Get relevant, data-driven information to help you rent a car in South Island, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in South Island?
You should book your rental car in South Island around 8 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in South Island?
Rentals in the Medium category (Class Intermediate Car or similar) are the most popular option in South Island, costing ₪115/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as ₪61/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in South Island?
The cheapest month to rent a car in South Island is June at an average cost of ₪82/day. December is the most expensive month to rent a car in South Island when prices are ₪244/day on average, which tends to be 77% above the yearly average rental price for South Island.
South Island car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in South Island by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
₪29 - ₪163
All Car Types
₪117 - ₪272
How much does it cost to rent a small car in South Island?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in South Island?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in South Island?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in South Island?
How much does it cost to rent a van in South Island?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in South Island?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in South Island?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in South Island?
Small car rentals in South Island typically cost around ₪72 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average ₪29 per day which is about 61% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 59% cheaper than the average rental in South Island, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Medium car rentals in South Island typically cost around ₪165 per day. The best time to book is August, when prices average ₪93 per day which is about 44% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 6% cheaper than the average rental in South Island, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in South Island typically cost around ₪224 per day. The best time to book is July, when prices average ₪118 per day which is about 48% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 22% more expensive than the average rental in South Island, but offers more comfort for longer trips.
SUV rentals in South Island typically cost around ₪164 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average ₪114 per day which is about 31% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 6% cheaper than the average rental in South Island, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van rentals in South Island typically cost around ₪309 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average ₪195 per day which is about 37% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 44% more expensive than the average rental in South Island, but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in South Island typically cost around ₪218 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average ₪145 per day which is about 34% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are typically 21% more expensive than the average rental in South Island, ideal for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in South Island typically cost around ₪250 per day. The best time to book is July, when prices average ₪146 per day which is about 42% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 31% more expensive than the average rental in South Island, but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in South Island typically cost around ₪243 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average ₪107 per day which is about 57% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 29% more expensive than the average rental in South Island, perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
New Zealand Discount Car Rentals
Medium
₪152/day
₪129/day
Top tips for renting a car in South Island
When driving in South Island, ensure you keep within the speed limit set by the law. Like other towns in New Zealand, maintain 20 km/h (12 mph) when approaching and passing a school bus, 40 km/h (25 mph) in residential areas, and maintain 80 km/h (50 mph) when driving on limited-access urban arterial roads, winding rural roads, and rural access roads. However, as you hit the motorways and expressways, you can drive as high as 110 km/h (68 mph).
As you drive on rural roads in South Island, keep in mind that some of them can be narrow and winding. It is thus not surprising to find bridges or single-track roads only wide enough to allow passage for one car. Therefore, keep an eye on signs indicating winding roads and narrow streets, particularly when overtaking. Also, bear in mind that vehicles closest to the bridge, or those going uphill, have the right of way.
The New Zealand seatbelt law requires that every car be equipped with front and back seatbelts. To this end, every car occupant must wear a seatbelt, whether sitting at the front or back. Furthermore, kids aged seven or younger must be strapped in an approved child-restraint device when traveling in vans or cars. Usually, car rental companies provide this child restraint equipment at a small fee.
It is critical to consider your needs before setting out to hire Southland Island car rentals. Typically, your budget and the destinations you want to visit are the most likely determinants of the type of car you will rent. A compact car is recommended if you will be confined within the town center where roads are smooth. However, if you plan to venture outdoors in rural areas, consider a pickup truck or a 4X4 SUV.
25% of our users found rental cars in South Island for ₪129 or less
Medium rental cars in South Island are around 64% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in South Island
How much does it cost to rent a car in South Island?
On average a rental car in South Island costs ₪152 per day.
How can I find car rentals near me in South Island?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in South Island are Queenstown (50% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in South Island) and Christchurch (50%).
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in South Island?
On average a rental car in South Island costs ₪1,067 per week (₪152 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in South Island?
On average a rental car in South Island costs ₪4,572 per month (₪152 per day).
Should I rent a car in South Island?
You won’t regret renting a car when visiting South Island. Besides the flexibility it offers when exploring the hidden gems on your bucket list, South Island car rentals offer comfort and privacy when touring the area. With fixed routes and specific departure schedules, public transportation in this area is restrictive, as you cannot conveniently move around to experience the beautiful parts of the town. In addition, car rentals have different types of cars in their fleet, and you will have several options based on your needs. If you are here for a few days, you will find South Island car rentals cheaper than taxis. Lastly, car rentals are also cheaper if you are traveling with your friends or family.
What is driving like in South Island?
Traffic laws in South Island are the same as those in other parts of New Zealand. The steering wheel is on the right, and people drive on the left. The roads are narrower, steeper, and more winding than expected. There are few motorways; the roads are mostly two-way, with one lane in each direction. South Island implements strict Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) laws where drivers aged 20 or younger should have 0% BAC. For those aged 21 or older, you must not drive if your BAC is greater than 0.05%, lest you incur heavy fines. Remember, there’s a special category of vehicles that have the right of way, particularly emergency vehicles with flashing lights, and school buses.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in South Island?
You need to be 18 years old to rent a car in South Island. However, the age may vary depending on the company and vehicle category, with some South Island car rentals applying a surcharge policy to renters below 25, and the fees are paid at the counter. You also need a valid driving license from your home country, which you must have held for at least a year. It is important to remember that an International Driving Permit is only permissible when presented with a valid driver’s license. You can pay for your rental via debit, credit cards, or cash (New Zealand Dollars only).
Car rental directory
Thrifty car rental locations in South Island
17 Locations
Hertz car rental locations in South Island
14 Locations
Sunnycars car rental locations in South Island
12 Locations
Firefly car rental locations in South Island
11 Locations
Ace Rental Cars car rental locations in South Island
10 Locations
Avis car rental locations in South Island
9 Locations
Budget car rental locations in South Island
9 Locations
Apex car rental locations in South Island
8 Locations
Dollar car rental locations in South Island
8 Locations
EZI car rental locations in South Island
8 Locations
Europcar car rental locations in South Island
7 Locations
Moto Car Rental car rental locations in South Island
6 Locations
Car rental locations in South Island
Everything you need to know for your car rental in South Island
KAYAK and its partners wish to use cookies or similar technologies to store and/or access information on and about your device and process personal data such as your IP address, device identifiers etc., in order to improve your experience on the site, to analyze navigation, to offer and measure personalized advertising, and to facilitate sharing on social networks. We also allow the use of third-party cookies (including those from our advertising partners) on our sites.
By clicking 'Accept', you consent to your data being processed by 0 vendors on this web site for the purposes described in this notice. You can review the vendors and their individual processing purposes on the .
To review individual processing purposes and cookie categories, please click ’Select individual purposes’. You can review your choices and withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the ’Privacy Preferences’ link in the page side navigation.
