Cheap Car Rental Queenstown Airport

Rental companies offer a range of vehicle types, including compact cars, sedans, SUVs, 4WD and vans. 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.

Queenstown is a popular year-round tourist destination. During peak periods Queenstown car rental vehicle availability can be very limited due to high demand. It’s wise to book as early as possible to secure availability and better rates. 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.

The cheapest deals are offered by off-airport brands, such as Omega, Apex and Snap Rentals. It’s not really meaningful to identify one particular brand as the cheapest. Prices depend on a range of factors including time of the year, how early you book, the age and type of vehicle you’re renting, and the length of hire. This means that at different times of the year the brand with the cheapest price will vary. Use the search widget at the top of this page to find the best deals.

Beyond the base rental cost, be aware of potential additional fees such as young driver surcharges, additional driver fees, GPS rental, child seats, ski racks, snow chains 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, child seats, ski racks, or snow chains 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.

Queenstown is an Alpine area.  In some cases, renters are not permitted to drive their rental vehicle past the snow line without first purchasing additional cover. Ensure your rental car has the proper snow insurance cover.

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.

On-airport hire car collection

If you’re hiring a rental car from an ‘on-airport’ brand, once you’ve checked in at the rental counter in the terminal, you’ll be directed to the rental vehicles car park. This is just a 2-minute walk from the terminal and well sign-posted.

• Click here to see a map of the Queenstown Airport  terminal showing locations of car rental counters.
• Click here to see a map showing Queenstown Airport rental car parking.

Note that Go Rentals does not have a desk within the terminal because their depot is an easy 50 metre stroll from the terminal.

Off-airport hire car collection

If you’ve hired from an ‘off-airport’ car rental brand call to let them know when you're ready for pick up. You'll be collected by a courtesy shuttle from outside the terminal and transported to the rental depot to pick up your vehicle. The distance of depots from the airport terminal varies by rental brand. Most are a short 10-minute drive.

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
Off-airport rental car depots are in various locations outside Queenstown Airport - most are a short drive of 10-15 minutes. Once you've returned you vehicle a courtesy shuttle service will take you a drop-off point close to your departure terminal.

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.

If your flight is delayed, contact your rental company as soon as possible. Most companies monitor flight arrivals and will hold your reservation for a reasonable period.

It’s best to provide your flight details when booking to help them track any changes.

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.

Snow Chains: If you plan driving up to one of the ski fields in the Queenstown area you're legally required to carry snow chains. This applies to both gravel roads (Cardrona Ski Resort, Treble Cone) and sealed roads (Coronet Peak, The Remarkables). If you ignore signs indicating the need to fit snow chains, you risk being fined. In the Queenstown Lakes District, the fine for non-compliance is $150.

Snow chains can either be included as an extra with your car rental or hired from ski rental firms when you get to Queenstown. We recommend the former for both convenience and cost savings.

Omega Car Rentals, for example, charge a one-off fee of $25 for your entire hire, while Snap Rentals charge a one-off fee of $60. Thrifty charges $15 a day which is obviously more expensive. It's still cheaper than hiring from a local ski rental firm such as Green Toad Snowboard & Ski Rental who charge $30 a day which quickly adds up. SkiHireNZ at 1092 Frankton Rd (1 km from the airport) are cheaper for hires beyond 2 days - they charge $40 for the first day, $30 for the seconds, and. then $10 a day there after. 

Rental firms have limited supplies of snow chains, so it's a good idea to book them at the time you reserve your car.

It's essential you know how to properly fit snow chains. Damage from ill-fitted snow chains is normally excluded from insurance cover. 

We strongly recommend you learn how to do this before you have to fit them. Trying to work out what to do when its snowing and your fingers are freezing is definitely not fun!

Fitting snow chains is not hard if you know what you're doing, Check out this video on YouTube from Cardrona Alpine Resort which shows how to fit snow chains.

Remember, carrying and using snow chains when required is not just a legal obligation but also a crucial safety measure for driving in winter conditions on mountain roads.

Vehicle Type: While a 4WD vehicle is not mandatory, it is highly recommended for better handling and safety, especially on gravel roads. Often 4WD vehicles are allowed to drive up to ski fields without being compelled to fit chains when other vehicles have to fit them. (Note, 4WD vehicles still need to carry snow chains).

Insurance and Cover: Driving past the snow line without additional cover may nullify your insurance, making you financially liable for any damage. 

Driver Requirements: Rental companies may have specific requirements regarding the driver's age and the type of license held. It's important to verify these details with your rental provider.

Prohibited Roads: Some roads may be off-limits due to safety concerns. Examples include:

Skippers Canyon Road: A narrow, winding road in Otago known for its stunning views but challenging driving conditions.

Ball Hutt Road: An unsealed road leading to Aoraki/Mount Cook, which can be difficult to navigate.

These restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of the driver and the vehicle, as well as to comply with the rental company’s policies. Always review your rental agreement and ask your rental company for detailed information on any restrictions.

Yes, you can rent a car from Queenstown Airport and drop it off at another location in NZ, such as Christchurch Airport. Note that one-way rentals often include an additional fee. Look out for special offers from car hire companies for these types of bookings.

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 a number of petrol stations in Frankton, close to Queenstown Airport. These include:

BP - 1094 Frankton Rd, Frankton
Z Petrol - 846 Frankton Rd, Frankton

Mobil - 1 McBride St, Frankton

NDP - Hawthorne Drive, Frankton

Pak 'n Save - Hawthorne Drive, Frankton

Fuel prices can differ by quite a bit between these service stations. The free GASPY ap is an easy way to check prices. For some of the cheapest fuel in Queenstown, go to The NPD petrol station in Frankton next to Bunnings on Wednesdays when they offer discounts of $0.15 to $0.20 per litre.

Electric Vehicle Charge Stations

If you need to recharge an EV there is a ChargeNet station at 302 Hawthorne Drive in Frankton by the Pak 'n Save supermarket and a Tesla Supercharger at 11 Golden Elm Lane in the Remarkables Park Town Centre next to the airport.

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.