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New Zealand is blessed with tons of beautiful towns, landmarks and natural wonders.
That’s why a road trip is hands down the best way to see the country.
But where should you start?
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to plan your first New Zealand road trip—starting with the big question: How to rent a car?
For context, I’ve done multiple South Island loop road trips during my eight years of living in New Zealand, plus a recent 2025 research trip for work that required renting a car and driving around the South Island for 5 days.
Here’s what I’d recommend.
Most international visitors want to see at least part of the South Island…!
Which is why I recommend starting your search for a rental car and a flight for Christchurch.
Due to its location, it makes the perfect jumping-off point for the best sights in the country.
Plus, you can still fly into Auckland and explore the city for a few days before heading down to Christchurch. Not to mention, Christchurch Airport is usually better connected than Queenstown, meaning you might snag a better deal.
Even if you’re doing a one-way rental, picking up in Christchurch and dropping off in Queenstown, it often works out cheaper.
Why NOT to rent a car in Christchurch
Honestly, not many reasons come to mind unless you’re only visiting Christchurch for a couple of days.
Even then, Christchurch’s public transport is a bit limited, and for the price of a couple of Ubers, you could have the flexibility of your own car.
How to find the best car rental companies in Christchurch
There are loads of rental companies in Christchurch, just like the rest of New Zealand.
The good news? Prices aren’t as high as you might expect, especially in the shoulder and off-season.
Things change a bit during peak summer (December to February) and around the Christmas/New Year holidays, so book early to avoid paying more.
Booking with Discover Cars
I always start by comparing prices with Discovercars.com. It’s one of the biggest rental comparison sites out there and has a lot of perks that make sense if you’re planning a New Zealand road trip.
Once you get to Discover Cars, it’s super easy to search by location, dates, and pick-up spot.
💡 Tip: Always check a few different pick-up locations when booking a rental car. For this trip, we noticed a big price difference between picking up a car in the city center and at the airport—up to NZD 100 cheaper at the airport thanks to bigger fleets.
Christchurch Airport is especially well-served by major rental companies, so even if you’re starting your trip in the city, it might be worth heading to the airport to pick up your car.
Once you see the results, use the filters on the left-hand side:
✅ Customer Rating: Filter by providers with a rating of 8 or higher for a smoother experience.
✅ Car Type: Choose from economy, compact, SUVs, or larger vehicles depending on your group size and luggage.
✅ Fuel Policy: Discover Cars always recommends to go for full-to-full so you can fill up and not get charged extra.
✅ Deposit: If you don’t want a big hold on your credit card, filter for lower deposits (NZD 500 or less).
✅ Payment Method: Check if the company accepts debit cards if you’re traveling without a credit card.
💡 Bonus Tip: Don’t be lured by the cheapest price—always check the terms and conditions (including insurance, mileage limits, and hidden fees) before booking.
Discover Cars also shows you both big names like Avis, Hertz, Sixt, and Europcar, and smaller local operators—which means you can find the best fit for your budget and preferences.
Disclaimer: This article is about my personal experience renting a car in New Zealand and the process I follow for research. Always do your own research and check out the companies people online recommend!
Additional charges and what to look out for in Christchurch
Always read the fine print! Try different combinations to see what makes the most sense for you!
Look for:
- Young driver fees
- One-way fees
- Insurance add-ons
- Charges for GPS, child seats, or snow chains
Requirements for booking a car in New Zealand
- Minimum Age: Usually 21, sometimes 25 for certain vehicles.
- License: Your home license is valid for up to 12 months. If it’s not in English, you’ll need an International Driving Permit.
💡 Some rental companies advertise an easy (but pricey) translation service. Snap a photo of your license, pay around $80 NZD, and you’ll get your English translation within 24 hours—super handy if you’re stuck last minute.
- Credit Card Deposit: A credit card in the main driver’s name is required for the deposit.
How much does renting a car cost in Christchurch?
As you might expect, prices vary by season, car type, and company. I’ve seen rates starting around NZD 40–50 per day for economy cars, but expect higher prices in peak summer.
For small cars in winter, prices can drop as low as $100 for 5 days – without coverage, though! So always check the fine print.
For reference, our 5-day rate in late March 2025 for a mid-size SUV with an additional driver and full coverage came to about $80 USD per day. We clocked over 2,000 km in 5 days though, so having something comfortable was worth it, especially on the mountain roads. Plus, I didn’t book in advance so choices were limited!
The difference a few weeks made to the scenery.
Do I need insurance?
Yes. 100% yes.
Accidents happen (like my almost disastrous Malta rental story), and it’d be a shame to dent (pun intended) your holiday for no reason.
Plus, it’s pretty affordable to get insurance. Discover Cars’ Full Coverage package usually runs around NZD 10–15 per day and covers the deductible on your rental company’s insurance, way fewer headaches if anything goes wrong.
Just remember: some rental companies still hold a deposit (usually NZD 500–1000) on your card, which gets released after the car is returned.
Tips to avoid extra charges
These tips are universal, good practice anywhere:
- Always, always take photos and videos before driving off. Check the outside for scratches or dents, and do a quick walkthrough of the interior. It might feel awkward doing it with someone watching, but it’ll save you a headache later.
- Choose a full-to-full fuel policy. Prepaid fuel sounds convenient, but it’s usually overpriced.
- Ask questions and get all the information you need at the kiosk. In New Zealand, it is common practice to find your car on your own at the parking lot, instead of having a hand off with an actual person, and the same is true when dropping off your car. Especially if you are dropping off at Christchurch airport, you’ll just drive to a spot, and place your keys at a deposit box.
Driving in New Zealand
As someone who learned to drive in New Zealand before moving back to Greece to get my local license, I’d say New Zealand roads are 100 times easier.
The roads are less busy, people actually follow the rules, and while the lower speed limits might feel slow, they make the roads safer.
The biggest danger? Tired or distracted international visitors who sometimes forget to stay on the left—especially at roundabouts and intersections.
Oh, and remember that the alcohol limit is low, especially for young drivers.
Another unique feature of the New Zealand driving experience, is the sheer number of one-lane bridges, especially in the South Island. Depending on where you are visiting from, you might want to acquaint yourself with the “give way” (aka yield) sign that lets you know who has priority.
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Paying for Gas (Petrol) in New Zealand
Fuel in New Zealand is called “petrol” (just so you know when you’re at the pump). It’s typically self-serve, so you’ll need to pay before filling up. Most petrol stations accept credit cards, debit cards, and cash, but some rural stations might only accept card payments at the pump.
Tip: Petrol is more expensive in remote areas, so try to fill up in larger towns like Christchurch or Queenstown whenever possible.
FAQs about renting a car in New Zealand
- Are cars automatic or manual?
Vast majority is automatic but you’ll find rental companies offering both. If you are not used to driving on the left side.
- Are snow chains required in winter?
If you are planning on visiting alpine regions like Arthur’s Pass during the winter time, you’ll need to equip snow chains. Snow starts to come in as early as mid April on these regions, so if you plan your roadtrip for mid March, you might get to see the scenery change in front of your eyes, which is of course, magical.
- Can I take the rental car on a ferry between the islands.
Usually yes! If you are planning on spending time in Wellington in between South and North island road trips, you might also want to check the price for two different rentals.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Must Know When Visiting New Zealand
- Emergency: Dial 111 for all emergencies.
- Language: Both English and Māori are official languages in New Zealand. Samoan, Northern Chinese and Hindi are also widely spoken. Common phrases to learn are “Kia ora” (Hi – informal greeting), “Aotearoa” (Māori name for New Zealand), “Mōrena”, (Good morning), “Whānau”, (Family).
- Water: Yes, it is perfectly safe to drink tap water in New Zealand.
- Driving: Left-hand side, international driving permit recommended. Book your rental car with Discover Cars for the best rates and comparisons across all major and local companies.
- Accommodation: Booking.com for the most options on hotels, apartments and hostels. Free cancellation in a lot of places and no need to pre-pay. Great for their rewards points system.
- Geography: New Zealand has two main islands (North and South) and a number of smaller islands including Steward Island at the bottom of the South Island.
- Activities: From cultural sights to day trips, food tours and city guides, use Get Your Guide.
- Domestic Airlines: The main airlines for air travel are Air New Zealand (check out their safety videos) and Jetstar.
- Taxi: You will be able to download apps like Uber, Ola and Cabify among others, to order taxi rides.
- Culture: It is not uncommon for people to walk barefoot in certain settings in New Zealand. The summer season is popular for festivals, roadtrips and of course, a good opportunity to see a rugby game.
