Cheap Car Rental Rotorua Airport
Compare the best car rental deals from multiple brands
Save On Car Hire at Rotorua Airport
MatesRates makes comparing car rentals quick and easy. Compare the best Rotorua Airport rental car deals from Avis, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, Ezi, RaD, Keddy and EZU.
Rotorua Airport Car Rental Rates
Compact Cars
From NZD $42 per day
Intermediate Cars
From NZD $48 per day
Large Cars
From NZD $66 per day
SUVs
From NZD $60 per day
Hybrid/Electric
From NZD $48 per day
Premium Cars
From NZD $72 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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Easy, I had no problems at all. Prices seemed to be ok. I didn't check others. Definitely recommend.
Adrianne H | New Zealand
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Best deal we could find after looking at lots of rental car websites.
Lorenz G | Australia
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Best car hire price I could find. Recommended to a friend and she said same.
Jane A | New Zealand
Car Hire Options at Rotorua Airport
There's a range of car hire companies operating at Rotorua Airport. You'll find them here and can easily compare their best deals in one place.
At Rotorua Airport all the car rental companies we offer have check-in counters, apart from EZU whose depot is located in the Rotorua town centre. EZU provide a free transfer to their depot from the airport.
Car rental counters are located in the Arrivals area of the terminal.
To maximise your savings it's a good idea to book your car early, especially for travel during peak periods.
Just put your travel dates into the Search box at the top of the page to instantly compare a wide choice of vehicles at the very best prices.
Use our price comparison search tool to find the best prices for these on-airport car rental brands at Rotorua Airport:
Why Rent A Car In Rotorua
Rotorua Airport is located just eight kilometres from the Rotorua CBD. Apart from renting a car, you can get into town by shuttle services, taxis or bus.
The cost of a shuttle depends on the number of passengers and your destination. A shared one-way ride for one adult into Rotorua is around $22. But being a shared-ride can mean it's a slow trip with multiple stops as people get dropped off en route. Alternatively you can book a shuttle for exclusive use and this is around $78.
Taxis have the advantage of being quicker, but are typically more expensive than shuttles. Fares are $25-$48 depending on traffic and exclude a $5 airport fee.
Buses are the cheapest option, but also the slowest and least convenient.
Depending on your travel plans, a rental car may well be a more cost effective option for you consider. In addition, having a rental car gives you the flexibility and freedom to travel at your own pace and roam further afield exploring the area.
Driving From The Airport
Rotorua Airport is only a 10-15 minute drive into the centre of Rotorua and about a one-hour drive to Tauranga, Whakatane and Taupo.
Driving into Rotorua is straight forward. Once you've collected your rental car, take the road out of the airport and turn right onto State Highway 30. Follow this for 5.7 km to the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto State Highway 30/State Highway 30A. Follow this for 3km and then turn right into Fenton Street which takes you into the middle of town.
Rotorua 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 hired an EZU rental car their depot is located in the Rotorua town centre (approx. 15 minutes from the airport). Call 07 349 3285 and they will provide a free transfer to their depot to complete the paperwork and collect your rental.
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
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 airport terminal.
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 Rotorua Airport and drop it off at another location, such as Auckland. Be aware that one-way rentals often include an additional fee and not all rental companies allow one-way rentals.
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. There are plenty of petrol stations between Rotorua and the airport. The closest is Caltex at 520 Te Ngae Road, (open 24 hours).
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.