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Car hires in Queenstown, Otago

Are you looking for cheap car hire deals in Queenstown, Otago? Search right here!

Queenstown, New Zealand
4 Apr — 11 Apr
Queenstown, New Zealand
Thu 4/4
Noon
Thu 11/4
Noon
Driver's age:

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Car hire insight and trends in Queenstown

Useful insights to help you book the perfect car hire in Queenstown

What is the cheapest car hire agency in Queenstown?

The cheapest car hire in Queenstown are generally found through Hitch Car Rentals. When booking with Hitch Car Rentals, you may be able to find car hire prices for as low as €15/day. The average price to hire a car in Queenstown is €21/day.

What car hire company in Queenstown has the most locations?

Snap Rentals has the most locations of any car hire company in Queenstown, with 3 locations.

What car do most people hire in Queenstown?

For an average of €30/day (and as low as €29/day), Toyota Corolla Wagon hire in Queenstown is the most popular car among our users. Hiring the Toyota Prius c in Queenstown for €65/day on average (€31/day for a cheap deal) is another popular choice.

Best deals found for Queenstown, Otago car hire

Find great deals below on a variety of popular rental car types in Queenstown, Otago
Economy€32/day
Compact€41/day
SUV€63/day
People carrier€89/day
Full-size SUV€52/day
Premium SUV€124/day
Compact SUV€51/day
Standard SUV€57/day
Supplier choice€58/day
Intermediate SUV€64/day
Best rates found by momondo users in the past 48 hours.

Important information about Queenstown car hire

Queenstown is known as the adventure capital. People visit from all over for skiing, rafting, bungee jumping. The world’s first and most famous bungee jump is on the Kawarau Bridge. The historic reserve is under half an hour outside of Queenstown by car. Queenstown is a town set against the dramatic Southern Alps on the South Island of New Zealand. In town, there are various trails and gardens like Queenstown Gardens, the Queenstown Trail along Lake Wakatipu and trails up to Bob’s Peak for a great skyline view of the town and mountains. Parking spots fill up pretty quickly, so try parking your vehicle early in the day. Cheap hired cars in Queenstown are easier to find at the airport just outside of town. There are about 20 car hire locations in Queenstown.

While visiting, is it worthwhile to rent a car while visiting Queenstown?

While there are public buses, hired cars in Queenstown are your best option. You’ll definitely need one to be able to get to all your favourite spots and on your own time. Queenstown is surrounded by gorgeous mountains and picturesque lakes and trails. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are the top ski destinations in the area and just about a half an hour out of town if you have a rental car in Queenstown. If you’re up for a bit of a longer drive, take the scenic route to Wanaka, a lake town nestled in the Southern Alps about an hour drive away. The town is relatively small so while you’re just hanging around in the center you can leave your Queenstown car rental parked and walk around. There are also some parking lots in town, though remember it’s still difficult to find a spot especially during high seasons.

What different driving laws should I keep in mind while driving in Queenstown?

Here are a few tips to remember while driving your car rental in Queenstown and around New Zealand. Firstly, remember they drive on the left-hand side of the road as well as use the metric system. The signs are all in kilometres. If you enjoy listening to music in your people carrier rental while you’re on the road, it’s illegal to play the sound louder than the noise of your engine. Although snacking and driving is not illegal, it’s considered a distraction and you may get in trouble if something happens while you are eating or drinking coffee behind the wheel. You’re also only allowed to use your car horn to warn someone of immediate danger. It’s probably best you also check with the New Zealand transport agency to see if there are any updates or changes in traffic laws.

Will I need a special driving license or permit to drive a rental car in Queenstown if I’m visiting from another country?

You have to be at least 21 years old to get a car rental in Queenstown. If you are between the ages of 21 and 24, you may be limited to only compact or economy hired cars in Queenstown. Having an International Driver’s Permit when picking up your rental car is highly recommended if you’re visiting from a foreign country. You also have to present your country’s valid driving license and have held it for a specific time depending on the agency.


Queenstown, Otago car hire deals found on momondo

Find the car hire in Queenstown that's right for you

Small cars

€21 - €56

All Car Types

€21 - €70

The average price of a small car hire in Queenstown, New Zealand is €36. The cheapest time to hire a small car in Queenstown, New Zealand is in September. The price is 42% lower than the rest of the year at just €21 per day. A small car rental is typically 19% less expensive than the average rental car in Queenstown. The average price of a car hire in Queenstown can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Queenstown small car hire found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a medium car hire in Queenstown, New Zealand is €34. The cheapest time to hire a medium car in Queenstown, New Zealand is in May. The price is 35% lower than the rest of the year at just €23 per day. A medium car rental is typically 21% less expensive than the average rental car in Queenstown. The average price of a car hire in Queenstown can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.

The average price of a large car hire in Queenstown, New Zealand is €37. The cheapest time to hire a large car in Queenstown, New Zealand is in November. The price is 5% lower than the rest of the year at just €40 per day. A large car rental is typically 14% less expensive than the average rental car in Queenstown. The average price of a car hire in Queenstown can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.

The average price of a SUV hire in Queenstown, New Zealand is €39. The cheapest time to hire a SUV in Queenstown, New Zealand is in July. The price is 21% lower than the rest of the year at just €31 per day. A SUV rental is typically 12% less expensive than the average rental car in Queenstown. The average price of a car hire in Queenstown can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Queenstown SUV hire found on momondo in the past week.

Volkswagen Polo
or similar Economy
Up to 2 passengers

€32/day

27 Apr - 29 Apr
Volkswagen Polo
Renault Clio
or similar Compact
Up to 4 passengers

€41/day

27 Apr - 29 Apr
Renault Clio

Queenstown car hire directory

All major car hire suppliers in Queenstown, Otago

Go Rentals

2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Overall

10.0

Pick-up/drop-off

10.0

Value

10.0

Thrifty

10.0
Wonderful
1 review2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Overall

10.0

Pick-up/drop-off

10.0

Value

9.0

Ace Rental Cars

9.3
Wonderful
2 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.3

Comfort

9.3

Overall

9.3

Pick-up/drop-off

9.3

Value

9.3

Hertz

9.3
Wonderful
14 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.5

Comfort

9.4

Overall

9.3

Pick-up/drop-off

9.2

Value

8.7

Apex

9.1
Wonderful
4 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.1

Comfort

8.6

Overall

9.1

Pick-up/drop-off

8.8

Value

8.4

Avis

8.7
Very Good
8 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.4

Comfort

9.4

Overall

8.8

Pick-up/drop-off

8.5

Value

8.2

Snap Rentals

8.6
Very Good
7 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.8

Comfort

8.8

Overall

8.6

Pick-up/drop-off

8.6

Value

8.6

Rental Cars 247

1 location
Overview

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.0

Pick-up/drop-off

8.0

Value

8.0

Quick facts about car hire in Queenstown

Get the overview on great hire deals, popular car hire companies, and best car types for your visit in Queenstown

Popular Car Types

Intermediate, SUV, Compact

Cheapest Hire Car

€40

Most Popular Model

Toyota Corolla Wagon
The following car types were offered at car hire companies in Queenstown in the past 72 hours: Intermediate, SUV, Compact.
The lowest price for a car hire in Queenstown is €40/day. For this area, you can expect average prices starting from €49/day.
The most popular car model to hire in Queenstown in the past 7 days is the Toyota Corolla Wagon. Our users also prefer the Toyota Prius c as an alternative.

Hire a car near one of these popular hotels in Queenstown

Below are the most popular hotels in Queenstown
Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

Kawarau Village, 79 Peninsula Road, Queenstown, New Zealand

5.1 km from city centre

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside

Corner Of Earl And Marine Parade, Queenstown, New Zealand

0.3 km from city centre

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown

Cnr Stanley and Sydney Street, Queenstown, New Zealand

0.4 km from city centre

Sudima Queenstown Five Mile

Sudima Queenstown Five Mile

22 Grant Road, Queenstown, New Zealand

6.6 km from city centre

QT Queenstown

QT Queenstown

30 Brunswick Street, Queenstown, New Zealand

0.9 km from city centre

The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments

The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments

377 Frankton Road, Queenstown, New Zealand

2.1 km from city centre

Hotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery

Hotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery

10-18 Brunswick Street, Queenstown, New Zealand

0.8 km from city centre

Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park

Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park

28 Red Oaks Drive, Frankton, Queenstown, New Zealand

6.7 km from city centre

Ramada Queenstown Central

Ramada Queenstown Central

24 Frankton Road, Queenstown, New Zealand

0.5 km from city centre

Crowne Plaza Queenstown

Crowne Plaza Queenstown

93 Beach Street, Queenstown, New Zealand

0.5 km from city centre

Sofitel Queenstown - Hotel & Spa

Sofitel Queenstown - Hotel & Spa

8 Duke Street, Queenstown, New Zealand

0.2 km from city centre

Holiday Inn Queenstown Frankton Road

Holiday Inn Queenstown Frankton Road

594 Frankton Road, Queenstown, New Zealand

3.0 km from city centre

Sherwood Queenstown

Sherwood Queenstown

554 Frankton Road, Queenstown, New Zealand

2.9 km from city centre

Ramada Suites by Wyndham Queenstown Remarkables Park

Ramada Suites by Wyndham Queenstown Remarkables Park

24 Hawthorne Drive, Queenstown, New Zealand

6.6 km from city centre

Kamana Lakehouse

Kamana Lakehouse

139 Fernhill Road, Queenstown, New Zealand

2.4 km from city centre

Pinewood Lodge

Pinewood Lodge

Queenstown, New Zealand

0.7 km from city centre

Heritage Queenstown

Heritage Queenstown

91 Fernhill Road, Queenstown, New Zealand

1.7 km from city centre

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

88 Frankton Road, Queenstown, New Zealand

0.8 km from city centre


Driving with a car hire in Queenstown - FAQs

Learn everything there is to know about hiring a car in Queenstown so you can be properly prepared for your next trip

Is there a fee to cancel my Queenstown, New Zealand car hire?

Every car hire company in Queenstown has a different cancellation policy. At momondo, we will always disclose in the car hire search results whether or not an agency has a cancellation fee. Some of the top car hire companies in Queenstown include Thrifty, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Europcar, so be sure to check if they offer free cancellation.

What is the best type of car to hire in Queenstown during April?

Hiring a Standard car in Queenstown during the month of April is the preferred choice of most travellers. With temperatures averaging 6 °C and precipitation around 60 mm during April, a Standard size car is more than capable of handling these weather conditions. This is the perfect rental car type for wet roads and above-freezing temperatures. Hiring a Standard in Queenstown will cost you €42/day on average.

What is the speed limit in Queenstown, New Zealand?

When you hire a car in Queenstown, you should abide by the city’s 50 km/h speed limit. The speed limits on any suburban roads and highways in Queenstown are 100 km/h and 110 km/h, respectively. Be on the lookout for posted signage, because these speed limits might change depending on where you are within Queenstown.

What is the weather like in Queenstown, New Zealand in March?

Those looking for a hire car in Queenstown during the month of March should expect temperatures to be around 13 °C and should expect around 70 mm of precipitation. This information can be helpful when choosing which car you’d like to rent.

Is the weather in Queenstown similar to the rest of Otago?

The climate in Otago during March is usually 12 °C with an expected 70 mm of precipitation throughout the month. Those looking to hire a car and leave from Queenstown on a road trip to the surrounding area should take note of this information.

When did momondo last update prices for cars in Queenstown?

Prices for cars in Queenstown are updated daily.

How many operators does momondo search for cars in Queenstown?

How old do you have to be to hire a car in Queenstown?

The minimum age for drivers varies by country, including Queenstown. In many EU countries drivers must be 18 years old. As a rule, you’ll need to be 21 to hire a car abroad, and a young driver surcharge may be applied if you are under 25. We recommend reading through the policy of your chosen hire company before booking.

What documentation or ID do you need to hire a car in Queenstown?

When hiring a car in Queenstown, all drivers must present a full valid driving license. An International Driving Permit is required if the driving license is written in a language different to that of the country of hire and may be necessary to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you are hiring abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We always recommend checking with the individual hire company you are booking with.


Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to book a car hire in Queenstown?

Choosing momondo to search for car hire in Queenstown makes sense because it is quick and free of charge. We find all the rental car hire prices and policies, you simply choose what works best for you and your trip.

How does momondo help me find the best car hire deal in Queenstown?

Once you have performed a search for a car hire in Queenstown, momondo will show the results and enable you to find the best deal by using our filters; here you can narrow your search down by vehicle type, price, agencies and a multitude of policies that can apply.

Does momondo show car hire deals in Queenstown with free cancellation?

Free cancellation is a policy that can be filtered on momondo car hire searches for Queenstown and all other locations. Availability may vary by location.

Can I hire a car with a fair fuel policy in Queenstown on momondo?

Yes, simply select the fair fuel policy filter after performing a search for hire cars in Queenstown on momondo.

Can I find a car hire in Queenstown which offers enhanced cleaning on momondo?

Yes, momondo shows deals with enhanced cleaning services for hire cars in Queenstown.

Can I search for car hire in Queenstown with unlimited mileage on momondo?

Absolutely. You can specifically filter for car hire deals in Queenstown with unlimited mileage on momondo.


An easier way to manage your Queenstown trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organize and travel with friends or family. Trips is free — and available to use no matter where you book.

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