In New Zealand, can you rent cars one way?

Question

I am under the impression that its not a problem from various guidbooks, but I would like to drive from Queenstown(or Dunedin) to Auckland to catch my plane home. I have 2 weeks and would like to see as much as I can. Also is it better to start South to North, or start North and go South? Thanks for the information.

Answer 1

Shinee has given correct information.

Major hire car companies all allow pick up from one end, drop off from the other.

Definately go South then North unless you want to take advantage of the winter sports and don't mind the cold.

The scenery south in winter is spectacular.

Avoid Wellington in Aug, Sept as that is when it is most likely to be very windy. You might be doing a lot of travelling and not much else if you plan to go the entire length of the country in two weeks.

Answer 2

Some of the smaller companies, and hence cheaper, do not allow one way hires.

Do not take a car over on the ferry - way too expensive. Choose a rental company that will allow you to drop a car near the wharf and pick up another on the other side - but make sure they don't charge 2 separate rentals , it should be counted as a continuous hire.

It matters not whether you start in the North Island or in the South.

Check out the yellow pages under rental cars. The big 3 (Avis, Budget and Hertz) tend to be very expensive but have cars no older than about 50 000 kms. Other cheaper companies have cars up to about 200 000 km.

Have fun while you are in NZ,

Driver T.

Answer 3

yep you can. some companies will let you hire relocation vehicles that have been dropped of in say Christchurch and need to be driven back to Wellinton or Auckland for twenty dollars. its worth enquiring with companies abour this.

Answer 4

You can definitely drop off a car in a different city, but sometimes you have to pay a fee for dropping it off at a different location.  Budget rents cars in NZ so you can check their website out and check the price for dropping it in a different city.

As for starting North vs. South, it really doesn't matter.  Unless it's the change of seasons and you wanted to catch Queenstown before it got cold.  In which case I'd go South to North.

Answer 5

Hey, Check out rockstarcars.co.nz and your best bet is to buy a reliable car from them and then sell it.... they have really cheap cars and in the end it would probably end up costing nothing cause you can sell it for what you got it for....

Answer 6

ey mate,

you will need a full driver's license to drive a car.

if you are starting from S.Island, try to get in touch with www.maui.co.nz  they can help.

if you will just do north island, or particualrly limiting to Akl, check out www.exploremore.co.nz

with the weather slowly changing now, start at South first, then North Island.

If you plan to arrive around June - Sept - definitely extend your stay in the south island, especially if you plan to ski. :)

Hth.

N