Car rental is favoured by visitors wanting to self-drive in New Zealand. There's loads of choice and a wide range of vehicles available to suit any budget.
Self-drive is a great way to explore New Zealand. You’ll have the flexibility to evolve your itinerary as you go along, and the freedom to explore places that are away from the usual tourist trails. Our roads are generally of a very high standard. All main routes are sealed and well signposted; beyond the cities, traffic is light.
Car rental companies come in all shapes and sizes. You’ll find all the big names, as well as a wide range of local operators. In most cases the longer you hire, the cheaper the daily rate. If you need one-way hire between locations, choose one of the larger companies.
You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver's licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP) - (Note: if your overseas licence or permit isn't in English, you must carry an accurate translation. See NZ Transport Agency for more information). Commonly, you need to be 21 or older to rent a car in New Zealand.
