Car hire in Dunedin, New Zealand

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in Dunedin

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Dunedin car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

Find the best car rental locations in Dunedin

See all car hire locations

The most popular car rental companies in Dunedin

Hiring a car in Dunedin: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyEzi
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceر.ق.‏ 183
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Dunedin

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Dunedin car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Dunedin

  • Looking for a cheap rental car in Dunedin? The booking magic happens here. With prices averaging ر.ق.‏ 183 a day, we compare the best deals so you can search smarter, spend wiser, and hit the road happy.

  • Cruise off with savings by reserving your wheels in November. With average daily rates of ر.ق.‏ 216, it's the cheapest month to rent a car in Dunedin.

  • It's all about the timing when it comes to finding a cheap rental car in Dunedin. Book around one week before your departure date to score the best price.

  • Get behind the wheel with Ezi, yesaway car hire or GO Rentals. These are some of the most reliable providers offering car hire deals in Dunedin.

  • The coverage Ezi or another company offers for your Dunedin car hire can differ, so be sure to read the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra fee.

  • Booking a one-way car hire can be the key to finding a deal. Simply click 'Return car to a different location' when searching for a car for rent in Dunedin. Providers sometimes need to move vehicles from one branch to another, which means you can lock in some great one-way prices.

  • Cut down on fuel costs by choosing a car hire in Dunedin with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up your vehicle with a full tank and drop it off full, so you're only paying for what you use.

  • Hit the road without counting the miles and racking up extra charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you go the distance.

  • Flying into Dunedin? Consider picking up one of the car rentals in Dunedin International Airport. That way, you can hit the road not long after arrival.

Compare car hire types in Dunedin

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Dunedin may be small in size, but they come with big advantages. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're agile, light on fuel, and just the thing for short trips.

  • Medium: Not too small, not too big, this is the just-right ride you need in your life. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of fuel efficiency and interior space and are popular with small families and couples.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and enhanced tech features, this Dunedin car hire category includes full-size cars. With larger rear seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and and take everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and a wide-angle view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're weaving through remote countryside or cruising along smooth highways, many offer all-wheel drive to keep you steady on any road.

  • Van: If you're after a car for rent in Dunedin that fits a small crowd (and all their stuff), a van has space to spare. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a solid pick for group outings, business use or moving.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Choosing excess insurance for your Dunedin car hire can take the stress out of driving. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of a collision or theft. Insurance policies can differ between rental providers, so always compare your options.

  • From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, the right extras can totally transform your drive. Consider which features will help you make the most of your trip when you rent a car in Dunedin.

Good to know

  • Age requirements often vary by company and even car type, so know the rules before you book. Some suppliers in New Zealand may rent to younger drivers for an extra fee. If you're outside the typical age bracket, just uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to explore your options.

  • Add a car seat to your Dunedin car hire reservation if you're planning to travel with the kids. Guidelines vary from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their age and size is always the safest way to go.

Hit the road: Where to drive from Dunedin

  • Explore the leading attractions in the city once you've lined up a car hire deal in Dunedin. Dunedin Botanic Garden and Saint Kilda Beach are essential viewing before leaving town.

  • When you're ready to rest your head, Dunedin Holiday Park and Scenic Hotel Southern Cross will make you feel at home in Dunedin.

  • Around 97 kilometres north-east of central Dunedin, Oamaru should feature on your itinerary. Head to can't-miss sights like Oamaru Whitestone Penguin and Steampunk HQ.

  • Oamaru TOP 10 Holiday Park and Oamaru Motor Lodge are popular accommodation options in Oamaru.

  • Alternatively, collect your cheap car hire in Dunedin and travel roughly 72 kilometres south-west to Balclutha. Featuring South Otago Museum and Clutha i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, its highlights live up to the buzz.

  • Blair Athol Accommodation and The Fern & Thistle Luxury Accommodation- Drinks, Hotpool, Sauna are comfortable places to stay in Balclutha if you're hanging out for a while.

  • Want to stretch this drive a little longer? Ashburton is a fun road trip destination that's around 241 kilometres north-east of Dunedin. Plan to make a few pit stops at CharRees Vineyard and Argyle Park.

  • Snooze the night away in Ashburton at ASURE Adcroft Motel. Bella Vista Motel Ashburton has your room key ready too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Dunedin will set you back around ر.ق.‏ 183 per day or ر.ق.‏ 613 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Dunedin is a compact SUV. The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire company in Dunedin is currently Sixt, followed by Alamo.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Dunedin is currently November.
On average, around ر.ق.‏ 613. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Dunedin is ر.ق.‏ 593.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Dunedin for a whole month is ر.ق.‏ 13,350. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Dunedin, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Dunedin that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Dunedin.
Most places – Dunedin included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is ر.ق.‏ 183 per day. The average price per day is around ر.ق.‏ 183.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Ezi, Thrifty and Dollar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Ezi as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Dunedin.