Taking a Rental Car on the Cook Strait Ferry

Can I take my rental car on the ferry?

It depends on the rental company. There are two ways it works in New Zealand:

• Take the car with you. Some companies allow their cars on the ferry. Ezi Car Rental, for example, lets you take its cars across and can book the vehicle ticket for you.
• Swap cars at the terminal. Other companies don’t allow their cars on board. Europcar, for example, splits your rental into one booking per island: you drop the car at its ferry-terminal branch, cross as a foot passenger with your bags, and pick up a car of the same size on the other side — at the same total price.

Policies change, so always check the company’s inter-island rules in the Rental Terms before you pay. Taking a car on board when the company doesn’t allow it can leave you without insurance cover.

Which is better — taking the car or swapping?

Taking the car is simpler: your luggage stays in the boot and you drive straight off in Picton or Wellington. You pay a vehicle fare on top of passenger tickets.

Swapping saves the vehicle fare — you only buy foot-passenger tickets — but you carry your bags through the terminal and depend on the branch opening hours at both ends. If your sailing arrives late at night, check the pick-up branch will still be open.

For a family with lots of luggage, keeping the car is usually less hassle. For a couple travelling light, a swap is often cheaper.

How much does the ferry cost with a car?

Fares depend on the season, the sailing and the vehicle size, and are set by the ferry companies. As an example, Ezi lists a fixed vehicle fare of NZ$224 in the 2026 low season and NZ$247 from December to March, plus passenger tickets. Book early for December to February and school holidays, when sailings fill up.

How do I book the ferry?

1. Check your rental company’s policy first — take the car, or swap.
2. If you’re taking the car, either let the rental company book it (some do) or book a vehicle ticket directly with Interislander or Bluebridge. If you don’t know the registration yet, Bluebridge lets you book without it and add it later.
3. If you’re swapping, book foot-passenger tickets and tell the rental company your sailing times so both cars are ready.
4. Arrive at least an hour before departure, with your ticket ready at check-in.

Where are the ferry terminals?

In Wellington, the two companies use different terminals — Interislander’s is near the city centre at Kaiwharawhara, and Bluebridge’s is opposite the railway station. In Picton, both terminals are on the waterfront in the town centre. If you’re swapping cars, check which terminal your rental branch is closest to — some companies run a shuttle.

Tips for the crossing

• Allow a buffer. Cook Strait weather can delay or cancel sailings. Avoid booking a flight or a tight one-way drop-off for the same afternoon.
• Fill up before you board if you’re taking the car — the drive from Picton to Nelson or Kaikōura has few fuel stops at night.
• Prone to seasickness? Choose a daytime sailing, sit in the middle of the ship and look at the horizon.
• Doing the whole country one way? Compare a one-way rental with two separate rentals plus a ferry ticket — the cheaper option changes with the season.