at our best times to travel in New Zealand to see when to rent a car . Additionally, to truly understand the value of your rental you need to compare what’s included in a car rental. Not all companies include the same thing, especially when it comes to insurance.
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Vehicles offered: Most car rental companies in New Zealand will maintain even their oldest cars to the highest standards, therefore a car that is not brand new may be a little more cost effective and environmentally friendly .
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You also need to find a car type that meets your needs.
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Service: Once you have picked a few car rental companies from this comparison, send some questions to the companies and see how helpful they are with their answers. Service will become very important should anything go wrong during your trip.
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Jucy
Jucy Rentals is a car and campervan rental company with backpackers in mind. They have a low minimum age and a great range of budget options.
Pick-up and Drop-off Locations
A courtesy shuttle is available for airport branches offering airport pick-up and drop-offs.
Pick-up/drop-off locations: Auckland City, Auckland Airport, Wellington Airport, Queenstown Airport, Christchurch Airport and Dunedin Airport.
Vehicles Available
Small cars, large cars, 4WD, van/people carriers, and campercars, campervans and motorhomes.
Vehicle Age Range: 0 to 10 years old.
Inclusions
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1 driver (18+ years old)
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Roadside assistance
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Basic insurance
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Activity discounts
Insurance
Free insurance with NZ$2000 excess and NZ$2000 bond. Or insurance add-ons for NZ$16-$20 per day with less excess and less bond to pay.
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Omega Rental Cars
Omega has many pick up and drop off locations
Pick-up and Drop-off Locations
A courtesy shuttle is available for airport branches offering airport pick-up and drop-offs.
Pick-up/drop-off locations: Auckland City, Auckland Aiport, Wellington (Thorndon), Wellington Airport, Picton, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch (Lichfield Street), Christchurch Airport, Queenstown (Shotover Street), and Queenstown Airport.
Vehicles Available
Small cars, large cars, station wagons, SUV, 4WD and people carriers.
Vehicle age range: 1 to 10 years old.
Inclusions
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Multiple drivers (18+ years old)
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One way hire available
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Option to leave a vehicle at Wellington/Picton and pick up another vehicle after the ferry crossing to reduce the cost of the ferry
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Basic insurance
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Maps and guide book with activity discounts
Insurance
Free insurance with NZ$2000 excess and a NZ$2000 bond for a 21+-year-old driver or NZ$2500 excess and NZ$2500 bond for an 18-20-year-old driver or a driver with a restricted license. Or insurance add-ons for drivers over 21 years old of NZ$15-$20 per day with no excess and NZ$400 bond
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Apex Rental Cars
For ultimate flexibility, Apex Car Rentals has a huge number of depots around the country with no extra costs for one-way trips. Their fleet is large and modern for a more premium experience on a budget.
Pick-up and Drop-off Locations
A courtesy shuttle is available for airport branches offering airport pick-up and drop-offs.
Pick-up/drop-off locations: Auckland City Centre (Beach Road), Auckland Airport, Blenheim Airport, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch City (Kilmore Street), Greymouth, Napier Airport, Nelson Airport, Nelson City, Picton, Picton Ferry Terminal, Queenstown Airport, Queenstown, Wellington (Victoria Street) and Wellington Airport.
Vehicles Available
Small cars, large cars, station wagons and 4WD and van/people carriers.
Vehicle age range: 1 to 7 years old.
Inclusions
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Multiple drivers (21+ years old)
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Basic insurance
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Roadside assistance
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Free one-way rental available
Insurance
Free insurance with NZ$2000 excess or insurance add-ons for NZ$19-$27 per day with less excess.
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Hitch
Given the right season, Hitch offers some extremely affordable cars. Their budget range might have some older vehicles, as expected, but they are low mileage making for a more reliable journey.
Pick-up and Drop-off Locations
A courtesy shuttle is available for airport branches offering airport pick-up and drop-offs.
Pick-up/drop-off locations: Auckland Airport, Christchurch and Queenstown Airport.
Vehicles Available
Small cars, large cars, SUVs and van/people carriers.
Vehicle age range: 0 to 10 years old.
Inclusions
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Multiple drivers (21+ years old)
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Basic insurance
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Roadside assistance
Insurance
Free insurance with NZ$2000 excess and NZ$1000 bond by way of credit card or insurance add-ons for NZ$10-$17.50 per day with less excess.
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Bargain Rental Cars
Bargain Rentals have several convenient pick-up and drop-off locations. However, be aware of the location fee for all airport locations (usually around NZ$30).
Pick-up and Drop-off Locations
A courtesy shuttle is available for Christchurch, Hamilton and Wellington branches offering airport pick-up and drop-offs.
Pick-up/drop-off locations: Auckland (city centre, Onehunga, Glenfield, Mount Wellington, Grey Lynn and East Tamaki), Hamilton (Frankton), Wellington (Cuba Street) and Christchurch (Hornby).
Vehicles Available
Small cars, large cars, scooters, van/people carriers, trucks and trailers.
Vehicle age range: 0 to 18 years old.
Inclusions
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Multiple drivers (18+ years old)
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Basic insurance (for drivers over 25 years old)
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Roadside assistance
Insurance
Free insurance with NZ$1200 excess for a 25+-year-old driver or a mandatory NZ$15 per day insurance with NZ$2500 excess for an 18-24-year-old driver. Alternatively, there are insurance add-ons for NZ$10-$15 per day with less excess and bond to pay. A NZ$250 bond is only payable if you cannot supply credit card details.
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Snap Rentals
Snap Rentals is extremely backpacker-friendly, especially for young drivers with insurance costs being the same for drivers of any age. No extra charge for multiple drivers is an added bonus.
Pick-up and Drop-off Locations
A courtesy shuttle is available for airport branches offering airport pick-up and drop-offs. They also do accommodation shuttle pick-up and drop-offs for airport locations.
Pick-up/drop-off locations: Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport, Queenstown Centre (Church Street) and Queenstown Airport.
Vehicles Available
Small cars, large cars, station wagons, 4WD/ute and people carriers.
Vehicle age range: 0 to 13 years old.
Inclusions
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Multiple drivers (18+ years old)
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Basic insurance
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Roadside assistance
Insurance
Free insurance included in the rental with NZ$2000 excess or get an insurance add-on for NZ$16-$24 per day for 0 to NZ$200 excess and no bond to pay. There is also insurance available for restricted or P Plate licenses.
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Go Rentals
Go Rentals has a large fleet of rental cars in all the major arrival cities in New Zealand. Their modern fleet means less chance of a breakdown, however, should it happen, roadside assistance is included in every rental. The Auckland car rental company also offers hundreds of discounts on activities around the country.
Pick-up and Drop-off Locations
A courtesy shuttle is available for airport branches offering airport pick-up and drop-offs.
Pick-up/drop-off locations: Auckland City Centre, Auckland Airport, Wellington (Miramar), Christchurch Airport and Queenstown Airport.
Vehicles Available
Small cars, large cars, station wagons, 4WD, van/people carriers, and camper trailers.
Vehicle age range: 0 to 6 years old.
Inclusions
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1 driver (21+ years old)
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Basic insurance
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Roadside assistance
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Go Play discount card (discounts on 100+ activities)
Insurance
Free insurance with NZ$1500 excess and NZ$1500 bond for a 25+-year-old driver or NZ$2500 excess and NZ$2500 bond for a 21-24-year-old driver. Or insurance add-ons for NZ$15-$18 per day with less excess and bond to pay. Learn more about age restrictions in Age Restrictions When Renting a Vehicle in New Zealand.
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Ezi Car Rental
With a fleet of 1800 vehicles, there are plenty of options with Ezi Car Rental. Most of the models are late models, with the exception of a few, so if you are looking for something reliable at a bit of an extra cost then Ezi is for you.
Pick-up and Drop-off Locations
Pick-up/drop-off locations: Auckland Airport, Auckland, Christchurch Airport, Wellington Airport, Dunedin Airport and Queenstown Airport.
Vehicles Available
Small cars, large cars, station wagons, 4WD, utes, and people carriers.
Vehicle age range: 0 to 11 years old.
Inclusions
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2 drivers (21+ years old)
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Basic insurance
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Roadside assistance
Insurance
Free insurance with NZ$2500 excess or insurance add-ons for NZ$18-$22 per day with less excess.
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Drive NZ Rental Cars
Drive NZ is an affordable rental company . They provide a great range of cars from new to older models. There’s a minimal airport surcharge
Pick-up and Drop-off Locations
A courtesy shuttle is available between the airport and rental depots.
Pick-up/drop-off locations: Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport and Queenstown.
Vehicles Available
Small cars, large cars, station wagons, 4WD, convertibles, people carriers and campervans.
Vehicle age range: 0 to 15 years old.
Inclusions
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Basic insurance
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Roadside assistance
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Free cancellation (more than 21 days prior to hire date)
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Brochures and maps
Insurance
Free insurance with NZ$2000 excess or insurance add-ons for NZ$10-20 per day with less excess.
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Ace Rental cars
With a fleet of new and late-model vehicles. With plenty of drop-off locations this allows you to be more flexible. There is a premium location fee for airport depots.
Pick-up and Drop-off Locations
A courtesy shuttle is available to and from airport and airport depots between during normal working hours.
Pick-up/drop-off locations: Auckland City, Auckland Airport, Wellington Airport, Picton, Christchurch Airport, Dunedin Airport and Queenstown Airport.
Vehicles Available
Small cars, large cars, station wagons, 4WD, people carriers and campervans.
Vehicle age range: 0 to 8 years old.
Inclusions
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1 driver (18+ years old)
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Basic insurance
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Roadside assistance
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Insurance
Free insurance with NZ$2000 excess and NZ$750 bond or insurance add-ons for NZ$15-$17 per day with less excess and no bond to pay.
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Scotties Rentals
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With Consistently great rates, Scotties is a New Zealand family owned business that has been operating 32 years. Their family ethos flows from the top down. They have a wide range of affordable well maintained vehicles.
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Pick up and drop off locations
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Auckland Airport ,Auckland City, Christchurch Airport and Queenstown Airport. If you have a request for a different drop off to those shown and you want the car over 2 weeks call and they will try to make it work for you. There is a free airport shuttle during opening hours. After hours pick ups can be arranged with prior approval. Please contact the Scotties team to organise and avoid disappointment .
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Vehicles available
Small cars, large cars, Backpackers cars, 4WD, people carriers ,trucks ,campervans and cargo vans.
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Inclusions
1 driver with no extra charge for track relocation drivers on the great walks
Roadside assistance
Basic insurance
Discount vouchers
NZ Sim Card
Maps and brochures
Consistently great rates
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Insurance
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Free insurance is provided with an excess of $3500. This may be reduced by pay $15.00 per day. Young drivers do not pay more for insurance.
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