Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»
Wicked Campers
(
0800 246 870, 09-634 2994;
www.wickedcampers.co.nz
)
Car Rental
Competition between car-rental companies in NZ is torrid, particularly in the big cities and Picton. Remember that if
you want to travel far, you need unlimited kilometres. Some (but not all) companies require drivers to be at least 21
years old − ask around.
Most car-hire firms suggest (or insist) that you don't take their vehicles between islands on the Cook Strait ferries. In-
stead, you leave your car at either Wellington or Picton terminal and pick up another car once you've crossed the strait.
This saves you paying to transport a vehicle on the ferries, and is a pain-free exercise.
INTERNATIONAL RENTAL COMPANIES
The big multinational companies have offices in most major cities, towns and airports. Firms sometimes offer one-way
rentals (eg collect a car in Queenstown, leave it in Christchurch), but there are often restrictions and fees. On the other
hand, an operator in Christchurch may need to get a vehicle back to Auckland and will offer an amazing one-way car re-
location deal (sometimes free!).
The major companies offer a choice of either unlimited kilometres, or 100km (or so) per day free, plus so many cents
per subsequent kilometre. Daily rates in main cities typically start at around $40 per day for a compact, late-model,
Japanese car, and around $75 for medium-sized cars (including GST, unlimited kilometres and insurance).
»
Avis
(
0800 655 111, 09-526 2847;
www.avis.co.nz
)
»
Budget
(
0800 283 438, 09-529 7784;
www.budget.co.nz
)
»
Europcar
( 0800 800 115;
www.europcar.co.nz
)
»
Hertz
( 0800 654 321, 03-358 6789;
www.hertz.co.nz
)
»
Thrifty
(
0800 737 070, 03-359 2721;
www.thrifty.co.nz
)
LOCAL RENTAL COMPANIES
Local rental firms dapple the
Yellow Pages
. These are almost always cheaper than the big boys − sometimes half the
price − but the cheap rates may come with serious restrictions: vehicles are often older, and with less formality some-
times comes a less protective legal structure for renters.
Rentals from local firms start at around $30 per day for the smallest option. It's obviously cheaper if you rent for a
week or more, and there are often low-season and weekend discounts.
Affordable, independent operators with national networks include the following:
»
a2b Car Rentals
(
0800 545 000;
www.a2b-carrentals.co.nz
)
»
Ace Rental Cars
(
0800 502 277, 09-303 3112;
www.acerentalcars.co.nz
)
»
Apex Rentals
(
0800 939 597, 03-379 6897;
www.apexrentals.co.nz
)
»
Go Rentals
(
0800 467 368, 09-525 7321;
www.gorentals.co.nz
)
»
Omega Rental Cars
(
0800 525 210, 09-377 5573;
www.omegarentalcars.com
)
»
Pegasus Rental Cars
(
0800 803 580, 03-548 2852;
www.rentalcars.co.nz
)
