New Zealand

Cheap Car Hire in New Zealand from $9

Auckland, New Zealand
26 Mar — 2 Apr
Driver's age: 26-65
Auckland, New Zealand
Tue 26/3
Noon
Tue 2/4
Noon

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 March 2024.

Most popular company

Autounion Car Rental

Most common car type

Supplier choice

Average price per day

$71

Cheapest price per day

$9

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 287 pickup locations in New Zealand to choose from. Price data has been averaged over the last 12 months and was last updated on 19 March 2024.

Price

$17 - $76

Out of all the popular cities in New Zealand, Auckland is the cheapest city to rent a car in at just $17/day. Renting a car in Auckland is 78% cheaper than renting one in Invercargill where the per day rate is around $76. Other fairly inexpensive cities in New Zealand to get a rental car in are: Christchurch ($18/day), Wellington ($26/day), and Queenstown ($31/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 $17/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 March 2024.

January

$71

February

$85

March

$76

April

$59

May

$42

June

$41

July

$50

August

$44

September

$44

October

$48

November

$68

December

$99

Currently, the cheapest month to rent a car in New Zealand is June. 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 March 2024.

small car is the cheapest car type you can hire in New Zealand this past week from 727 hire locations out of 79 hire agencies. Prices for a New Zealand small car hire start from $9/day. Check out available deals for 5 car types currently offered at listed car hire agencies here:

Economy

Economy

Compact

Compact

Intermediate

Intermediate

Full-size

Full-size

SUV

SUV

People mover

People mover

Full-size SUV

Full-size SUV

Premium

Premium

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 March 2024.

Small cars

$39 - $117

All Car Types

$64 - $151

To hire a small car in New Zealand, you would pay an average price of $61/day. September is the cheapest month to hire a small car in New Zealand (~$39/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is February (~$117/day). In fact, September is about 38% 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 32% 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 $84/day. May is the cheapest month to hire a medium car in New Zealand (~$51/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is February (~$154/day). In fact, May is about 40% 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 7% 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 $126/day. May is the cheapest month to hire a large car in New Zealand (~$100/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is February (~$198/day). In fact, May is about 22% 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 30% 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 $92/day. May is the cheapest month to hire a SUV in New Zealand (~$64/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is February (~$169/day). In fact, May is about 32% 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 4% 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 $139/day. August is the cheapest month to hire a van in New Zealand (~$90/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is February (~$196/day). In fact, August is about 36% 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 36% 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 $136/day. May is the cheapest month to hire a pickup truck in New Zealand (~$99/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is February (~$211/day). In fact, May is about 28% 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 35% 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 pickup truck hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a luxury car in New Zealand, you would pay an average price of $130/day. June is the cheapest month to hire a luxury car in New Zealand (~$94/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is February (~$196/day). In fact, June is about 28% 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 31% 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.

Toyota Yaris Cross$9/day
4
M
A/C
Toyota Yaris Cross
Kia Picanto$16/day
2
M
A/C
Kia Picanto
Kia Picanto$17/day
2
M
A/C
Kia Picanto

Tips for hiring a car in New Zealand

Browse helpful tips for hiring a car in New Zealand including age restrictions, car type suggestions and more. Tips were last updated on 19 March 2024.
  • The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers aged 20 and over in New Zealand is 0.05 grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (0.05%). Note that drivers under the age of 20 and those with a learner or restricted licence have a strict 0% limit. New Zealand enforces these rules rigorously, and exceeding the limit can result in fines, licence suspension and possibly even jail time. So, as you explore the stunning landscapes of New Zealand, be mindful of these laws. Doing so will give you a far more peaceful and enjoyable journey while also protecting the safety of your fellow road users.
  • A unique driving aspect in New Zealand is the widespread use of single-lane, unsealed roads, particularly in rural and remote areas. You may encounter these dirt or gravel roads when exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations like the stunning Catlins region on the South Island. It's essential to check with your hire car agency before traversing such roads, to ensure your policy doesn’t exclude them. If allowed, be sure you drive carefully – they can be narrow and winding, with loose gravel affecting vehicle traction. Staying at a reduced speed, maintaining a safe following distance and avoiding sudden maneuvers will be essential.
  • Child car seat laws are strictly enforced in New Zealand to protect young passengers. So, if you’ll be travelling with children under the age of seven, be sure to bring or book the appropriate child restraint for your hire vehicle. The specific type of restraint will depend on the child's age, weight and height. Infants under a year old should be in a rear-facing seat, while older children can generally use forward-facing seats or boosters.

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 March 2024.
Have a look at the top car hire agencies available in New Zealand, including those that serve Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch. Make sure to read through user feedback, confirm pickup locations, and check the fine print before choosing.

Thrifty

59 locations

Hertz

48 locations

Firefly

46 locations

Sunnycars

36 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 $52. Data was last updated on 19 March 2024.
These are some of the best options we've found for those looking for car hires in New Zealand, including options within a close proximity to Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch. If these deals don't appeal to you, check back very soon as they are being updated frequently.
Toyota Yaris Cross$9/day
4
M
A/C
Toyota Yaris Cross
Kia Picanto$16/day
2
M
A/C
Kia Picanto
Kia Picanto$17/day
2
M
A/C
Kia Picanto

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 March 2024.
  • Should I hire a car in New Zealand?

    Hiring a car in New Zealand offers several advantages. Most importantly, it provides the freedom to explore at your own pace and venture off the typical tourist trail. The country’s diverse landscapes – from snow-capped mountains to subtropical beaches – make for plenty of scenic drives. You’ll have more time to truly appreciate well-known attractions like Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, Bay of Islands and Queenstown if you drive. Compared to alternative transport options, hiring a car can also be faster and more convenient. Then, of course, there are unique places like Farewell Spit and Ninety Mile Beach that are only really accessible by car. All in all, your hire car will open up an abundance of free-roaming adventures.

  • What is driving like in New Zealand?

    Driving in New Zealand is a unique and captivating experience thanks to the country’s diverse landscapes and well-maintained roads. The road surfaces vary from asphalt to chip seal to unsealed surfaces, depending on the location. Though road quality is generally good, the roads can be hilly, narrow and winding, especially in rural areas. These paths may require more time and attention to navigate. There are three toll roads to be aware of, all located on the North Island.

  • How old do you have to be to hire a car in New Zealand?

    The minimum age to hire a car is typically 21 in New Zealand. However, a few select hire car companies may allow drivers between 18 and 21 years of age. Drivers under 25 often incur a young driver surcharge, so be sure to check this with your hire car agency before booking. As for the driving licence requirements, you need a full valid driving licence, not a provisional one, to book a vehicle in your name. If your licence is not written in English, it must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit. It’s also required that you have held your full driving licence for at least one year. These and other terms and conditions can vary from company to company, so it’s best to compare policies via Cheapflights to find a vehicle that suits your needs.

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

    Taking our users’ ratings and reviews into consideration, EZU Car Rental (10.0 rating), Rental Cars 247 (9.5 rating) and Yes Rentals (9.3 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 Mode Car & Camper Rentals, and with prices around $57/day, it’s easy to understand why. The most popular car type from Mode Car & Camper Rentals is INTERMEDIATE, which starts as low as $17/day.

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

    At $39/day, the cheapest car hire price in New Zealand was found in Auckland. On average, Wellington has the cheapest daily rental car price ($76/day), which is 34% below average price for cities in New Zealand.

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

    Cars in New Zealand are to be driven on the left side of the road.

See more FAQs

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 March 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 ($10+).

Electric

Electric

Hybrid

Hybrid

Petrol/Diesel

Petrol/Diesel

Best Car Hire Deals
We make it easy and fast to find and compare deals from 70,000+ hire locations and hundreds of agencies.
No Surprises
Prices shown to you will be completely in full, without any hidden charges or fees.
Free cancellation
Plans change — we get it. And that’s why you can search and book car hire on Cheapflights from agencies that offer free cancellation