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Picton Ferry
Car Rental
The best deals from multiple rental brands
Save On Car Hire at Picton
MatesRates makes comparing car rentals quick and easy. Compare the best Picton rental car deals.
Avis, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, Europcar, Dollar, Ace, Omega and Big Value.
Picton Car Rental Rates
Compact Cars
From NZD $89 per day
Intermediate Cars
From NZD $96 per day
Large Cars
From NZD $104 per day
SUVs
From NZD $90 per day
Hybrid/Electric
From NZD $89 per day
Premium Cars
From NZD $122 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 Picton Ferry Terminal
There's a range of car hire companies operating at the Picton Ferry Terminal. You'll find most 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 rental counter.
To maximise your savings it's a good idea to book your car early, especially for travel during peak periods when rental vehicle availability can be extremely limited.
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.
Use our price comparison search tool to find the best prices for these car rental brands at Picton:
Why Rent A Car In Picton
Separating New Zealand's South Island and North Island is the famous Cook Strait. The options for crossing from Wellington are either fly to Blenheim or take one of the Cook Strait ferries from Wellington to Picton.
Most people choose to take the ferry because Cook Strait is one of the most spectacular ferry crossings in the world. The journey through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds is breath-taking.
If you plan taking a ferry across Cook Strait you'll need to book with one of two ferry companies. These are the Interislander and Bluebridge.
Some car rental firms will allow you to take your car from Wellington to Picton on the ferry. This is really convenient — on arrival in Picton you simply drive off the ferry and head on your way.
But taking a car on the ferry can get quite expensive. The average price for a passenger plus car is around $180, but can be as high as $446. What you pay depends on size of the vehicle, fare type, peak vs. off-peak travel times and season. Costs for campervans can be substantially higher due to their bigger size.
There's an alternative option which will save you money. And that's not to take your rental car on the ferry. Instead, drop off your North Island rental car in Wellington and then collect a new rental car when you land in Picton at the ferry terminal.
Obviously, this is not as convenient because it involves unpacking and repacking your car — something that is a hassle if you're travelling with lots of gear or kids.
If this option does suit you then we have a range of car rental brands you can rent from the Picton Ferry Terminal. But be aware that these book out months in advance, so early bookings are essential.
Picton 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.
The two ferry companies that operate between Wellington and Picton have seperate terminals in Picton. Most rental car offices are located at the InterIslander Ferry Terminal. If you arrive from Wellington on a Bluebridge ferry there is a free shuttle to the Interislander terminal.
After completing the rental agreement paperwork at the rental check-in counter, you will be directed to the pick-up area for your vehicle.
If you're picking up an Omega or Big Value rental car their joint depot is not at the ferry terminal but in Picton itself. A free transfer service is provided between 8:00am and 4:30pm.
Call the Omega/Big Value Picton Depot on 0800 181918 (freephone) on boarding the ferry in Wellington. A representative will be waiting in the Picton Ferry Terminal for you holding an Omega signboard. You will then be taken to the Picton Depot just minutes away to sign your paper work and uplift your vehicle. Should your arrival be outside of office hours arrangements will need to be made prior to your arrival.
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 in the InterIslander ferry terminal.
If you are catching a Bluebridge ferry to Wellington there is a free shuttle service available from the InterIslander ferry terminal. This departs from the bus shelter outside the InterIslander terminal one hour prior to sailing.
For after-hours returns, park and lock the car and place the keys in the drop box located in the returns area.
If you have an Omega or Big Value rental car you need to return it to their depot at 1 Lagoon Road, Picton. During office hours a free shuttle bus service will take you to the ferry terminal which is a short drive 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.
Before you book your ferry check below to see if you can travel with your rental car. Not all rental car companies allow their vehicles on Cook Strait ferries.
Rental car companies that allow their vehicles on Cook Strait ferries:
- Avis Rental Cars
- Budget Rental Cars
- Go Rentals
- Omega Rental Cars
- Apex Car Rental
- Enterprise
- Ezi Car Rental
- Scotties Rental Cars
- Snap Rentals
- Sixt Rental Cars
- Mode Rentals
- Ace Rentals (If you are returning to the original island of pick-up)
Rental car companies where the vehicles must be picked up/dropped off at either Wellington or Picton and not travel by ferry:
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Thrifty
- Ace Rentals (If you aren't returning to the original island of pick-up)
- Dollar Car Rental
Yes, you can rent a car from Picton 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.
The three closest petrol stations to the Picton Ferry Terminal are:
- GAS - 52 Kent Street, Picton
- BP - 403 Hume Highway, Picton
- Z Energy - 3 Wellington Street, Picton
These stations are within a short driving distance from the ferry terminal, making them convenient for refueling before returning rental cars.
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.