Car Rental in Nelson

✓ No Hidden Costs ✓ 24/7 Support ✓ Free Cancellation
Nelson, New Zealand
Unable to find any location
Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30 - 65
  • 66
  • 67
  • 68
  • 69
  • 70
  • 71
  • 72
  • 73
  • 74
  • 75
  • 76
  • 77
  • 78
  • 79
  • 80+
Trustpilot
700+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Nelson Airport
Compact SUV
Kia Stonic or similar
Kia Stonic
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Keddy
$31.42 per day
Nelson Airport
Economy
Toyota Yaris or similar
Toyota Yaris
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Go Rentals
$41.67 per day
Nelson Airport
Intermediate SUV
Mitsubishi Eclipse or similar
Mitsubishi Eclipse
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Ezi Car Rental
$58.72 per day
Nelson Airport
Standard Elite
Polestar 2 or similar
Polestar 2
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • Auto.
Thrifty
$77.40 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Nelson Airport
Standard SUV
Mitsubishi Outlander or similar
Mitsubishi Outlander
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Europcar
$88.99 per day
Nelson Airport
Full-size SUV
Kia Sorento or similar
Kia Sorento
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
  • Auto.
Routes Car Rental
$108.51 per day
Nelson Airport
Premium SUV
Mitsubishi Outlander or similar
Mitsubishi Outlander
  • 7
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Ezi Car Rental
$78.23 per day
Nelson Airport
Compact
Toyota Corolla or similar
Toyota Corolla
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Go Rentals
$43.76 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 12:50 AM on 11/20/24. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader, we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (4 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 175k+ total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.

Travel Information

Languages
English, Samoan
Currency
NZD
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+64
Average car rental price
$66 per day
Average car rental length
7 days
Speed limit within town
30 - 50 km/h or 19 - 31 mph
Speed limit out of town
80 - 100 km/h or 50 - 62 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Rating
9.5 / 10
Average gas price
$1.61 per liter or $6.09 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.29 per liter or $4.89 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.80 per liter or $6.80 per gallon

Why rent a car in Nelson?

A city of just 51,000 inhabitants, Nelson punches way above its weight when it comes to being a hub for tourism. The oldest settlement on the South Island is home to a lot of historic attractions but also has interesting museums, a special atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and access to some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders.

One-Way Car Rentals in Nelson

The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Nelson and drop off in another city include:

  • From Nelson to Christchurch - 7 offers from $85.36 per day
  • From Nelson to Auckland - 7 offers from $181.63 per day
  • From Nelson to Picton - 7 offers from $85.36 per day
  • From Nelson to Blenheim - 7 offers from $85.36 per day

Top ways to enter Nelson

  • Nelson Airport: Located just a short ride southeast of the city center, Nelson Airport provides connections with the largest cities on both islands of New Zealand, as well as some smaller regional destinations.
  • Christchurch Airport: By far the busiest on the South Island, Christchurch Airport has flights to many destinations in New Zealand and Australia, as well as all across South and East Asia. For many foreign visitors who travel straight to the South Island, it serves as the first point of entry. Located about 410 km (255 miles) south of Nelson, the trip between them takes about five hours.
  • Wellington Airport: Located right across the Cook Strait, Wellington Airport serves the capital of New Zealand. In addition to domestic flights, there are also a number of connections with Australia and Fiji. It is possible to pick up a car in Wellington and then take a ferry to the South Island, but you should make sure you pick a ship that permits taking a vehicle onboard; also, you should check with your rental car company. The trip between Nelson and Wellington, including the ferry ride, takes about six hours.

Top sights and activities

  • Architecture. Established 180 years ago, Nelson is one of the most interesting destinations for heritage tourism in New Zealand. The city is home to a variety of different architectural styles and notable buildings and areas. These include the Founders Heritage Park dedicated to the first European settlers and their homes; other notable Victorian and colonial buildings like Cabragh, Fairfield, and Amber Houses; and Christ Church Nelson Cathedral. Another fun place to learn about the history of the city and the region is the Nelson Provincial Museum.
  • World of Wearable Art. Also known as the WOW, the World of Wearable Art was a design competition that used to take place in Nelson. Although the competition has now relocated to Wellington, it has left behind a very fun museum where visitors can appreciate the boundless creativity of artists and designers put into things that can be worn. The museum shares its space with the Classic Cars Museum and its 140 classy exhibits.
  • Tahunanui Beach. Though there are a number of stunning, wild beaches near Nelson, if you’re searching for a more tranquil experience, look no further than Tahunanui. Often named among the nicest urban beaches in all of New Zealand, it is as famous for the shoreline as for its cozy coastal cafe. The beach is situated on a wide peninsula just some 3 km (2 miles) north of the city center.

Toll roads

All of the toll roads in New Zealand are in the northern part of the North Island, meaning there are none in or around Nelson.

The toll roads of New Zealand all serve as short bypasses of congested areas. The tolls are therefore quite low. The toll roads use a license plate capturing system with no physical booths. Payment can be made either by having a setup account, by paying online before or within five days of using a toll road, or with cash in some BP and Caltex petrol stations (though a small fee will be added). 

Many rental companies offer some system, with a fee, to pass on toll payments to you without you having to do anything. Of course, it may be better just to pay the toll yourself and save on paying that fee. The toll roads can all be avoided quite easily by avoiding the bypass roads and transiting through the towns (in addition to being able to see more).

Ideas for day trips

  • Abel Tasman National Park. Although the smallest in New Zealand, Abel Tasman National Park is a great place to enjoy the natural beauty of this part of the country. Situated along the Golden and Tasman Bays, the park is made up of long beaches, scenic coves, wooded hills, and plenty of hiking trails. There are multiple accommodation options in the area, but you can also stay in one of the eight conservation huts inside the park. Located about 60 km (37 miles) northwest of Nelson, the nearest corner of the national park can be reached in about one hour by car.
  • Nelson Lakes National Park. Another lovely place to visit, this inland nature preserve is named after the several highland lakes that it contains. The scenery of cragged peaks and forested slopes is inhabited by many local fauna species including the South Island robin and Cupola gecko. The drive from the city of Nelson to the national park takes about an hour and 15 minutes.
  • Golden Bay. If you look at a map of Golden Bay, together with Farewell spit, its main attraction, you'll see that its shape starkly resembles the kiwi — New Zealand’s national bird. Wharariki Beach is another must-see spot in the Golden Bay area. It’s a famous white sand beach with many rock formations and seal pups hanging out in the tidal pools. 

Car rental prices in Nelson

  • Large cars - from $71 per day
  • Medium cars - from $44 per day
  • Premium cars - from $88 per day
  • Small cars - from $42 per day
  • SUVs - from $31 per day
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Fact checked by
Marta Kulesza
This article was reviewed and updated by Marta, who spent the last 17 years living as a digital nomad and traveling the World before settling in a small alpine village in Austria. When it comes down to designing road trips for hiking enthusiasts around the Southern Alps of New Zealand, the Canadian Rockies, the Italian Dolomites, or Norway, she considers herself an expert. When she's not sitting at her computer and editing photos from her last trip, you can find her skiing or hiking with her dog in the mountains.

Top 20 cities near Nelson

  1. Blenheim from $41.93 per day
    58.6 km / 36.4 miles away
  2. Picton from $39.63 per day
    65.2 km / 40.5 miles away
  3. Wellington from $38.15 per day
    132.2 km / 82.1 miles away
  4. Westport
    144.4 km / 89.7 miles away
  5. Whanganui from $99.97 per day
    212.7 km / 132.2 miles away
  6. Palmerston North from $49.13 per day
    228.8 km / 142.2 miles away
  7. Christchurch from $28.58 per day
    249.6 km / 155.1 miles away
  8. New Plymouth from $67.00 per day
    267.2 km / 166 miles away
  9. Napier from $41.58 per day
    370.1 km / 230 miles away
  10. Taupo from $42.14 per day
    374.5 km / 232.7 miles away
  11. Rotorua from $40.39 per day
    442.5 km / 275 miles away
  12. Tauranga from $88.25 per day
    477.9 km / 297 miles away
  13. Auckland from $31.22 per day
    495.8 km / 308.1 miles away
  14. Gisborne from $33.10 per day
    500.2 km / 310.8 miles away
  15. Waiheke Island from $52.93 per day
    525.2 km / 326.3 miles away
  16. Queenstown from $22.10 per day
    550.8 km / 342.3 miles away
  17. Dunedin from $26.50 per day
    568.9 km / 353.5 miles away
  18. Whangarei from $121.12 per day
    623.1 km / 387.2 miles away
  19. Kerikeri from $128.38 per day
    673.9 km / 418.7 miles away
  20. Invercargill from $26.03 per day
    691.2 km / 429.5 miles away

Top 20 locations near Nelson

  1. Nelson Airport from $31.42 per day
  2. Downtown from $39.17 per day
    130 km / 80.8 miles away
  3. Wellington Inter Island Ferry Terminal from $42.11 per day
    130.6 km / 81.2 miles away
  4. Wellington Airport from $38.15 per day
    132.2 km / 82.1 miles away
  5. Palmerston North Airport from $49.13 per day
    228.8 km / 142.2 miles away
  6. Christchurch Airport from $28.58 per day
    249.6 km / 155.1 miles away
  7. Downtown from $28.62 per day
    253 km / 157.2 miles away
  8. New Plymouth Airport from $67.00 per day
    267.2 km / 166 miles away
  9. Napier Airport from $41.58 per day
    370.1 km / 230 miles away
  10. Rotorua Airport from $40.39 per day
    442.5 km / 275 miles away
  11. Tauranga Airport from $97.43 per day
    477.3 km / 296.6 miles away
  12. Auckland Airport from $31.22 per day
    495.8 km / 308.1 miles away
  13. Auckland Onehunga from $54.60 per day
    505 km / 313.8 miles away
  14. Auckland East Tamaki from $54.78 per day
    505.6 km / 314.2 miles away
  15. Auckland Penrose from $53.98 per day
    506.1 km / 314.5 miles away
  16. Auckland Henderson from $54.78 per day
    506.8 km / 314.9 miles away
  17. Auckland Mount Wellington from $54.78 per day
    508 km / 315.7 miles away
  18. Downtown from $40.09 per day
    512.7 km / 318.6 miles away
  19. Auckland Glenfield from $54.78 per day
    518.8 km / 322.4 miles away
  20. Waiheke Island Port from $52.93 per day
    525.2 km / 326.3 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Nelson?

Car rental prices in Nelson vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Nelson
$72.60
January
$70.05
February
$60.40
March
$36.62
April
$34.92
May
$47.61
June
$31.11
July
$31.10
August
$39.73
September
$38.18
October
$55.10
November
$64.47
December
The cheapest month to rent a car in Nelson is August (when prices average $31.10 per day). This is 36% cheaper than the yearly average and 57% cheaper than renting in January (when prices average $72.60).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the usual rental length in Nelson?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in September, the average renter keeps their car for 11 days, and in June, they keep their car for 4 days.
Average number of rental days in Nelson
9
January
7
February
8
March
9
April
5
May
4
June
5
July
8
August
11
September
9
October
8
November
5
December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Nelson?

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Nelson is January, and the least popular is June.
Monthly searches in Nelson by pick-up date relative to the average
191%
January
183%
February
172%
March
77%
April
59%
May
33%
June
40%
July
44%
August
37%
September
73%
October
106%
November
183%
December

Car rental information

Car rental locations 1
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers Go Rentals, Snap, Ezi Car Rental, Alamo, RightCars
Popular car categories SUVs, Medium cars, Small cars, Large cars
Lowest price $31 per day
Cheapest supplier Keddy

Most popular car models of rental suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Ezi Car Rental Mitsubishi Eclipse 5 2 SUVs
Ezi Car Rental Ford Puma 5 2 Small cars
Go Rentals Toyota Corolla 5 1 Medium cars
Go Rentals Toyota RAV4 5 3 SUVs
Snap Mitsubishi ASX 5 2 SUVs
Snap Toyota Vitz 5 1 Medium cars
Snap Toyota Corolla 5 2 Large cars
Go Rentals Toyota RAV4 4 3 SUVs
Snap Toyota Corolla 5 1 Large cars
RightCars Toyota Passo 4 2 Small cars

Our customers' reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.

New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
11/22/23
We spent time in the Abel Tasman region. It was lovely, weather perfect.
New Zealand
Toyota Passo
4/13/23
Visited my bach for Easter
Israel
Nissan X-Trail
2/16/23
It was all great ,nature amazing all the waespecialy for us was amazing Milford sound in the rain.
New Zealand
Mazda Demio
10/13/22
Go to takaka - an amazing place not to miss and stay .
New Zealand
Mazda Premacy
10/1/22
Had great trip with places easy to find
New Zealand
Mazda Demio
9/14/22
Car rental was essential as travel required to Golden Bay for a funeral service. Car met our requirements except phone charger didn't fit mobile phone; otherwise fine.
New Zealand
Mazda 6
8/16/22
Seeing Nelson was abs amazing
New Zealand
Nissan Tiida
5/3/22
We rented a car just to get to the Abel Tasman track and back after our walk. It just sat in a carpark for days, yet still felt like good value as it gave us flexibility
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
4/16/21
Abel Tasman is awesom. Cable Bay 1.6km zipline was a highlight. Visiting Pics peanut butter was great.
New Zealand
Toyota Corolla
10/13/20
Great place for nature walks, sightseeing, beaches, Able Tasman, Marlborough Sounds and Marlborough vineyards.

Car Rental Statistics

Highest-rated company
Hertz
9.1 / 10
)
Lowest-rated company
Keddy
7.7 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
10
Total rental companies
10
Average daily price
$66.08
Lowest daily price
$31.42
Total cars available
57

Top 10 suppliers in Nelson in 2024

Hertz
Hertz
Exceptional 9.1 / 18 reviews
1 location
Thrifty
Thrifty
Exceptional 9 / 12 reviews
1 location
$71 - $108
Ezi Car Rental
Ezi Car Rental
Exceptional 9 / 9 reviews
1 location
$59 - $88
Europcar
Europcar
Very good 8.9 / 13 reviews
1 location
$63 - $130
Snap
Snap
Very good 8.8 / 9 reviews
1 location
$67
Go Rentals
Go Rentals
Very good 8.7 / 11 reviews
1 location
$42 - $50
Alamo
Alamo
Very good 8.4 / 4 reviews
1 location
$62 - $204
Routes Car Rental
Routes Car Rental
Very good 8 / 0 reviews
1 location
$77 - $132
Dollar
Dollar
Average 7.9 / 0 reviews
1 location
$138 - $191
Keddy
Keddy
Average 7.7 / 2 reviews
1 location
$31 - $52

Highly recommended by our customers

Trustpilot

Nelson

Change location?
Pick-up date
Drop-off date
Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
Download Our App
Book and manage your booking on the go
  1. Car Rental
  2. New Zealand
  3. Nelson
 
Please wait...
Log in or create an account
Get access to all your bookings in one place
Continue with email
By selecting "Agree and continue", you agree to DiscoverCars.com's
and
What's your email?
Please check your email
Please check your email
We've sent an email with a verification link to {email}
Click on the link in the email to log in.
Please select a pick-up location and dates