How to find a cheap car hire deal in Palmerston North
Pick up a cheap rental car in Palmerston North for an average of $228 a day and drive away happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top providers, making booking quick and easy.
Daily rental prices in Palmerston North start from just $91.
Thinking of staying longer? Grab a weekly rental from $331 and explore beyond the usual highlights.
Timing is everything when it comes to finding the best price on a Palmerston North car hire. Try booking around four weeks before your departure date.
Cross Country Rentals, Hertz and Ezi are some of the most popular providers in the city. They're a great starting point for comparing offers.
Whether you book with Cross Country Rentals or a different supplier, make sure you understand the coverage on your Palmerston North car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as a paid extra.
Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to lock in a good deal if the provider needs to shift cars between sites. Discover the best available rates by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'
Spend less on fuel by choosing a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You collect your ride with a full tank and drop it off full, so you only pay for what you use.
Want to explore freely without worrying about the number of miles you clock up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and go as far as you like without the extra fees.
Best value car hire options right now
Coming in first for value is this company, with prices averaging $217 a day.
Offering daily rates of around $370, this provider comes in next.
The third option also keeps costs manageable. Expect to pay roughly $328 a day for one of their rentals.
If you're not sure which wheels are right for you, choose something from the Economy rental category. It's the most frequently booked type of vehicle in Palmerston North.
Flying to Palmerston North? Think about an airport pick-up
Start exploring Palmerston North sooner by picking up a car hire at Palmerston North Airport. The city centre is about 8 kilometres away from this airport, which is a drive of around 10 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Palmerston North
Small: These cheap rental cars in Palmerston North may be small in size, but they're big on what matters. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're nimble, great on mileage, and just the thing for short trips.
Medium: Not too big, not too small, this is the kind of rental even Goldilocks wouldn't second-guess. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of fuel efficiency and interior space and are popular with couples and small families.
Large: Long drives are effortless in this Palmerston North car hire category. Also known as full-size, they're built with bigger engines for better driving. The extra space and comfort make them a great choice for families and groups of friends.
SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV goes wherever you do. It's your perfect road trip companion, ready for country roads, highways, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also deliver on space and improved safety features.
Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Palmerston North that fits a small crowd (and their suitcases), a van will do the job. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're best suited for group travel, moving or business use.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers the fee you'd have to pay if your Palmerston North car hire is stolen or damaged. While not compulsory, it's a safety net if something happens. Just remember that not all insurance policies are equal, so make sure you know exactly what's offered.
From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, the right extras can make every mile feel easier. Think about which features will make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Palmerston North.
Good to know
Rental age requirements aren't always the same everywhere. Companies can set their own policies, and if you're under the minimum age, you could face extra fees or restrictions. Check the exact rules for each supplier before booking your rental in New Zealand.
If you've got the kids in tow, check if you should add a car seat to your Palmerston North car hire booking. Whether a legal requirement or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to ride.
You'll likely be asked for these three things when collecting your rental car: an official driver's licence, another form of photo ID, and a credit card to cover the deposit amount. Debit cards usually aren't accepted. Any other requirements will be listed in your booking.
If you're new to driving in New Zealand, don't forget that traffic here keeps to the left side of the road.
Stay within the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 45kph in built-up areas and 95kph or so on highways, unless signs say otherwise.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in New Zealand is 0.05%. Since alcohol's effects vary from person to person, the surest choice is to avoid drinks so you remain legal to drive.
Around 8am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination. Try to avoid peak travel times generally for a more relaxed drive.
You'll be using the New Zealand dollar (NZD) for day-to-day spending throughout your trip. You may find it helpful to carry a mix of cards and cash to ensure you're covered in all situations.
The language most widely spoken in this country is English.
Best hotels in Palmerston North for drivers
Spend less time worrying about where to park and more time enjoying the comfort of Aspree Motor Inn. About 2 kilometres from central Palmerston North, it comes with accessible parking, Wi-Fi and express check-in.
Or take advantage of the parking at Distinction Palmerston North Hotel & Conference Centre. The city centre is roughly 0.32 kilometres from this stay, which also features air conditioning and a restaurant.
Browse the range of hotels in Palmerston North for even more choice. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to tailor your results to your trip. You can even select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to limit results to EV-friendly stays.
Once you've found a car hire deal in Palmerston North and your hotel, all that's left to do is decide where to head to first. Get things started with must-see attractions like Willowbank Reserve, New Zealand Rugby Museum and Upper Turitea Green Corridor.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Palmerston North
Keep travelling to Upper Hutt. Around 97 kilometres southwest of central Palmerston North, it's home to must-sees like The Gardens of Isengard (LotR) and Remutaka Railtrail Summit.
Reliable accommodation options with parking in Upper Hutt include Totara Lodge and Wallaceville Motor Lodge.
Add Paraparaumu to your travels too. Pick up your cheap car hire in Palmerston North and drive roughly 80 kilometres southwest to take in top spots such as Ports of Auckland and Raumati Beach.
Paraparaumu has some comfortable places to stay including Kapiti Gateway Motel and Elliotts Kapiti Coast Motor Lodge. Both give you somewhere to leave your car during your stay.
Keep the wheels turning and road-trip it to Lower Hutt, about 113 kilometres southwest of Palmerston North. First, visit Sugarloaf Rock Lookout, then follow it up with Matiu / Somes Island.
Check out the room availability at Quest Petone or Dupont Motels. Make one of them your base and enjoy everything Lower Hutt has to offer. They come with room for your wheels too.
