Compare prices and find the best car hire deals from New Zealand’s top-rated companies, known for exceptional services and a top-notch vehicle fleet.
Partnered with the biggest brands, we ensure you can avail superior services without compromising quality.
Our highly qualified customer support team is available all year round to handle your booking-related queries.
Offering guaranteed lowest prices for car hire deals, we make it easy for travelers to plan their journey within budget.
For travelers' added convenience, we offer benefits like unlimited mileage, theft protection, etc, at no extra charge.
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.
Renting a self-drive car is undoubtedly the best way to start your trip in New Zealand’s South Island, especially when you can book it at the most affordable price. We provide the widest fleet of clean and comfortable vehicles from trusted Kiwi and international rental companies, all within your budget, without compromising the quality of service. Apart from a diverse range of compact, economy, SUV, luxury, and van/minivan categories, one can often benefit from inclusions such as Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Protection, and unlimited mileage in most standard deals.
Since booking is available at all major airports, city centres/downtown, and train station locations, you can pick up a car hire from a preferred point. Reserve for as long as you need and opt for convenient one-way deals to return the vehicle to a different location other than the pick-up point. Make sure to book early to choose from the maximum available options at lower-than-average rates. Modify the booking for free and experience 24/7 customer service for any related queries.
There are countless attractions in New Zealand’s South Island, where you can begin your journey in a self-drive rental car for a scenic one-way road trip. No matter where you begin, Southern Scenic routes are filled with breathtaking landscapes, fun stopovers, and one-of-a-kind travel experiences. For your convenience and travel planning, we have listed some of the most popular routes, along with their distances, travel times, and highlights in the table below.
| Route | Highlights | Approx. Distance | Estimated Driving Time | Ideal Rental Car Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queenstown → Glenorchy | Magnificent views along Lake Wakatipu, film locations | 45 km | 1 h + stops | Standard, SUV |
| Christchurch → Lake Tekapo (via inland route) | Rural Canterbury farmland, small historic towns | 227 km | 3-4 h | Economy, compact, SUV |
| Dunedin → Invercargill | Nugget Point Lighthouse, Cathedral Caves, McLean Falls, Curio Bay | 240 km | 3-4 days | 4WD SUVs, minivans |
| Nelson → Collingwood (via Abel Tasman National Park / Golden Bay) | Coastal scenic drive, artistic towns, and remote Golden Bay beaches | 124 km | 2-3 h (may take longer with more stops) | Convertible, Compact, SUV |
| Christchurch → Hokitika via Arthur’s Pass (West Coast) | Mountain pass, alpine scenery, rainforest, wild west-coast beaches | 250-300 km | 4-5 h | SUV, 4WD |
| Christchurch → Queenstown | Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, snow adventure activities in Queenstown | 484km | 6-8 h | SUV, 4WD |
Renters must be at least 21 years old to reserve a car rental in New Zealand’s South Island. However, a Young Driver Surcharge applies to those below the age of 25 for hiring car categories with age restrictions. Please review the Rental Terms to check driver’s age requirements and book accordingly.
Yes, our website enables you to rent a car in Christchurch, giving a convenient start to your journey from the South Island. While the Christchurch Airport (CHC), Christchurch CBD/Downtown, and other nearby locations remain the most popular among renters, you may select based on your travel plans. Just search for cars for a required schedule, compare deals from the best rental companies, and book the ideal rental vehicle.
A credit card in the main driver’s name is mandatory for booking a car hire with nearly all rental companies in the South Island, NZ. It is used for holding a security deposit against your booking at the time of pick-up as a standard industry process. Considering the deposit amount ensures the financial safety of a rental vehicle during the booking duration, making a credit card an essential tool. Security deposit is refundable in full after the rental period, as long as the vehicle is returned without any damage or traffic fines.
South Island car rental prices tend to vary for each vehicle category, depending on factors such as rental company, booking period, and availability. Using our website, you can find a wide range of cars and their accurate booking rates with different companies. Compare prices, features, and inclusions as you scroll through offers to ensure the best deal for your trip requirements in NZ.
South Island airports, including Christchurch, Queenstown, and Dunedin, in New Zealand, are major pick-up and drop-off points, where you can book a reliable car rental for hassle-free transfers. By searching for cars using your travel information in the booking form, you can quickly access rental deals for booking at your preferred airport location in the South Island.
Booking early is the best way to secure a South Island car hire at the lowest possible prices. When searching for cheap deals in New Zealand, you can consider opting for compact and economy categories and compare various offers from different rental companies. Keep in mind that renter preferences, seasonality, and any optional add-ons also amount to the final booking rates. Hence, it is advisable to read the Rental Terms before making a reservation.
We collaborate with top companies to ensure you get quality car rental at affordable prices for your journey in the South Island, New Zealand. Since you can explore deals from multiple companies in one place, you can easily compare them as per your preferences and find the best South Island car rental that suits your itinerary and budget.
Yes, flexible long-term car rental reservations can be made for a couple of weeks to over 6 months for your South Island road trip. To find the perfect long-term car hire on our website, insert your preferred pick-up and drop-off dates, times, and locations in the booking tool and conduct a car search. If required, use the filter tools for quick and easy comparison and proceed with booking upon finding the most favourable long-term car hire deal.
Taking your South Island car hire on a ferry to the North Island is mostly forbidden by the rental companies, requiring you to return the car on one island and collect another one at the arrival port. However, some select companies may allow you to do so upon pre-approval and additional charges. Since the ferry crossing permissions and related fees vary by supplier, it is best to review the rental policies before booking.
The following is the necessary documentation for booking and collecting a South Island car hire.
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.