Rental companies compared · November 2026
Best Car Rental Companies in New Zealand
We compare 38 rental companies across 90 pick-up locations. Here's how they differ — network, airports, ferry rules and price — so you can pick the right one for your trip, not just the cheapest headline rate.
The best rental company is the one that has a desk where you land, a total price you're happy with including the insurance excess, and rules that fit your trip — ferry crossings, gravel roads, one-way drop-offs and driver age. International brands such as Budget, Hertz, Thrifty and Europcar have the biggest networks. Independent companies such as Avis, Ezi Car Rental and Apex Car Rentals are often cheaper, sometimes with a short shuttle from the airport.
Best rental companies for…
Picks are based on the facts given with each one — desk and airport counts come from the locations on our site and update automatically.
- Most pick-up locationsBudget, Hertz and Thrifty
The widest networks we list — Budget has 30 desks and depots. Best for one-way trips and smaller towns.
See deals - Most airports coveredBudget, Hertz and Thrifty
Budget has desks at 16 airports we list — handy if you fly between cities and pick up a car at each end.
See deals - Independent companies with wide coverageAvis, Ezi Car Rental and Apex Car Rentals
The independent companies with the most desks on our site. Independents often use a depot near the airport with a free shuttle, which can mean lower prices.
See deals - Crossing Cook StraitEuropcar · Ezi Car Rental
Europcar swaps cars at the ferry terminals. Ezi lets you take the car on board.
See deals - Electric & hybrid focusEV Hire and Green Motion
Companies whose fleets focus on electric and low-emission cars. Plan charging stops — see our electric car rental page.
See deals - Waiheke IslandMint Rentals
The only company we list with a desk at Waiheke Island’s ferry port.
See deals
Compare all 38 rental companies
Every company we work with, with the desks and airports we list for each. Search, filter and sort — then open a company for its locations, cars, reviews and deals.
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Budget
International brand- Auckland
- Blenheim
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Greymouth
- +16 more
3016— -
Hertz
International brand- Auckland
- Blenheim
- Claudelands
- Dunedin
- Frankton
- +21 more
30135/51803 reviews -
Thrifty
International brand- Auckland
- Blenheim
- Greymouth
- Hamilton
- Hokitika
- +11 more
21124.9/51321 reviews -
Avis
Independent- Auckland
- Blenheim
- Dunedin
- Greymouth
- Hamilton
- +11 more
18114.9/51584 reviews -
Ezi Car Rental
Independent- Auckland
- Blenheim
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Greymouth
- +6 more
Lets you take the car on the Cook Strait ferry, and sells ferry tickets with the rental.
1464.7/51509 reviews -
Europcar
International brand- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Invercargill
- Napier
- Palmerston North
- +5 more
Swaps cars at the Wellington and Picton ferry terminals on the same booking, so you don’t pay to take the car on the ferry.
1284.8/5900 reviews -
Apex Car Rentals
Independent- Blenheim
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Greymouth
- Invercargill
- +4 more
1144.7/51103 reviews -
Rad Car Hire
Independent- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Greymouth
- Hamilton
- +4 more
1144.7/51220 reviews -
Enterprise
International brand- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Invercargill
- Nelson
- +2 more
1064.4/5550 reviews -
Omega
Independent- Auckland
- Blenheim
- Christchurch
- Nelson
- Picton Ferry
- +2 more
1044.8/51506 reviews -
Ace
Independent- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Greymouth
- Picton Ferry
- Queenstown
- +1 more
824.5/51600 reviews -
Alamo
International brand- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Invercargill
- Nelson
- +2 more
764.9/51306 reviews -
Go Rentals
Independent- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Nelson
- Queenstown
- Wellington
735/51395 reviews -
Keddy by Europcar
International brand- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Invercargill
- Napier
- Queenstown
- +2 more
77— -
Bargain Rental Cars
Independent- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Hamilton
- Picton Ferry
- Wellington
634.8/51306 reviews -
Dollar
International brand- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Kerikeri
- Queenstown
- Wellington
65— -
Mode Car Rentals
Independent- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Queenstown
- Wellington
634.8/51203 reviews -
Sixt
International brand- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Queenstown
- Wellington
644.6/51258 reviews -
Snap
Independent- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Nelson
- Queenstown
- Wellington
654.7/51078 reviews -
National
International brand- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Invercargill
- Wellington
54— -
Routes
Independent- Auckland
- Invercargill
- Queenstown
- Wellington
44— -
Yesaway
Independent- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Queenstown
434.8/51124 reviews -
AutoUnion Car Rental
Independent- Auckland
- Christchurch
324.9/51121 reviews -
EV Hire
Independent- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Queenstown
33— -
EZU Car Rental
Independent- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Queenstown
33— -
Pegasus Rental Cars
Independent- Dunedin
- Invercargill
- Nelson
31— -
Yes Rentals
Independent- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Queenstown
334.6/51103 reviews -
Flexways
Independent- Māngere
- Yaldhurst
2—4.9/5920 reviews -
Green Motion
International brand- Auckland
- Christchurch
22— -
Mint Rentals
Independent- Auckland
- Waiheke Island
21— -
Cross Country Rentals
Independent- Christchurch
11— -
GoldStar Car Rentals
Independent- Christchurch
11— -
Hao Rentals
Independent- Queenstown
11— -
Jucy Rentals
Independent- Queenstown
1—4.5/51431 reviews -
North Car Rental
Independent- Auckland
11— -
Apollo Car Rentals
IndependentLocations on the company page——4.9/5790 reviews -
Drive NZ Rental Cars
IndependentLocations on the company page——4.5/51307 reviews -
Rental Cars 247
IndependentLocations on the company page———
No company matches. Try a company name or a location such as Queenstown.
Desks and airports count the rental desks and depots listed on our location pages — a company may have more. Ratings, where shown, come from our own customers' reviews on each company page.
How to choose the right rental company
Look at the full price for your dates, not the daily rate. One-way fees, young-driver fees, extra drivers and child seats are all added before you pay.
Each company sets its own insurance excess and credit-card hold. A slightly dearer deal with a low excess can work out cheaper if anything happens.
Terminal desks are quicker after a long flight; off-airport depots are often cheaper. Check opening hours if you land late.
Each company page shows what our customers say about pick-up, car condition and the return. Recent reviews tell you more than a brand name.
Minimum ages and young-driver fees vary by company — usually 21+, sometimes 18+. Enter your real age in the search so prices are accurate.
Most agreements restrict unsealed roads and beaches. If your route includes gravel, read the terms or our gravel roads guide.
New Zealand Cars Rental is a comparison and booking site: we show deals from the companies above and earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you. The counts on this page come from the desk addresses on our location pages and update when those pages change. Ferry policies were checked on the companies' own websites in October 2026. Prices, cars and rental terms are always shown before you pay.
Rental company questions
Which car rental company is cheapest in New Zealand?
It changes with dates, location and car type, so no company is always cheapest. Independent companies with depots near the airport often have the lowest daily rates, but check the excess and deposit: a cheap rate with a high excess can cost more if anything goes wrong.
Which rental companies have desks at the airport?
Most companies we list serve Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown airports. Some are in the terminal and others meet you at a nearby depot with a free shuttle — the exact pick-up point is on your Rental Confirmation Voucher.
Can I take a rental car on the Cook Strait ferry?
It depends on the company. Europcar swaps cars at the Wellington and Picton terminals on the same booking; Ezi Car Rental lets you take the car on board. Other companies have their own rules — check the Rental Terms before you book.
Are independent rental companies in New Zealand reliable?
Independent companies must meet the same New Zealand consumer law and vehicle safety rules (Warrant of Fitness) as the big brands. The differences are usually car age, depot location and excess options — all shown in the car details and Rental Terms before you pay.
Compare every company for your dates
One search shows prices from all the companies above — filter by company, car type and pick-up point.