![Auckland CBD harbour in New Zealand]()
Get moving with a car hire from Auckland Airport
A car rental from Auckland International Airport will stand you in good stead for any kind of visit, business or pleasure. The sprawling city is best traversed with your own set of wheels. And should you have the opportunity to leave the city limits and explore New Zealand, a rental vehicle is the way to go.
Auckland International Airport rental car pick up locations
There are both on-airport and off-airport providers supplying rental cars at Auckland Airport. The airport suppliers have car rental counters inside the international terminal, while off-airport suppliers have depots at nearby locations. The vast majority of the former category provide a complimentary shuttle bus to get arriving and departing customers from the airport terminal to the depot and vice versa.
On-airport rental providers at Auckland International Airport include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and Budget. Off-airport providers include Ezi Car Rental, Bargain Car Rentals, Go Rentals, Omega, Snap Rentals, Alamo, Enterprise, and Jucy.
Auckland Airport car hire: What you need to know
Auckland, a sprawling metropolis spread across a narrow isthmus, has plenty to offer any visitor. The bustling and globally-connected CBD sits on the shore of the sparkling Waitemata Harbour, and beyond that spreads the beautiful expanse of the island-dotted Hauraki Gulf. With access to two harbours, beaches of many kinds, museums, diverse dining opportunities, and plenty of things to do, this is a city that has it all.
Auckland Airport guide
Auckland International Airport (IATA: AKL) is the largest air travel hub in New Zealand with flights to and from an array of global destinations. It has an international terminal and a domestic terminal which are connected by a 500m-long signposted walkway and a free terminal transfer bus.
The international terminal has many different dining and shopping outlets, some before and many after security. These range from high-end stores to convenience shops, grab-and-go snacks to sit-down restaurants. There are amenities, airline lounges, ATMs, currency exchange outlets, free WiFi, and long-term and short-term parking options. You can ask any questions at information kiosks situated around the terminal.
Car rental counters are located next to the arrivals area of the international terminal, on the ground floor. At the Auckland Airport domestic terminal, they are located on the ground floor of the car park building directly opposite the terminal building.
![Auckland Harbour Bridge with lights reflecting on the water.]()
Driving tips for your Auckland airport rental car
Whether you are planning to zip around Auckland city centre or head out on New Zealand’s highways for a scenic road trip, it’s important to stay safe on the roads. These tips will give a head start to anyone driving in Auckland for the first time—or New Zealand for the first time.
-
Drive on the left! New Zealand is a left-driving country, which means that drivers sit on the right-hand side of the car. This may take some getting used to for those coming from right-driving countries. If necessary, plan an hour or two to practice driving on the left on the roads near the airport before hitting the motorways.
-
Default speed limits in Auckland and the surrounding areas are set at 50 kilometres per hour for urban or built-up areas, and 100 kph for motorways, highways, and open roads. However, you’ll find many variations to these limits—for example, the Waterview tunnel not far from the airport has a limit of 80 kph. Always pay attention to posted signs.
-
Head outside of Auckland and you are likely to come across roads which are steep and winding. Take extra care on these sections and make sure that you are reducing your speed to suit the road and the weather conditions.
-
New Zealand’s main highways tend to pass through a lot of small towns rather than bypassing them. Keep an eye out for speed signs and reduce your speed when required.
-
Roundabouts are common in Auckland and throughout the country. There are several near the airport. Always enter a roundabout by turning left, and give way to any vehicles already on it.
-
The blood alcohol limit for drivers aged 20 years and over in New Zealand is 0.05%. The limit for drivers under 20 is zero.
Where to go with a hire car from Auckland Airport
There are myriad directions you could take with your own set of wheels in Auckland! Not only does the city have many fantastic things to see and do, but the surrounding areas are full of enticing attractions such as the Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Auckland Gallery Toi O.
To start you off with some travel ideas, we’ve put together a list of top destinations within a few hours of Auckland. Start your planning!
![An afternoon view of Little Palm Beach, Waiheke Island.]()
Waiheke Island
This trip requires a short journey on the car ferry, but is well worth it. Spend a few days or even a week on this small but mighty island which is packed with top-notch swimming beaches and world-class wineries. Everything is within easy reach on this paradise isle with a rental car—just be sure to organise alternative transport when enjoying the fruits of the Waiheke vines!
Matakana and Tawharanui
Little more than an hour’s drive north will find you in Matakana, a lovely country town famous for its weekend markets and great restaurants. Nearby is stunning Tāwharanui Peninsula, a regional park that boasts long stretches of sandy surf beach, rolling pastures, and an open sanctuary where a predator-proof fence ensures that native birds can live and flourish freely.
![Spend summertime at the Piha Beach.]()
West Coast beaches
Only 45 minutes from the CBD, across a mountain range called the Waitakere Ranges, you’ll find West Auckland’s stunning black-sand surf beaches. These are spectacular, rugged, and ideal for a scenic picnic. There are also many great walking tracks in the mountains which back the coastline—try the hike up to Kitekite falls near Piha beach for a great morning or afternoon of adventure.
Coromandel Peninsula
Thames, the small-town gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula, is just 1.5 hours from Auckland by car. From there, the delights of the holidaymakers’ paradise peninsula spread north and east. These include the incredible rock formations of Cathedral Cove, the hiking tracks in the dense native bush of Coromandel Forest Park, the hot spring bubbling through the sand at Hot Water Beach, and a multitude of laid-back towns and beautiful beaches. Set aside at least a week to explore.
Done exploring Auckland? Why not pick up a rental car in Wellington to see the southern part of the North Island. Alternatively, you can take a flight to Christchurch Airport, get a car rental in Queenstown, or visit Nelson to explore the South Island. The choice is yours!
