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 13 September 2026.
Most popular company | New Zealand Discount Car Rentals |
|---|---|
Most common car type | Standard |
Average price per day | $47 |
Cheapest price per day | $9 |
small car is the cheapest car type you can hire in New Zealand this past week from 913 hire locations out of 115 hire agencies. Prices for a New Zealand small car hire start from $9/day. Check out available deals for 6 car types currently offered at listed car hire agencies here:
Economy
$9+
Compact
$9+
Intermediate
$14+
Full-size
$77+
SUV
$32+
People mover
$22+
Full-size SUV
$38+
Passenger van
$41+
Get relevant, data-driven information to help you hire a car in New Zealand, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
January
$94
February
$103
March
$84
April
$70
May
$65
June
$50
July
$59
August
$53
September
$55
October
$67
November
$75
December
$101
Avis
Cleanliness
Comfort
Overall
Pick-up/drop-off
Value
NextCar
JUCY
National
NZZU
Rhodium
Maui
Hao Car Rentals Limited
Find answers to frequently asked questions about car hires in New Zealand, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 13 September 2026.
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.
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.
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.
When hiring a car in New Zealand, the most popular provider of hire cars among Cheapflights users is New Zealand Discount Car Rentals, and with prices around $36/day, it’s easy to understand why. The most popular car type from New Zealand Discount Car Rentals is ECONOMY, which starts as low as $8/day.
At $15/day, the cheapest car hire price in New Zealand was found in Manukau Central. On average, Lower Hutt has the cheapest daily rental car price ($40/day), which is 53% below average price for cities in New Zealand.
Cars in New Zealand are to be driven on the left side of the road.
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 ($7+).
Electric
$18+
Hybrid
$7+
Petrol/Diesel
$7+