South Island

Cheap Car Hire in South Island from $13

This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car hire in South Island with a pick-up date of 26/10 and drop-off date of 30/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
Driver's age: 25-65
Here’s why our users search for rental cars through Cheapflights

Save over 44%Compare Cheapflights against other travel sites with one search.

Price trackingHolding out for a great deal? Get notified when prices are reduced.

Customized resultsFilter by rental agency, car type, price range and more.

Unlimited free useSearch as many times as you want with no hidden charges or fees.

Popular car types in South Island

Explore the most popular car models available for hire in South Island and choose the one that suits your needs. The price data is sourced from various car hire companies and was last updated on 21 October 2025.

There are 73 hire agencies servicing South Island. These agencies, altogether, have 101 hire locations available. Need an affordable hire? small car is the cheapest car type to hire in South Island with prices from $13 a day in the previous 7-day period. Here are 5 car types you can hire in South Island:

Economy

Economy

Compact

Compact

Intermediate

Intermediate

Full-size

Full-size

SUV

SUV

People mover

People mover

Full-size SUV

Full-size SUV

Passenger van

Passenger van

Pick-up truck

Pick-up truck

Premium SUV

Premium SUV

Supplier choice

Supplier choice

Compact SUV

Compact SUV

Intermediate SUV

Intermediate SUV

Standard SUV

Standard SUV

Compare car hire deals in South Island by type

Here are the best South Island small car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best South Island medium car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best South Island SUV hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best South Island van hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best South Island pickup truck hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Nissan Micra$13/day
2
M
A/C
Nissan Micra
Kia Rio$13/day
4
4
M
A/C
Kia Rio
Suzuki Swift$13/day
2
M
A/C
Suzuki Swift

Best car hire deals found in South Island

Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car hire deals in South Island. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect hire option for your needs. There are currently 8 hire car agencies in South Island with an average daily rate of $46. Data was last updated on 21 October 2025.
Nissan Micra$13/day
2
M
A/C
Nissan Micra
Kia Rio$13/day
4
4
M
A/C
Kia Rio
Mercedes-Benz A-Class$13/day
4
M
A/C
Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Cheapflights insights for South Island car hires

Get relevant, data-driven information to help you hire a car in South Island, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.

How far in advance should I hire a car in South Island?

To get the best deal on car hire in South Island, book about 7 days before your trip. At that point, average daily prices are around $70, which is about 40% cheaper than the typical rate.

What is the best car rental company in South Island?

Based on Cheapflights user feedback, the highest-rated car hire company in South Island is keddy by Europcar (rated 10.0/10 with 1 review). EZI (rated 9.7/10 with 6 reviews) is also highly rated by our users.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in South Island?

Planning to hire a car in South Island? May is the cheapest month, costing about $49 per day. In contrast, December is the most expensive, with an average daily rate of $115. Monthly average car hire prices are listed below. Remember, prices can change based on when you book, the type of car, and availability.

January

$101

February

$93

March

$80

April

$85

May

$49

June

$51

July

$66

August

$65

September

$59

October

$61

November

$79

December

$115

What car do most people hire in South Island?

Intermediate cars (Toyota Camry, for example) are the most popular in South Island. SUV (Kia Sportage) and Economy (Class Economy Car) cars are also often chosen by our users when visiting South Island.

Top hire agencies in South Island

Explore the leading car hire agencies in South Island known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car hire companies in South Island. Reviews were last updated on 21 October 2025.

keddy by Europcar

10.0
Wonderful
1 review6 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Overall

10.0

Pick-up/drop-off

10.0

Value

10.0

EZI

9.7
Wonderful
6 reviews9 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.7

Comfort

9.7

Overall

9.7

Pick-up/drop-off

9.7

Value

9.7

Avis

9.2
Wonderful
10 reviews8 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.4

Comfort

9.6

Overall

9.2

Pick-up/drop-off

9.4

Value

8.9

Dollar

8.8
Very Good
2 reviews8 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Overall

8.8

Pick-up/drop-off

8.5

Value

9.1

Ace Rental Cars

8.6
Very Good
22 reviews11 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.4

Comfort

9.0

Overall

8.6

Pick-up/drop-off

8.5

Value

8.6

Hertz

8.5
Very Good
23 reviews16 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.5

Comfort

8.7

Overall

8.5

Pick-up/drop-off

8.6

Value

8.3

Thrifty

8.5
Very Good
10 reviews17 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.9

Comfort

9.0

Overall

8.5

Pick-up/drop-off

8.8

Value

8.1

Alamo

8.4
Very Good
3 reviews4 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.4

Comfort

8.4

Overall

8.4

Pick-up/drop-off

8.4

Value

8.4

Car hire FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about car hires in South Island, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 21 October 2025.
  • What is the cheapest hire car found in South Island?

    In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under $73/day when booking a car hire in South Island. The absolute best deal a user found was for $36/day from Autounion Car Rental, booked on Oct. 19.

  • How much does it cost to hire a car in South Island for a week from Mode?

    Mode is one of the most popular car hire companies in South Island, offering car hire for around $435 per week on average.

  • Can I rent a car for a month in South Island?

    Yes, cars are available to be hired for an entire month in South Island.

  • How much does it cost to rent a car in South Island for a month?

    The average cost of a car hire in South Island for a month is $1,866. Check Cheapflights to compare pricing and options for your rental car.

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Airport car hires in South Island

Hire a car at one of these airports in the South Island area

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