Car Rental in New Zealand: Airports, Cities and Road Trips
Quick summary: A rental car is the easiest way to see New Zealand if you’d rather stay in hotels, motels or lodges than travel in a campervan. You can pick up at every main airport, from Auckland and Christchurch to Queenstown and Wellington, and at many regional airports and city depots. Distances look short on the map, but winding roads, one-lane bridges and scenic stops make journeys slower than expected, so plan fewer kilometres per day and leave time to enjoy the scenery.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Main gateways | Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington airports |
| Regional pickups | Rotorua, Taupō, Napier, Nelson, Dunedin, Hokitika, Kerikeri and more |
| You’ll need | A full licence held for at least a year, and a credit card |
| Age | Usually 21 or over, with an under-25 surcharge at many companies |
| Drive on | The left |
| Tours | Featured New Zealand tours |
Compare car rental at Auckland Airport
Where can you pick up a rental car in New Zealand?
| Pickup | Best for | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland Airport | North Island road trips, Northland, Coromandel, Rotorua | Auckland Airport |
| Christchurch Airport | Canterbury, the Mackenzie Country and the drive south | Christchurch Airport |
| Queenstown Airport | Fiordland, Milford Sound, Wānaka and Central Otago | Queenstown Airport |
| Wellington | The capital, the Wairarapa and the ferry south | Wellington |
| Regional airports | Starting close to a single region | Regional airports |
What do you need to rent a car?
A full, valid driver’s licence that you’ve held for at least a year, and a credit card in the main driver’s name. A licence in another language needs an approved English translation or an International Driving Permit alongside it. The usual minimum age is 21, and younger drivers often pay a surcharge or are limited to certain vehicles. Every driver must be named on the agreement.
What is driving in New Zealand like?
Rewarding, but slower than many visitors expect. Most highways are two lanes, with frequent bends, hills and passing lanes, and rural roads have one-lane bridges where you give way to oncoming traffic as signed. Some scenic roads are unsealed, and rental terms can restrict them. Mountain passes can have snow and ice in cold weather, when chains may be needed. Take a break every two hours, and never drive tired after a long flight.
Can you take a rental car between the islands?
It depends on the company. Some let you take the car on the Cook Strait ferry; others ask you to drop it in Wellington and collect another in Picton, or the other way round. See car rental and the Cook Strait ferry.
Can you pick up in one city and drop off in another?
Yes. One-way rentals are widely available, for example Auckland to Wellington or Christchurch to Queenstown, sometimes with a one-way fee. See one-way car rentals.
Should you rent a car or a campervan?
A car suits travellers who want hotels and an easier drive; a campervan combines transport and accommodation for longer touring. See campervan or car rental? and the New Zealand motorhome guide.
Compare car rental at Christchurch Airport
Frequently Asked Questions
At every main airport, including Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington, at many regional airports, and at city depots.
Usually 21, with a surcharge or vehicle limits for drivers under 25 at many companies.
Yes, if it is current and you have held it for at least a year. Carry an English translation or International Driving Permit if it is not in English.
Yes. Most companies offer one-way rentals between major cities, sometimes with a one-way fee.