Explore the Bay of Plenty with a rental car from Tauranga Airport
Hiring a car is your key to exploring Tauranga and its picturesque surroundings in the Bay of Plenty. Whether you’re zipping around the city, heading to Mt Maunganui for a beachy getaway, or travelling around the whole region, a rental car will get you there at your own pace. It’s easy to get a great deal: simply compare rental cars at Tauranga airport with Airport Rentals and get your adventure going.
What you need to know about your car rental Tauranga Airport
Once you’ve landed at Tauranga Airport, it’s easy to get to your rental car. As you make your way to the arrivals area, you will find the car rental company desks next to the baggage claim. Rental car companies based at the Tauranga Airport terminal include:
![The skyline of Tauranga is definitely a beauty to behold, but so much more to uncover on a Tauranga trip.]()
Driving tips for Tauranga
Keep an eye out for toll roads! Tauranga is home to two out of three toll roads in the whole of New Zealand. They are the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road and the Takitimu Drive Toll Road.
Toll roads in Tauranga
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The Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road runs for 15km of State Highway 2 (SH2) between the Domain Road interchange, near Pāpāmoa, and the Paengaroa roundabout (SH2 and SH33 to Whakatāne and Rotorua). An alternative free route takes you through Te Puke on the Te Puke Highway.
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The Takitimu Drive Toll Road runs for 5km and bypasses Tauranga city centre. It takes traffic from State Highway 29 (SH29) to State Highway 2 (SH2) in the direction of the Port of Tauranga and Mt Maunganui. The alternative free routes are via Cameron Road or Cambridge/Moffat Roads.
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You don’t even have to get out of your car to pay, as your vehicle is recorded electronically. You can pay your toll online before or after your journey, or at some service stations. If you do use a toll road, make sure you remember to pay promptly, or you may face late fees.
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If you drive on one of these toll rolls, a toll will be charged to the vehicle and you are responsible for this. The amount you pay depends on the type of vehicle you’re driving but don’t worry—the prices are signposted as you approach each road.
Exploring Tauranga in your rental car
Tauranga boasts an awesome mix of metropolitan buzz and laid-back beachy vibes of New Zealand's North Island. Renting a car from Tauranga Airport means you’ll be able to see it all. Check out some of the highlights.
Waimarino Adventure Park
Just 10 minutes from central Tauranga and nestled on the banks of the Wairoa River, this park offers a fun day out for the whole family. It features overwater human catapults, pedal boats, rock climbing, trampoline, slides, swings, kayaks, ropes and so much more!
McLaren Falls
McLaren Falls Park is home to a whopping 190 hectares of parkland set alongside Lake McLaren. It’s just a ten-minute drive from Tauranga. While there are so many beautiful features of the park, one of the highlights is walking the waterfall track where you can see glow worms after dusk.
Mount Maunganui aka ‘’The Mount’’
![Spectacular to view at any angle, but better to be experienced - that's the Mount Maunganui Beach, a good stop over for your Tauranga itinerary.]()
Only fifteen minutes from Tauranga, ‘’The Mount’’ is one of New Zealand’s sweetest summer spots. The golden-sand beach is incredible, and the town centre is bustling with cafes, bars, and shops. To top it all off, there’s the mountain itself. Walking to the top is definitely a cardio challenge, but it’s well worth it for the panoramic views.
Te Puke
Experience a slice of rural New Zealand and make the half-hour drive from Tauranga to Te Puke. Check out the local kiwifruit orchards and take a classic ‘’Kiwi’’ selfie in front of the huge kiwifruit sculpture.
Choosing the best rental car for your trip to Tauranga
We can point you towards the perfect vehicle for your Tauranga travels.
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For budget rental options in Tauranga, try choosing a more compact vehicle such as an economy-sized hatchback or sedan.
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Want an extra special trip? Consider luxury car rental options for Tauranga such as premium SUVs.
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Remember to select a rental car option that suits the needs of your journey. Smaller cars are great for exploring the city, but if you want to explore the wider region, a larger model will provide more space, comfort, and safety features.
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If you wish to take advantage of the free pick up service, especially if you are downtown, you just need to contact the car rental company's location phone number listed in your reservation confirmation. Please read their free pick up service policies too for more details.
![Be amazed with the picturesque Bay of Plenty at dusk, and even at any time of the day, on your visit to Tauranga.]()
More locations for your road escapades
More than Tauranga, explore other jewels of New Zealand like Auckland and Hamilton in North Island, or Queenstown and Dunedin in South Island. There is also a whole new experience awaiting for you when you travel NZ with motorhome rentals.
