Car rental Picton

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Pick up a rental car from Picton Ferry Terminal and explore

Pretty Picton sits on the shore of the gorgeous Queen Charlotte Sound. The town is small but bustling due to its ferry terminal. Vehicular ferries regularly depart or arrive to and from Wellington in the North Island. Visitors enjoy the cafe culture, watersports, waterfront area, and the iconic miniature train and model boat pond in the town centre.

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Picton car rental locations

Most rental car suppliers in Picton have counters in the Interislander ferry terminal, making it easy for passengers to arrive by boat and continue by car. The ferry terminal building is located on Lagoon Road, just two minutes’ drive from central Picton.

Start planning your Picton car rental adventure

With a rental car from the Picton ferry terminal, the South Island is your oyster. The stunning Marlborough Sounds and associated wine region are a great place to start. Take your hire car to Nelson and the golden sands of Abel Tasman National Park. Or head to the West Coast to go gold mining in Greymouth. Beyond that, it’s mountain scenery, braided rivers, and glacial lakes all the way down to world-famous Queenstown. There’s no end to the adventures—and they all start when you pick up a Picton car rental.

picton interislander ferry car

Guide to driving in Picton and beyond

Staying safe on the roads in New Zealand is the most important aspect of ensuring your journey is memorable, exciting, and intrepid. Arming yourself with knowledge makes it more likely that you’ll enjoy smooth sailing —well, smooth driving—so take a look at our tips and do some research of your own.

  • Always drive on the left-hand side of the road, with oncoming traffic passing to your right. Cars in New Zealand (with very rare, imported exceptions) have the driver positioned on the right-hand side of the vehicle.
  • Distances are posted in kilometres on all signs. Speed limit signs are in kilometres per hour.
  • Default speed limits across New Zealand are set at 50 kph in built-up areas and 100 kph on open roads. There are many, many exceptions to this rule and a wide array of limits. Always look for posted signs as these are the source of accurate information regarding speed limits.
  • Many sections of road in the South Island are windy and steep. Always take extra care, especially if it is wet or snowy. Brake before corners and stay in your lane around blind corners.
  • Be aware of the possibility of wildlife on the roads. In bush or forested areas, possums are commonly found on the road at night. In rural areas, you may encounter cows or sheep crossing.
  • The blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers aged 20 and over is 0.05%. For those aged under 20, it is 0.

Extensive network of sea-drowned valleys of Marlborough Sounds.

Destination ideas from Picton

Due to its position at the top of the South Island and the terminus of the ferry crossings, Picton is a natural starting point for a road trip. If you’re making a one-way trip from top to bottom or looping around the island, there are many fantastic cities and towns to call into along the way. Popular destinations to take your rental car include Blenheim, Christchurch, and Hokitika. Of course, the capital city of Wellington is just a few hours away via ferry.

If you’re looking for places to put on your itinerary closer to Picton itself, take a look at the ideas we’ve collected below as a starting point.

Queen Charlotte Track 

This spectacular walking trail can be enjoyed in full or in part from various spots near Picton, some of which are accessible by road. It has amazing views over the Marlborough Sounds and takes 3-5 for the full experience. If hiking is your thing, don’t pass by this opportunity while you’re in Picton. 

Wineries 

The wineries of the Marlborough regions are easily accessible from Picton, and they range from famous names such as Cloudy Bay or Brancott Estate to small boutique vineyards like Bladen Hand-Crafted Wines or Fromm. Always designate a sober driver or join a guided tour. 

Governor’s Bay 

If the beach is what you want, make the short drive to beautiful Governor’s Bay on the Grove Arm of Queen Charlotte Sound. This spot is perfect for a picnic, a swim, and some time spent enjoying the beauty of the Sounds. 

Havelock 

The charming historical town of Havelock is at the head of Pelorus Sound and just 45 minutes’ drive from Picton ferry terminal. It’s known as the “Greenshell Mussel Capital of the World”, a lofty title for a small village—so check out the seafood available as well as the gold mining history, boutiques, galleries, and lovely scenery. 

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Car rental Picton Ferry Terminal: Frequently asked questions

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What is the cost to rent a car in Picton?

Looking for a cheap car rental in Picton? The daily rate for rental cars will vary according to the supplier, the specific vehicle, and the time of year. As an indication, you might pay as little as NZD$33 per day for a compact car in the winter season, and as much as NZD$120+ for a larger or luxury vehicle during the summer.

Booking your Picton car rentals with GoSee is so easy and convenient. Use our search widget to browse deals according to your preferences and get a more accurate rental estimate. You can also input your discount code quantity (if there's any) before you finalise your booking. No booking fees, and no cancellation fees on most rental cars!

How old do I need to be to rent a car from Picton?

Most NZ car hire suppliers require that drivers be at least 21 years of age to rent one of their vehicles. Some may add a young driver fee for anyone under the age of 25. 

Which car rental companies in Picton have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Most car hire companies in New Zealand will have updated some rental policies to keep customers and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. You may spot features such as “Enhanced cleaning” and “Contactless pick-up” in the search listing. 

What happens if I need to cancel my Picton car reservation? 

Your rental agreement will have the terms and conditions for cancellation, which you can read to find out whether you will be able to get a partial or full refund. Contact GoSee’s customer service team to cancel your booking and they can take care of the details for you.

How can I get the best car rental rates? 

Ace is one of the lowest-cost rental car Picton Ferry Terminal suppliers. To find cheap car rentals in the city, use the search function at the top of the page and filter by “Lowest price”. From there, you can also refine search and use other handy filters on the left side of the page and tailor them to your car hire preferences.

Do you offer vehicle delivery? 

Many Picton car hire suppliers offer delivery and setup services, usually for an extra fee or within a certain distance of their location. Each listing shows whether or not delivery is an option.

Can you hire a car in Picton? 

You can rent a car Picton from off-airport location nearby depots such as Ace, Avis, Big Value, Budget, Dollar, Europcar, Ezi, Hertz, Omega, Thrifty. You may also arrange a free pick up service, just contact the location phone number listed for your chosen supplier.

What types of Picton rental car can I get? 

The types of car rentals Picton are compact, economy, intermediate, large, SUV, and people carriers/vans. Some popular rental brands include Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Toyota, and Suzuki.  If you wish to pick up late model rental cars Picton, you must check the full details of the vehicle wisely.

What is included in the hire rate? 

Most rental cars Picton Ferry Terminal include unlimited kilometres. Other inclusions vary according to your chosen supplier. Compare offerings by reading the specifications on each listing. 

Also, make it a habit to read through your rental agreement to check on all the terms and conditions. You may also our contact reservations/support team for further assistance.

What is the minimum rental period? 

The minimum rental duration for hire cars in Picton is one day, but longer rental periods offer better value for money.