New Zealand car rentals

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car hire in New Zealand

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Mini car
Mini
M
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Economy car
Economy
M
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Compact car
Compact
M
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Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
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Standard car
Standard
M
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Full-size car
Full-size
M
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Luxury car
Luxury
M
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People carrier car
People carrier
M
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Passenger van car
Passenger van
M
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SUV car
SUV
M
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Commercial car
Commercial
M
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Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
M
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Booking Insights

Good to know

Most popular agency

Most popular car type

Average price

Good deal

Budget
Full-size
AED 101/day
AED 95/day

KAYAK’s insights & trends for New Zealand car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in New Zealand with confidence.

How far in advance should you book a rental car in New Zealand?

You should book your rental car in New Zealand around 26 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the cheapest car rental company in New Zealand?

In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at New Zealand Discount Car Rentals (AED 18.15/day), JUCY (AED 71.58/day) and Yes Rentals (AED 86.05/day).

What is the most popular rental car in New Zealand?

SUV rentals (Class Compact SUV or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to rent in New Zealand. SUV cars in New Zealand cost AED 239/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as AED 101/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in New Zealand?

The cheapest month to hire a car in New Zealand is May at an average cost of AED 121/day. December is the most expensive month to hire a car in New Zealand when prices are AED 277/day on average, which tends to be 463% above the yearly average hire price for New Zealand.

What car hire company in New Zealand has the most locations?

Thrifty operates 63 locations in New Zealand, more than any other car hire company.
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Top tips for hiring a car in New Zealand

  • Renting a car in New Zealand gives you several advantages over relying on public transportation. While buses go throughout much of the country, and the major cities are connected by trains and airports, going off the beaten track to experience New Zealand’s famous natural attractions—like the areas around Waipoua Forest and Milford Sound—requires your own vehicle.
  • Most of New Zealand is connected by roads that are paved and well-maintained; however, there are several gravel roads and off-road paths that travelers tend to take when exploring the outdoors. A car will be an acceptable rental option if you’re sticking to the cities, but for vast, rural areas and mountain passes, a four-by-four will be required, preferably with tire chains, which you can often add on to your reservation through companies like GO Rentals and JUCY.
  • According to the child restraint laws in New Zealand, your child must be secured in a car seat up until the age of seven. From seven to eight years old, they must be secured in a car seat if the vehicle has one already. From ages eight to 14, children must wear a seat belt if the vehicle is equipped with one; if not, the children must sit in the back of the vehicle.
  • A popular way to get around New Zealand is to rent a campervan, which are offered by most major rental companies in New Zealand, including Jucy and GO Rentals. A campervan not only often has four-by-four capabilities for off-roading, but they also allow visitors to camp out in nature and save money on accommodations during their time in New Zealand.
  • 25% of our users found rental cars in New Zealand for AED 95 or less
  • Compact rental cars in New Zealand are around 53% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in New Zealand

  • How much does it cost to hire a car in New Zealand?

    On average a car hire in New Zealand costs AED 101 per day.

  • How can I find car hires near me in New Zealand?

    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 New Zealand?

    Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in New Zealand are Auckland (65% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in New Zealand), Queenstown (16%) and Christchurch (16%).

  • How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in New Zealand?

    On average a car hire in New Zealand costs AED 709 per week (AED 101 per day).

  • How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in New Zealand?

    On average a car hire in New Zealand costs AED 3,037 per month (AED 101 per day).

  • What is driving like in New Zealand?

    In New Zealand, you’ll drive on the left side of the road. Roundabouts go clockwise, and there is an abundance of sheep in the countryside to watch out for. Other than that, driving in New Zealand is much like driving anywhere in Europe or in the United States. Also, there are many winding roads in New Zealand, so be sure to give yourself enough travel time if you’re in a rush.

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

    To legally rent a car in New Zealand, you must be over the age of 21. However, if you’re under the age of 25, many rental car companies will add a surcharge to your reservation. New drivers should also take note that you must have had your license for at least one year when renting in New Zealand. You can rent a car in this country with a valid driver’s license, so there’s no need to get an international driving permit if you don’t already have one.

  • How much does petrol cost in New Zealand?

    Getting petrol in New Zealand will cost you over twice what it costs in the United States. The price of a gallon of petrol in New Zealand is around 8.78 NZD (5.70 USD), while the price of petrol in the US is around 2.50 USD per gallon. Credit cards are commonly accepted at petrol stations in New Zealand, so you’ll likely not have to worry about carrying cash to the pump.

  • What are the speed limits in New Zealand?

    The speed limits in New Zealand range from 10 km/h to 110 km/h (6-68 mph), depending on the area you’re in. If you’re in a pedestrian zone, the limit will be 10 km/h (6 mph), with limits increasing the farther you get from pedestrian areas. In some rural areas, you’ll see a circular white sign with a diagonal black line through it. This sign means that the speed in the area is derestricted, and a general 100 km/h (62 mph) limit applies.

Car rental directory

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car hire locations in New Zealand

    63 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car hire locations in New Zealand

    59 Locations

  • firefly

    Firefly car hire locations in New Zealand

    49 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in New Zealand

    44 Locations

  • ezi

    EZI car hire locations in New Zealand

    28 Locations

  • keddy

    keddy by Europcar car hire locations in New Zealand

    23 Locations

  • motocarrental

    Moto Car Rental car hire locations in New Zealand

    23 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in New Zealand

    21 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car hire locations in New Zealand

    21 Locations

  • bargainrentalcars

    Bargain Rental Cars car hire locations in New Zealand

    20 Locations

  • acerentalcars

    Ace Rental Cars car hire locations in New Zealand

    19 Locations

  • apollo

    Apollo Car Rentals car hire locations in New Zealand

    16 Locations

Car hire locations in New Zealand

Everything you need to know for your car rental in New Zealand

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The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for hire cars for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car hires listed or dates of travel. Some hire car providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the website of the respective hire car provider.

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