Cheap Car Rental Nelson Airport
Compare the best car rental deals from multiple brands
Save On Car Hire at Nelson Airport
MatesRates makes comparing car rentals quick and easy. Compare the best Nelson Airport rental car deals.
Avis, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, Dollar, Ezi, Omega, Go Rentals and more.
Nelson Airport Car Rental Rates
Economy Cars
From NZD $38 per day
Compact Cars
From NZD $42 per day
Intermediate Cars
From NZD $47 per day
Large Cars
From NZD $67 per day
SUVs
From NZD $51 per day
Hybrid/Electric
From NZD $44 per day
Vans/People Carriers
From NZD $108 per day
Premium Cars
From NZD $123 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.
”
Second time I’ve used MateRates. Always a good deal.
Trevor B | New Zealand
”
Left everything to the last minute and were having trouble finding a car. Then we found your site and got a car in Queenstown at a decent rate.
Fiona W | New Zealand
”
Best deal we could find after looking at lots of rental car websites.
Lorenz G | Australia
Why Rent A Car In Nelson
One of the key reasons for renting a car when you’re visiting Nelson is the freedom and flexibility it offers.
With a rental car you’re free to explore at your own pace and on your schedule - not someone else’s.
Public transport can be great and a real cost saver. BUT the problem is it severely limits where you can go. And when. If you’ve got limited time, do you want to waste it standing around waiting for buses? We didn’t think so!
Taxis are another option. They give travel flexibility but relying on them can quickly become painfully expensive as fares add up. Nelson Airport is located about 8 km south of Nelson's city centre. A one-way taxi ride into town will cost you about $26.
Low daily rental rates plus unlimited kilometres means that hiring a rental car is usually your most cost effective option and allows you to make the most of your limited time.
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 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.
Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty, Europcar & NZ Rent a Car drop off is situated in the Rental car park located to the left after the rental car kiosks as you exit the terminal.
Keys can be deposited in the drop-off boxes situated on the exterior wall of the rental car kiosks if the offices are closed.
Use our price comparison search tool to find the best prices for these on-airport car rental brands at Nelson 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 depot to check in and collect your car.
Most provide free shuttle services and will collect you from the terminal. This gets arranged when you make your booking & you'll need to let them know when you've arrived.
Off-airport car hire options aren't as fast or convenient as using on-airport car rentals. But the big advantage is they are usually much cheaper.
Use our price comparison search tool to find the best prices for these off-airport car rental brands at Nelson Airport:
Car Hire Options at Nelson Airport
There's a range of car hire companies operating at Nelson Airport. In addition to well known international brands, like Avis and Hertz, there are also independent local New Zealand car hire brands offering competitive prices.
The good news is that you'll find them here and can easily compare their best deals.
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.
Nelson is one of NZ's most popular holiday destinations so it's a good idea to book your rental car early, especially for travel during peak periods.
Driving From The Airport
If you're going into central Nelson the most scenic route is through Tahunanui and along the waterfront. This takes around 15 minutes.
Once you've collected your vehicle, drive out of the airport car park and you'll get to a small roundabout. Instead of turning right into Quarantine Road, go straight on Bolt Road for 500 m. At the next roundabout turn right into Parkers Road. After 1km turn left into Muritai Street. This will take you into Tahunanui and along the waterfront into central Nelson (about 4-5 km).
If you're heading South, at the first roundabout turn right into Quarantine Road. After 1km turn right onto State Highway 6 which goes to Richmond and is about 10 minutes drive.
Nelson 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 a vehicle from an off-airport rental company they don't have a check-in counter at the airport. Instead once you've got your bags call them and they'll send 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.
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 Nelson Airport and drop it off at another location, such as Queenstown or Christchurch. Many people do this. One-way rentals often include an additional fee. Be aware that not all rental companies allow their cars to be taken from the South Island to the North Island.
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.
There are several petrol stations located close to the airport, and the Mobile station in Tahunanui is open 24 hours.
Mobile - 565 Main Road Stoke, Stoke
Mobile - 28 Tahunanui Drive, Tahunanui
Caltex - 209 Waimea Rd, Bishopdate
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.