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Car rental rates in Queenstown / Tāhuna
Located upon the shores of Lake Wakatipu / Whakatipu Waimāori, in the southern reaches of New Zealand’s South Island, and set against the dramatic Southern Alps, Queenstown / Tāhuna is justifiably famous for both its beauty and outdoors life. Queenstown is about a three and a half hour drive from Dunedin / Ōtepoti and around six hours by car from Christchurch / Ōtautahi.
Getting on the road in Queenstown is easy with VroomVroomVroom. By using our easy to use search to find a competitive car hire rate from our selection of well respected car hire provider, you can book your car in as little as a couple of minutes.
YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY
Here’s what VroomVroomVroom customers think
- 24 Jan 2026michael d.Booked: Mitsubishi ASX or similarTauranga Airport
- 06 Jan 2026juliet m.Booked: Toyota Corolla Hybrid or similarWellington Airport
- 11 Dec 2025karen w.Booked: Toyota Corolla or similarAuckland City
- 25 Jan 2026bianca c.Booked: Kia Seltos or similarWellington Airport
- 21 Jan 2026martyn t.Booked: Toyota Corolla Hybrid or similarChristchurch Airport
- 06 Jan 2026ngaire v.Booked: Toyota Yaris Gx Hybrid or similarAuckland International Airport
- 31 Dec 2025richard s.Booked: Toyota Yaris Gx Hybrid or similarAuckland International Airport
- 13 Oct 2025christopher f.Booked: Mitsubishi Outlander or similarGreymouth Railway Station
We ask users of our booking service to review it after they've completed their reservation. We present a selection of reviews on this page. Our review scores are calculated by averaging the scores of all the reviews that we collect. We don't publish reviews that violate our guidelines. To learn more about guidelines and our reviews generally, visit Terms and Conditions.
Learn more about our reviews.
WE COMPARE CAR HIRE
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Quick facts on hiring a car in Queenstown
| 🚗 Vehicle types | Car, Passenger Van and SUV. |
|---|---|
| 🔑 No. of depots | Six car rental depots in Queenstown. |
| ✅ Rental brands | Apex, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz and Thrifty. |
Car models commonly available in Queenstown
Kia vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Kia Carnival or Hyunda Imax or Toyota Previa
8
5
2 large, 1 small
ProvidersThrifty, Hertz
Kia Niro HybridHybrid
5
4
1 large, 1 small
ProvidersThrifty, Hertz
Kia Seltos
5
5
1 large, 1 small
ProvidersThrifty, Hertz
Kia Sportage
5
5
2 large, 2 small
ProvidersThrifty, Hertz
Kia Stonic
5
4
1 large, 1 small
ProvidersThrifty, Hertz
Mazda vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Mazda 3
5
5
2 small
ProvidersAvis, Budget
Mazda CX-30
5
5
3 small
ProvidersAvis, Budget
Mitsubishi vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Mitsubishi Outlander
5
5
5 small
ProvidersAvis, Budget, Thrifty, Hertz
Skoda vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Skoda Kodiaq
7
5
2 small
ProvidersThrifty, Hertz
Suzuki vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Suzuki Swift
5
4
1 small
ProvidersThrifty, Hertz
Toyota vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Toyota Rav4Hybrid
5
5
2 small
ProvidersBudget
Toyota Rav4 HybridHybrid
5
5
5 small
ProvidersAvis
“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
Queenstown Airport car hire
Are you flying into Queenstown?
Consider collecting your vehicle from the airport. We work with a range of car hire providers at Queenstown Airport (ZQN).
Local expert tips for hiring a car in Queenstown
Weekends can be busy
Many tourists visit the Queenstown Lakes District — especially over the holidays. So keep your cool and just be patient. Also, always leave room for cyclists and allow extra time for your trip.
Keep an eye on your speed
Always keep an eye out for road signs, and on open roads and highways the travelling speed is 100 km/h unless otherwise stated.
Drive on the left side
Remember to keep to the left hand side of the road in New Zealand, and you are not permitted to use your mobile phone while driving.
Watch the road
The highways surrounding Queenstown can be challenging, with tight bends and corners. Note that from April to October, ice and snow can affect the roads.
Check the weather
If you’re heading to the mountains, note that the weather can change suddenly, and it’s best to check the weather forecast and highway conditions beforehand.
Parking in Queenstown
Usually, parking in the town centre is priced between $1-$2 per hour, but take note that Queenstown’s parking spaces fill up quickly. Illegal parking fines cost between $40-$60.
Car rental depots in Queenstown
Find a convenient car hire depot on the map below.
Apex Queenstown City
View detailsNo reviewsMon–Sun 10:00–14:0026 Shotover St, South Island
Avis Queenstown City
View detailsNo reviewsMon–Sun 08:00–13:0068-70 Stanley Street (South Island), South Island
Budget Queenstown
View details2.2 (1)Mon–Sun 08:00–13:0068-70 Stanley St, South Island
Dollar Queenstown Downtown
View detailsNo reviewsMon–Sun 09:00–17:001-7 Earl St, St Peters Close, Queenstown, North Island
Hertz Queenstown Downtown
View detailsNo reviewsMon–Sun 09:00–17:001-7 Earl St, St Peters Close, Queenstown, North Island
Thrifty Queenstown Downtown
View detailsNo reviewsMon–Sun 09:00–17:001-7 Earl St, St Peters Close, Queenstown, North Island
Frequently asked questions
On hiring a car in Queenstown
Why are there no hire cars in Queenstown at certain times of the year?
Our data shows that Queenstown, along with other isolated cities in Australia, book out of rental cars during peak seasons (i.e., school holidays and major town events) because of the limited amount of rental cars available by providers in the area. We recommend always booking well in advance for this location.
What is the highest-rated hire car in Queenstown?
The highest-rated rental car in Queenstown is Toyota Corolla Hatch or similar, based on ratings by our customers within the last 12 months.
What is the highest-rated car hire provider in Queenstown?
Budget is the highest-rated car hire provider in Queenstown, based on ratings by our customers.
Is it cheaper to book a weekly car rental in Queenstown?
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 in Queenstown 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.
Can I pick up a rental car in Queenstown and return it to another location?
Yes, just untick the “Return to the same location” option in our search form and select your preferred return location. Take note though that there will be a one-way fee charged by the car rental provider in your booking, and that will be included in the prices we compare for you.
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