The easiest way to book a car rental in Queenstown
Great value rental cars from Queenstown’s most trusted car hire providers
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.
Compact SUV
Kia Seltos or similar
View offerTravel 11 Oct - 16 Oct 2026
from NZD $51/day
Economy Car
Suzuki Swift or similar
View offerTravel 14 Oct - 17 Oct 2026
from NZD $65/day
Compact Car
Kia Stonic or similar
View offerTravel 14 Oct - 17 Oct 2026
from NZD $67/day
Intermediate SUV
Kia Sportage or similar
View offerTravel 11 Oct - 16 Oct 2026
from NZD $75/day
Standard SUV
Hyundai Tucson 2w.d. or similar
View offerTravel 11 Oct - 18 Oct 2026
from NZD $82/day
Fullsize SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe or similar
View offerTravel 11 Oct - 18 Oct 2026
from NZD $109/day
Fullsize Passenger Van
Kia Carnival or Hyunda Imax or Toyota Previa or similar
View offerTravel 13 Oct - 18 Oct 2026
from NZD $149/day
Premium Passenger Van
Hyundai Staria or similar
View offerTravel 11 Oct - 18 Oct 2026
from NZD $168/day
Rental rate prices displayed are NZD and were available in response to a search at 12:01 am on October 08, 2026 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.
Rates are in NZD and were last updated on 08 October, 2026
YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY
Here’s what VroomVroomVroom customers think
- 04 Oct 2026daniel m.Booked: Hyundai Staria or similarQueenstown Airport
- 06 Sep 2026brendon a.Booked: Hyundai Tucson 2w.d. or similarQueenstown Airport
- 21 Aug 2026allison b.Booked: Mitsubishi ASX or similarQueenstown Airport
- 17 Aug 2026frank c.Booked: Mitsubishi Outlander or similarQueenstown Downtown
- 12 Aug 2026david f.Booked: Kia Sportage or similarQueenstown Downtown
- 27 Jul 2026kevin m.Booked: Mitsubishi ASX or similarQueenstown Airport
- 26 Jul 2026erin g.Booked: Hyundai Staria or similarQueenstown Airport
- 28 Jun 2026pat a.Booked: Toyota Corolla Hatch or similarQueenstown Airport
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
Unlock Queenstown with car hire made simple
VroomVroomVroom makes comparing car hire quick and easy, getting you great rates from New Zealand’s leading rental providers, including Apex, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, and Thrifty.
Search, book, drive.
Secure the perfect ride in 2 minutes.
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Quick facts on hiring a car in Queenstown
| 🚗 Vehicle types | Car, Passenger Van and SUV. |
|---|---|
| 🔑 No. of depots | Seven car rental depots in Queenstown. |
| ✅ Rental brands | Apex, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz and Thrifty. |
Car models commonly available in Queenstown
Popular rental car models in Queenstown last month
- % of BookingsModelPrice range last monthProviders
1
28%
58119
Mitsubishi ASXCompact SUV
5
5
2 large, 3 small
Rent withApex
2
22%
78183Toyota Rav4Standard SUV
5
5
4 large, 3 small
Rent withApex
3
14%
69110
Hyundai I30Compact Car
5
4
2 large, 1 small
Rent withApex
4
8%
93115Toyota HighlanderFullsize SUV
5
5
4 large, 3 small
Rent withApex
5
6%
83131Hyundai TucsonStandard SUV
5
5
4 large, 3 small
Rent withApex
Ford vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Ford Everest
7
5
4 small
ProvidersAvis, Budget
Hyundai vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Hyundai I30
5
4
2 large, 1 small
ProvidersApex
Hyundai Santa Fe
5
5
4 large, 3 small
ProvidersApex, Hertz
HYUNDAI SANTA FE HYBRIDHybrid
7
4
4 large, 2 small
ProvidersHertz
Hyundai Staria
8
5
3 large, 4 small
ProvidersApex
Hyundai Tucson
5
5
4 large, 3 small
ProvidersApex
Kia vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Kia Carnival
8
4
2 large, 1 small
ProvidersHertz
Kia Carnival or Hyunda Imax or Toyota Previa
8
5
2 large, 1 small
ProvidersThrifty
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 ASX
5
5
2 large, 3 small
ProvidersApex
Mitsubishi Outlander
5
5
5 small
ProvidersAvis, Budget, Thrifty, Hertz
Nissan vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Nissan Xtrail Aw.d.
5
5
4 large, 3 small
ProvidersApex
Skoda vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Skoda Kodiaq
7
5
2 small
ProvidersThrifty
Suzuki vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Suzuki Swift
5
4
1 small
ProvidersThrifty, Hertz
Toyota vehicles for hire in Queenstown
Toyota Kluger HybridHybrid
7
4
4 large, 2 small
ProvidersHertz, Thrifty
“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 Airport
4.5 (29)32 Lucas Place, Frankton
Mon–Sun 08:00–17:29Apex Queenstown City
N/A26 Shotover St
Mon–Sun 10:00–14:00
Avis Queenstown City
N/A68-70 Stanley Street (South Island)
Mon–Sun 08:00–13:00
Budget Queenstown
2.2 (1)68-70 Stanley St
Mon–Sun 08:00–13:00
Dollar Queenstown Downtown
N/A1-7 Earl St, St Peters Close, Queenstown
Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00
Hertz Queenstown Downtown
N/A1-7 Earl St, St Peters Close, Queenstown
Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00
Thrifty Queenstown Downtown
N/A1-7 Earl St, St Peters Close, Queenstown
Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00
Frequently asked questions
On hiring a car in Queenstown
How much does it cost to hire a car in Queenstown?
For a 3-day rental with pickup between 9 and 15 October 2026, prices range from NZD $67 per day for a Compact car to NZD $132 per day for a Fullsize SUV. Enter your planned dates to compare live rental rates for your vehicle in Queenstown.
What is the cheapest car rental in Queenstown?
The cheapest car rental in Queenstown is a Compact car from NZD $67 per day, for a 3-day rental with pickup between 9 and 15 October 2026. Enter your travel dates in the search form and compare live rates from New Zealand’s most respected rental car providers.
What is the best way to rent a cheap car in Queenstown?
Booking your hire car in Queenstown 12 days beforehand can save you over 9 per cent, based on our own daily rate checks.
How much does it cost to hire a Minivan or People Mover in Queenstown?
A minivan hired in Queenstown starts from NZD $209 per day before any added extras, for a 3-day rental with pickup between 9 and 15 October 2026. Enter your travel dates and compare live rates for a minivan rental in Queenstown.
What is the highest-rated hire car in Queenstown?
The highest-rated rental car in Queenstown is Hyundai Staria or similar, based on ratings by our customers within the last 12 months.
What is the best car rental company in Queenstown?
Apex is our highest-rated car hire provider in Queenstown, scoring an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on actual bookings by our customers.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Queenstown?
Thrifty is the cheapest car rental company in Queenstown, with rates from NZD $65 per day, for a 3-day rental with pickup between 9 and 15 October 2026. Enter your travel dates in the search form and compare live rates from New Zealand’s most respected rental car providers.
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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