South Island car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Useful Info
Recommended by KAYAK

Cheap car hire in South Island

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Toyota Yaris car
Toyota Yaris
or similar Small
2
2
4-5
M
R446/day
Class Compact Car car
Class Compact Car
or similar Small
4
2
4-5
M
R439/day
Ford Ranger car
Ford Ranger
or similar Large
5
2
2/4
M
R2 316/day
Toyota RAV4 car
Toyota RAV4
or similar 4x4
2
2
4-5
M
R833/day
Kia Carnival car
Kia Carnival
or similar Van
5
5
4-5
M
R3 092/day
Hyundai Santa Fe car
Hyundai Santa Fe
or similar 4x4
5
2
4-5
M
R1 741/day
Kia Seltos car
Kia Seltos
or similar 4x4
4
2
4-5
M
R834/day
Mitsubishi Outlander car
Mitsubishi Outlander
or similar 4x4
5
3
4-5
M
R931/day
Best prices found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular car type

Compact

When to book a rental car in South Island

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Top tips for hiring a car in South Island

  • When driving in South Island, ensure you keep within the speed limit set by the law. Like other towns in New Zealand, maintain 20 km/h (12 mph) when approaching and passing a school bus, 40 km/h (25 mph) in residential areas, and maintain 80 km/h (50 mph) when driving on limited-access urban arterial roads, winding rural roads, and rural access roads. However, as you hit the motorways and expressways, you can drive as high as 110 km/h (68 mph).
  • As you drive on rural roads in South Island, keep in mind that some of them can be narrow and winding. It is thus not surprising to find bridges or single-track roads only wide enough to allow passage for one car. Therefore, keep an eye on signs indicating winding roads and narrow streets, particularly when overtaking. Also, bear in mind that vehicles closest to the bridge, or those going uphill, have the right of way.
  • The New Zealand seatbelt law requires that every car be equipped with front and back seatbelts. To this end, every car occupant must wear a seatbelt, whether sitting at the front or back. Furthermore, kids aged seven or younger must be strapped in an approved child-restraint device when traveling in vans or cars. Usually, car rental companies provide this child restraint equipment at a small fee.
  • It is critical to consider your needs before setting out to hire Southland Island car rentals. Typically, your budget and the destinations you want to visit are the most likely determinants of the type of car you will rent. A compact car is recommended if you will be confined within the town center where roads are smooth. However, if you plan to venture outdoors in rural areas, consider a pickup truck or a 4X4 SUV.
  • Book your car hire in South Island at least 2 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Compact hire cars in South Island are around 37% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in South Island

  • What is the most popular car hire in South Island?

    Compact (Hyundai i30 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in South Island.

  • How can I find car hires near me in South Island?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • Should I rent a car in South Island?

    You won’t regret renting a car when visiting South Island. Besides the flexibility it offers when exploring the hidden gems on your bucket list, South Island car rentals offer comfort and privacy when touring the area. With fixed routes and specific departure schedules, public transportation in this area is restrictive, as you cannot conveniently move around to experience the beautiful parts of the town. In addition, car rentals have different types of cars in their fleet, and you will have several options based on your needs. If you are here for a few days, you will find South Island car rentals cheaper than taxis. Lastly, car rentals are also cheaper if you are traveling with your friends or family.

  • What is driving like in South Island?

    Traffic laws in South Island are the same as those in other parts of New Zealand. The steering wheel is on the right, and people drive on the left. The roads are narrower, steeper, and more winding than expected. There are few motorways; the roads are mostly two-way, with one lane in each direction. South Island implements strict Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) laws where drivers aged 20 or younger should have 0% BAC. For those aged 21 or older, you must not drive if your BAC is greater than 0.05%, lest you incur heavy fines. Remember, there’s a special category of vehicles that have the right of way, particularly emergency vehicles with flashing lights, and school buses.

  • How old do you have to be to rent a car in South Island?

    You need to be 18 years old to rent a car in South Island. However, the age may vary depending on the company and vehicle category, with some South Island car rentals applying a surcharge policy to renters below 25, and the fees are paid at the counter. You also need a valid driving license from your home country, which you must have held for at least a year. It is important to remember that an International Driving Permit is only permissible when presented with a valid driver’s license. You can pay for your rental via debit, credit cards, or cash (New Zealand Dollars only).

Car hire directory

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car hire locations in South Island

    20 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car hire locations in South Island

    14 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in South Island

    14 Locations

  • firefly

    Firefly car hire locations in South Island

    12 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in South Island

    11 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car hire locations in South Island

    11 Locations

  • ezi

    EZI car hire locations in South Island

    9 Locations

  • acerentalcars

    Ace Rental Cars car hire locations in South Island

    8 Locations

  • apex

    Apex car hire locations in South Island

    8 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car hire locations in South Island

    8 Locations

  • routescartrk

    Routes Car & Truck Rentals car hire locations in South Island

    8 Locations

  • europcar

    Europcar car hire locations in South Island

    7 Locations

Car hire locations in South Island

Search for cheap car hire in South Island with KAYAK and hire a car that suits you best. KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find and book the best car rental at locations across South Island.

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