Find Rentals
Popular Cars
Rental Deals
Insights
Agencies
FAQs
South Island

Cheap Car Hire in South Island from R183

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 27/7 and drop-off date of 31/7. 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: 26-65
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.

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 8 July 2025.

There are, in total, 103 car hire locations in South Island that are operated by 74 companies. In the past week, small car is the cheapest car type users can hire (cheapest price last found: R183/day). Explore 3 car types currently offered from South Island hire providers:

Economy

Economy

Compact

Compact

Full-size

Full-size

R1 147+

SUV

SUV

People carrier

People carrier

Pick-up truck

Pick-up truck

R1 049+

Compact SUV

Compact 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 SUV hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

BMW 1 SeriesR183/day
4
M
A/C
BMW 1 Series
Nissan MicraR194/day
4
M
A/C
Nissan Micra
Kia PicantoR282/day
2
M
A/C
Kia Picanto

Best car hire deals found in South Island

Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car hiredeals in South Island. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect rental option for your needs. There are currently 8 hire car agencies in South Island with an average daily rate of R435. Data was last updated on 8 July 2025.
BMW 1 SeriesR183/day
4
M
A/C
BMW 1 Series
Nissan MicraR194/day
4
M
A/C
Nissan Micra
Kia PicantoR282/day
2
M
A/C
Kia Picanto

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 17 days before your trip. At that point, average daily prices are around R704, which is about 1 331% 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 EZI (rated 10.0/10 with 2 reviews). Dollar (rated 10.0/10) 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 R574 per day. In contrast, December is the most expensive, with an average daily rate of R1 349. 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 204

February

R1 100

March

R920

April

R923

May

R574

June

R627

July

R784

August

R704

September

R683

October

R704

November

R902

December

R1 349

Top rental 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 8 July 2025.

EZI

10,0
Wonderful
2 reviews4 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

10,0

Comfort

10,0

Overall

10,0

Pick-up/drop-off

10,0

Value

10,0

Dollar

3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

10,0

Comfort

10,0

Overall

10,0

Pick-up/drop-off

10,0

Value

10,0

Bargain Rental Cars

10,0
Wonderful
1 review2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

10,0

Comfort

8,0

Overall

10,0

Pick-up/drop-off

10,0

Value

10,0

Avis

9,7
Wonderful
6 reviews4 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9,7

Comfort

9,7

Overall

9,7

Pick-up/drop-off

8,8

Value

9,1

Budget

8,6
Very Good
3 reviews4 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9,3

Comfort

9,3

Overall

8,6

Pick-up/drop-off

8,3

Value

9,0

Ace Rental Cars

8,5
Very Good
14 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9,2

Comfort

8,9

Overall

8,5

Pick-up/drop-off

8,5

Value

8,5

Apex

8,2
Very Good
12 reviews4 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8,7

Comfort

8,1

Overall

8,2

Pick-up/drop-off

8,2

Value

8,4

Europcar

7,7
Good
4 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8,5

Comfort

8,5

Overall

7,7

Pick-up/drop-off

8,0

Value

7,1

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 8 July 2025.
  • How much does it cost to hire a car in South Island for a week from Ace Rental Cars?

    Ace Rental Cars is one of the most popular car hire companies in South Island, offering car hire for around R3 331 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.

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