Cheap Car Rental Wellington Ferry Terminal
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Save On Car Hire at Wellington Ferry Terminal
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Easy, I had no problems at all. Prices seemed to be ok. I didn't check others. Definitely recommend.
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Second time I’ve used MateRates. Always a good deal.
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Best car hire price I could find. Recommended to a friend and she said same.
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Renting a Car at the Wellington Ferry Terminal
Many visitors to New Zealand start their tour of the country in the beautiful South Island and progressively make their way northwards.
Separating the South and North Islands is the famous Cook Strait. The options for crossing to Wellington are either fly from Blenheim or take a ferry from Picton.
Most people choose to take the ferry because Cook Strait is one of the most spectacular ferry crossings in the world. The first part of the journey through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds is breath-taking.
If you have a car you can take it across to Wellington on the ferry. This is really convenient — on arrival in Wellington 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 South Island rental car in Picton before boarding the ferry. Then on arrival at the Wellington Ferry Terminal collect a new rental car for your North Island travels.
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 different car rental brands you can rent from the Wellington Ferry Terminal. But be aware that these book out months in advance, so early bookings are absolutely essential.
Wellington Ferry Terminal Car Hire Options
There's a limited range of car hire companies operating at the Wellington Ferry Terminal. You'll find them 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 wide choice of vehicles at the very best prices.
Use our price comparison search tool to find the best prices for these car rental brands:
Wellington Ferry Terminal 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.
Early bookings are absolutely essential. Rental cars here sell out months in advance due to high demand.
If you book later you may find rental rates are higher and your choices very limited (if at all).
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.
Interislander and Bluebridge ferries operate from separate terminals in Wellington. Rental car companies are located at the Interislander Terminal only.
If you are travelling by Bluebridge ferry, it's an easy 10 minute walk from the Bluebridge terminal to the Interislander terminal.
This walk is generally considered easy for most travellers, and there is a bus service available for those with a lot of luggage.
- Interislander Terminal: Located at Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington.
- Bluebridge Terminal: Located at 50 Waterloo Quay, Wellington.
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.
When returning your rental car, follow the marked signs to the designated rental car park at the Interislander ferry terminal. You can return the keys to the rental counter or use a key drop box located at the kiosk.
If you're catching a Bluebridge ferry, there are no rental car operations at the Bluebridge Ferry terminal. Rental cars must be returned to the Interilsander terminal.
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 the Wellington Ferry Terminal and drop it off at another location, such as Auckland. 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 North Island to the South 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.
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.