Cheap Car Rentals in South Island from $29
This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car hire in South Island with a pick-up date of 26/5 and drop-off date of 30/5. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
What is the cheapest time to rent a car in South Island?
Discover the most affordable period to rent a car in South Island and save money on your trip. The monthly average price data is based on historical data over the last year and was last updated on 22 February 2025.
January
$85
February
$86
March
$78
April
$53
May
$41
June
$43
July
$52
August
$50
September
$46
October
$53
November
$62
December
$112
Currently, the cheapest month to rent a car in South Island is May. The most expensive time to rent a car is December. The cheapest prices for each month are shown above, but prices will vary based on availability, how far out you book your rental car, and of course, car type.
Popular car types in South Island
Explore the most popular car models available for hire in South Island and choose the one that suits your needs. The price data is sourced from various car hire companies and was last updated on 22 February 2025.
There are currently 96 hire locations operating in South Island spread across 71 car hire agencies. In the past week, the cheapest car type to hire in South Island is small car at $29 a day. Below are all the 3 car types available for hiring in the area, along with estimated starting prices:
Economy
$29+
Compact
$31+
Intermediate
$63+
Standard
$72+
Full-size
$77+
SUV
$51+
People mover
$69+
Full-size SUV
$81+
Pick-up truck
$96+
Premium SUV
$98+
Supplier choice
$33+
Compact SUV
$41+
Intermediate SUV
$51+
Standard SUV
$53+
Compare available car types for rental in South Island
Compare and contrast the various car types offered for hire in South Island to find the perfect fit for your trip. Price data is based on averages over the last 12 months and was last updated on 22 February 2025.
Small cars | $38 - $106 | |
|---|---|---|
All Car Types | $61 - $161 |
To hire a small car in South Island, you would pay an average price of $57/day. June is the cheapest month to hire a small car in South Island (~$38/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~$106/day). In fact, June is about 35% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a small car hire for South Island. When comparing with other car types available for hire in South Island, hiring a small car saves you 36% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best South Island small car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
To hire a medium car in South Island, you would pay an average price of $91/day. June is the cheapest month to hire a medium car in South Island (~$55/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~$166/day). In fact, June is about 41% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a medium car hire for South Island. When comparing with other car types available for hire in South Island, hiring a medium car is 3% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best South Island medium car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
To hire a large car in South Island, you would pay an average price of $133/day. May is the cheapest month to hire a large car in South Island (~$88/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~$233/day). In fact, May is about 34% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a large car hire for South Island. When comparing with other car types available for hire in South Island, hiring a large car is 33% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.
To hire a SUV in South Island, you would pay an average price of $94/day. May is the cheapest month to hire a SUV in South Island (~$61/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~$190/day). In fact, May is about 36% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a SUV hire for South Island. When comparing with other car types available for hire in South Island, hiring a SUV is 5% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best South Island SUV hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
To hire a van in South Island, you would pay an average price of $146/day. June is the cheapest month to hire a van in South Island (~$97/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~$242/day). In fact, June is about 34% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a van hire for South Island. When comparing with other car types available for hire in South Island, hiring a van is 39% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.
To hire a pickup truck in South Island, you would pay an average price of $159/day. May is the cheapest month to hire a pickup truck in South Island (~$102/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is April (~$252/day). In fact, May is about 37% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a pickup truck hire for South Island. When comparing with other car types available for hire in South Island, hiring a pickup truck is 44% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.
To hire a luxury car in South Island, you would pay an average price of $122/day. August is the cheapest month to hire a luxury car in South Island (~$61/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~$263/day). In fact, August is about 50% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a luxury car hire for South Island. When comparing with other car types available for hire in South Island, hiring a luxury car is 27% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.
Top rental agencies in South Island
Explore the leading car hire agencies in South Island known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car hire companies in South Island. Reviews were last updated on 22 February 2025.
Dollar
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EZI
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Avis
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Apex
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Hertz
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Ace Rental Cars
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Thrifty
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Snap Rentals
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Best South Island car rental deals found
Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car hire deals in South Island. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect hire option for your needs. There are currently 8 hire car agencies in South Island with an average daily rate of $65. Data was last updated on 22 February 2025.
Car rental FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about car hires in South Island, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 22 February 2025.
What is the cheapest hire car found in South Island?
In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under $70/day when booking a car hire in South Island. The absolute best deal a user found was for $33/day from Mode Car & Camper Rentals, booked on Feb. 16.
What car hire company is typically the cheapest in South Island?
According to our data, users have found the cheapest deals when booking a rental car in South Island from the following companies over the past two weeks: New Zealand Discount Car Rentals ($31/day), Snap Rentals ($33/day), and DISCOUNT.QUEBEC ($33/day).
Which car hire company is considered to be the best in South Island?
Taking our users’ ratings and reviews into consideration, Bargain Rental Cars (10.0 rating), Alamo (10.0 rating) and EZI (10.0 rating) seem to be the best car hire companies in South Island.
How much does it cost to hire a car in South Island for a week from EZU Car Rental?
From EZU Car Rental you can hire a car in South Island from about $347 per week on average.
How far in advance should I hire a car in South Island for the best price?
Hiring your favourite car model can become more difficult the closer you are to your desired travel date. It’s ideal to book early to have that peace of mind. An early booking can save you up to 48% in South Island - we recommend booking at least 60days in advance.
Can I rent a car for a month in South Island?
The length of time you can book a rental for is subject to the inventory of the supplier. When renting a vehicle from South Island it should be possible to rent a car for a whole month if needed.
How much does it cost to rent a car in South Island for a month?
Generally, a month-long car rental in South Island can be found for about $1,488, with the average price for a rental being around $50 a day. Book with Mode Car & Camper Rentals, to take advantage of their cheap prices and pay 76% less compared to the average price of car rentals in South Island.