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Car hire at Nelson Airport

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car hire at Nelson airport

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Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
Standard car
Standard
M
Full-size car
Full-size
M
Luxury car
Luxury
M
People carrier car
People carrier
M
Passenger van car
Passenger van
M
Commercial car
Commercial
M
Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
M

Top tips for hiring a car at Nelson airport

  • A car rental at Nelson Airport (NSN), New Zealand, can offer several advantages for travelers exploring the region. To begin with, you will enjoy convenience and save time as you can pick up the car directly at the airport upon arrival. This eliminates the need to rely on public transportation or arrange separate transportation to your destination. There are stunning natural landscapes surrounding Nelson, including national parks, picturesque beaches, and vineyards. Therefore, renting a car enables you to easily access these remote areas that may not be well-served by public transportation. You can explore the region's scenic drives, go hiking, visit hidden gems, and enjoy outdoor activities.
  • Suppose you want to travel sustainably; book a Nelson Airport (NSN) car rental with Budget, Europcar, and Avis. These agencies offer hybrid or electric vehicles in their fleet with low emissions, contributing to reduced environmental impact. In addition, these car rental companies have implemented carbon offset programs. They calculate the carbon emissions their fleet produces and offer customers the opportunity to offset their carbon footprint by investing in environmental projects or purchasing carbon offsets.
  • Many car rentals at Nelson Airport (NSN), including Budget, Avis, and Europcar, offer self-service options, allowing their clients to enjoy accelerated services. For example, they allow customers to make online reservations in advance. This enables you to select your desired vehicle, choose any additional services or add-ons, and complete the necessary paperwork beforehand, reducing the time spent at the rental counter. Besides, some rental companies may have self-service kiosks at Nelson Airport. These kiosks allow you to check in and complete the rental process independently. They typically provide instructions on how to pick up your vehicle keys and provide any necessary documents.
  • Accessing a car rental at Nelson Airport (NSN) can be more challenging during certain times, especially if there is increased demand or limited availability. Usually, this occurs during high travel seasons, such as holidays, school breaks, or summer months. Also, weekends can be busier at airports as travelers plan their trips around weekends. Bear in mind that car rentals may experience higher demand if major events, conferences, or festivals occur in Nelson or the surrounding area. To this end, booking your rental well in advance during these periods is advisable to ensure availability and avoid potential delays or limited vehicle choices.
  • Book your car hire at Nelson airport at least 2 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price

FAQs about hiring a car at Nelson airport

  • Which car rentals at Nelson Airport offer accessible services?

    Many car rental companies at Nelson Airport (NSN) in New Zealand, including Budget, Avis, and Europcar, offer accessible services to cater to individuals with disabilities. For example, these agencies may offer pre-arranged assistance for customers with disabilities or special mobility needs. This can include personalized assistance with paperwork, vehicle selection, and ensuring a smooth rental experience tailored to individual requirements. Furthermore, their vehicles are modified to accommodate wheelchair users or individuals with limited mobility. They may include ramps, wheelchair lifts, or hand controls.

  • Where are the car rental providers located at Nelson Airport?

    At Nelson Airport (NSN), car rental counters are commonly found in the arrivals area of the terminal, making them easily accessible upon your arrival. After clearing customs and exiting the secure area, you will find the car rental desks in the arrivals hall. Look for signs indicating the car rental companies or ask airport staff for directions. Keep in mind that Firefly, Budget, Europcar, and Avis offer pick-up and shuttle services to their off-site locations.

  • What type of documentation is required for renting a car at Nelson Airport?

    You must be 21 before accessing a car rental at Nelson Airport (NSN). However, the age requirement may vary depending on the agency and vehicle category. Some car hire agencies restrict SUVs and luxury cars to drivers aged 25 or older. Moreover, other companies impose young driver surcharges on those below 25. You must hold a valid driver's license from your home country written in English. An international driver's license is generally accepted.

  • Which car hire companies will pick you up at Nelson airport?

    Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Nelson airport to off-airport locations include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Firefly, Hertz, and Thrifty.

Nelson Airport car rental reviews and directory 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Avis

10,0

Wonderful

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in Nelson Airport

Show locations

Locations in Nelson Airport

Terminal Building

+64 3 547 2727

Monday07:30 - 22:00
Tuesday07:30 - 22:00
Wednesday07:30 - 22:00
Thursday07:30 - 22:00
Friday07:30 - 22:00
Saturday07:30 - 22:00
Sunday08:30 - 22:00
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Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2023

Compact SUV

KAYAK
Staff very helpful changed car at depot no problem

1 out of 1

Europcar

10,0

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in Nelson Airport

Show locations

Locations in Nelson Airport

Terminal Building

+64 3 265 5201

Opening times not available

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Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Mar 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Great car. Friendly staff.

Cons:

Nothing

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Feb 2024

Compact

KAYAK
The easiest and friendliest car rental process ever! Booked online for Nelson Airport pickup and return Feb ‘24. Cheerful and helpful man at the desk. No surprises. Smooth process. But be aware that there is an extra surcharge for the airport ( ours was $45).

1 out of 1

EZI

10,0

Wonderful

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in Nelson Airport

Show locations

Locations in Nelson Airport

Rental Car Kiosk, Terminal Building, Trent Drive

Monday08:00 - 20:00
Tuesday08:00 - 20:00
Wednesday08:00 - 20:00
Thursday08:00 - 20:00
Friday08:00 - 20:00
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Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2024

Standard SUV

KAYAK
Very nice

1 out of 1

Hertz

10,0

Wonderful

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in Nelson Airport

Show locations

Locations in Nelson Airport

Trent Drive

+64 3 547 2299

Monday07:30 - 22:00
Tuesday07:30 - 22:00
Wednesday07:30 - 22:00
Thursday07:30 - 22:00
Friday07:30 - 22:00
Saturday08:30 - 22:00
Sunday09:30 - 20:30
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Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Apr 2023

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
everything was fine and well, great service 💯

1 out of 1

Apex

8,0

Very Good

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in Nelson Airport

Show locations

Locations in Nelson Airport

4 Trent Drive, Tahunanui

+64 3547 6800

Opening times not available

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Reviews

8,0 Very Good

Matthew, Jul 2022

KAYAK
Everything was fine except that we couldn't alter the return time because we didn't book direct. This left us with a massive gap between dropping the car off and our flight. Next time I'll book direct to avoid this.

1 out of 1

Budget

8,0

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

9.0

One location in Nelson Airport

Show locations

Locations in Nelson Airport

Domestic Terminal

+64 3 547 9586

Monday07:30 - 22:00
Tuesday07:30 - 22:00
Wednesday07:30 - 22:00
Thursday07:30 - 22:00
Friday07:30 - 22:00
Saturday07:30 - 22:00
Sunday08:30 - 22:00
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Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

John, Oct 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff couldn’t have been friendlier or more helpful. Great employees who really want to help their customers

Cons:

Nothing

6,0 Okay

Anonymous, Sept 2023

Compact SUV

KAYAK
I had a late pickup when it was dark and raining so I was unable to check the car properly. The next day I was shocked to see the number of scratches on the paintwork. I called the Nelson airport office and was told they could send through some photos from your files so I could verify that the scratches had already been noted. The email/link to photos did not reach me. I was also told that scratches are regarded as wear and tear but there was one significant long scratch that I was particularly concerned about. The next day I noticed a dent in the passenger door. I took a photo and I think I called again. Basically for the whole of the hire I had anxiety and uncertainty whether I would be charged the excess for repairs to the dent or the scratches, that I hadn’t seen when I picked the car up. I was unsure whether I would be held responsible even though I had taken care where I parked the car and certainly wasn’t aware of causing any of the scratches or dent myself. I won’t be picking up hire cars in the future when it is dark but I also think the check over of the car should have been done with one of your staff. The fact that Budget regards scratches and dents as general wear and tear is up to you but it doesn’t help your customers if they pick up cars late and during bad weather making it impossible to check over the car adequately. Apart from this, I was pleased with the car and pickup/drop off was very straightforward.

1 out of 1

Firefly

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.0

Value for money

8.0

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Nelson

+64 3547 2299

Monday07:30 - 22:00
Tuesday07:30 - 22:00
Wednesday07:30 - 22:00
Thursday07:30 - 22:00
Friday07:30 - 22:00
Saturday07:30 - 22:00
Sunday09:00 - 20:00

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Reviews

6,4 Okay

Anonymous, Mar 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Drop off was simple.The vehicle was fine.

Cons:

I booked it under your Webb site with the no excess option. But when we picked up the car, I had to sign the contract that had a $5500.00 x/s. I was not happy, and your staff said it was not there problem as it was insured with another company, not them, but as I told them it was booked thru the Firefly web site. The manager got involved but his answer was not our problem and said give me the keys back and get a rental from another company. The final insult was when I had to pay another $200.00 just in case I didn’t fill the car upon my return. I did fill the tank on my return. I am still waiting on the 200.00 to be refunded. Overall a very disappointing and stressful experience. Mary and Dennis Hunt.

Dollar

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

2.0

Value for money

6.0

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Trent Drive

+64 800 243 789

Monday07:30 - 22:00
Tuesday07:30 - 22:00
Wednesday07:30 - 22:00
Thursday07:30 - 22:00
Friday07:30 - 22:00
Saturday08:30 - 22:00
Sunday09:30 - 20:30

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Reviews

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Feb 2024

KAYAK
Not able to contact Nelson counter in NZ to advise of flight delays, despite using their helpline (in USA) their counter in Dunedin and agent in UK and emergency out of hours number in Nelson. Meant we were left without a car in arrival, not able to move to our pre booked accommodation and had to find alternatives late at night! The following day however the agent secured a car and provided an upgrade which helped a little but we couldn't regain the list time and prepaid costs

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

9,7

Wonderful

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Rental Car Building Trent Dr

+64 9 870 3330

Monday08:00 - 20:00
Tuesday08:00 - 20:00
Wednesday08:00 - 20:00
Thursday08:00 - 20:00
Friday08:00 - 20:00
Saturday08:00 - 20:00
Sunday08:00 - 20:00

Filters

No reviews available

Go Rentals

9,5

Wonderful

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Nelson Airport

+64 3 974 3700

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Alamo

8,7

Very Good

Best rated

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Rental Car Building Trent Dr

+64 9 870 3330

Monday08:00 - 20:00
Tuesday08:00 - 20:00
Wednesday08:00 - 20:00
Thursday08:00 - 20:00
Friday08:00 - 20:00
Saturday08:00 - 20:00
Sunday08:00 - 20:00

Filters

No reviews available

Snap Rentals

8,3

Very Good

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Trent Drive, Nelson Airport, Nelson , New Zealand

+64 9 275 2438

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Thrifty

8,1

Very Good

2 locations in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Nelson Ap

+64 3 547 5563

Monday08:00 - 20:00
Tuesday08:00 - 20:00
Wednesday08:00 - 20:00
Thursday08:00 - 20:00
Friday08:00 - 20:00

Trent Drive

+64 800 737 070

Monday07:30 - 22:00
Tuesday07:30 - 22:00
Wednesday07:30 - 22:00
Thursday07:30 - 22:00
Friday07:30 - 22:00
Saturday08:30 - 22:00
Sunday09:30 - 20:30

Filters

No reviews available

keddy by Europcar

8,0

Very Good

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Terminal Building - Meet & Greet

64 3 5738800

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Routes Car & Truck Rentals

2,0

Poor

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Terminal Building, Nelson New Zealand

+64 3 265 5201

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Right Cars

4,2

Mediocre

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Nelson Airport

+64 3 288 0097

Monday08:00 - 20:00
Tuesday08:00 - 20:00
Wednesday08:00 - 20:00
Thursday08:00 - 20:00
Friday08:00 - 20:00
Saturday08:30 - 22:00
Sunday08:30 - 22:00

Filters

No reviews available

Zezgo

4,0

Mediocre

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

32 Quarantine Rd, Annesbrook

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Apollo Car Rentals

No score available yet

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Nelson Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Go Rental Car Hire

No score available yet

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Nelson Airport

+64 3 974 3700

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Moto Car Rental

No score available yet

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Rental Car Kiosk, Terminal Building Trent Drive, Nelson

+64 800 656 564

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

National

No score available yet

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Rental Car Building Trent Dr

+64 9 870 3330

Monday08:00 - 20:00
Tuesday08:00 - 20:00
Wednesday08:00 - 20:00
Thursday08:00 - 20:00
Friday08:00 - 20:00
Saturday08:00 - 20:00
Sunday08:00 - 20:00

Filters

No reviews available

Shouqi

No score available yet

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Terminal Building

+86 10 6064 1387

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

One location in Nelson Airport

Locations in Nelson Airport

Trent Drive Nelson

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

12 travellers who hired a car in Nelson Airport gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.4

Car rental locations at Nelson Airport

Good to know

Most popular car type

Intermediate