Cheap Car Rental Tauranga Airport
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Save On Car Hire at Tauranga Airport
MatesRates makes comparing car rentals quick and easy. Compare the best Tauranga Airport rental car deals from Avis, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, and Ezi.
Tauranga Airport Car Rental Rates
Compact Cars
From NZD $44 per day
Intermediate Cars
From NZD $47 per day
Large Cars
From NZD $75 per day
SUVs
From NZD $60 per day
Hybrid/Electric
From NZD $75 per day
Premium Cars
From NZD $96 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 Tauranga Airport
There's a limited number of car hire companies operating at Tauranga Airport.
Check out the best deals from five car rental companies which conveniently all have check-in counters at the airport. This avoids the need to take shuttle transfers to rental car depots and so saves you time.
Car rental counters are located in the Arrivals area of the terminal with the exception of Apex. You will need to walk (approx. 2 minutes) from the terminal building to the Apex office at 21 Jean Batten Place.
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 Tauranga Airport:
Why Rent A Car In Tauranga
Tauranga Airport is located 6-7 kilometres from central Tauranga in one direction and Mt Maunganui in the other. Apart from renting a car, you can get into either town by taxi.
One of the key reasons for renting a car when you’re visiting Tauranga and Mount Maunganui 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 to get around can be a real cost saver. BUT the problem is it severely constrains 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.
Taxi fares depend on your destination and traffic. Typically the fare from Tauranga Airport into central Tauranga is $18-$36. The fare to downtown Mt Maunganui is likely to be between $10 and $18. If you're going further afield, such as to Papamoa, the fare is going to be up to $30 or more.
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.
Driving From The Airport
Tauranga Airport is less than 10 minutes from Tauranga city centre and seven minutes from central Mount Maunganui.
Driving into both Tauranga and Mt Maunganui is dead easy. Once you've collected your rental car, take the road out of the airport (Jean Batten Drive) to State Highway 2. If you're going to Tauranga, turn left and follow the road for 5 km. It'll take you over the Tauranga Harbour bridge and into central Tauranga.
If you're heading into central Mount Maunganui, there are several routes, but the most scenic is along Marine Parade. This will take you 10 - 15 minutes (assuming you don't stop to take in the view). After leaving the airport along Jean Batten Drive turn right onto State Highway 2. Follow this for 1 km and at the roundabout take the second exit onto Golf Road. Follow this for just under 1 km and then turn left into Marine Parade. Then drive 4 km along Marine Parade and you'll be in central Mount Manganui and at the foot of the famous Mount.
Tauranga 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 Apex car you won't find an Apex counter in the terminal itself. However, Apex is only a short 2 minute walk from the airport terminal. Exit the terminal and continue straight under the covered walkway to Jean Batten Drive. Cross the road and follow it around to the right. Apex is located 150 metres away at 21 Jean Batten Drive on the left. If you have any problems, phone 07 281 1328 for assistance.
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.
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 Tauranga Airport and drop it off at another location, such as Auckland or Wellington. One-way rentals often include an additional fee.
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 around the airport. The closes are Gull and Z Petrol stations on Hewletts Road next to the airport. Both are 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.