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Explore the Garden City in a hire car from Christchurch Airport
Christchurch is a unique city with much to offer the intrepid traveller. A rental car will maximise your time here as the Garden City serves both as a fabulous destination in its own right and a launching pad to further South Island adventures. Its revitalised urban centre invites you to enjoy the fabulous array of stunning architecture, established green space, street art, and hospitality, whilst the surrounding landscape draws you toward sightseeing and adventure. Pick up a Christchurch Airport rental car and hit the road!
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What you need to know about hiring a car in Christchurch
Christchurch Airport is located only a few minutes from State Highway 1, which will take you either north or south from the city. For those planning to stay in the central city before heading off to their Christchurch car rental trip, it’s only a 20-minute drive to the CBD.
Car hire suppliers with pick-up locations at Christchurch International Airport include Ezi Rent, Omega Rentals, Bliss New Zealand Car Hire, Europcar, Budget, Ace Rental Cars, Jucy Car Rentals, Hertz, Thrifty, AutoEurope, Right Cars, Avis, Go Rentals, Big Value, Drive NZ, Apollo Rental Cars, Snap Rentals, Keddy by Europcar, A2B Rentals, and Ezi-rent Car Hire Christchurch.
Driving guide for your Christchurch car hire tour
New Zealand drives on the left-hand side of the road, which takes some getting used to. Several streets in the city centre are one-way only, so be sure to keep an eye out for signs and plan your Christchurch Airport car hire route ahead of time. After a devastating earthquake in 2011, there are still some roadworks and construction operations around Christchurch city, which may close off certain routes.
What to see and do in your Christchurch rental car
Christchurch has something new and exciting to offer on every visit, and its transformation is something to be seen and celebrated. The Garden City has been continuously evolving since the earthquake, and impressively combines innovative design with heritage architecture.
A Christchurch car rental is recommended to make the most of your time in this special part of New Zealand, as the hotspots are spread out and you’ll want to explore every corner. Visitors have their pick of activities to choose from, and more than enough to suit all tastes and preferences.
Leisure lovers will adore strolling around the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, river punting on the Avon, or sipping on craft cocktails in the CBD, whilst the action-oriented travellers can get the blood pumping on an Alpine Jet Boat ride, hiking in the Port Hills, or ziplining at the Christchurch Adventure Park. Christchurch is also a great starting point for countless road trips and experiences.
Popular locations to visit with your car hire from Christchurch Airport
Popular locations frequently visited from Christchurch include Hanmer Springs and Akaroa, with each offering spectacular scenery and unique attractions. The majestic beauty of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo also draws crowds to Christchurch as it serves as a great little travel hub for outdoor lovers looking to experience the Southern Alps. If it’s the sealife that calls you, a road trip to Kaikoura will have you whale watching or swimming with dolphins in no time.
Travellers going the distance may head to Queenstown in their rental car, cross Arthur’s Pass to see the glaciers of the West Coast, or drive north to the beautiful beaches of Abel Tasman National Park. Choose your car rental wisely, with consideration of the planned mileage, number of passengers, amount of luggage, and sporting equipment. If you are heading to the mountains or otherwise expect challenging road conditions, opt for a sporty, reliable model.
Some places in New Zealand are remote or hard to get to, so an extra thought about your comfort and safety on a long drive is well worth it. Grab cheap rental cars Christchurch Airport and plan your fuel stops in advance, keeping a few snacks in the vehicle, particularly if you are driving outside of normal business hours.
Other popular car rental pick-up locations for your New Zealand road trip are also available. There are multiple options if you plan to discover Wellington in your own car hire or explore with a rental car from Auckland Airport. The choice is yours!
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Car rental Christchurch Airport: Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a car at Christchurch Airport?
Car rental prices in Christchurch will vary according to season, vehicle availability, and pick up locations, but usually, you can expect to pay between $30 per day for a compact car or economy model and around $230 per day for some people carriers and SUVs.
What is the most popular car hire in Christchurch?
Economy models or those with cheap car hire rates are the most popular choice of rental vehicles for those who want to rent a car in Christchurch. Not only are these sorts of vehicles easy on the bank account in terms of daily rental fees, they’re also generally quite fuel-efficient.
Travel groups with lots of people or luggage, or with more adventurous locations on the their Christchurch car rentals tour may wish to opt for a larger vehicle or SUV.
Which car hire companies have vehicles available at Christchurch Airport?
There are dozens of rental car brands based at Christchurch International Airport, including well-recognised companies such as Budget, Avis, Thrifty, and Hertz. There are other rental cars Christchurch Airport companies that are wallet-friendly options like Omega, Ezi, and Jucy Rentals.
Which car hire companies in Christchurch have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
To ensure that vehicles for rent are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, many car rentals Christchurch Airport companies have since adjusted by updating their health and safety policies in hiring a car, including but not limited to Ace, Dollar, Europcar, and Thrifty.
What is the cheapest car hire agency in Christchurch?
Affordable car hire Christchurch Airport offers and promos are mostly being sought after. This is something that varies by availability, but brands like Hitch, Big Value and Omega often have some of the most competitive rates for Christchurch airport rental cars.
What is the cheapest location to rent a car from in Christchurch?
Christchurch airport car rental prices aren’t very dependent on rental location, varying more according to vehicle type, time of year and supplier. Search for a car rental on GoSee to find the cheapest options for rental car Christchurch Airport from a wide range of rental brands.
Is there an international airport in Christchurch?
Yes. Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is the international airport and gateway to Canterbury and the South Island. It is the largest airport on New Zealand's South Island, located just a few kilometres from the city centre.
Where are the best places to park in Christchurch?
The Orchard Rd car park is one of the best places where you can park your Christchurch car rentals. This is an affordable parking option, just a short walk from the Christchurch airport terminal. It offers 30 minutes of free parking and is ideal for pick-ups and drop-off locations for rental cars at Christchurch Airport.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in New Zealand?
The minimum age limit is 21 years old, although some rental suppliers will not hire those under 25, or may have a young driver surcharge for drivers under 25 years of age. Get a cheap car rental Christchurch Airport with GoSee now!
What's the speed limit in Christchurch?
The recommended speed limit in urban traffic areas is 50 km/h.The maximum speed is 100km/h on highways. Make sure to follow these advised speed limits when driving your Christchurch Airport rental car.