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Need help with your car rental? Phone: 0800-141-466
Need help with your car rental?
Phone: 0800-141-466

Score great rates at Nelson Airport rental cars

Nelson Airport

Nelson Airport (NSN) is a regional airport located six kilometres southwest of central Nelson, on New Zealand’s South Island. To travel by taxi between Nelson and the airport should take about 15 minutes. Search and compare rates for Nelson Airport rentals with VroomVroomVroom. Book today to secure your vehicle at the best rates available.

Quick facts on hiring a car at Nelson Airport

🚗 Vehicle typesCar, Commercial Van/Truck, Crossover, Passenger Van, SUV, Sport and Ute.
🔑 No. of depotsTen car rental depots at Nelson Airport.
✅ Rental brandsAlamo, Apex, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Ezi, Go Rentals, Hertz and Thrifty.

Upcoming car rental rates at Nelson Airport*

Economy Car
Economy Car

Starts at NZD $71/day
From December 11, 2023 to December 14, 2023
Compact Car
Compact Car

Starts at NZD $73/day
From December 07, 2023 to December 10, 2023
Intermediate SUV
Intermediate SUV

Starts at NZD $83/day
From December 06, 2023 to December 09, 2023
Passenger Van
Passenger Van

Starts at NZD $404/day
From December 08, 2023 to December 13, 2023

*Rates last updated on December 05, 2023 Rental rate prices displayed were available in response to a search at 6:01 am on December 05, 2023 by a New Zealand resident aged between 30 and 69 years old, for the specified travel dates, with a pickup and return time of 10:00 am. Rates and vehicle availability may change without notice. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates. Rates include all mandatory fees for the rental and exclude credit card surcharges and extras.

Car rental depots at Nelson Airport

Please note that the depot hours below may change at any time without notice.

Alamo Nelson Airport Terminal Building
  • mon - sun
    08:00 - 17:00
Apex Nelson Airport * 12 Quarantine Road, Tahunanui
  • mon - sun
    08:00 - 17:00
Avis Nelson Airport Terminal Building
  • mon - fri
    07:30 - 20:30
  • saturday
    07:30 - 17:00
  • sunday
    09:30 - 20:30
Budget Nelson Airport Terminal Building
  • mon - fri
    07:30 - 20:30
  • saturday
    07:30 - 17:00
  • sunday
    09:30 - 20:30
Dollar Nelson Airport Terminal Building
  • mon - fri
    07:30 - 20:30
  • saturday
    07:30 - 14:00
  • sunday
    09:30 - 20:30
Enterprise Nelson Airport Terminal Building
  • mon - sun
    08:00 - 17:00
Ezi Nelson Airport Terminal Building
  • mon - fri
    07:30 - 20:00
  • sat - sun
    Closed
Go Rentals Nelson Airport Terminal Building
  • mon - sun
    00:00 - 23:59
Hertz Nelson Airport Terminal Building
  • mon - fri
    07:30 - 20:30
  • saturday
    07:30 - 14:00
  • sunday
    09:30 - 20:30
Thrifty Nelson Airport Terminal Building
  • mon - fri
    07:30 - 20:30
  • saturday
    07:30 - 14:00
  • sunday
    09:30 - 20:30
*Apex is an off-airport provider, meaning a complimentary shuttle bus will take you directly from the terminal to their site.

Picking up a rental car at Nelson Airport

There is one terminal and a range of on-site car rental brands to select from 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 orientation: Terminals

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.

Domestic Terminal

Where are the on-airport hire car desks?

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

Where are the on-airport hire cars parked?

The on-airport hire cars are parked in the rental car parking area, just a short distance from the car rental desks.

What should I do if the car hire 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.

Where are the off-airport hire car desks?

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.

Dropping off a hire car at Nelson Airport

Domestic Terminal

Returning an on-airport hire car

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.

Returning an off-airport hire car

For Apex, you will need to return the vehicle to their Nelson Airport depot located at 12 Quarantine Road, Nelson. A courtesy shuttle service will take you directly to the designated drop-off point close to the airport terminal.

The information on this section was last reviewed on July 16, 2023.


Frequently asked questions for Nelson Airport car hire

How much does it cost to hire a car at Nelson Airport?

Prices start at NZD $71 per day for an Economy Car, up to NZD $437 per day for an Intermediate SUV. Get a live rate for your planned dates and desired vehicle at Nelson Airport.

How much does it cost to hire an Electric Car at Nelson Airport?

If you prefer to plug your car in rather than fill it up, an Electric Car costs NZD $250 per day. Enter your car hire dates and find a live rate for your desired Electric Car at Nelson Airport.

How much does it cost to hire a Minivan or People Mover at Nelson Airport?

If you’ve got a crowd, but don’t need something as large as a bus, then a 7-seater or 8-seater Minivan hire might be your best option. A Minivan costs NZD $404 per day. Check for a live rate by entering your desired car hire dates at Nelson Airport.

What is the highest-rated hire car at Nelson Airport?

The highest-rated rental car at Nelson Airport is Toyota Corolla Hybrid or similar, based on ratings by our customers within the last 12 months.

What is the highest-rated car hire provider at Nelson Airport?

Ezi is the highest-rated car hire provider at Nelson Airport, based on ratings by our customers.

What our customers say

Have a look at what VroomVroomVroom customers had to say after they booked a hire car for Nelson Airport.