The Best Car Rental Companies in Wellington© Unsplash
The Best Car Rental Companies in Wellington

The Best Car Rental Companies in Wellington đźš— [2024]

© Unsplash

What is the Best Car Rental in Wellington?

Enjoy the ultimate freedom of exploring New Zealand at your own pace by renting a car! If your adventure starts in Wellington, then you are onto a good thing. New Zealand’s capital city has a fantastic range of car rental companies located across the city, from Wellington Airport to the ferry terminals. What’s more, many of the car rental companies in Wellington offer a fantastic range of inclusions, such as one-way travel at no extra cost. We compare such inclusions and more in this comparison of the best car rentals in Wellington.

In this Wellington car rental comparison, we focus on car rental companies that offer the best value for money. We look at convenience in their pick-up and drop-off locations, what insurance is provided, and more.

5 Tips for Comparing Car Rental Companies in Wellington

Our comparison of the best car rentals in Wellington includes the most important details about each company with the exception of rental rates, as these change from season to season. Below is an overview of why each feature is important in your car rental comparison. Alternatively, head to How to Compare Car and Campervan Rental Companies in New Zealand.

1. Location

In Wellington, there are car rental depots located at the Wellington Airport, city centre, ferry terminals and elsewhere. When comparing locations, figure out if you are able to get to the rental depot. What is the most convenient location for you? Are there any extra fees you will need to pay for the “premium” location, i.e. the airport? Also, consider where you are ending your trip and whether the drop-off locations are convenient for you.

2. Prices and Inclusions

The price of car rentals in Wellington vastly changes from season to season. Read our 20 Ways to Save Money on Car Rental in New Zealand to see when the best time to rent a car usually is. Plus, when comparing prices, compare what is included in the price to understand the true value of the car rental. For this reason, we have added the inclusions in the Wellington car rental comparison below. Additionally, insurance policies are not the same as each other, so compare what the insurance offered actually covers.

3. Vehicles Offered

Most car rental companies in Wellington will maintain even their oldest cars to the highest standards. However, a more modern vehicle is less likely to give you any problems. You also need to find a car type that meets your needs. Check out What is the Best Type of Vehicle to Rent in New Zealand? for more advice.

4. Service

Once you have picked a few car rental companies from this comparison, we recommend sending some questions to the companies and seeing how helpful they are with their answers. Service will become very important should anything go wrong during your travels.

5. Reviews

It’s worth checking multiple review websites to compare customers’ experiences. Why not ask the question in a New Zealand travel Facebook Group or reviews on Booking.com or DiscoverCars.com?

The Best Car Rental Companies in Wellington© GO Rentals

GO Rentals – The Best All-Rounder Wellington Car Rental

GO Rentals has a huge fleet of rental cars in all the major arrival cities in New Zealand, giving you the option to do one-way trips (from Auckland to Wellington, for instance) with ease. Their fleet is constantly kept up to date, giving you a more reliable vehicle with less chance of a breakdown. Should it happen, however, roadside assistance is included in every rental. The Wellington car rental company also offers hundreds of discounts on activities around the country, including the ferry across to the South Island.

What’s more, GO Rentals is one of the first car rental companies in New Zealand to offer EV rentals – find out more about How to Travel Around New Zealand in an Electric Car. Note that there is a premium location fee for airport depots but this is minimal. Check out the latest Go Rentals deals on DiscoverCars.com.

Pick-up and Drop-off Locations

A courtesy shuttle is available for airport branches offering airport pick-up and drop-offs.

Wellington Pick-Up Location: Wellington Airport
Drop-off Locations: Wellington, Auckland City Centre, Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport, Queenstown Airport and Dunedin Airport.

Vehicles Available

Small cars, large cars, station wagons, 4WDs and vans/people movers.

Vehicle age range: 0 to 4 years old.

Inclusions

  • 1 driver (21+ years old)
  • Basic insurance
  • Roadside assistance
  • GO Play discount card (discounts on 200+ activities, accommodations and restaurants)

Insurance

Free insurance with NZ$2,500 excess and NZ$2,500 bond. Or insurance add-ons for NZ$22-$29 per day with less excess and bond to pay. Need an explanation of how rental car insurance works? Check our guide, New Zealand Rental Car Insurance: Explained!

Bargain Rental Cars© Bargain Rental Cars

Bargain Rental Cars – The Cheapest Wellington Car Rental

Just like the name suggestions, Bargain Rental Cars is all about competitive prices. In fact, they are the only car rental company in this comparison with a “best price guarantee”. They offer an alternative rental depot in Wellington within the city centre, as well as a courtesy shuttle from the Wellington Airport, which may be more convenient for some travellers.

Additionally, Bargain Rental Cars also accepts young drivers, which also earns them a place in The Best New Zealand Car & Campervan Rentals for Ages 18 to 25.

Pick-up and Drop-off Locations

A courtesy shuttle is available for airport pick-ups and drop-offs.

Wellington Pick-Up Location: Wellington (Cuba Street).
Drop-off Locations: Wellington, Auckland (city centre, Onehunga, Glenfield, Mount Wellington, Grey Lynn and East Tamaki), Hamilton (Frankton) and Christchurch (Hornby).

Vehicles Available

Small cars, large cars, scooters, vans/people movers, trucks and trailers.

Vehicle age range: 0 to 18 years old.

Inclusions

  • Multiple drivers (18+ years old)
  • Basic insurance (for drivers over 25 years old)
  • Roadside assistance

Insurance

Free insurance with NZ$2,500 excess for a 25+-year-old driver or a mandatory NZ$15 per day insurance with NZ$3,500 excess for an 18-24-year-old driver. Alternatively, there are insurance add-ons for NZ$10-$19 per day with less excess and bond to pay. A NZ$250 bond is only payable if you cannot supply credit card details. Windscreen liability with no excess can be added for around NZ$5 a day.

Need an explanation of how rental car insurance works? Check our guide, New Zealand Rental Car Insurance: Explained!

The Best Car Rental Companies in Wellington đźš— [2023]© SIXT

SIXT – The Best Wellington Car Rental for Luxury Vehicles

If you want to make luxury part of your getaway from Wellington then set your sights on SIXT. With supercars among their upscale fleet of European, Japanese and American brands, their vehicles are certainly chosen to impress. If that seems a little much for your road trip, however, high-end compact cars, SUVs, EVs and people movers will still do the trick in style. Download their app so you can open your vehicle electronically with your phone for extra pizazz! Check out the latest SIXT deals on DiscoverCars.com or Booking.com.

Pick-up and Drop-off Locations

A courtesy shuttle is available to and from the airport and rental depots.

Wellington pick-up location: Wellington Airport.
Drop-off locations: Wellington, Auckland City, Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport, Queenstown Airport and Dunedin Airport.

Vehicles Available

Small cars (VW Sharan), medium cars (Toyota Corolla Hatch), EVs (Audi e-tron), SUVs (VW T-Roc), people-movers (Hyundai Staria) and supercars (McLaren GT, Porsche, Jaguar and Land Rover).

Vehicle age range: 0 to 2 years old.

Inclusions

  • Multiple drivers (21+ years old)
  • Basic insurance

Insurance

Free Loss Damage Waiver insurance with NZ$3,000-$4,000 excess plus third-party insurance. The option to reduce the excess amount comes at a daily fee of approximately NZ$35-$75. Need an explanation of how rental car insurance works? Check our guide, New Zealand Rental Car Insurance: Explained!

Ace Rental Cars© Ace Rental Cars

Ace Rental Cars – The Best Wellington Car Rental for Families

With a fleet of new and late-model vehicles, Ace Rental Cars provide reliable and fuel-efficient cars in Wellington. Again, there’s no need to worry about dropping your rental vehicle in a different location, as the one-way fee is waived. Although there is a premium location fee for airport depots, this fee is minimal. Check out the latest Ace Renal Cars deals on Booking.com.

We also list Ace Rental Cars as one of The Best Family Car Rentals in New Zealand.

Pick-up and Drop-off Locations

A courtesy shuttle is available to and from the airport and airport depots during normal working hours.

Wellington Pick-up Location: Wellington Airport.
Drop-off Locations: Wellington, Auckland City, Auckland Airport, Picton, Greymouth, Christchurch Airport, Dunedin Airport and Queenstown Airport.

Vehicles Available

Small cars, large cars, station wagons, 4WDs, people movers and campervans.

Vehicle age range: 0 to 8 years old.

Inclusions

  • 1 driver (18+ years old)
  • Basic insurance
  • Roadside assistance

Insurance

Free insurance with up to NZ$2,500 excess depending on the vehicle and NZ$750 bond to pay or insurance add-ons for NZ$20-$27 per day with less excess and no bond to pay. Need an explanation of how rental car insurance works? Check our guide, New Zealand Rental Car Insurance: Explained!

Omega Rental Cars© Omega Rental Cars

Omega Rental Cars – The Best Wellington Car Rental for Inclusions

Ideally located at the Wellington Airport and the Interislander Ferry Terminal, Omega Rental Cars is ready to go as soon as you leave the ferry. Speaking of the ferry, the Wellington car rental company also offers the choice of dropping off a car in Picton and picking up a different rental vehicle in Wellington, therefore vastly reducing the cost of your ferry crossing.

What’s more, Omega has no one-way charge, so they are worth considering if you’re ending your road trip in, let’s say, Auckland. You’ll also find Omega Rental Cars listed in The Best Car Rental Companies in New Zealand.

Pick-up and Drop-off Locations

A courtesy shuttle is available for airport branches offering airport pick-up and drop-offs.

Wellington Pick-up Location: Wellington (Thorndon, Interislander Ferry Terminal) and Wellington Airport
Drop-off Locations: Wellington, Auckland City, Auckland Aiport, Picton, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch Airport, Queenstown and Queenstown Airport.

Vehicles Available

Small cars, large cars, station wagons, SUVs, 4WDs and people movers.

Vehicle age range: 3 to 10 years old.

Inclusions

  • Multiple drivers (18+ years old)
  • One-way hire available
  • Option to leave a vehicle at Wellington/Picton and pick up another vehicle after the ferry crossing to reduce the cost of the ferry
  • Basic insurance
  • Maps and guide book with activity discounts
  • Free seats for children
  • Postcard and pen

Insurance

Free insurance with NZ$2,500 excess and a NZ$2,000 bond for 21+-year-old drivers. Different conditions apply to 18-20-year-old drivers or drivers with a restricted license. Insurance add-ons for drivers over 21 years old of NZ$25-$28 per day with either no excess or  NZ$400 excess.

Need an explanation of how rental car insurance works? Check our guide, New Zealand Rental Car Insurance: Explained! Plus, learn more about age restrictions in Age Restrictions When Renting a Vehicle in New Zealand.

Apex Car Rentals© Apex Car Rentals

Apex Car Rentals – The Best Wellington Car Rental for One-Way Trips

For ultimate flexibility, Apex Car Rentals is another of the best car rentals in Wellington with plenty of more drop-off locations plus the added bonus of no one-way fee! It’s possible to get a good deal with this rental company, adding to the advantage of their large and modern fleet. It’s also possible to hire vehicles without a credit card but with a debit card if you prefer.

Pick-up and Drop-off Locations

A courtesy shuttle is available for airport branches offering airport pick-up and drop-offs.

Wellington Pick-up Location: Wellington (Victoria Street) and Wellington Airport.
Drop-off Locations: Wellington, Auckland City Centre (Victoria Street West), Auckland Airport, Blenheim Airport, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch City (Kilmore Street), Greymouth, Napier Airport, Nelson Airport, Nelson City, Picton Ferry Terminal, Queenstown Airport and Queenstown.

Vehicles Available

Small cars, large cars, station wagons and 4WDs and vans/people movers.

Vehicle age range: 3 to 7 years old.

Inclusions

  • Multiple drivers (21+ years old)
  • Basic insurance
  • Roadside assistance
  • Free one-way rental available

Insurance

Free insurance with NZ$2,000 excess or insurance add-ons for NZ$17-$27 per day to reduce the excess. Need an explanation of how rental car insurance works? Check our guide, New Zealand Rental Car Insurance: Explained!

Ezi Car Rentals© Ezi Car Rentals

Ezi Car Rental – The Best Wellington Car Rental for New Vehicles

There are plenty of options with Ezi Car Rental thanks to their fleet of around 1,800 vehicles. If you haven’t found the perfect vehicle with the other Wellington car rental companies on this list, then it’s likely that Ezi Car Rental will have something just right. Check out the latest Ezi Car Rentals deals on Booking.com.

Pick-up and Drop-off Locations

Wellington Pick-up Location: Wellington Airport.
Drop-off Locations: Wellington, Auckland Airport, Auckland, Christchurch Airport, Dunedin Airport and Queenstown Airport.

Vehicles Available

Small cars, large cars, station wagons, 4WDs, utes, and people movers.

Vehicle age range: 0 to 3 years old.

Inclusions

  • 2 drivers (21+ years old)
  • Basic insurance
  • Roadside assistance

Insurance

Free insurance with NZ$3,000 excess or insurance add-ons for NZ$26-$28 per day with less or no excess. Need an explanation of how rental car insurance works? Check our guide, New Zealand Rental Car Insurance: Explained!

The Best Car Rental Companies in Wellington đźš— [2023]© Enterprise

Enterprise – The Best Wellington Airport Car Rental

With a check-in counter at the Arrivals area of Wellington Airport and your rental car just a short walk away from the terminal building, getting on the road with Enterprise couldn’t be easier. The trusted international car rental brand is worth considering for familiarity, as well as the ease of pick-up and drop-off from Wellington Airport. Check out the latest Enterprise deals on DiscoverCars.com or Booking.com.

Pick-up and Drop-off Locations

Wellington pick-up location: Wellington Airport.
Drop-off locations: Wellington, Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport, Nelson Airport, Dunedin Airport and Queenstown Airport.

Vehicles Available

Small cars, large cars, SUVs, 4WD, station wagons, people carriers and EVs.

Vehicle age range: 0 to 8 years old.

Inclusions

  • 1 driver (21+ years old)
  • Basic insurance

Insurance

Free loss or damage liability insurance is included with all rentals with NZ$3,400-$5,000 excess depending on the vehicle. Collision damage waiver and tyre and windshield protection are available for a more comprehensive insurance policy plus reduced excess amounts for an additional daily fee of NZ$14-$40.

Need an explanation of how rental car insurance works? Check our guide, New Zealand Rental Car Insurance: Explained!

The Best Car Rental Companies in Wellington đźš— [2023]© Budget Rent A Car

Budget Rent A Car – The Best Wellington Car Rental for Locations

Boasting around 35 locations across New Zealand, Budget‘s main enticement is the flexibility to pick up and drop off vehicles almost anywhere! Despite the price of vehicles not being as “budget” as the name implies, nor with as many inclusions as other rental companies in Wellington, they maintain an up-to-date fleet including hybrids, as well as offer locations ideal for a more flexible road trip from Wellington. Check out the latest Budget deals on DiscoverCars.com or Booking.com.

Pick-up and Drop-Off Locations

Airport pick-ups are typically directly outside of the airport terminals, so no airport transfers are usually necessary.

Wellington pick-up location: Wellington Airport, Wellington Downtown (Dixon Street) and Petone Lower Hutt.
Drop-off locations: Wellington, Auckland Airport, Auckland Downtown, Auckland Penrose, Auckland North Shore, Blenheim Airport, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch Downtown, Christchurch Sheffield Crescent, Dunedin Airport, Dunedin Downtown, Gisborne Airport, Greymouth Railway Station, Hamilton Airport, Hamilton Downtown, Hokitika Airport, Invercargill Airport, Kerikeri Airport, Napier Airport, Nelson Airport, New Plymouth Airport, Palmerston North Airport, Queenstown Downtown, Queenstown Airport, Rotorua Airport, Taupo Airport, Taupo Downtown, Tauranga Airport and Whangarei Airport.

Vehicles Available

Small cars, large cars, hybrids, SUVs, utes and vans.

Vehicle age range: 2 to 10 years old.

Inclusions

  • 1 driver (21+ years old) + 1 free additional driver if they are the main driver’s spouse and over 25 years old
  • Basic insurance

Insurance

Free loss or damage liability insurance is included with all rentals with NZ$4,000-$5,000 excess depending on the vehicle. Excess reduction or zero excess is available for an additional daily fee of NZ$30-$50. Need an explanation of how rental car insurance works? Check our guide, New Zealand Rental Car Insurance: Explained!

More About the Best Car Rentals in Wellington

That’s it for the best car rentals in Wellington. For even more car rental tips, take a look at the following guides:

Now that you know the best car rental companies in Wellington, do you need some road trip ideas? Check out the following itineraries for the best road trip routes:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Wellington and The Best Travel Guide to New Zealand.

Author

Robin C.

This article has been reviewed and approved by Robin, who is the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. With more than 15 years of experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Robin has co-founded three influential tourism businesses and five additional travel guides for South Pacific nations. He is an expert in New Zealand travel and has tested over 600 activities and 300+ accommodations across the country.

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