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The easiest way to book a car rental at Nelson Airport (NSN)

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Great value rental cars from Nelson Airport’s most trusted car hire providers

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Car rental rates at Nelson Airport

Nelson Airport (NSN) is a regional airport located around six kilometres southwest of central Nelson, towards the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island. To travel by taxi between Nelson and the airport should take about 15 minutes. Other centres within driving distance of Nelson Airport include Blenheim / Waiharakeke and Picton / Waitohi.


Search and compare the best rates on Nelson Airport car rentals with VroomVroomVroom. Book today, and you’ll have a vehicle waiting for you from the moment you touch the ground.

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    Quick facts on hiring a car at Nelson Airport

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    Car models commonly available at Nelson Airport

    Popular rental car models at Nelson Airport last month

    • % of Bookings
      Price range last month

    • 1

      29%

      90
      118
      Mitsubishi ASX

      Mitsubishi ASXCompact SUV

      5

      5

      2 large, 3 small

      Rent with

      Apex

    • 2

      14%

      52
      79
      Ford Puma Hybrid

      Ford Puma HybridEconomy Car

      5

      4

      2 large

      Rent with

      Ezi

    • 3

      14%

      73
      76
      Mazda CX-30

      Mazda CX-30Compact SUV

      5

      5

      2 small

      Rent with

      Budget

    • 4

      7%

      70
      70
      Honda Zr-v Sport

      Honda Zr-v SportIntermediate SUV

      5

      4

      2 small

      Rent with

      Europcar

    • 5

      7%

      50
      50
      Mazda 3

      Mazda 3Compact Car

      5

      5

      1 small

      Rent with

      Budget

    Ford vehicles for hire at Nelson Airport

    • Ford Everest

      Ford Everest

      7

      5

      2 small

      Providers

      Thrifty, Hertz, Europcar

    • Ford Puma Hybrid

      Ford Puma HybridHybrid

      5

      4

      2 large

      Providers

      Ezi

    Honda vehicles for hire at Nelson Airport

    • Honda Zr-v Sport

      Honda Zr-v Sport

      5

      4

      2 small

      Providers

      Europcar

    Hyundai vehicles for hire at Nelson Airport

    • Hyundai Santa Fe

      Hyundai Santa Fe

      7

      4

      2 small

      Providers

      Hertz

    Kia vehicles for hire at Nelson Airport

    • Kia Carnival or Hyunda Imax or Toyota Previa

      Kia Carnival or Hyunda Imax or Toyota Previa

      8

      5

      2 large, 1 small

      Providers

      Thrifty, Hertz

    • Kia Niro Hybrid

      Kia Niro HybridHybrid

      5

      4

      1 large, 1 small

      Providers

      Thrifty, Hertz

    • Kia Seltos

      Kia Seltos

      5

      5

      1 large, 1 small

      Providers

      Thrifty, Hertz

    • Kia Sportage

      Kia Sportage

      5

      5

      2 large, 2 small

      Providers

      Thrifty, Hertz

    • Kia Stonic

      Kia Stonic

      5

      4

      1 large, 1 small

      Providers

      Thrifty, Hertz

    Mazda vehicles for hire at Nelson Airport

    • Mazda 3

      Mazda 3

      5

      5

      2 small

      Providers

      Avis, Budget

    • Mazda CX-30

      Mazda CX-30

      5

      5

      3 small

      Providers

      Avis, Budget

    Mitsubishi vehicles for hire at Nelson Airport

    • Mitsubishi ASX

      Mitsubishi ASX

      5

      5

      1 large, 1 small

      Providers

      Alamo, Apex, Enterprise

    • Mitsubishi Outlander

      Mitsubishi Outlander

      5

      5

      5 small

      Providers

      Avis, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty, Hertz

    • Mitsubishi Outlander 4w.d.

      Mitsubishi Outlander 4w.d.

      7

      5

      1 large, 3 small

      Providers

      Ezi

    Polestar vehicles for hire at Nelson Airport

    • Polestar 2

      Polestar 2Electric

      5

      4

      1 large, 2 small

      Providers

      Thrifty, Hertz

    Skoda vehicles for hire at Nelson Airport

    • Skoda Kodiaq

      Skoda Kodiaq

      7

      5

      2 small

      Providers

      Thrifty, Hertz

    Suzuki vehicles for hire at Nelson Airport

    • Suzuki Swift

      Suzuki Swift

      5

      4

      2 small

      Providers

      Europcar, Thrifty, Hertz

    • Suzuki Swift Hybrid

      Suzuki Swift HybridHybrid

      5

      4

      2 small

      Providers

      Europcar

    Toyota vehicles for hire at Nelson Airport

    • Toyota C-HR

      Toyota C-HR

      5

      4

      1 large, 3 small

      Providers

      Alamo, Enterprise

    • Toyota Corolla

      Toyota Corolla

      5

      5

      1 large, 1 small

      Providers

      Alamo, Ezi, Enterprise

    • Toyota Corolla Hatch

      Toyota Corolla Hatch

      5

      5

      1 large, 3 small

      Providers

      Apex

    • Toyota RAV-4 Hybrid

      Toyota RAV-4 HybridHybrid

      5

      4

      1 large, 1 small

      Providers

      Hertz

    • Toyota Rav4

      Toyota Rav4

      5

      5

      4 large, 3 small

      Providers

      Apex

    • Toyota RAV4

      Toyota RAV4

      5

      4

      3 large, 2 small

      Providers

      Alamo, Enterprise

    • Toyota Rav4 4w.d.

      Toyota Rav4 4w.d.

      5

      5

      4 large, 3 small

      Providers

      Apex

    • Toyota Rav4 AWD

      Toyota Rav4 AWD

      5

      5

      3 large

      Providers

      Ezi

    • Toyota Rav4 Gx Hybrid

      Toyota Rav4 Gx HybridHybrid

      5

      4

      3 small

      Providers

      Europcar

    • Toyota Yaris

      Toyota Yaris

      5

      5

      1 large, 2 small

      Providers

      Alamo, Enterprise

    Other vehicles for hire at Nelson Airport

    • 12 Seat Bus

      12 Seat Bus

      12

      4

      12 large

      Providers

      Thrifty, Hertz

    • Chery Tiggo 4 Ultimate

      Chery Tiggo 4 Ultimate

      5

      4

      2 small

      Providers

      Europcar

    • Mystery Car

      Mystery Car

      5

      4

      1 large

      Providers

      Alamo, Europcar, Enterprise, Budget

    • Premium DC 4WD Lid Canopy

      Premium DC 4WD Lid Canopy

      5

      4

      2 large, 2 small

      Providers

      Thrifty, Hertz

    ×

    “Or similar” refers to how our rental providers classify cars. Please be advised they cannot guarantee that a specific car model will be available. Partners categorise similar models into “vehicle groups” and confirm availability on this basis. Our team are available to contact the depot on your behalf where you are picking up your vehicle to enquire what models are available under the vehicle group you booked. Please contact customer support for further information.

    Vehicle models are subject to provider availability

    Nelson Airport daily rate data

    Price range over the past 12 months for a economy car

    Price range over the past 12 months for a compact SUV

    Price range over the past 12 months for a intermediate SUV

    Price range over the past 12 months for a fullsize SUV

    ×

    Historical daily rate pricing information is data from actual bookings made using our search engine in the previous 12 months.

    Next 7 days rates are obtained from searches in our reservation system for a 3 day rental duration, by an Australian resident aged between 30 and 69 years old, with a pickup and return time of 10:00 am on the indicated pick up date. Rates and vehicle availability may change without notice.

    Prices are in NZD and include all mandatory fees for the rental and exclude credit card surcharges and extras.

    While we make reasonable efforts to provide accurate and reliable data, the data is provided ‘as is’ and errors or other defects may occur. For more information, click here: Terms and Conditions.

    Rates are in NZD and were last updated on 16 May, 2026

    How do I pick up a rental car at Nelson Airport?

    There is one terminal and a range of on-site car rental brands to select from at Nelson Airport. See below for clear instructions on how to find Nelson Airport’s car hire desks and where to pick up your rental car.

    Nelson Airport Terminal

    • Domestic Terminal

      Nelson Airport has a single passenger terminal serving domestic flights, so there is no need to worry about getting from one terminal to the other.

    Pick up instructions

    • Is your rental company desk on-airport or off-airport?

      Domestic Terminal

      On airport
      You will find the on-airport hire car desks at Nelson Airport located outside the terminal, just a short walk from the terminal.

    • Finalise your rental agreement and collect keys

      Once you are at the hire car company desk, you’ll need to finalise your rental agreement and collect your vehicle keys.

    • Head to the designated car park to pick up your car

      Domestic Terminal

      On airport
      The on-airport hire cars are parked in the rental car parking area, just a short distance from the car rental desks.
      Off airport
      If you booked with an off-airport provider, you’ll need to catch a shuttle to the car rental provider’s premises near the airport.

    • What should I do if the desk is unattended?

      Hopefully the car rental company has left a sign with instructions or a contact number. In this situation, use the number they have provided and let them know that you have arrived or follow the directions out to the car park where a rental attendant will help you.

      If there is no sign, check your booking confirmation email for a contact phone number.

      If you still have no luck finding assistance, contact us. Don’t be alarmed. It’s not unusual to see unmanned desks, and rest assured there’s usually someone who can help out in the car park where the rental cars are located.

      We'll be right back

    Returning a hire car at Nelson Airport

    • On-airport

      To return your on-airport hire car, follow the signs and park in the rental car park area at Nelson Airport — it is just outside the terminal.

      Return your keys to the desk, and if the desk is unattended, or for after-hours returns, place the keys in the drop box located at the counter.

    • Off-airport

      For off-airport rentals, a courtesy shuttle service will take you directly to the designated drop-off point close to the airport terminal.

      For Apex, you will need to return the vehicle to their Nelson Airport depot located at 12 Quarantine Road, Nelson.

    Car rental depots at Nelson Airport

    Find a convenient car hire depot on the map below.

      Frequently asked questions

      On hiring a car at Nelson Airport

      • Is it cheaper to book a weekly car rental at Nelson Airport?

        The per-day rates of some rental cars may fall if you book for a longer rental period. Prices often change around daily, three-day, five-day and seven-day periods. Also, note that the selection of rental cars available at Nelson Airport may be more limited if you are looking for a long-term car rental, so it’s best to compare a few different booking durations first.

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