Car rental New Zealand

General information and regulations

The two main islands of New Zealand, the North Island and the South Island, have an excellent road network. However, due to the low density of traffic many roads are not paved with asphalt.

Traffic travels on the left and the driving wheel is at the right side of the car. Speed limits are: in the city 30mph/50kph and on the highway 60mph/100kph. In order to rent a car you have to be 21 years old and have held your license for 1 year. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge.

Driving in New Zealand with a rental car

With regard to the size of New Zealand (1,600 km in length), the island can be explored perfectly by car. The North Island has the largest population and inhabitants reside mostly in the capital city of Wellington and the largest city: Auckland. The South Island has become famous for its enchanting scenery.

Along the East coast of the South Island, you will find the city of Christchurch, an excellent starting point for your journey. A lovely trip will take you from Christchurch to Greymouth, from East to West on South Island. During the trip, you can enjoy the rough and breathtaking 'Alps of New Zealand'. The journey stretches over 258 km and can be done in 3 hrs and 10 minutes.

Furthermore, the city of Picton lies at 336 km North from Christchurch and is well worth the 5-hour drive along the coast. In the middle of this journey, one can make a pit stop in Kaikoura, known for its dolphin and whale cruises. On arrival in Picton, you can cross Cook Strait although your car will have to stay on the island. This should not pose as a problem since the North Island has excellent car rental opportunities as well.

Renting a car in New Zealand

Christchurch International Airport has many options for car rental. The companies that are present here include: Avis, Budget, Hertz and Maui Rentals. You can compare local rates through EasyTerra as well, this website compares multiple car rental companies for your convenience.