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Napier Airport
Car Rental
The best deals from multiple rental brands
Save On Car Hire at Napier Airport
MatesRates makes comparing car rentals quick and easy. Compare the best Napier Airport rental car deals from Avis, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, Ezi and more.
Napier Airport Car Rental Rates
Economy Cars
From NZD $150 per day
Compact Cars
From NZD $74 per day
Intermediate Cars
From NZD $59 per day
Large Cars
From NZD $50 per day
SUVs
From NZD $55 per day
Hybrid/Electric
From NZD $55 per day
Vans/People Carriers
From NZD $270 per day
Premium Cars
From NZD $67 per day
The above are indicative & based on low season. Rental rates fluctuate significantly depending on factors like rental dates, hire duration, rental company, and how early you book. (Usually the earlier you book, the lower the rate). Click here to get the latest rates for your rental period.
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Car Hire Options at Napier Airport
There's a range of car hire companies operating at Napier Airport. You'll find them here and can easily compare their best deals in one place. This means you don't have to waste time trawling the Internet looking for options. Or have to pay exorbitant walk-up prices at the airport rental counter.
Napier is one of NZ's most popular holiday destinations. This means it's a essential to book your rental car early, especially for travel during peak periods. Just put your travel details into the Search box at the top of the page to instantly compare a huge choice of vehicles at the very best prices.
On-Airport Rental Brands
"On-Airport" means these rental companies have check-in desks within the airport terminal.
The big advantage of this for you is convenience and speed. Once you've checked in you can jump in your rental car and get going. No waiting around for transfer vans.
But it does come at a cost. The fees are higher than off airport rental companies to offset the costs of being at the airport.
Car rental counters are located inside the terminal.
Use the price comparison search box at the top of the page to find the best prices for these Napier Airport car rental brands that are on-airport:
Off-Airport Rental Brands
"Off-Airport" companies don't have check-in desks within the airport. This means you'll need to make your way to their car hire depot to check in and collect your rental car.
Currently, Apex Car Rental is the only off-airport car rental brand we offer. On arrival phone Apex to advise you are ready for pick-up, then exit the Baggage Claim End of the terminal and wait by the roadside for the Apex courtesy transfer.
Off-airport car hire companies aren't as fast or convenient as using on-airport car rentals. But the big advantage is they are usually much cheaper.
Use the price comparison search box at the top of the page find the best prices for this off-airport car rental brand:
Why Rent A Car In Napier
Napier Airport is approximately a 10 minutes drive from the Napier CBD and 20 minutes drive to Hastings.
There are several shuttle service companies, as well as a number of taxi companies operating from the airport. A one-way shared shuttle ride into Napier will cost about $20 and exclusive hire $50. If you'e going to Hastings a one-way shared shuttle ride will cost around $45 and exclusive hire $90.
A taxi ride into central Napier will cost you about $20-$30, depending on traffic. If you're going to Hastings, expect to pay between $60-$90, again, depending on traffic.
If you need to travel further afield or will be moving around having a rental car becomes a much more cost effective alternative to taxis and shuttles. Plus, it's a lot more convenient.
Driving From The Airport
Once you've collected your hire car, drive out of the airport and turn right onto State Highway 2. After 4.5 km SH2 becomes Thackeray Street. Stay on this for 1 km and you'll be in central Napier.
If you're heading to Hastings follow the same route on SH2 and after 2.5 km at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto State Highway 2B. Follow this for 6.5 km and at the roundabout take the second exit onto SH50 which is the Napier-Hastings Expressway. Follow signs into Hastings (approx 10km).
Napier Airport Car Hire FAQ
Rental companies offer a range of vehicle types, including compact cars, sedans, and SUVs. When booking, consider your needs for luggage capacity, fuel efficiency, and the number of passengers. Always check the vehicle specifications to ensure it meets your requirements.
The terms 'economy' and 'compact' cars are used inconsistently by rental operators to describe smaller cars. That said, economy cars tend to be older vehicles supplied by some of the local rental operators.
For peak travel seasons it’s wise to book as early as possible to secure availability and better rates. If you book later you may find your choices are limited and rental rates higher, compared to booking earlier. The general rule of thumb is to book as early as possible.
International visitors need a valid overseas driver’s license. If the license is not in English, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. Always carry both your original license and the IDP when driving.
Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old, with a minimum of one year of driving experience. Drivers under 25 may incur an additional young driver surcharge. Be sure to check the specific age requirements and fees with your rental provider before booking.
Rental rates are generally based on the rental duration, type of vehicle, and any additional services or insurance options selected. Additional fees may include charges for GPS, child seats, extra drivers, or young driver surcharges. Make sure to review the terms and conditions with your rental provider.
Beyond the base rental cost, be aware of potential additional fees such as young driver surcharges, additional driver fees, GPS rental, child seats, and after-hours service charges. Ensure you understand all included costs and any potential extra charges. If you require additional services such as GPS navigation or child seats, it's advisable to request these services at the time of booking, rather than when collecting your vehicle to ensure availability.
Most rental companies accept major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Some also accept debit cards, but cash payments are generally not accepted. Check with your specific rental company to confirm their payment policies.
Rental companies provide various insurance and coverage options. These typically include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection, and Third-Party Liability. Additional coverage options may be available for personal accident insurance or roadside assistance. Make sure to understand what each option includes and excludes to choose the best coverage for your needs. We highly recommend having adequate insurance. While it's an unwelcome extra cost, the potential expenses of not having insurance far outweigh the price. We never rent a car without taking insurance.
Collect your bags and then follow signs in the terminal to the check-in counter for the rental company you're booked with.
After completing the rental agreement paperwork at the check-in counter, you will be directed to the pick-up area for your vehicle.
If you've rented an Apex Rentals vehicle they don't have a check-in counter at the airport. Apex provides a free shuttle service to transfer you from the airport terminal to their branch, where you will complete the rental process and collect your vehicle. On arrival at the airport phone Apex on their toll-free number 0800 939 597 or +64 6 835 5410 to inform them that you are ready for pick-up.
Note that after-hours pick-up is not available at Napier Airport with Apex Rentals, so ensure your arrival aligns with their operating hours.
Return your rental car to the same location where you picked it up, unless it's a one-way rental.
On-airport hire car return
To return your on-airport rental car, follow the car park signs for car rental returns. Park the vehicle in the designated space and return the key to the car rental desk.
For after-hours returns, park and lock the car and place the keys in the drop box located in the returns area.
Off-airport hire car return
Once you've returned you vehicle to the depot a courtesy shuttle service will take you a drop-off at the airport.
To avoid being late for your flight it's essential you allow sufficient time for both returning your car AND the transfer from the depot to airport.
Shuttle transfers are limited to depot opening hours, so if you return your car after-hours you may need to arrange a taxi to the airport from the depot.
Many rental companies offer free cancellations up to 24-48 hours before the scheduled pickup time. If you cancel at the last minute, cancellation fees may apply. Always review the cancellation policy of your rental company when making a booking.
Yes, you can rent a car from Napier Airport and drop it off at another location, such as Auckland or Wellington. One-way rentals often include an additional fee.
Be aware that not all rental companies allow their cars to be taken between the North & South Islands.
In case of an accident or breakdown, contact the rental company's emergency assistance number immediately. Follow their instructions and, if necessary, contact local emergency services. Ensure you document the incident and obtain a police report if required.
New Zealand rental companies generally do not permit smoking in their vehicles. If evidence of smoking is found in a returned vehicle then cleaning charges will be applied. These vary by rental firm, but typically are $200 or higher.
The fuel policy varies by rental company. Some operate on a full-to-full basis, meaning you return the car with the same amount of fuel it had when you picked it up. Others may offer pre-purchase options or charge for refuelling if the tank is not full upon return. Check your rental agreement for specific details.
If your rental needs to be returned with a full tank then it's a good idea to top up the tank at a petrol station near the depot. The extra 5 or 10 minutes this takes will definitely save you money.
If you drop off a rental car at a car hire depot with less fuel than when you picked up it up then the car hire company will charge a high price to top up the tank. These charges can be excessive, such as a $2.50 a litre surcharge additional to the fuel cost. Not a nice surprise to later find this charge on your credit card.
Topping up your rental car's tank before you drop it off back at the airport is not a problem with plenty of petrol stations nearby.
Rental companies expect vehicles to be returned in a reasonably clean condition. It's generally understood that the car should be returned in a similar state to how it was received.
If a rental car is returned excessively dirty, the rental company may withhold some or all of your security bond to cover cleaning costs. When you return a rental car, its condition will be assessed by the rental company. This assessment likely includes cleanliness as well as any damage.