New Zealand is the ultimate road trip destination, and there are a significant number of car rental companies spread across the country, which rent out vehicles of all kinds. Big international car rental companies, such as Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, and Budget, are represented in most towns. It can, therefore, be quite overwhelming to choose the right car rental company. But there are some which stand out from the crowd.
Jucy Rentals
This company rents out cars and campervans and is popular with backpackers. They have a low minimum age for renting a vehicle and offer many budget options. They charge a small fee for cars picked up in their airport locations. Their airport branches at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Dunedin Airports offer a courtesy shuttle for airport pick-ups and drop-offs. They also have a branch in Auckland City.
Their vehicles are between new and ten years old and include cars of different sizes, four-wheel-drives, vans and people carriers, as well as campervans and motorhomes of various sizes. Multiple drivers from 18 years, basic insurance and roadside assistance are included in the rental.
Omega Rental Cars
With its large number of pick-up and drop-off locations with no one-way-charge, Omega Rentals is ideal if you start and end your trip on different islands. To save on ferry costs, vehicles can be changed in Wellington and Picton. Airport branches have courtesy shuttles for pick-up and drop-off.
Omega’s vehicles are between one and ten years old and include cars of varying sizes, four-wheel-drives, station wagons, and people carriers. Multiple drivers, one-way rental, free child seats and basic insurance, as well as maps and a guide book with activity discounts, are included.
Hitch
This car rental company offers some extremely affordable vehicles, especially if you book in advance and outside of the holiday season. Their budget rentals have some older cars with low mileage, still offering a reliable journey. Hitch has pick-up and drop-off locations at Christchurch, Queenstown and Auckland airports. A courtesy shuttle is available for airport pick-ups and drop-offs.
Hitch has small and large cars, SUVs, vans and people carriers. They have some new vehicles, as well as older ones up to ten years old. Multiple drivers, basic insurance and roadside assistance, are included in the rental.
Snap Rentals
This company is very popular with backpackers. Insurance costs are the same for any age, which makes Snap Rentals especially attractive for younger drivers. The company’s vehicles are between new and thirteen years old. They include small cars, large cars, station wagons, four-wheel-drives, and people carriers. Basic insurance and roadside assistance are included, and there is no extra charge for multiple drivers.
Snap Rentals has pick-up and drop-off locations at Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch airports, with a courtesy shuttle provided for pick-up and drop-off. They also have a branch in the centre of Queenstown.