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Finding a car rental in Auckland is simple with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of suppliers all around New Zealand with no booking fees. Pick up in the CBD, suburbs or at Auckland Airport and compare Auckland car rental deals on compacts, SUVs and minivans, with unlimited kilometers available. Traveling in summer? Book early for the widest choice.
| Location | 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland Airport |
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| Auckland CBD |
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| Suburban Locations |
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Major Companies in Auckland City:
Parnell/Newmarket: Several outlets with good rates and selection
North Shore: Limited options in Albany and Takapuna
On average, car rentals in Auckland cost around NZD $103 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from NZD $16 per day.
Compare airport, CBD and suburban depots. Airport has the biggest selection but may include location fees. Suburban branches around Auckland often price lower. Factor in the time and transport cost to get to a suburban pickup.
Time it to the season. For Auckland’s peak summer and school holidays, book 3–6 months ahead. In shoulder or winter, compare prices closer to your dates as last-minute specials can pop up.
Pick smaller, book smarter. Economy/compact cars are cheapest and easier to park. Look for weekly rates or weekend specials, and choose deals with unlimited kms to avoid per-km charges.
Delay pickup if you’re staying in the CBD first. Explore the CBD car-free, then collect the car when you’re ready to road-trip. You’ll skip pricey city parking and bus-lane headaches.
Test both directions for one-ways. Compare city→airport vs airport→city. Total up the rate plus any one-way fee, as these vary by season and direction.
Trim running costs. Use the Gaspy app to find cheaper fuel around Auckland, and decide if the SH1 Northern Gateway toll is worth the time saved. Use your phone for navigation instead of paying for a GPS unit.
| Location | Parking Options | Cost (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| CBD |
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Street: Hourly rates apply Buildings: Daily rates available Early bird: Available in some buildings |
| Suburbs |
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Varies by area Shopping centers usually free |
| Beaches & Parks |
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Mostly free Some pay and display at popular beaches |
| Train Stations |
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Varies by location; check signage |
Signs to Know:
Helpful Tips:
Should I rent a car at the airport or in the city? If you're staying in central Auckland for a few days first, you might want to wait to rent your car until you're ready to explore further. This way you'll avoid city parking charges and driving while jetlagged. If you're leaving Auckland straight away, it's easier to pick up your car at the airport.
What's the best way to handle Auckland rush hour? Try not to drive between 7-9am and 4-6:30pm. If you have to drive then, use highways going against the main flow of traffic or take other routes through the suburbs.
Is it difficult to find parking in Auckland CBD? It's hard to find on-street parking and it's expensive. There are lots of parking garages, but they fill up fast on weekdays. If you need to park all day, look for early bird specials and think about parking in an outer suburb and catching a train into the CBD.
Can I take my rental car to Waiheke Island? Some rental companies might let you take their cars on the ferry to Waiheke. You must always tell them beforehand, get special permission for your rental car and check for any extra rules or fees. The car ferry (Sealink) is expensive (often about NZ$200–$300 return depending on the season and car size), so for short visits it can be cheaper to take the passenger ferry and rent a car on the island.
Are there any toll roads in Auckland? The Northern Gateway Toll Road is north of Auckland on SH1 (between Orewa and Puhoi). You have to pay the toll online within 5 working days. There are no toll booths. The system reads your license plate to charge you.
Is it worth getting a GPS or is Google Maps sufficient? Google Maps works really well in Auckland and is usually all you need. If you are worried about using your data, you can download the offline Auckland map before you arrive. A GPS from the rental company costs about NZ$10 extra per day.
What do I need to know about Auckland's bus lanes? Bus lanes are marked with green paint and signs that show their operating hours. If you drive in a bus lane during these hours, cameras will catch you and you'll get a fine. You can use T2/T3 transit lanes if you have the right number of people in your car.
Can I park overnight on Auckland streets? Usually yes, unless signs say you can't. But, some central suburbs have parking zones just for people who live there. Never leave anything valuable in your car where people can see it overnight, even in "safe" areas.
Find out more about renting a car in New Zealand.
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