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Multi Island Car Rental Categories in New Zealand

Browse the widest selection of vehicles for every occasion and budget when booking with us and apply filters to tailor the results for your specific requirements.

Chevrolet Spark
Mini
Chevrolet Spark or Similar
  • 5
  • 5
  • X2
  • Petrol
Toyota Yaris
Economy
Toyota Yaris or Similar
  • 4
  • 5
  • X3
  • Petrol
Mazda Demio
Compact
Mazda Demio or Similar
  • 5
  • 4
  • X3
  • Petrol
Toyota Prius
Standard
Toyota Prius or Similar
  • 5
  • 5
  • X3
  • Hybrid
Toyota Camry
Fullsize
Toyota Camry or Similar
  • 5
  • 5
  • X2
  • Petrol
Toyota Previa
Van/Minivan
Toyota Previa or Similar
  • 8
  • 5
  • X4
  • Petrol
Toyota RAV4
SUV
Toyota RAV4 or Similar
  • 5
  • 5
  • X4
  • Petrol
Polestar 2
Luxury
Polestar 2 or Similar
  • 5
  • 5
  • X2
  • Electric
Multi Island Car Rental New Zealand

Rent a Car for a Multi-Island Trip in New Zealand

A multi-island car rental allows you to explore two different islands in New Zealand. Depending on the rental company, you can either:

  • 1. Take the same vehicle on the ferry between the two islands, or
  • 2. Drop off the car at the ferry terminal (for example, Wellington and Picton) and collect another upon arriving at the next island.

You get the convenience and comfort of a tailored ride without being restricted to a single location. Travellers planning to book a vehicle for extended durations or to visit multiple attractions throughout the country can specifically benefit from this flexible option.

Cheap Multi-Island Car Hire in New Zealand

Find the best deals on a wide selection of multi-island car rentals to book in New Zealand at the lowest possible rates. With a single platform to access and compare prices from the leading international and domestic suppliers, you can select the most fitting option for your itinerary and budget. A fleet of vehicles categorised into economy, compact, van/minivan, SUV, and luxury/premium segments further helps you make the best decisions for finding the right vehicle for your specific needs.

Whether you plan to travel from one island to another or make a round trip, flexible daily, weekly, monthly, and one-way deals offer you the freedom and convenience of hiring a car for any duration. You can choose from a variety of optional extras, like GPS, booster seats, additional drivers, and more, to ensure a more comfortable and smooth journey. Use a simplified booking process to hire a car for multi-island travel – search, compare, and book to experience your New Zealand adventure to the fullest.

Multi Island Car Rental and Travel Tips in New Zealand

  • Since the ferry timings can change due to weather and sea conditions, plan your rental pick-up and drop-off to allow some extra time for any delays. This is also essential in case you’re returning a car at the terminal before boarding a ferry.
  • Sometimes, renters may be required to make two separate one-way bookings (one for each island) instead of a single multi-island car hire. This option can be especially useful during peak travel seasons when the ferry costs are higher.
  • Drive on the left side of the road and maintain a safe speed under 100 km/h on open roads and 50 km/h in towns.
  • Wildlife crossings are common in rural and remote areas, for which you must try not to drive at night.
  • Bookings for multi-island or inter-island travel may be restricted to specific vehicle categories. Make sure to review the terms and conditions when renting your preferred car.
  • Plan your route across islands well ahead of time, whether you will be travelling one-way or returning to the starting point. Early planning helps you get cheaper rental deals and ferry tickets.
  • Please note that not all rental companies allow taking the same car on a ferry to cross the Cook Strait. Most will require you to drop off the vehicle at the terminal and pick up another one on the other island. Others may allow ferry crossing with extra charges and prior approval. Always check the multi-island policy before booking.
  • Besides the initial inspection at the time of pick up, you must also check the car and take photos before getting on and after getting off the ferry.

Frequently Asked Questions

While taking a car hire on the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry between the North and the South Island is prohibited by most rental companies in New Zealand, ferry crossings with additional restrictions may be allowed by select suppliers. Usually, you are required to drop off the vehicle at the ferry terminal (mostly at Wellington or Picton) and pick up another car on the other island. Please ensure you review the ferry travel policiesto fully understand the prerequisites before booking.

Various factors, including vehicle category, availability, deal type, and optional extras, determine prices for renting cars for multi-island trips in NZ. You can find the exact costs of multiple booking options by providing your trip details in the booking form. Run a quick car search and compare available deals from different companies to get the lowest possible rates for a suitable option.

Apart from additional prerequisites that vary by supplier, below is the list of standard documentation required for a multi island car hire in New Zealand:

  • Passport/Proof of ID
  • Original Driver’s Licence
  • Valid Credit Card in the main driver’s name
  • International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified official English translation if the original driving licence is not in Roman alphabet characters
  • Rental Confirmation Voucher

We work with top companies,known for offering the best multi-island car hire deals in New Zealand. Since our platform allows you to access multiple deals at once, you can easily compare inclusions, policies, and booking quotes for all available options to secure the most favourable one for your travel requirements.

Travellers must be at least 21 years old to rent a multi-island car with most companies in New Zealand. Although a Young Driver Surcharge may still apply to drivers below the age of 25, depending on the car type, location, and company. Utilise the booking tool on this page to find deals that cater to your age group and check the terms to confirm your eligibility to book a desired rental car.

Yes, you can rent a car for a long-term multi-islandtravel in New Zealand. To book, simply insert your pick-up and drop-off schedules in the booking form and search for cars. Explore the search results for various offers available during your required period and select the most fitting option for your budget and itinerary.

While unlimited mileage is usually offered as a standard inclusion in many multi-island car hire deals by various companies in New Zealand, it may be provided at additional cost in some cases. Therefore, you must review the terms to ensure your preferred deal offers unlimited mileage. For that, you can utilise the Mileage Options filter to view relevant offers during the required duration when booking with us.

Yes, a valid credit card in your name as the primary driver is essential for a multi-island car hire in New Zealand. Your rental company will need to pre-authorise a certain amount of security deposit against your booking. This amount is fully refunded upon return of the car in its original condition. Hence, your credit card is necessary to ensure the financial safety of the vehicle during the booking period.

Yes, multi-island car hire can be collected directly from on-site counters or nearby depots at major airports, including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. Renters can quickly pick up their vehicles for a hassle-free journey across the NZ islands. You can make a reservation by running a car search based on your preferred location in the booking form.

Most suppliers will allow you to hire a car for multi-island travel if your original driver’s license is printed in the Roman alphabet. If not, then either an official English translation of your license or an International Driving Permit (IDP), accompanied by the original license, will be required to make a reservation. Any additional driver(s) must meet the same requirements as the primary drivers.

New Zealand Car Rental - Top Locations, Airports and Companies

Browse all car rental companies and locations of New Zealand including major airports, train stations and downtowns. Pickup your car hire easily from any location.

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