Find Rentals
Insights
Agencies
FAQs
New Zealand

Cheap Car Hire in New Zealand

Driver's age: 25-65
Here’s why our users search for rental cars through Cheapflights

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.

New Zealand car hires in 2026

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 10 May 2026.

Most popular company

New Zealand Discount Car Rentals

Most common car type

Compact

Average price per day

R636

Cheapest price per day

R219
Search Deals
Search Deals
Search Deals
Search Deals

Cheapflights insights for New Zealand car hires

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

How far in advance should I hire a car in New Zealand?

Book your car hire in New Zealand 84 days before your pickup date to maximise your savings. Car hire prices are around R686/day on average when booked 84 days ahead, which saves you 1 248% off the average price.

Find deals

What is the cheapest car hire company in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, the most affordable car hire company right now is EZU Car Rental, offering prices from just R168,74/day over the past two weeks. Another budget-friendly choice is North Car Rental, with rates starting at R243,87/day.

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

Planning to hire a car in New Zealand? May is the cheapest month, costing about R561 per day. In contrast, February is the most expensive, with an average daily rate of R1 278. Monthly average car hire prices are listed below. Remember, prices can change based on when you book, the type of car, and availability.

January

R1 137

February

R1 278

March

R1 075

April

R817

May

R561

June

R674

July

R664

August

R586

September

R589

October

R648

November

R740

December

R1 209

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

Thrifty has 63 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. Hertz has the second-highest number of locations in New Zealand at 60.

What are the car hire prices for popular cities in New Zealand?

Discover the price range for hiring a car in popular cities across New Zealand, helping you budget and make informed decisions for your upcoming travel. There are 242 pickup locations in New Zealand to choose from. Price data has been averaged over the last 12 months and was last updated on 10 May 2026.

Among the most popular cities in New Zealand, Auckland offers the lowest average car hire price at just R282/day. Other affordable options include Queenstown (R399/day), Christchurch (R405/day), and Wellington (R1 047/day).

Find deals

Top rental agencies in New Zealand

Explore the leading car hire agencies in New Zealand known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car hire companies in New Zealand. Reviews were last updated on 10 May 2026.

Ace Rental Cars

8,4
Very Good
39 reviews•19 locations
Check prices
Overview

Cleanliness

9,3

Comfort

8,8

Overall

8,4

Pick-up/drop-off

8,2

Value

8,4

Apex

8,4
Very Good
42 reviews•17 locations
Check prices
Overview

Cleanliness

8,7

Comfort

8,4

Overall

8,4

Pick-up/drop-off

8,6

Value

8,4

Budget

8,2
Very Good
43 reviews•21 locations
Check prices
Overview

Cleanliness

9,1

Comfort

8,8

Overall

8,2

Pick-up/drop-off

8,0

Value

8,2

Hertz

7,9
Good
57 reviews•60 locations
Check prices
Overview

Cleanliness

8,3

Comfort

8,3

Overall

7,9

Pick-up/drop-off

8,0

Value

7,8

Europcar

7,2
Good
40 reviews•13 locations
Check prices
Overview

Cleanliness

8,7

Comfort

8,7

Overall

7,2

Pick-up/drop-off

7,6

Value

7,4

Avis

9,5
Wonderful
22 reviews•21 locations
Check prices
Overview

Cleanliness

9,5

Comfort

9,6

Overall

9,5

Pick-up/drop-off

9,3

Value

9,0

EZI

9,0
Wonderful
20 reviews•28 locations
Check prices
Overview

Cleanliness

9,1

Comfort

9,1

Overall

9,0

Pick-up/drop-off

8,7

Value

8,8

Thrifty

8,2
Very Good
28 reviews•63 locations
Check prices
Overview

Cleanliness

8,3

Comfort

8,5

Overall

8,2

Pick-up/drop-off

8,1

Value

8,0

Car hire FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about car hires in New Zealand, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 10 May 2026.

  • What is the most popular car hire provider in New Zealand?

    The most popular car hire company at New Zealand is Alamo. With prices on ECONOMY starting at R1 637/day about 100% more people book with Alamo than other companies in the country.

  • What is the cheapest city to get a rental car in New Zealand?

    At R422/day, it is 39% cheaper on average to rent a car in Christchurch than any other city in New Zealand. The cheapest price found in New Zealand was for R271/day in Christchurch.

  • What side of the road do you drive on in New Zealand?

    In New Zealand, drivers are expected to drive on the left side of the road.

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.

Best Car Hire Deals

We make it easy and fast to find and compare deals from 70,000+ car hire locations and hundreds of agencies.

No surprises

Prices shown to you will be final, 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