We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
New Zealand measures 1,593km from top-to-toe, is penned in by 15,000km of scenic coastline and home to acres of picturesque national parks. To see as much of it as possible, you'll need to hire a car.
Before you put the pedal to the metal, though, there are a few things you need to know, including where to find the best rental deals and the top driving routes around the country.
Compare rental cars and prices in New Zealand
We've sussed out how much you can expect to pay for car hire. Our figures are based on a quote from our engine for a rental car from Christchurch for 7 days, booked a month in advance for a driver aged 30+.
Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty all have a share of the rental car market in New Zealand. Popular pick-up spots include:
Wellington Airport
Christchurch Airport
Auckland Airport
Queenstown Airport
Gisborne Airport
Tips for driving in New Zealand
Approach railway crossings with caution. Only half of the railway crossings in New Zealand have automatic alarms to alert drivers of oncoming trains. The rest have "give way" or "stop" signs. It's up to you to check for trains before you cross the tracks.
Traffic lights can flash yellow. If you see a traffic light with a flashing amber light it means that the signals are out of order. Unless there's a traffic controller to direct you, you may proceed with caution.
Allow extra time for your journey. There are comparatively few motorways in New Zealand than Australia. Many of the country's roads have single-file traffic flows and away from the big cities these can be narrow and windy. Therefore a 60 kilometre journey can take 2 hours instead of 1.
Be prepared to use chains. In winter and spring, ice, snow and hail can make driving challenging. Most car hire companies provide you with chains at these times of year.
Drive on the left. Like Aussies, Kiwis drive on the left side of the road.
Car hire in New Zealand FAQs
Do Australians need an International Driving Permit to drive in New Zealand? No. You can legally drive in New Zealand if you hold an up-to-date Australian driver's licence.
Can I drive in New Zealand if I only have a provisional licence (P-plate)? Yes, however, many car hire companies only rent to full licence holders.
How does car insurance work? Hire cars come with basic insurance but the excess on the policies tends to be high. You can take out extra cover packages to lower it either with the car hire company or through an external insurer.
Available on rentals until 11 December 2021 across Australia and New Zealand including Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Auckland and more. Minimum of 5 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
Rentalcars.com can help you compare major car hire company rates for the best price. Companies it compares include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Thrifty, Alamo, Dollar and Budget. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and more.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. We value our editorial independence and follow editorial guidelines.
finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don't cover every available product or service.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.
Products marked as 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money here.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labelling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.