New Zealand car rental comparison

If you’re looking to hire a car in Aotearoa (New Zealand), you’re in the right place!

With NZTT, not only do you have access to a range of awesome discounts, but you’ll also have our support in the background should you ever need it.

But how do each of our car rental companies compare?

They’re all amazing, but the ‘best’ company for you will depend on your needs and preferences.

Compare them all below…

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Note: This information was thoroughly researched from each company’s website. We also reached out to confirm details. However, terms and conditions vary, so please check your own terms and conditions.

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Country-wide hire cars

Car hire company	Snap Rentals	Ezi Car Rental	GO Rentals	Omega	Apex
Discounts	Save 10% using the promo code NZTT. Learn more.	Save 10% using the promo code NZTT10. Learn more.	Save 10% using the promo code NZTT. Learn more.	Save 5% using the promo code NZTT. Learn more.	Check pricing and availability.
Locations	Auckland City Auckland Airport Wellington Airport Nelson Airport Christchurch Airport Queenstown Airport.	Auckland City Auckland Airport Hamilton Airport Hamilton City Rotorua Airport Tauranga Airport Tauranga City Taupō Airport Gisborne Airport Gisborne City Napier Airport New Plymouth Airport Palmerston North Airport Wellington Airport Blenheim Airport Nelson Airport Christchurch Airport Christchurch City Greymouth Train Station Hokitika Airport Queenstown Airport Dunedin Airport Invercargill Airport. ⭐️ Most locations.	Auckland City Auckland Airport Waiheke Island Wellington Airport Nelson Airport Greymouth Railway Station Christchurch Airport Queenstown Airport Dunedin Airport Invercargill Airport.	Auckland Airport Auckland City Wellington Airport Wellington City Picton Ferry Blenheim Airport Nelson Airport Christchurch Airport Queenstown Airport Queenstown City.	Auckland Airport Auckland City Tauranga Airport Napier Airport Wellington Airport Wellington City Picton Ferry Blenheim Airport Nelson Airport Christchurch Airport Christchurch City Greymouth Railway Station Queenstown Airport Invercargill Airport.
Airport locations	Offsite from airports – free shuttle provided.	Onsite at airports (no need for shuttles). ⭐️ Most convenient.	Offsite (shuttle provided) and onsite (no shuttle required), depending on the airport.	Offsite from airports – free shuttle provided	Offsite from airports – free shuttle provided.
Cars	Hatches 4WDs & SUVs vans (up to 12-seaters).	Hatches 4WDs & SUVs utes.	Hatches 4WDs & SUVs vans (up to 10-seaters) Teslas.	Hatches Sedans 4WDs & SUVs MPV’s and station wagons.	Hatches Sedans 4WDs & SUVs vans (up to 12-seaters).
Age of cars	Older budget-friendly cars (new) late-model cars. ⭐️ Most choice.	(New) late-model cars.	(New) late-model cars some older ones on Waiheke Island.	Older budget-friendly cars and newer cars.	Older budget-friendly cars.
Available engines	ICE (Internal Combustion Engine – fuel, normally petrol) Hybrid	ICE (Internal Combustion Engine – fuel, normally petrol) Hybrid	ICE (Internal Combustion Engine – fuel, normally petrol) Hybrid Electric ⭐️ Most choice.	ICE (Internal Combustion Engine – fuel, normally petrol) Hybrid	ICE (Internal Combustion Engine – fuel, normally petrol)
Minimum hire age	No minimum age. Must hold valid driver’s licence. Restricted (P Plate) drivers must take Restricted Driver’s Insurance Cover. ⭐️ Most flexible.	20 years old, holding valid full driver’s licence.	21 years old for most cars. To hire a Tesla Model Y, you must be 25+. Overseas hirers must have valid full driver’s licence. New Zealanders can drive on a restricted licence.	18 Years Old minimum age. You must hold a valid drivers license or Restricted license. To hire an MPV, Compact SUV range, Premium SUV range & Large SUV, drivers must also hold a valid overseas licence, international driving permit or a full New Zealand drivers licence. A restricted (or Australian red P1) licence is not accepted for these categories.	21 years old, holding valid full driver’s licence.
Maximum hire age	No maximum	No maximum.	No maximum.	No maximum.	No maximum.
Mileage limit?	Unlimited mileage.	Unlimited mileage.	Unlimited mileage (and no additional RUCs).	Unlimited mileage.	Unlimited mileage.
Road exclusions	Any beach Riverbeds Private roads. ⭐️ Most flexible.	Anywhere that is not officially designated as a road through any rivers or streams any non-commercial ski field road any beach including Ninety Mile Beach, Northland Tasman Valley Road beyond the picnic area/parking lot near Aoraki/Mt Cook Skippers Canyon Road near Queenstown Deer Park Heights (432 Peninsula Road, Queenstown) the inland road between Tapu and Coroglen in the Coromandel Glenorchy Paradise Road beyond the Diamond Lake DOC campground.	Ball Hutt Road (Mt Cook) Skippers Road (Queenstown) Ninety Mile Beach and Te Paki Stream Bed (Northland) the road to Macetown in the Queenstown Area any unformed road or any track or thoroughfare including gravel roads that are not officially designated a road, including any beach.	Any beach or off-road, including: Ninety Mile Beach Te Paki Stream Bed Skippers Canyon Macetown (beyond Glenorchy) Raspberry Creek Ball Pass Hawke Road (South Canterbury)	Off-road driving on any beach (including Ninety Mile Beach and Te Paki streambed) farm paddocks 4WD tracks (this includes for 4WD vehicles. Specific road exclusions: Skippers Canyon Road The road to Macetown Matukituki Road beyond the Treble Cone access road turn off Glenorchy-Paradise Road beyond Priory Road turn off.
Insurance options	Limited Cover (included). $3,000 excess, $2,000 bond. Basic Cover (reduced excess). $500 excess, $500 bond. $29 per day, up to a maximum of 50 days ($1,450) Simply Better Cover (full coverage). No excess, no bond. Windscreen cover, lost key replacement, towing recovery and more. $34 per day, up to a maximum of 50 days charge ($1,700).	Ezi Starter (included). $5,999 or $7,000 excess, depending on model hired, $400 bond. Ezi Dynamic (reduced excess). $999 excess or $1,500 (model dependent), daily charge varies by model. Ezi ultra (full cover). No excess. $400 bond taken for incidentals – refunded at completion of hire. Includes windscreen cover. Daily charge varies by model.	GO Basic (included), excess and bond varies by model. Must have credit card in own name. GO Assured (reduced excess), excess and daily charge varies by model. No bond. GO Peace of Mind. No bond and no excess on most vehicles. An excess may apply on larger vehicles such as vans. Daily cost varies by model. Note: All policies include windscreen and tyre damage.	Bronze Cover- (included). $3,500 excess, no bond unless you are not paying by credit card. $3,500 bond if you are using a debit card. Silver Cover. $1,200 excess, no bond unless you are not paying by credit card, if you are paying by debit card, $1,200 bond. Gold Cover- $0 excess, no bond required for credit card or debit card payment.	Basic Cover (included), $3,300 excess, $1,000 bond. Limited Cover Excess Reduction (reduced excess), $500 excess, bond not advised. Daily charge varies by model. Maximum Cover Excess Reduction (full cover), no excess, $500 bond. Daily charge varies by model. Note: Some models may not be eligible for complete excess reduction.
Additional drivers	$3 per driver, per day.	No extra cost of “Ezi Dynamic” and “Ezi Ultra” cover. $5 per driver, per day.	Flat rate of $15 per additional driver.	No extra cost. ⭐️ Most flexible.	No extra cost. ⭐️ Most flexible.
Cancellation policy	More than 3 days before pickup = full refund. 1-3 days before pickup = 50% payable. On the day or no-show = 100% payable.	No cancellation fees. ⭐️ Most flexible.	More than 24 hours before pickup = 10% payable. Within 24 hours of pickup = 100% payable.	More than 72 hours before scheduled pickup time = no cancellation fee. Within 24-72 hours of scheduled pickup time = 20% fee Within 24 hours or if you don’t collect the vehicle = 40% fee.	More than 14 days before rental start date = full refund. Less than 14 days notice, but more than 24 hours before rental start date = 20% payable (capped at $100). Less than 24 hours before rental start date = 50% payable (capped at $200).
Early returns	No refund for early returns.	No refund for early returns.	Rental returns more than 48 hours prior to the expected date are eligible for a partial refund. ⭐️ Most flexible.	Rental returns more than 48 hours prior to the expected date are eligible for a partial refund. Similarly, if you are returning the car rental later than expected (even by a few hours), 48 hours’ notice is required to avoid paying the ‘unauthorised late return’ rate. Please note, the credit/debit card surcharges for the rental payments are non-refundable in the event of early return of the vehicle.	No refund for early returns.
Credit card required?	Debit and credit cards accepted. Pre-authorisation of $500 or $2,000 applies unless ‘Simply Better Cover’ is chosen, in which case no bond is required. Card must be in the main hirer’s name.	Debit and credit cards accepted. Yes, pre-authorisation hold of $1 on credit cards or $400 on debit cards. Card must be in own name.	Debit cards are accepted under “Assured” and “Peace of Mind” insurance options. It is possible to use a credit card under a different name. ⭐️ Most flexible.	Debit and credit cards accepted. No bond required if paying by credit card. A debit card (such as Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard or Prepaid Travel Card) is accepted as security, provided that Gold CDW is selected. If Silver or Bronze CDW is selected, a debit card bond is required, which may be paid via debit card upon vehicle collection. The bond is NZ$1200 if Omega’s Silver CDW has been selected and NZ$3500 if Bronze is selected. If you can supply a credit card as security but wish to pay with a debit card, no bond is required (although please note that the credit card holder must be named on and sign the rental agreement and be present upon collection of the vehicle). Any card presented should be embossed/printed in the name of the person hiring the car, and should match the name of the driver’s licence being presented.	Credit cards and debit cards accepted. Owner of card must be present at pickup.
24-hour roadside assistance	Included	$6.99 per day extra, maximum of $97.99 per booking.	$3 per day extra, but covers the cost of toll roads and both mechanical and non-mechanical call outs.	Included – but you will need to pay the call-out fee if it is driver error and/or non-mechanical.	Included (not for driver error/non-mechanical)
Snow chains (subject to availability)	$60 per hire.	$15 per day. Maximum $105 per hire.	$69 per hire.	$25 per hire.	Yes, price not advertised.
Transmission	Automatic transmissions only.	Automatic transmissions only.	Automatic transmissions only.	Automatic transmissions only.	Mostly automatic. Contact them to request a manual (subject to availability)
Allowed on Cook Strait ferry?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
One way hires allowed?	Yes, additional cost.	Yes, additional cost.	Yes, additional cost.	Yes, free of charge. ⭐️ Best value (but run dummy bookings with others to compare overall cost and package).	Yes, free of charge. ⭐️ Best value (but run dummy bookings with others to compare overall cost and package).
More details	Read FAQ and Ts and Cs.	Read FAQ and Ts and Cs.	Read FAQ and Ts and Cs.	Read Ts and Cs.	Read FAQ and Ts and Cs.
Discounts	Save 10% using the promo code NZTT. Learn more.	Save 10% using the promo code NZTT10. Learn more.	Save 10% using the promo code NZTT. Learn more.	Save 5% using the promo code NZTT. Learn more.	Check pricing and availability.
Car hire company	Snap Rentals	Ezi Car Rental	GO Rentals	Omega	Apex

Location-specific hire cars

Car hire company	Kabayan
Discounts	Save 10% by mentioning NZTT.
Locations	Queenstown
Airport locations	Off-site. Free delivery anywhere in Queenstown (small fee applies for the airport)
Cars	Hatches SUVs and 4WDs vans (up to 8-seaters)
Age of cars	(New) late-model cars.
Available engines	ICE (Internal Combustion Engine – fuel, normally petrol) Hybrid
Minimum hire age	21 years old, holding valid full driver’s licence. Additional insurance excess applies if the driver’s license was issued less than 12 months ago and if driver is between 21 and 25 years of age.
Maximum hire age	Renters over 75 years old may be required to provide a medical certificate confirming their fitness to drive.
Mileage limit?	Unlimited mileage.
Road exclusions	No off-road driving (but formed gravel roads are allowed).
Insurance options	Standard insurance (included). $4,500 excess, $4,500 bond. Additional insurance available.
Additional drivers
Cancellation policy	Provide more than 48 hours notice of cancellations or amendments.
Early returns	No refund for early returns.
Credit card required?	Not required, no bond taken.
24-hour roadside assistance
Snow chains (subject to availability)
Transmission
Allowed on Cook Strait ferry?	Yes
One way hires allowed?	No – must be returned to Queenstown.
Did you know?	David and Kathreen are also available as your private drivers.
More details	Read FAQ and Ts and Cs.
Discounts	Save 10% by mentioning NZTT.
Car hire company	Kabayan

Terms

Pre-authorisation = a hold on your credit card. It won’t show as a payment, but will earmark the funds in case they are needed by the car hire company.

Excess = the maximum amount you will pay in an accident before insurance covers the rest.

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